Determination of metal levels with edxrf method in cherry laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis M. Roem) species grown in Eastern Black Sea region

In this study, the concentrations of some heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb) in soil, Cherry laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis) fruit and Cherry laurel leaf samples collected from 14 stations determined in Trabzon, Rize and Artvin provinces in the Eastern Black Sea Region were determined with EDXRF spectrometry (Epsilon5, PANalytical, Almelo, Netherlands). The mean concentration values in soil samples were observed in the highest Rize province for Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. The mean concentration values in fruit samples were observed in the highest Rize province for Mn, the highest in Artvin province for Cu, and highest for Fe, Zn, Pb in the Trabzon province. The mean concentration values in leaf samples were observed in the highest Rize province for Mn, Zn and Pb, and highest for Fe and Cu in the Artvin province. Metal transfer factor (MTF) values were calculated in fruit and leaf samples, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to determine the pollution sources of heavy metals in soil samples. In addition, depending on consumption from the heavy metal concentration results measured in fruit samples were calculated the estimated daily metal intake (GA) by the human population and health risk index (SRI) values. The estimated daily intake values were found to be lower than the limit reference dose values recommended by USEPA. In addition, health risk index (SRI) values due to consumption of fruit samples were found to be below 1 (SR1 <1) for all metals. As a result, it is observed that there is no health risk to the people who consume the Chery laurel fruits in the investigated area.