Assessment of heavy metal pollution in Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea) through Eastern Black Sea coast road

In this study, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis which has an economic importance for Türkiye, is cultivated in the Eastern Black Sea Region was selected as research material. It was investigated whether traffic factor causes heavy metal pollution in the tea leaves. For this purpose, tea and soil samples were collected from eight different localities from Artvin-Kemalpaşa to Giresun-Tirebolu district along Black Sea coastalroad. Also, tea and soil samples were taken from eight different localities without traffic flow and traffic factor was compared. Samples were collected in shoot period (May, June, August) from all localities, were dried at 60 °C and burned in the microwave. Concentrations of heavy metals (Co, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) and statistical analysis were determined using ICP-OES and SPSS software, respectively. As a result, it was determined statistically important differences (p<0.01) with respect to Ni, Cu and Zn among localities in leaves samples taken from areas without traffic and the Black Sea coastal road and heavy metal concentration of all three elements was high in traffic areas. Generally, heavy metal concentration in traffic areas was higher than in non-traffic areas with respect to other elements. However, there were no statistically important differences. Likewise, heavy metal concentration in soil samples of the all selected localities which were on the side of the Black Sea coast road were higher than in non-traffic localities. It was investigated whether washing of tea leaves changed heavy metal content and was obtained important results in terms of Fe especially. It found to be lower the iron content in washed leaves samples.