Between İmamoğlu Investigation of heavy metal contents in the soil, Dilekkaya And Lentils (Adana)

In this Master's study, it was aimed to determine the heavy metal amounts in the soils in the region located between İmamoğlu (Adana) district and Dikilitaş and Mercimek neighborhoods. 39 samples were taken from the locations that would represent the study area and analyzes were made with the Atomic absorption spectrometry method. Spatial distribution maps in the region were prepared with the ArcGis program. According to the results of the analysis, the values of Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb) elements in the soils were determined above the standards of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization Soil Regulatio. Enrichment factor (EF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and Contamination factor (Cf) values were calculated. According to the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), excessive contamination was observed for the element Hg, while significant contamination was found for the elements Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, Al, and As. Based on the Contamination factor (Cf) values, moderate contamination was determined for the elements Pb and Co, significant contamination was observed for the element Ni (7.45-3.36), and excessive contamination was found for the element Cd. Enrichment factor (EF) calculations were conducted to assess the impact of anthropogenic sources on heavy metal concentrations. The results indicate moderate enrichment for the elements Ni, Co, and Pb, while Cd shows very high enrichment. The high levels of agricultural activities, including the use of agricultural pesticides and phosphate fertilizers, in the region are believed to contribute to the contamination. Additionally, the high concentration of Ni may be of geological origin. Overall, these findings suggest that the heavy metal contamination in the region is influenced by both anthropogenic sources and natural geological factors.