Research on heavy metal contents of the soil included between Kozan, Dikilitaş and Alapinar (Adana)

In this postgraduate thesis, it has been aimed to determine the amount of heavy metal included in the soils of the region located between Dikiltaş and Alapınar neighbourhoods of Kozan district affiliated to Adana province. 23 samples of soil have been taken from 5-10 cm under the surface at the points representing the field of study. Heavy metal contents of the samples have been measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) device. The data obtained in this manner have been transferred to CBS database, and symbology and distribution maps have been formed. Among Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Al, As elements; Ni and Co elements have been found higher than the figures determined by Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. According to enrichment factor (Ef) data, minimal degree of enrichment has been detected in Mn, Cu, Cr, Al, As, Hg and Zn elements; moderate degree of enrichment has been detected in Ni and Co elements; and significant degree of enrichment has been detected in Cd and Pb elements. According to contamination factor (Cf); low degree of contamination has been detected for Mn, Al, As, Cu, Cr and Hg elements; moderate degree of contamination has been detected for Zn element; considerable degree of contamination has been detected for Pb, Ni and Co elements; and high degree of contamination has been detected for Cd element. When geo-accumulation index data are considered with relation to the soil samples taken from the region located between Dikilitaş and Alapınar; moderate degree of contamination has been detected for Cd element, considerable degree of contamination has been detected for Hg element, and high degree of contamination has been detected for Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, Al and As elements.