Abstract
Today, the beginning of many environmental problems is related to soil pollution. Potential toxic element accumulation in soils has the feature of persistence and accumulation for many years. Potential toxic elements can show point and diffuse spatial distribution by being carried to some extent near their source point. Potential toxic elements may cause a decrease in the quality of products in areas where they are distributed, and they may enter the food chain and put human health at risk. Sarayönü is one of the most important agricultural centers of Konya province. Approximately 10% of the agriculture activities of Konya province are carried out in the district where there is no heavy industry. Mercury mining has been carried out within the district borders in historical periods and the last fifty years. Some other potentially toxic elements, especially mercury, and arsenic, have been transported to some extent and dispersed spatially through abandoned mines, mining activities, and streams passing near ore zones. Chemical analysis of soil and wheat samples was performed. The results of soil samples are average, 16 (Cu), 2.1 (Pb), 66.4 (Zn), 0.52 (Ni), 5 (Mn), 22876 (Fe), 14.8 (As), 0.025 (Cd), 14 (Cr), 15116 (Al) and 0.71 (Hg) ppm values were found. The results of wheat samples were Hg (0.100), As (0.100), Pb (0.130), Zn (0.400), Cu (0.30), Ni (0.060), Cr (0.35), Cd (0.0094), Al (1.60) and Fe (0.95). The results were found to be well below the reference values taken in Turkey and the World. According to the results in the soil, significant contamination of mercury and arsenic was detected in ecological risk factors at locations S1 and S7. No high carcinogenic risk was detected for children and adults in the field.