A study about radiation dosimetry and heavy metal pollution in the Küçük Menderes Basin, Turkey (Radio-ecological and Heavy Metal Risks)

Abstract

Agricultural researchers in many countries investigate radiological risks in soil and crops because it concerns human health. In addition, they also study heavy metal pollution in plants in cultivated soil for ecological safety. This study aims to analyze the activity concentrations of radionuclides and heavy metals in soil and corn crops in the Küçük Menderes Basin (Izmir, Turkey) – which is enriched with phosphatic fertilizers. We collected soil and corn samples from the area, and then separately measured concentrations of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) they contain. Activity concentrations of the radionuclides were acquired by radiometric methods (gamma spectroscopy). Heavy metal amounts were calculated using ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass-spectrometry). The mean heavy metal concentrations in the soil (Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Hg) were 0.096, 40.26, 26.51, 72.43, 32.24, 7.05 mg kg-1, 158.28 µg kg-1 and in the corn (Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Hg) were 0.01, 1.09, 2.05, 22.00, 0.54, 0.24 mg kg-1, 12.15 µg kg-1. The heavy metal concentrations in soil samples were as follows: Hg