A comparative view to heavy metal pollution in soil and rainwater in Çanakkale, Turkey

Abstract

On Earth, atmosphere interact with crust and thus simultaneously monitoring of environmental pollution in both parts of the environment is important. Soil and rainwater samples were taken in different parts of Çanakkale, Turkey, in two seasons. Study sites laid along with the prevailing wind direction (from NE to SW) as wind has the potential to distribute pollutants emitted into the air throughout its path. The concentrations of selected elements were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Also, physical parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity of the rainwater and temperature and pH value of the soil samples were measured together with the meteorological parameters. Seasonal differences for the selected elements were insignificant in the soil samples (p>0.05), while some elements showed seasonal variations in the rainwater samples (p[removed] Pb > Mn> Cu> Cd > Ni> Cr in the rainwater samples and Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co in the soil samples, respectively. The highest enrichments were found for Pb in the rainwater and As in the soil samples. Elevated As levels occurred in the samples can pose a great risk for public health and agriculture.