Investigation of Heavy Metal Concentrations and Accumulation Capacities of Naturally Growing Species in Old Garbage Area

Abstract

In underdeveloped and/or developing countries, garbage is often randomly piled up in open areas. This method has been used to dispose of garbage/solid waste in Turkey for many years. Although pollution is not at the forefront in Bingöl province, the area located in the city center of the city has been used as a wild garbage storage area for approximately 18 years. Since the garbage in the area poses a danger to people and the environment, this area has become inactive with the establishment of a new solid waste disposal facility in the city. There are plants that have adapted to this area, which has been empty for about ten years. In this study, it was tried to determine in what proportions and organs the plant species distributed in the area accumulate heavy metals that may have come from garbage leachate. Plants identified in the field; Alyssum simplex, Cirsium libanoticum, Descurainia sophia, Fumaria asepala, Fumaria officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Papaver dubium, Scrophularia canina, Trifolium repens and Ziziphora capitata species. Fe, Cr, As, Cd and Pb concentrations (mg kg-1) of these species were measured in root, stem, leaf and flower organs and translocation factors (TF) were calculated for these species. In conclusion; Alyssum simplex, Cirsium libanoticum and Fumaria asepala for Fe, Cirsium libanoticum, Fumaria asepala, Fumaria officinalis and Matricaria chamomilla Cr and As, Cirsium libanoticum, Papaver dubium and Scrophularia canina for Cd and all other species except Alyssum simplex and Scrophularia canina for Pb translocation factors (TF) were found to be greater than 1 (TF>1). The accumulation potential of these species is thought to be promising so that they can be evaluated in phytoremediation.