INVESTIGATION ON HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION OF AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM L., PLATANUS ORIENTALIS L. AND POPULUS ALBA L. AND DETERMINING THE POLLUTION LEVELS IN AMASYA, CENTRAL BLACK SEA REGION OF TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the heavy metal accumulation and to determine the heavy metal pollution levels of the species Aesculus hippocastanum L., Platanus orientalis L. and Populus alba L. growing along the streets in Amasya's city center. The leaf samples were collected and dried in an incubator at 70 degrees C; when they were ground, they were burned wet with HNO3 and HCl. The concentrations of elements were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co in the leaves of the species were measured at more than the normal level, or at the limit; Fe concentration at normal level; Mn concentration lower than the normal level. It was determined that there were significant relationships between the element concentrations. Related to the obtained results, it can be said that there is Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co pollution in the city center of Amasya. Exhaust gases and smoke coming out of chimneys are thought to be the main factors leading to pollution in Amasya. A. hippocastanum, P. orientalis and P. alba species that accumulated high levels of Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co, can be used as a biomonitor in determining the pollution level of the heavy metals.