Section VI: Managing the Environment

Title: Natural radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations in soil along the Izmir-Ankara roadway, Turkey

Author(s): Alper Baba, F. Serap Erees, Asiye Bassari, Ümran Hiçsönmez, Sermin Çam, Hasan G. Özdilek

Address: Department of Geological Engineering, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale 17020, Turkey | Department of Physics, Celal Bayar University, Muradiye, Manisa, Turkey | Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Center, Istanbul, Turkey | Department of Chemistry, Celal Bayar University, Muradiye, Manisa, Turkey | Department of Physics, Faculty Sciences and Arts, Celal Bayar University, Muradiye, Manisa, Turkey, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Environmental Engineering, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey

Reference: Science,Technology and Sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa pp. 335 - 346

Abstract/Summary: Although regional geological speciation is principally determined by the source material, the increase of industrial production plants, synthetic agricultural aids, motor vehicles, etc. have led to the emission of various mixtures of environmental contaminants in the environment. Radionuclides, one of the chief environmental contaminants, emit different types of radiation. Another important group of environmental contaminants is heavy metals that, like radionuclides, are persistent in the environment and are accumulated in the food chain. These two groups of environmental parameters are the main concern of the study situated in Western Turkey. Comparison with worldwide averages, both radiation and some heavy metals and some elements in the study area were found elevated mainly due to stipulation of the regional geology. Analyses of fifteen samples revealed that gamma absorbed dose rate of potassium and rubidium, gamma absorbed dose rate of uranium and thorium, titanium and zirconium concentration, iron and zinc concentration, iron and copper concentration, and finally copper and zirconium concentration are positively and strongly related.

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