Effect of Mining Activities on Heavy Metals in Soil (As, Cd, Co, Fe andNi): The Case of Orhaneli and Büyükorhan (Bursa)

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Mining activities constitute one of the most important economic activities in their area and their countries. Therefore, mines have a great contribution to the economies of the countries. Besides these advantages, they have disadvantages. There are many disadvantages such as soil, water, air and noise pollution, waste problem and decrease in biodiversity, damage to fauna, degradation of land and increased health problems. For this, besides the contributions of mining to the country s economy, damages should also be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of mining activities in Orhaneli and Büyükorhan on the levels of heavy metals (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni)) in the soil. For this purpose, the study area was divided into 8 km^2 grids and 19 soil samples were taken from these grids by systematic random method. As a result of the analysis of soil samples, a database was created in which coordinate values and heavy metal ratios in these coordinates were processed. The distribution of each heavy metal in the study area was analyzed by ordinary kriking methods. The risk assessment of heavy metals was determined by using the Indicator kriking methods. In addition, distance analysis was used to determine the relationship between heavy metals and mines. Pearson ‘Bivariate correlation analysis found how heavy metal values determined in the research area changed as they approached or moved away from mines. As a result, higher levels were detected in almost all heavy metals in the northern parts of the study area. In addition, the levels below the limit values specified for the Fe element were determined, while the levels above the limit values were determined for As, Cd, Co and Ni. As a result of the relationship between heavy metals and mines, significant relationships were determined.

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Heavy metals , Büyükorhan , geographical information systems , mining activities , Orhaneli , soil pollution

Aegean Geographical Journal

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Aegean Geographical Journal