Research Information System
Soil Studies, vol.11, no.2, pp.62-69, 2022 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Abstract
Heavy metals occur naturally in ecosystems at varying concentrations. However,
heavy metal sources that have emerged in present-day mainly due to human
influence, i.e. industrial activities, agricultural waste, pesticides, use of fossil fuels
and traffic, have included a part of heavy metals in the ecosystem. Lake Tuz, together
with the entire lake surroundings, water beds and important steppe areas, was
declared Turkey’s Specially Protected Area (SPA) in 2001. Our aim in this
investigation was to determine the levels of heavy metals such as Chrome (Cr),
Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in endemic Salvia halophila grown in
different areas of Lake Tuz. The results of the heavy metal contents analyzed at the
plant were compared with the international standard levels of heavy metals. The
consequences displayed that differing extents of heavy metals are accumulated in S.
halophila. The results obtained differed in accordance with the collection time and
localities. When the outcomes are appraised, it is achievable to say that Pb is higher
than the standard values. The findings of this investigation are the first reported
results for this endemic S. halophila species that grows naturally at Lake Tuz and are
important as they are newly discovered results.