Statistical Approach to Heavy Metal Pollution and Its Consequences in Serpentine Soils Around Alacakaya (Turkey) for a Sustainable Environment

Increased soil metal concentrations may be detrimental to human health as well as the environment. This study was conducted to infer the potential environmental risks and possible sources of heavy metal pollution in serpentine soils in Alacakaya. For this purpose, the concentrations of Ni, Co, Zn, Pb, Cu, As, and Cr in 28 soil samples collected from serpentine soils in the region were determined using ICP-MS. The heavy metal pollution of soils in the region was examined by applying different indicators, and the pollution load index (PLI), contamination factor (CF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were used to assess ecological risks. The average concentrations of metals were in the order of Ni (2003) > Cu (1220) > Cr (823) > Zn (206) > Co (159) > Pb (56.9) > As (38.9) mg kg−1. The arsenic (As) concentration exceeded the limits permitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 53.6% of the soil samples, the zinc (Zn) concentration in 35.7%; the lead (Pb) concentration in 14.3%; and the Ni, Co, Cr, and Cu concentrations in 100% of the samples. The average Igeos were as follows: As 3.28 (heavily polluted); Cu, 3.23 (heavily polluted); Pb 1.04 (moderately polluted); Zn 0.71 (lightly polluted); Ni, 4.04 (heavily to extremely polluted); and Co 2.03 and Cr 2.35 (moderately to heavily polluted). According to Igeo values, it was stated that Ni, As, Cu, Cr and Co were the elements that posed the greatest ecological risk in the study area. According to the CF values, pollution is observed in all samples, and there is very serious Ni pollution. The heavy metals showing the most pollution were Cu > As > Cr > Co > Pb > Zn. Samples from the study area demonstrate strongly contaminated soil based on the PLI (mean 7.4) values. These findings provide important information for soil remediation and the removal of heavy metal contamination from soils in similar regions.