Assessment of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metal pollution in groundwater from Amik Plain, southern Turkey.

Amik Plain is one of the most important agricultural areas of Turkey. Because the groundwater resources have been used not only for irrigation but also for drinking purpose, groundwater resources play a vital role in this area. However, there exist no or a very limited number of studies on groundwater quality and its physicochemical and heavy metal composition for Amik Plain.

Spatial distribution of heavy metals content in soils of Amik Plain (Hatay, Turkey).

The purpose of the study was to investigate the total and bio-available contents of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Ni, and Pb) and to determine their spatial variability in the Amik Plain, Turkey. Samples of surface and subsurface soil were collected at 132 sites in the research area. All of the total metal concentrations except Ni were considerably lower than their maximum allowable concentrations.