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Journals / Anatolian Journal of Botany / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

Assessment of heavy metal content in Paliurus spina-christi leaves and soils near an abandoned gold mine: A case study from Erzincan, Türkiye

Terk edilmiş bir altın madeni yakınlarındaki Paliurus spina-christi’nin yaprak ve topraklarında ağır metal içeriğinin değerlendirilmesi: Erzincan-Türkiye örneği

Rena Maralı(Giresun Üniversitesi)0000-0002-5254-9164
Mustafa Cüce(GIRESUN UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-7406-171X
Pages
229–236
Publication Date
2026-10-09
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Very high BAC values for Zn and Mn (BAC>10), and high BAC values for Cu (from 1 to 10) suggest that P. spina-christi can be used as a bioindicator species for monitoring pollution by these elements in local mining areas.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study was conducted in an abandoned gold-mining area, located in the İliç district of Erzincan Province, in eastern Türkiye.
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Key Findings & Data:The highest Zn, Cu, and Pb concentrations in both soil and leaf tissues were found at locality 3, the nearest site to the mine tailing pond.
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Conclusion & Impact:Very high BAC values for Zn and Mn (BAC>10), and high BAC values for Cu (from 1 to 10) suggest that P. spina-christi can be used as a bioindicator species for monitoring pollution by these elements in local mining areas.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Biyoindikatör · ağır metal kirliliği · altın madenciliği

Abstract

This study was conducted in an abandoned gold-mining area, located in the İliç district of Erzincan Province, in eastern Türkiye. Three localities were selected from areas close to mining area. The highest Zn, Cu, and Pb concentrations in both soil and leaf tissues were found at locality 3, the nearest site to the mine tailing pond. So, Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations in all soil and leaf samples of Paliurus spina-christi were mainly from tailing releases. Statistical analysis showed that the concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Pb in soil and leaf samples varied depending on both the group factor (soil vs. leaf) and the locality factor (localities 1, 2, and 3). Negative Igeo values in the present study indicate the absence of contamination by the studied heavy metals. For all elements, the concentrations measured in leaf samples were many times higher than those in soil. In particular, Mn concentration in the leaves of P. spina-christi collected from locality 3 exceeded the threshold value and reached toxic levels. Very high BAC values for Zn and Mn (BAC>10), and high BAC values for Cu (from 1 to 10) suggest that P. spina-christi can be used as a bioindicator species for monitoring pollution by these elements in local mining areas.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Türkiye'nin doğusunda, Erzincan ilinin İliç ilçesinde bulunan terk edilmiş bir altın madeni alanında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Maden alanına yakın bölgelerden üç lokasyon seçilmiştir. Hem toprak hem de yaprak dokularında en yüksek Zn, Cu ve Pb konsantrasyonları, maden atık havuzuna en yakın olan 3 numaralı lokasyonda bulunmuştur. Dolayısıyla, Paliurus spina-christi'nin tüm toprak ve yaprak örneklerindeki Zn, Cu ve Pb konsantrasyonları esas olarak atık salınımlarından kaynaklandığı sonucuna varılmıştır. İstatistiksel analiz, toprak ve yaprak örneklerindeki Zn, Mn, Cu ve Pb konsantrasyonlarının hem grup faktörüne (toprak ve yaprak) hem de lokasyon faktörüne (1, 2 ve 3 numaralı lokasyonlar) bağlı olarak değiştiğini göstermiştir. Bu çalışmada negatif Igeo değerleri, incelenen ağır metallerle kirlenmenin olmadığını göstermektedir. Tüm elementler için, yaprak örneklerinde ölçülen konsantrasyonlar, topraktakilerden birçok kat daha yüksektir. Özellikle, 3 numaralı lokasyondan toplanan P. spina-christi yapraklarındaki Mn konsantrasyonu eşik değerini aşmış ve toksik seviyelere ulaşmıştır. Çinko ve manganez için çok yüksek BAC değerleri (BAC>10) ve bakır için yüksek BAC değerleri (1 ila 10 arası), P. spina-christi'nin yerel madencilik alanlarında bu elementlerin neden olduğu kirliliği izlemek için biyolojik gösterge türü olarak kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Maralı, R., Cüce, M. (2026). Assessment of heavy metal content in Paliurus spina-christi leaves and soils near an abandoned gold mine: A case study from Erzincan, Türkiye. Anatolian Journal of Botany, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 229–236. https://doi.org/10.30616/ajb.1962212

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