Heavy Metal and Radioactivity Concentrations in Soil and Moss Samples from Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn in the moss (Hypnum cupressiforme and Scleropodium purum) and topsoil (0-5 cm) samples collected from Istanbul were analysed to estimate heavy metal deposition. The activity concentrations of gamma emitting radionuclides (137Cs, 40K, 238U, 232Th), organic matter contents and pH values of the topsoil samples were also measured. The trace element and radionuclide levels were compared with those found in the samples from other locations of Turkey and different countries.