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The environmental impact of the abandoned mercury mines on the settlement and agricultural lands; Ladik (Konya, Turkey)

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Abstract

There are many abandoned mines that have completed their economic life in the world and in our country. Because of limited capital power and manpower, it is very difficult to recover all abandoned mines to their pre-mining state. Therefore, environmental problems and their impacts related to abandoned mines are frequently observed. To investigate the impact of the abandoned mercury quarry representing the Ladik neighborhood and its surroundings, 21 samples were collected from the field to represent the creek beds, settlement, pasture, agricultural area and areas separated as abandoned quarries. The results of the chemical analyses obtained from the samples were evaluated using statistical methods. In the dendrograms prepared as soil and placer (cluster analysis), prominent groups were distinguished and interpreted together with the geological structure and anthropogenic factors of the region. The results of the Potential Ecological Risk Index were determined as Zn < M < Cr < Cu < Ni < Pb < As < Hg in the geoaccumulation ındex, contamination factor, potential ecological risk ındex and potential ecological risk factor. The concentration of mercury in stream beds in the study area is higher than that in soils. Although the primary factor of this accumulation is of geogenic origin, it has been determined that mining and human activities in the region have an effect.

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Acknowledgements

I acknowledge the support received from the KTÜN Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Geology, Faculty Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Alican Ozturk, Geological Engineer Omer Kagan Arici, Evren Solgun, and Mining Engineer Kazim Iyiopruk.

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  1. Department of Environmental Protection and Technologies, Sarayonu Vocational School of Higher Education, Selcuk University, Sarayonu, Konya, Turkey

    Bilgehan Yabgu Horasan

  2. Advanced Technology Research and Applicatıon Center, Selcuk University, Selçuklu, Konya, Turkey

    Bilgehan Yabgu Horasan

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Correspondence to Bilgehan Yabgu Horasan.

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Horasan, B.Y. The environmental impact of the abandoned mercury mines on the settlement and agricultural lands; Ladik (Konya, Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 79, 237 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-08985-6

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