DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF DISTANCE TO HIGHWAY ON THE ACCUMULATION OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN APPLE ORCHARDS

In this study, which was carried out in Yeşilhisar/Kayseri, it was aimed to determine the heavy metal accumulation in soil, leaves and fruits in apple orchards located on the Kayseri-Niğde highway. In the study carried out in 2021, samples were taken from rows 0, 100 and 200 meters from the highway in orchards at 3 different locations. According to the results of the study, Aluminum (Al), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pd) contents of the samples at 0 meters distance from the road in the orchards were higher than those at 100- and 200-meters distance. A similar trend was observed between samples at 100 meters distance and samples at 200 meters distance. In general, it was determined that Al content was higher in leaf sample, Cr content was higher in fruit sample, and other metals were higher in soil sample. Element contents in fruit sample were listed as Al > Pd > Ni > Co > Cr > Cd. Although fruit sample at 0 meters from the highway accumulate higher heavy metal elements than at other distances, they are still within acceptable limits. The results obtained can give an opinion on the new orchard establishment, especially in the lands close to the highways.