Investigation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Plants: The Case of Bayburt Province

Yellow canthron (Hypericum perforatum L.), one of the plants widely used in alternative medicine, is widely grown on highways, but it is unconsciously collected and used for treatment by people without considering the negative effects of environmental pollution. This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal pollution of Hypericum perforatum L., which grows naturally on the roadside in Bayburt province, and the soil where it grows, depending on environmental factors. For this purpose, plant and soil samples were taken from 10 different points along the main connection roads where the Hypericum perforatum L. plant is densely grown and in these samples, using Agilent 7800 ICP-MS brand inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, The heavy metals of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were analyzed. As a result of the analysis of the samples, the highest concentrations were measured for Mg at all sampled points. When the heavy metal content of the plant samples was examined, it was found that other elements except Zn determined at the A9 point on the Bayburt-Erzincan highway were within normal limits, under the influence of the settlements, and when the heavy metal content of the soil samples was examined, it was determined at the A1 and A2 points on the Erzurum-Trabzon highway It has been determined that other heavy metals except Ni are below the limit values. The data obtained show that heavy metal pollution should not be ignored in the province of Bayburt, where there is no industrialization, and that such studies can be used to determine the appropriate natural treatment methods in regions where pollution is increased by repeating certain studies.