Research Article

Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye

Volume: 32 Number: 3 July 28, 2026

Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, the soils in the Biga district's center, which are exposed to various anthropogenic effects, were examined. A total of 26 soil samples were obtained from the urban soils in five land-use types in Biga (Çanakkale, NW Türkiye). The study aims to determine the concentration of toxic metals (TMs) in soils of the study area, to evaluate the ecological and health risk assessment, to determine the sources of TMs. To determine TMs concentrations in soils, wet-digestion samples were analyzed using an ICP-OES device. TM concentrations (unit in mg kg-1) were listed as follows: Fe (159245±87136) > Al (89540 ± 56535) > Mn (45095 ±27871) > Zn (5660±6244) > Cu (2940±3602) > Pb (1134±1528) > Ni (1117±1094) > Cr (175±118.3) > Co (0.71±2.16) > Cd (0.15±0.25). EF values for Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn in soils are extremely high; Igeo values for Mn and Zn are in the moderately to heavily contaminated class; in terms of CF, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, and Pb are in the very high contamination class; PLI values for Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn are in the high contamination class (between 8.60 E-31 and 3.57E+21). Er1 is in the very high-risk class for Cu. HQ ingestion values in both children and adults are high risk for some TMs (Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn); HQ inhalation value is high-risk only in Mn; HQ dermal value is high-risk for some TMs (Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb). HI values pose a health risk in some TMs (Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) for both children and adults. Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu in the area were caused by natural factors, and some (Ni, Pb, Cd, and Zn) were caused by anthropogenic factors. The distribution of each TMs in the area also varied according to land use. 

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University the Scientific Research Coordination Unit

Project Number

FHD-2022-4137

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Chemistry and Soil Carbon Sequestration (Excl. Carbon Sequestration Science), Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 28, 2026

Submission Date

July 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 32 Number: 3

APA
Tunçay, T., İncirkuş, V., & Parlak, M. (2026). Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 32(3), 579-598. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1736327
AMA
1.Tunçay T, İncirkuş V, Parlak M. Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026;32(3):579-598. doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1736327
Chicago
Tunçay, Tülay, Vecihe İncirkuş, and Mehmet Parlak. 2026. “Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32 (3): 579-98. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1736327.
EndNote
Tunçay T, İncirkuş V, Parlak M (July 1, 2026) Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32 3 579–598.
IEEE
[1]T. Tunçay, V. İncirkuş, and M. Parlak, “Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye”, J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 579–598, July 2026, doi: 10.15832/ankutbd.1736327.
ISNAD
Tunçay, Tülay - İncirkuş, Vecihe - Parlak, Mehmet. “Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32/3 (July 1, 2026): 579-598. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1736327.
JAMA
1.Tunçay T, İncirkuş V, Parlak M. Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026;32:579–598.
MLA
Tunçay, Tülay, et al. “Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 32, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 579-98, doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1736327.
Vancouver
1.Tülay Tunçay, Vecihe İncirkuş, Mehmet Parlak. Ecotoxicological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal Pollution in Urban Soils in Northwest Türkiye. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026 Jul. 1;32(3):579-98. doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1736327

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