Evaluation of radioactive and heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil surrounding the lignite-fired thermal power plant using pollution indices

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Soil pollution caused by heavy metals negatively affects the environment and human health. However, the assessment of the environmental and ecological risks caused by heavy metals in agricultural soils in developing countries is limited. This study was carried out to determine heavy metal pollution and its possible sources in the agricultural lands surrounding the lignite-fired Afşin-Elbistan thermal power plant (TPP). A total of 52 soil samples were collected from the agricultural soils surrounding the TPP, and seven different heavy metal (U, Th, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr and Zn) analyzes were performed on these samples. Soil samples were taken according to the prevailing wind direction. Nickel had a higher geoaccumulation index (1.40) and enrichment factor (5.09) values than the other metals. In addition, U posed a "moderate potential ecological risk" in the study area. Pearson correlation and principal component analyses showed that U, Ni, and Cr were controlled by anthropogenic sources.