Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:378 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7556-6 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Heavy metal contents of contaminated soils and ecological risk assessment in abandoned copper mine harbor in Yedidalga, Northern Cyprus Mohammed Omer Barkett 1  · Ertan Akün 2 Received: 10 October 2017 / Accepted: 12 May 2018 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Total concentrations of heavy metals in the soil from Yedidalga mine harbor, one of the biggest copper export facilities in Cyprus having produced large amounts of mine wastes, were measured to determine the total contents of Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn. The study also evaluated the level of contamination and assessed the potential ecological risk posed by heavy metals. Soil samples were collected and heavy metal contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Several quantitative indices were utilized to assess the soil pollution status. Results revealed that comparatively all heavy metals exceeded the background values. The peak values were observed in the soils from the locations close to the Yedidalga farming lands. Geo-accumulation index (I geo ) showed that Cu had the highest contamination (I geo > 3) among the other heavy metals. Pearson correlation and cluster analysis identifed that Cd, Cr and Pb had a relationship, besides the signifcant cor- relation between Cu and Zn, the presence of which was mainly related to the mine wastes. Pollution load index (PLI) graded the overall studied area as moderately–heavily contaminated level. Potential ecological risk analysis manifested that the entire ecological risk level indicated that 55.6% of sampling locations exceeded 300 (RI > 300). These study results suggest that pollution control measures must be implemented. The main cause of accumulation of these metals is found to be associated with the presence of dispersed mine wastes in Yedidalga mine harbor. Keywords Heavy metals · Soil contamination · Pollution assessment · Ecological risk · Yedidalga mine harbor Introduction Soil plays an essential role in the global environment and acts as an ultimate reservoir for numerous pollutants (Adri- ano 2001). Among pollutants, heavy metals are of serious concern worldwide and are considered to be the most haz- ardous pollutant groups, especially due to their toxicity, ecological risks, non-degradable nature, biogeochemical recycling nature and environmental persistence (Soylak et al. 2005; Nobi et al. 2010; Zhang et al. 2016). Contami- nation of soils by trace metals have been a major concern to agricultural products and human health due to their pos- sible transfer into the food chain. In general, heavy metals in soils may possibly be derived either from the weather- ing of soils (geogenic) or could be induced as a result of various contributions from anthropogenic activities, such as trafc emissions, industrial activities, mining and metallurgi- cal operations and metropolitan wastes (Adriano 2001; Hu et al. 2013). Mining and smelting facilities have been found to be the most signifcant sources of a variety of toxic and potentially dangerous elements in the surrounding environ- ments, resulting in the contamination of the soils. Particu- larly, mining operations have severe environmental impacts on the soils and cause persistent toxicological problems for the surrounding environment even after centuries (Zornoza et al. 2012; Khalil et al. 2013). Hence, accumulation of heavy metal contents in sur- face soils, due to continued exposure become high and provide perceptible metal contamination that can be equal * Ertan Akün eakun@ciu.edu.tr; mertanakun@gmail.com Mohammed Omer Barkett maame333@gmail.com; hockynorha123@gmail.com 1 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cyprus International University, Haspolat, Mersin 10, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, Turkey 2 Faculty of Engineering, Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Haspolat, Mersin 10, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, Turkey