Change of Ba concentration by species and organ in several fruits grown in city centers

Abstract

Heavy metals are elements that are very harmful to human and environmental health. Heavy metal concentration in the fruits grown in city centers can reach very high levels and consuming these fruits as food causes a direct intake of heavy metals, which these fruits contain, into a human body and can pose a significant health risk. All the compounds of barium (Ba), which is one of the most dangerous heavy metals, are toxic. Thus, determining the Ba concentration in plants, which are grown in areas with high pollution and consumed as food, is very important. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the change of Ba concentration by species and organ in several fruits grown in areas with high traffic density. Within the scope of this study, Ba concentrations in leaf, branch, bark, seed, and fruits of Prunus ceresifera, Tilia tomentosa, Prunus avium, and Prunus cerasus were compared. As a result, it was determined that the change of Ba concentrations by species and the change by organ were statistically significant in all organs and in all species, respectively. In general, the lowest values were found in Prunus cerasus or Prunus avium, whereas the highest values were observed in Tilia tomentosa. Considering the organs, the lowest values were found in seed and the highest ones in bark and branch.