Heavy Metal Contents of Barley (Hordeum SP.) Plants at Areas Around the City

This study was conducted to analyze concentrations of heavy metals in plants and soils of barley fields which were growing around of Konya city (Central Anatolia, Turkey). The samples of plants and soils were collected from different areas of two directions (North and South) and two distances (0 and 50 km) of the city. The samples of plants were analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni) measured by ICP-OES. The samples of soils were also analyzed for basic chemical properties (pH, humus and carbonate contents). The results revealed a large variability within the nearness and direction of the city for heavy metal contents of both plant and soil samples. Generally, higher amounts of heavy metals in samples taken near (0 km) the city were observed.