GEOMEDICAL RISK ASSESSMENT BY GEOCHEMISTRY FOR IZMIR CITY CENTER, TÜRKİYE

Date

2023-9-07

Author

Kılıç, Atilla

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Geogenic materials, such as minerals and elements, have a significant impact on all living beings. Humans are exposed to geogenic materials through various means, including ingestion, skin absorption and inhalation, which may have either positive or negative effects on human health. Hence, risk calculations and geochemical studies have been conducted in many advanced countries to identify the distribution and potential risks associated with elements found in rock, soil, and sediment. However, in Türkiye, the importance of such studies is still being recognized, and research in this field has only recently begun. In this thesis, a pilot study has been undertaken in the context of risk assessment, focusing on the İzmir city center. The selection of sample locations was based on geological maps, satellite images, and settlements. The study area was divided into grids, and samples were collected from rocks, soils, and sediments in each possible grid, considering the geological characteristics of the units. The samples sent to geochemical analysis, and the relevant laboratory conducted these analyses for 73 elements. Geochemical investigations with a geomedical approach revealed the presence and distribution of toxic elements. In the case of Izmir city center, soil contamination by elements poses carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to different individual groups. Arsenic enrichment in soil and rock is a significant cause of general risk. Therefore, soil rehabilitation in areas with potential risk and city planning considering the risks are highly recommended. In conclusion, the results of this study highlight the need for more extensive research in this field and the importance of conducting such studies to identify the potential risks associated with geogenic materials. The findings of this study provide a strong scientific basis for future research and policy decisions regarding risk assessments and the management of geogenic materials.

Subject Keywords

Geochemical survey, geomedical risk, medical geology, toxic elements, arsenic enrichment, Western Anatolia.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/105569

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis