Trace Elements in Groundwaters of Konya Urban Area, Turkey

Groundwater is the main source of supply for drinking, industrial and agricultural usage in Konya urban area of southwestern Turkey. The water pollution which is of some concern in the area is mainly by industrial waste-Disposals and agricultural activities. The present investigation has revealed the presence of As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, TI and Zn in the groundwater with concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.009250, 0.0650 to 0.7989, 0 to 0.00277, 0.000121 to 0.035797, 0.002327 to 0.307340, 0 to 0.002851, 0.00558 to 0.04618, and 0.001248 to 0.056130 ppm respectively.

The analysis results were compared with the standards of EPA, WHO and EC. The concentrations of TI and Pb are higher than the maximum allowable level, and Ba is at such levels to cause grave health risk.