Heavy Metal Accumulation in Roadside Pine Trees after the Earthquake: A Case Study from Adıyaman, Turkey

The earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 caused extensive destruction in Adıyaman and increased the potential for environmental contamination. Dust, particulate matter, and construction debris originating from collapsed structures may have facilitated the release of various heavy metals into the environment. This study aimed to assess post-earthquake environmental pollution by determining heavy metal accumulation in the needle leaves of Pinus brutia, a species commonly used as an ornamental plant. Leaf samples were collected from three districts of Adıyaman with differing urban densities, namely Atatürk Boulevard, the Ring Road III, and the Adıyaman University campus, and analyzed using ICP-MS. The results revealed that Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, and As concentrations were highest in samples from Atatürk Boulevard, likely due to intense traffic, earthquake-related destruction, and ongoing construction activities. Cd levels, however, were low or below detection limits in several samples. These findings indicate that earthquake impacts and subsequent urban reconstruction have contributed significantly to localized heavy metal pollution in Adıyaman.