Heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contents of endemic Salvia halophila plants around Lake Tuz

Heavy metals occur naturally in ecosystems at varying concentrations. However, heavy metal sources that have emerged in present-day mainly due to human influence, i.e. industrial activities, agricultural waste, pesticides, use of fossil fuels and traffic, have included a part of heavy metals in the ecosystem. Lake Tuz, together with the entire lake surroundings, water beds and important steppe areas, was declared Turkey’s Specially Protected Area (SPA) in 2001. Our aim in this investigation was to determine the levels of heavy metals such as Chrome (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in endemic Salvia halophila grown in different areas of Lake Tuz. The results of the heavy metal contents analyzed at the plant were compared with the international standard levels of heavy metals. The consequences displayed that differing extents of heavy metals are accumulated in S. halophila. The results obtained differed in accordance with the collection time and localities. When the outcomes are appraised, it is achievable to say that Pb is higher than the standard values. The findings of this investigation are the first reported results for this endemic S. halophila species that grows naturally at Lake Tuz and are important as they are newly discovered results.