Pinus brutia as a biogeochemical medium to detect iron and zinc in soil analysis, chromite deposits of the area Mersin, Turkey

Soil and pine (Pinus brutia) samples were collected from 64 sites over chromite and ultramafic rocks near Musalı, and over clastic sediments of the Silifke-Anamur areas of Mersin, Turkey. Both sample media were analyzed for their Zn and Fe contents. The results showed similar concentration of both elements in the ash of needles and twigs, with each exhibiting lower concentration than the soils. Zinc was more concentrated in pines from the Silifke-Anamur area than at Musalı, but Fe concentrations were similar in both area. A positive correlation was observed between Zn and Fe in pine and soils (r=0.90 and 0.79, respectively). It is concluded that P. brutia can be used as a biogeochemical sample medium to detect concealed deposits of Zn and Fe.