Environmental boron contamination in waters of Hisarcik area in the Kutahya Province of Turkey

Our aim was to determine boron levels in waters of rich boron mine areas in Turkey. There is a naturally occurring high level of boron in the ground waters of some parts of Turkey. Our study area is Hisarcik village in the Kutahya Province of Turkey which has a large number of boron mines. Boron occurs in combined form, usually borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O) and colemanite (Ca2B6O11–5H2O). Water samples were collected from many springs in order to determine boron concentrations and the amount of boron that is exposed to 88 samples from the drinking water (tap water), 37 from ground water and 257 from stream or pond water (surface water). Urine samples taken from 42 residents in this area were analyzed for boron and compared with its levels in drinking waters. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) method was used for the analysis of boron concentrations. Water boron contents at differing locations of this area ranged from 2.05 to 29.00 mg B/l. Mean value of boron was 10.20±4.08 mg B/l. Total urinary boron excretion was ranged from 0.04 to 50.70 mg B/l and mean value was 8.30±10.91 mg B/l. Current information on sources, occurrence, pollution potential and toxicity of environmental boron is discussed.