The study area was defined by geophysical level maps and earthquake parameters. Geophysical measurements were collected from the Mesudiye formation and alluvial units. The seismic V s – V p – V s30 , dynamic parameter and electrical resistivity values of the layers were calculated. V s – V p – G max – σ – A k and ρ level maps were prepared for depths of 0–5, 5–10, and > 10 m. Seismic V s30 and groundwater maps were prepared for risk/hazard and liquefaction interpretations, and a risk map was drawn from A k – V s30 –groundwater maps. In the Mesudiye formation, the average ground amplification value is A k = 2.21 and according to this value, the danger level is class A and low (Ansal et. all 2004). In alluviums, the average A k was calculated as 2.51. According to this value, its class is B (medium) and the danger level is medium level. According to the level maps, it was observed that seismic velocities and electrical resistivities increased, and they were compatible with the geological units when passing to the more tight-ground Mesudiye formation from loose-porous-water-saturated alluvial units towards the north and deeper. It was determined that the alluvial grounds with low resistivity (8–30 Ohm m) are moderately corrosive–corrosive; groundwater levels are at ~ 5 m and contain different geological gradations. Therefore, the alluviums were interpreted as a risky area. This interpretation was also proved and supported with the results of the earthquake parameters. It was determined that as the magnitude of the earthquake increased, the probability of a larger earthquake occurred with a longer recurrence year. It was found that the frequency of recurrence of earthquakes with M ≤ 5.5 within 10–50–75–100 years was higher, and M ≥ 6 decreased. For M = 7.4, the average a max = 0.31 g was calculated, and it was determined the liquefaction risk is high hazard, especially in fine-gravel-sandy alluviums (in the south). Therefore, these areas may be more affected by the earthquake.

The present study aimed to prepare various tables in line with sustainability goals in disaster preparedness and social awareness and present recommendations for different product varieties, product design characteristics, and promotion and sale of these products on the basis of earth sciences. Disaster type diversity, target groups, and Türkiye’s regional differences were taken into account when preparing tables. The geological, geographical, meteorological, topographical, urbanization and settlement type characteristics and diversity of seven regions of Türkiye's geography were emphasized. The importance of product development and sales according to the target group and regional characteristics was expressed with the diversity of disaster types and all characteristics of the regions. The possibility for society to access scientific knowledge through simpler, faster, and more sustainable forms of education and learning, through product production and sales, was presented as an approach in disaster preparedness. It was also thought that it could be internationally accepted in this way, guide international studies, and provide support to internationally recognized NGOs and foundations as a social project. Furthermore, it was estimated that contributions could be made to the country’s economy, promotion, tourism, and employment. Therefore, the recommendations in this article can significantly benefit society in terms of both sustainability and contributions.

In this study, a new way of using the Spider Diagram (SD) method has been shown in the investigation of the pollution spread and pollutant species caused by heavy metal-containing leachate in soil ground. Thus, it has been shown that this method can be used in conjunction with the results of earth science studies and its contribution to interpretation was emphasized. Because today, heavy metals in leachate water are an important environmental problem. It was determined that SD and geophysical methods could be used together in studies investigating this pollution. The heavy metal-containing leachate may contaminate the agricultural/non-agricultural soils/grounds or underground/surface waters by spreading in the permeable geological unit. This pollution spread and pollutant species can be analyzed by geochemistry (soil samples) studies. In addition, the horizontal-vertical boundaries of this pollution and the direction of pollution can be determined by geophysical methods. The results of soil analysis can also be interpreted using the SD method. However, it has been determined that this method can be used to interpret with geophysical results. This comparison has been found to contribute to the geophysical results in interpretation and it has been observed that it strengthens the geological interpretations. As a result, it is shown that SD method is a method that allows evaluating a large number of data in a short time and it can be used together with earth science methods. If these methods are used together in heavy metal pollution investigations, it has been shown whether the pollution in the soil is caused by the leachate or the bedrock unit, and in addition, whether the underground and surface water resources in the region are under the threat of pollution caused by leachate. It was thought that such a study would also be useful in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.

In the study area, the geophysical properties of gypsum and filling materials, karst structures that developed in gypsum, and groundwater level were investigated. According to the results of geophysical studies, it was thought that the depression and dissolution/weathering areas in the karst could be completely or partially filled with water, air, gypsum particles, and one, several, or all of the alluvial units. It was determined that resistivity and S-wave velocity (average < 26.4 Ω m, ~ 220 m/s) in these areas were low and corresponded to low seismic velocity zones (LSVZ). In fill and cover unit areas where water did not affect or was less affected, resistivity and S-wave velocity (< 67.3–131 Ω m, average < 245 m/s) were determined low. It was found out that resistivity and S-wave velocity of the gypsum bedrock was very high (> 10,263–14,412 Ω m, average > 655 m/s), and resistivity and S-wave velocity of LSVZ in the gypsum surfaced far from the source were lower (< 91.3 Ω m, ~ 585 m/s) compared to the gypsum bedrock. Therefore, it was observed that the resistivities and seismic velocities of the gypsum in the surfaced area were higher compared to the depression area. The results were associated with karst as the main reason for dissolutions and depressions, because the water draining/leaking/spreading from the water source progressed by creating low-resistivity areas in the permeable filling material and the groundwater was near the surface. Therefore, karst structures will probably continue to develop in this area, and natural hazards may occur in the future.

This study includes natural hazards and environmental problems caused by gypsum on and near the soil, water, and structures. These are karst-specific deformations (caves, fractures, cracks) naturally occurring in gypsum areas, and the problems of salinization, corrosion, erosion, soil and water pollution that occur as a result of dissolution caused by the contact of gypsum with water. In particular, it has been determined that various transfer routes/lines that facilitate human life cause problems on substructures/superstructures resulting from their passage in gypsum areas or on substructures/superstructures (road, buried pipe, building) resulting from the spread of urbanization on this unit, and these have various risks. As a result of these events that have been proven by various studies, it has also been observed that gypsum causes natural hazards and has environmental impacts on human/plant/animal life and living environments and it has also been determined that the quality and sustainability of life/living environment decreased. Therefore, in this study, it has been put forward that gypsum areas pose a risk for the life of all kinds of living beings and that the choice of gypsum areas in the site selection for urbanization will always be risky with respect to natural hazards and environmental problems.

Günümüzde tekrar kullanılmamak üzere uzaklaştırılmak (bertaraf edilmek) istenen her şey, atık adı ile ifade edilmektedir. Ancak atıklar (katı/sıvı/gaz), günümüz bilgisi ve teknolojisine göre artık hiç kullanılmayacak ve işe yaramayacak bir malzeme anlamına da gelmemektedirler. Bu atıklar, günümüz bilgi ve teknolojisi ile geliştirilmiş özel işleme ve bertaraf (uzaklaştırma) tesislerinde ya yeniden kullanılmaktadırlar ya da başka malzemelere dönüştürülerek faydalı ürünler (ikincil hammaddeler) haline getirilmektedirler. Bir kısmı da yakılarak yok edilmektedirler. Dolayısıyla bu işlemler yapılırken, atık yönetimi ve atık bertarafı için yer seçimi, özellikle çevrenin korunması ve sürdürülebilirliği için çok önemlidir. Bu amaçla konu ile ilgili uzmanların çalışmalar yapması, kararlar alınması, geliştirme çalışmaları yapması, planlar/planlamalar yapması ve bunlara göre öneriler yapılarak önlemler alınması önemli olmaktadır. Bu çalışmalar, Çevresel Etki Değerlendirme (ÇED) kapsamındaki çalışmalar öncesinde, süresince ve sonrasında da önemli olan ve yapılması düşünülen başka çalışmaları da kapsamalıdır. Böylece sürdürülebilir bir çevre koruması sağlanabilecektir.

Plants and their components have maintained importance in human life as medicinal and aromatic ingredients that have been used by people for many centuries. Nature is the chief source of these valuable resources and humans use these plants directly after collection from their habitat. Therefore, the places where such plants grow have become highly important for understanding the role and behaviour of the accumulation of various elements, especially heavy metals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in Echium italicum L. plants collected from seven different locations in the province of Sivas in Northern Turkey. Heavy metal pollution was determined in the analysis of the plants. A significant difference was observed in the amounts of heavy metals between plants growing in areas with high vehicle traffic and in the plants growing in low traffic areas. This is of great importance for medical and aromatic plants, which are usually collected from areas of natural growth. Therefore, when these plants are collected from the wild, low traffic areas should be selected.

C2 RESPONSES: General comments SC1. Considering the text of the paper, the authors should keep their sentences short and clear instead of trying to over-impress by writing complex sentences, which can often leave the reader tired and confused. Therefore, explanations are generally not clear. ACs1: I checked them. Due to the continuous change of topography, we selected the parallel lines. Contribution to comC1

This study was performed at an area of 50 × 48 m2 being defined as a new settlement in the northeast of Sivas. In the study, the discontinuities that are not deep and their geophysical characteristics were examined by the GPR and MASW methods. For interpretation, GPR cross sections were prepared as 2D–3D, and MASW cross sections were prepared as 2D. As for geophysical cross sections, about 10 m depth was examined. It was understood that the reflections observed in the form of hyperbolas in GPR cross sections correspond to areas having low S wave velocity (Vs) in MASW cross sections. It was understood that the S wave velocities are lower than 653 m/s, that the seismic velocities in between 653 and 275 m/s indicate partially deteriorated areas and that the S wave velocities of unweathered gypsums are higher than 1275 m/s at these low-velocity zones. Thus, it was thought that the fill material that may arise in the fracture, crack and deterioration areas arises from intercalation and clastic gypsum units, and that it plays a role in having low value S wave velocities. In all the geophysical cross sections, it was understood that the structures with gypsum are intense at the initial 5 m. And a fracture at the south of the study area, that it was estimated might be longer than 40 m, was determined as the largest gypsum structure. It was understood that this fracture starts from a depth of about 5 m in the west and that it slopes down to 7 m depth in the east. According to these results, it was understood that the damage amount arising in time in the gypsum structures from the effect of water may increase, the study area was defined as risky, and the required importance should be attached to these structures especially in foundation engineering.

Yapılan çalışmada Sivas deponi alanından çıkan sızıntı sularının yarattığı kirliliğin yayılımı jeofizik ve su kimyası yöntemleri ile incelenmiştir. Sızıntı suyunun akış yönü bölgede egemen olan jeolojik süreksizlikler ve jeomorfolojik yapılar tarafından denetlenmektedir. Buna göre, yüzeydeki sızıntı suyu Haçin deresinden, yakınındaki Kızılırmak nehrine doğru akmaktadır. Bu çerçevede, Haçin deresinin iki tarafında yayılan sızıntı suyu kirliliğinin zemindeki yayılımı irdelenmiştir. Kirliliğin varlığı ve yayılımı, elektromanyetik iletkenlik (EMC-Electromagnetic Conductivity) yöntemi ve alınan su örneklerinin su kimyası analizleri ile belirlenmiştir. EMC ölçümlerinden elde edilen görünür iletkenlik grafikleri, sızıntı suyunun yataydaki yayılım sınırlarını göstermiştir. Su kimyası analizleri ise sudaki kirliliğin sızıntı suyundan kaynaklandığını göstermiştir. Sonuç olarak yöredeki Kuvaterner yaştaki toprak örtünün yanı sıra yüzey ve yeraltı su kaynaklarının sızıntı suyundan ileri gelen kirliliğin tehdidi altında olduğu belirlenmiştir. Oluşan kirliliğin ise katı atık deponi alanının daha uzun süre kullanılacağı gözetilerek, acilen ÇED (Çevresel Etki Değerlendirme) süreci çerçevesinde denetim altına alınması gerektiği ortaya konulmuştur.

Abstract. This study includes geophysical studies carried out in the last section in the close south of Koyulhisar (Sivas) landslide site. Additionally, the study area is in the most active location where landslide's displacement amount is the highest. The landslide site basically has been examined geophysics (SRT, GPR) and geodesic (GNSS) methods. According to the geophysical results, within ~ 20 m of investigation depth, layers with the average seismic P-wave velocities (VP) of 0.30, 1.00 and 2.00 km/s have been identified. It has been understood that the thickness of the first two layers of these layers from top to the bottom is approximately 3 and 6.5 m, and the last layer with Vp > 2.0 km/s is the bedrock. Furthermore, it has been understood that the depth of the sliding surface which is the upper limit of the bedrock varies between ~ 7–10 m, there are loose units on the sliding surface, the type of sliding is planar sliding, and the direction of sliding is S–SE, the tilt of the layer has the same direction with topography, is SE-oriented and mostly bigger than 50. It was understood that the deformations in the landslide mass were occured from the geological unit, the layer or topography slope and precipitation and the landslide activity can continue in the study area. Thus, it has proven that precipitation and deformations within the layer are effective in triggering the landslide by the geodetic (IDH) observations, and it is understood that they were compatible with the geophysical results. Therefore, the study area contains the risk and the natural hazards, and these threatens the settlement area and the buldings and other constructions there.

This study has been conducted in the irregular solid waste disposal area in the city of Sivas. The pollution spread formed by the leachates coming out of the disposal area has been examined with geophysical and geochemical works in this study. For this reason, the spread of the leachate pollution expanding in different geological units at both sides of a creek on the ground has been examined. For this purpose, the pollution spread has been examined with the methods of Direct Current Resistivity (DCR) and Electromagnetic Conductivity (EMC) and soil analyses. In the DCR method, 2D inversion of each sounding-profile datum measured alongside the lines parallel to each other and 3D inversion of the data measured in all the lines have been used in the interpretations. Apparent conductivity map has been attained from EMC measurements. The results of heavy metal analyses in the soil samples taken alongside the Haçin Creek have been assessed with the Spider diagram method. It has been determined that the flow of the leachate from geophysical models is in a SE direction and towards Kızılırmak and it continues vertically deeper than 4m. In addition, it has been understood that the flow direction of the leachate is inspected by the geological structures. It has been understood from the geochemical results that the pollution in the soil stems from the leachate. In this way, it has been observed that the underground and surface water resources in the territory are under the threat of the pollution occurring due to the leachate.