Heavy metal concentrations in water, suspended matter, and sediment from Gökova Bay, Turkey

Abstract

The contents of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Hg) dissolved in water and suspended solids of Gökova Bay--partly and fully sampled in 2005 and 2006, respectively--are quite higher than the average values encountered in uncontaminated sea water. The high concentrations are associated with terrestrial inputs from the mining zones and anthropogenic (domestic+industrial) sources. Moreover, the distribution of Fe and Cu is affected by primary production because these elements function as nutrients in biological activities. The Cr, Ni, and Fe concentrations of surface sediments are above the shale average. The Cr and Ni contents of surface sediments representative of river mouths strongly correlate with total phosphorus contents. In a sulfide-poor environment, Pb and Cu were concentrated at a higher ratio in surface sediments than Cd, probably due to higher stabilities of their surface complexes with amorphous iron oxides and clay minerals existing as major components in the sediments. The exceptional enrichment of Zn may be attributed to double oxide formation with amorphous iron oxides in sediments. The high metal values are most probably caused by terrestrial inputs from anthropogenic sources and the mining zones at the southeast part of the bay. The Al, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg contents are below the shale average. The low values have possibly originated from the coarse-grained sandy sediments having a low affinity for metals. There are no distinct differences in the metal distributions in water and suspended matter between the years 2005 and 2006 in the bay, probably due to low sedimentation rates.

Qualitative assessment of sediment from River Meghna, Bangladesh

“…Iron (Fe) was ranged between 737-2385 mg/kg (Table III). The maximum value was recorded 2385 mg/kg in polluted area during monsoon lower than the concentration was found by Balkis et al (2010) from Gokova Bay, Turkey. The lowest amount was 737 mg/kg found during monsoon season at the polluted site (Table III).…”

Heavy metal accumulation in the leaves, stem and root of the invasive submerged macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae): an example of Kadin Creek (Mugla, Turkey)

“…Seasonal distribution of all the heavy metals in the water showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05). (Sklodowski et al 2006;Balkis et al 2010). In this study, as shown in Figure 3; when suspended solid matter increased, the amount of heavy metal in the root, stem and leaf decreased, or vice versa.…”

Bioaccessible heavy metals-sediment particles from Reconquista River induce lung inflammation in mice

“…Previous studies on the RR [6,7] provided general baseline information and attempted to explain the possible effects of industrial discharges on the aquatic environment. Most metals are retained by the particle surfaces and are preferentially transported, deposited, and eventually buried with fine-grained sediments [12]. Nonetheless, rapid expansion of human activity has continuously accelerated the risk of environmental pollution with heavy metals.…”

“…Among the various pollutants, heavy metals are the most toxic, persistent, and abundant, being able to increase their concentration through biomagnification in aquatic habitats [9][10][11]. Most metals are retained by the particle surfaces and are preferentially transported, deposited, and eventually buried with fine-grained sediments [12].…”