Heavy metal contents and the water quality of Karasu Creek in Nigde, Turkey

Abstract

Different sources of pollution in Karasu Creek were investigated to obtain the water quality and ratio of contamination in this region. To achieve the main objectives of the present study, water samples were collected from Karasu Creek, starting from flow pattern at the upstream site of Akkaya Dam to the end of the dam, crossing the place where the Creek drains into. Dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature and maximum/minimum pH were measured systematically for 12 months in the stations, where the water samples were collected. Chemical analyses of the water samples were carried out by using Cadas 50 S brand UV spectrometer to find out the Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, S, F and Cn concentrations. These concentration were determined in microg/lt as 80-850; 180-4,920; 10-6,100; 440-25,530; 130-2,400; 120-280; 20-150; 214,250-1,113,580; 1,560-4,270 and 40-690, respectively. To determine metal levels of the water samples, multivariate analyses (element coefficient correlation, coefficient correlation dendrogram, hierarchical cluster analysis dendrogram, model summary and ANOVA) were used. The analyses yielded highly accurate results. There were positive correlations between some elements and their possible sources were the same. The stations which resembled each other along the creek were divided into three groups. The water quality of the creek was low and had toxic qualities. Eutrophication developed in Akkaya Dam along the creek. The source of pollution was thought to be industrial and residential wastes. Absolute (0-100 m), short distance (100-500 m) and medium distance (500-2,000 m) conservation areas should be determined in pollution areas along Karasu Creek and they should be improved.

Trace metal contents in chewing gums and candies marketed in Turkey

“…Some of these elements found in living organisms considered being essential, i.e. indispensable for growth and health whereas remaining is non-essential (Zeiner et al 2007;Tuzen and Soylak 2005;Yalcin et al 2007;Imamoglu and Gunes 2008). Some of non-essential trace elements can also be beneficial to health through pharmacological action (Nas et al 2007;Gopalani et al 2007;Stankovska et al 2007, Mikkelsen et al 2007).…”

Evaluation of trace heavy metal levels of some fish species sold at retail in Kayseri, Turkey

“…Heavy metals can be categorized as: potentially toxic (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, antimony lead, mercury) probably essential like nickel vanadium, cobalt and essential like copper, zinc, selenium etc. (Szentmihalyi and Then 2007;Tuzen and Soylak 2007;Ni et al 2007;Yalcin et al 2008;Jayaraju et al 2008). The essential metals can also be toxic when excessively elevated intake is of concern.…”

Distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of Akkaya Dam, Nigde, Turkey

“…The background concentrations of heavy metals were taken from Turekian and Wedepohl (1961). The enrichment factor (Ef) for any element is given by the following: 1 this study; 2 Wadi Al-Arab Dam (Ghrefat and Yusuf 2006); 3 Seyhan Dam (Çevik et al 2009); 4 Atatürk Dam (Karadede and Ünlü 2000); 5 Ulubat Lake (Barlas et al 2005); 6 Karasu River (Yalçin et al 2007); 7 Karasu sediments (Yalcin et al 2008); 8 average shale (Krauskopf 1985); 9 continental crust (Taylor and McLennan 1985); 10 average sandstone (Turekian and Wedepohl 1961) According to Zhang and Liu (2002), enrichment factor value of 0.5-1.5 is taken as an indication that trace metal is entirely provided from crustal contribution (e.g. weathering product), and a value of Ef >1.5 is considered to indicate that an important proportion of trace metals is delivered from non-crustal materials (e.g.…”

“…Elevated concentrations of heavy metals have been recorded in Karasu River water, which can reflect longterm pollution caused by human activity (Aydin 2004;Yalcin et al 2008). Consequently, aim of this study was to determine the distribution of heavy metals in Akkaya Dam sediments, by physical and chemical methods and reveal possible pollution effects.…”