Spatial distribution and source apportionment of metals in sediments of Meric-Ergene Basin, Turkey

HANEDAR A., GÜNEŞ E., GÜNEŞ Y., Tanık A. G., Kacar H., Oezdemir B. E.

ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES, cilt.80, sa.18, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 80 Sayı: 18
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12665-021-09913-y
  • Dergi Adı: ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, Geobase, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Meric-Ergene Basin, Metals, Risk assessment, Sediment, Source apportionment, WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT, HEAVY-METAL, SURFACE SEDIMENTS, POLLUTION INDEXES, RISK-ASSESSMENT, TRACE-ELEMENTS, RIVER ESTUARY, CONTAMINATION, TOXICITY, SOUTH
  • İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The present study is aimed to detect and evaluate metal accumulation in the sediments of Meric-Ergene Basin, which is an industry-intensive area in Turkey. Ten metals and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentrations were determined in sediment samples collected from forty-one different sampling points selected considering the pollutant source types and the flow direction from the upstream towards the downstream in July and December 2020 representing the dry and wet periods. Concentrations measured were evaluated in terms of pollution levels, relationship with each other and source distribution using risk indexes and various statistical techniques. According to the findings, TOC and metal concentrations in sediments taken from regions where industrial activities are concentrated were significantly higher. The values measured in these areas especially for chromium, copper and zinc were 8-11 times more of the reference regions. The index calculations showed that the pollution level at industry-intensive areas were enriched by cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc and these particular regions had higher ecological risk than the agricultural areas and the reference site. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was performed to statistically categorize the sampling points and three common spatial distributions were obtained. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify common sources of metals, and correspondingly, two common source groups were identified. Accordingly, there appeared a similar pattern and dense pollution in the sediments of the industrialized areas, and more than half of the metal load was found to be due to industrial activities and to the still active unsanitary landfills.