Ecological pathways of heavy metal pollution in Solakli River Basin (River Bed, Uzungol Lake and Estuary) sediment of southeastern Black Sea region, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the natural and anthropogenic heavy metal (Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and As) pollution in Solakli river basin (river bed, Uzungol lake and estuary) investigated spatially and temporally. The highest metal concentrations were measured in the section influenced by estuary of Solakli. Highest metal concentrations were observed in winter. Metal concentrations were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Based upon the result of this study and according to Sediment Enrichment Factor (SEF), Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Geoaccumulation Index (IGEO) and SQG (Sediment Quality Guideline), Cu and As are the major contributor to toxicity in the Solakli river basin.