Levels of some heavy metals in water and sediment compared with season and some physico-chemical parameters from Antalya Bay

Abstract

Main objectives of study were to monitor the metal levels in water and sediment seasonally, and identify relationships between some physico-chemical parameters and metal levels in water. In water, the temperature varied between 16.26-30.95 °C; the pH between 8.20-8.55; the dissolved oxygen between 8.05-10.06 mg l-1; EC between 40461.4-53194 µs/cm and the salinity between 29.13-33.25. In water, Fe was the highest and while Cd is lowest. Generally, metal levels increased in summer and decreased in winter. Both positive and negative correlations were detected between their content in water and physico-chemical parameters. In sediment, Fe was the highest and Cd was the lowest. All metal levels increased in spring and decreased in winter. The results show that heavy metals are caused by the geochemistry, industry, tourism activities, urbanization, aquaculture and they are transported from the rivers to the Antalya Bay.