engleski

Contamination assessment of ecotoxic metals in recent sediments from the Ergene River, Turkey

The Ergene River is a highly contaminated river that passes through the most heavily industrialized area in Turkey and receives municipal, industrial and agricultural effluents from Edirne, Kırklareli and Tekirdağ cities in the Thrace Basin. In order to investigate the pollution level of selected toxic metals in the river, 20 surface sediment samples were collected and analyzed. Concentrations of 29 elements were determined using ICP-MS in the fine fraction (<63 µm) of sediments. The degree of pollution in the sediments of the Ergene River was examined using enrichment factor (EF) and geo- accumulation index (Igeo). Intensification of agricultural and industrial activities within the river basin have caused a considerable increase in metal concentrations, such as Cu (EF = 12.1), Ni (EF = 7.89), Zn (EF = 5.73), As (EF = 4.63), Cr (EF = 3.62) and Ag (EF = 3.12) in the surface sediments of the Ergene River. This result indicated that the investigated samples were moderately contaminated with Ag, Cr and As, moderately to severely contaminated with Zn and Ni, and severely contaminated with Cu. Igeo values also suggest Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Ag and Cr enrichment in the Ergene River sediments.

Ergene River ; Maritza River ; Sediment pollution ; Heavy metals ; Mercury Geo-accumulation index ;

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