Trace Metal-Induced Ecological Risk Analysis of Sarıçay River Sediments, Çanakkale, NW Turkey

Abstract

Metals have come to the fore among the pollutants monitored in aquatic ecosystems in recent years. Fresh waters especially constitute a "hot spot" due to their limited reserves. In order to analyze the sources of metal-induced pollution, ecological risk level and pollutants of the Sarıçay River passing through the city of Çanakkale, sediment samples were collected from 26 stations and element analyses were carried out in ICP-MS. Anthropogenic effects and the risks they cause were determined by calculating the enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and potential ecological risk from the obtained data. Anthropogenic enrichment was detected for Cr, Ni, Pb, Au, Ag and Ba, Bi, Tl, Na, Zn, Mg, K, As, Sb, and Mn with the largest amount being Cd. The level of enrichment varies from moderate to very high. According to the results of risk analysis, a moderate risk for Cd was determined and a very high risk for Ni and Pb. Agricultural activities, atmospheric deposition and mineral deposits in the basin were identified as the major sources from the multivariate statistical analysis performed to determine the main sources of metal inflows.