Anthropogenically-induced ecological risks in Lake Erikli, NW Turkey

Authors : Musa ULUDAĞ, Serkan KÜKRER, Gülsen ERGİNAL

Pages : 273-283

Doi:10.30897/ijegeo.459496

View : 16 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2018-12-02

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examined the vertical distribution of heavy metals in the core sediments of Lake Erikli, Turkey and their potential ecological risks. Two core samples 48 and 34 cm in length were taken with a Kajak gravity core sampler. The samples were divided into 2 cm sub-samples in the laboratory and analyzed using ICP-MS. The enrichment factor insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EF);, potential ecological risk factor insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PERI); and pollution load index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PLI); were calculated to evaluate the environmental quality of the sediment. According to the results, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr come from natural sources in both cores and there is no anthropogenic contribution to the distribution of these elements, while some anthropogenic effects were detected for As, Cd and Hg. According to the calculated risk index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CRI); for each metal, the potential risk of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, As and Cr is low. Two metals posing a threat to the ecosystem were identified; Cd and Hg. PLI values significantly increased from the bottom of the slice to the surface in accordance with the EF and PERI values. Continuation of the pumping of domestic waste into Lake Erikli will accelerate the process of deterioration.
Keywords : Lake Erikli, Core sediment, Metal concentration, Ecological risk