Toxic Metal Pollution in the Surface Sediments from Gulluk Bay (Mugla-Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, total lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and aluminum (Al) contents were investigated in surface sediments in order to determine the current pollution in Gulluk Bay, which has dense population in summer, low population in winter, and a thermal power plant in the vicinity. For this purpose, surface sediments were collected from the bay seasonally in 2011 and 2012. Strong acid (HNO3+HF+HClO4) digestion was used for metal analysis after drying in a freeze-dryer. Total metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The total metal contents changed between 1 and 209 mu g/g; 10 and 259 mu g/g; 1 and 59 mu g/g; 0.1 and 46 mu g/g; <0.01 and 2.8 mu g/g, <0.01 and 0.4 mu g/g and 0.6% and 5.9% for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, As and Al, respectively. Cu, Cr and As concentrations were lower than the background values, contrary to higher Pb, Cd and Zn contents in bay surface sediments during all sampling periods. These high metal values indicate the presence of anthropogenic (domestic and industrial) inputs via Saricay creek and both maritime transport and tourism waste in Gulluk Bay. As a result, it was found that population growth and human activities affected metal contamination.