Time evaluation of marine pollution in the Çandarlı Gulf via short-lived radioisotopes

Marine pollution in the Çandarlı Gulf was evaluated chronologically using short half-life radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs). In the 5 sediment cores studied, 210Pb dating was done and sedimentation rates were calculated by using CRS and CIC models. According to the CRS model, the mean sedimentation rates vary between 0.127-0.413 cm y-1. To confirm the validity of the results obtained from 210Pb dating, 137Cs dating method was used. In general, it was observed that the dating results obtained by 210Pb and 137Cs methods in the analyzed sediment cores were in accordance with each other. In order to determine the metal pollution in the Çandarlı Gulf, the elements of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in K10 were investigated. The concentrations of these elements are found to be ordered as Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cu>As>Hg>Cd ppm. The anthropogenic pollution in the K10 sediment core was evaluated using the lead isotopic ratios, the sediment quality guidelines of US EPA, geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factors (EF). When 206Pb / 207Pb and 208Pb / 207Pb isotopic lead ratios were examined, it was observed that there is an anthropogenic lead contribution in sediment samples. When the sediment quality parameters were evaluated in general, it was observed that the sediments of Çandarlı Gulf are in between Unpolluted and Moderately Polluted Class in terms of heavy metals.