an investigation on heavy metal accumulations in water, sediment and fishes of Emet stream

Emet Stream Basin is one of Turkey's most important river systems and one of the two most important branches of Uluabat Lake (Ramsar Area). In addition to the geologic structure of the basin, the system is under an intensive pressure of mining activities, agricultural and industrial activities and domestic wastes. In this study, water, sediment and fish (Squalius cii, (Richardson, 1857), Capoeta tinca, (Heckel, 1843) ve Barbus oligolepis, Battalgil, 1941) samples were collected seasonally from eight stations (one of them is on the Kınık Stream, one of them is on the Dursunbey Stream and six of them on the Emet Stream) on the Emet Stream Basin Some lymnological parameters (dissolved oxygen,% oxygen saturation, temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, sulfate, phosphate, COD, BOD, total chlorine and CaCO3) were determined to evaluate the water quality and some element accumulations were determined (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Ni, Zn, As, B, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ag, Cr and Hg) in abiotic an biotic components of system to evaluate the inorganic pollution of the basin. The data obtained were evaluated statistically and compared with the limit values reported by various national and international organizations. It was determined that, Emet Stream Basin is exposed to a significant organic and inorganic pollutants and this pollution is threatening not only to aquatic system but also public health.