Heavy metal pollution inthe sediments of the Büyük Menderes river and the effect on the delta

In this study, the pollution of Buyuk Menderes one of the biggest river in Aegean Region has been investigated by taking core type sediment samples from Büyük Menderes, brunch rivers and their lagune. Study areas are, delta, lagune, lower Büyük Menderes, upper Büyük Menderes and brunch rivers that is reaching to Menderes River. In order to determine pollution level, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni, Fe, Hg observed concentrations has been sedimental type, organic carbon and carbonic ingredients have been measured on the surface and deep core sediments. Metallic concentrations have been determined using atomic absorption spectrphotometer and ICP-ES from sediment core samples (< 63 µm) taken from the surface and deep level. As a result of this determination metal concentrations at lower and upper Buyuk Menderes, brunch rivers and delta area are above average shale values.In the study area, geoaccumulation index has been calculated and metal pollution of delta, lower and upper Buyuk Menderes has been started. Lower Buyuk Menderes area has been found as moderately polluted in terms of Mn and Zn metal elements. Delta area has been found as moderately polluted in terms of Hg metal elements. It is also determined that the pollution has been started at the brunch rivers in the Büyük Menderes River in terms of Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and determined as moderately polluted in terms of Cr. After analyses of the samples from lagune study area, heavy metal concentration has been determined under average shale standards. Core sediments numbered BM-1, BM-4 ve BM-23 that is taken from the study area are investigated and determined heavy metal concentrations at the top of core sediment are above the standard level. The heavy metal concentrations at the bottom level of the same core sediments are at the standard level and those sediments are belong preindustrial period. All results showed us heavy metal concentrations at Büyük Menderes River are from anthropogenic sources.Keywords: Büyük Menderes river, pollution, heavy metals, jeoakümülasyon index