Evaluation of metal pollution in marine sediments in the affectarea of degirmendere stream

This study was conducted to determine the enrichment levels of metals/metalloids in sediment samples collected from eight stations located in the area influenced by the Değirmendere. Within the scope of the study, the spatial distributions of the elements across the stations were examined, enrichment factors (EF) were calculated, and the obtained values were compared with the threshold values specified in sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The concentration ranges of metals/metalloids in the sediment samples (mg/kg dry weight) were determined as follows: Ni (22,5–47.4), Co (16,9–21,1), Pb (31–51,7), Cd (0,3–0,8), Cr (75,7–95,5), As (5,8–8,9), Cu (44,9–59,8), Zn (102,7–156,3), Li (8,2–12,9), Gd (4,2–7,1), Ba (344–1006,3), Sr (529,5–1077,9), and Mn (688,6–1007,4). Except for Ni and Fe, the differences in concentrations of all elements among the stations were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). When local background values were used for the evaluation of enrichment levels, only two stations exhibited a low degree of enrichment for Cd. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicated that the measured concentrations were generally below threshold values and did not pose a significant ecotoxicological risk.