Determination of sediment quality in Gelevera creek (Giresun)

The aim of this study was to determine the sediment quality of the Gelevera Creek, Giresun. For this purpose, the surface sediment samples from four stations in the Gelevera Creek were collected monthly from September 2018 to August 2019. Elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Na, K) levels in surface sediment were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Moreover, the sediment samples were also monitored for pH, EC, Water Content (%) and Organic Matter (%) variables. This result was also confirmed by different indices, including Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Enrichment Factors (EF). In surface sediment samples, according to analysis results were obtained for the concentration ranges of the metals (ppm): Al: 41,990-217,509, Cr: 0,078-1,056, Mn: 4,244-20,939, Fe: 169,132-523,093, Co: 0,083-0,193, Ni: 0,085-0,502, Cu: 0,415-2,705, Zn: 0,519-4,519, Cd: 0,010-0,045 and Pb: 0,831-2,786, and pH, EC, Na, K, Water Content (%) and Organic Matter (%) value varied between 5-6,4, 70-480 mS/cm, 0,36-10,92 ppm, 1,628-11,543 ppm, 15,12-48,10, 2,20-8,06, respectively. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Enrichment Factors (EF) of the heavy metals in sediment calculated to range from 3 to 9 and from 2 to 59, respectively. Moreover, very significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the some heavy metals in the sediment samples were observed. Also, seasonal mean levels of the Al, Cr, Fe, Pb, there were significant differences (p<0,05). As a result of this study showed that the surface sediments were found to have high level enrichment of heavy metals from anthropogenic sources. Close to Gelevera Creek, the situation and the degree of contamination that may be transferred into marine ecosystems is worrisome and requires immediate intervention.