Investigation of heavy metal and environmental radioactivity in Izmit Gulf of Marmara sea Altinova shipyard region

This study was carried out in Management of TAEK Technology Development Department laboratory. With the analysis of the obtained sediment samples, both the radioactivity level of the region and the heavy metal pollution rates were determined. It was evaluated how much the marine ecosystem could be affected by the shipyard activities that have been active in the region for the last 10 years. Total alpha and total beta analyzes were performed with the Bethold LB770 low-level counter alpha / beta device while gamma measurement was performed with high purity HpGe detector. In addition, total alpha / beta analyzes of the water samples taken from the region were also performed. Also, the ground radiation level of the region was measured by a plastic scintillation detector (Eberline) and the gamma dose rates were determined. As a result of the this part of the study, the radioactivity level of the Altınova shipyard region was revealed. The obtained results were compared with similar studies carried out in Turkey and the World. Heavy metal analyzes of sediment samples were performed by XRF method. In addition, the morphological and topographical characteristics of the sediments were obtained by SEM images. Also, the water content of the region was determined by the ICP-OES device. In addition to all analyzes, measurements were made by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) which is a faster, easier and analytical method for determining the elemental contents of sediment samples. The data obtained from the analyzes were evaluated and the level of heavy metal pollution and radioactivity of the region were determined.