Investigation of heavy metal pollution in Van Lake and the sources of Van Lake

In this study, samples were periodically collected from the rivers of 16 points of flowing to Van Lake at January, March, July and October. Copper, lead, iron, chromium, cadmium, zinc and manganese were determined in the collected samples by using ICP-OES (Inductive coupled plasma ? optic emission spectroscopy). Experimental results showed that quantity of copper was lower than the limit value for the water quality control regulations cadmium, zinc and manganese according the which quantities were found as I. and II. quality. Quantities of lead, chromium and iron are above the limits.The results show that some of the rivers flowing in or over of some mines which are containing lead. In addition the were heavy metal quantities at the summer were found as higher than the other seasons because evaporation of water quantities is higher during summer days than days of the other seasons. As results the determined heavy metal values were found as Fe > Mn > Pb > Cr > Zn > Cd