Concentrations of toxic metals in wetland sediments, source identification, and ecological risks: A case study in NW Türkiye

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PARLAK M., Dengiz O., Saflı M. E., Bayraklı B.

Journal of Coastal Conservation, cilt.30, sa.3, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 30 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11852-026-01222-5
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Coastal Conservation
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Contamination sources, Ecological risk assessment, Nymphaea alba, Surface sediment, Toxic metal pollutants
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Wetland sediments have become enriched with toxic metals due to natural and anthropogenic pressures. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of toxic metals, their possible sources, and the environmental and ecological risks in the sediments of four lakes in northwestern Türkiye (Gökçeada Lake, Nilüfer Lake, Pembe Lake, and Suvla Salt Lake). The toxic metal concentrations in the lake sediments in the study area ranged between 0.03 and 17.3 mg kg− 1 for Cd, 0.89–25.85 mg kg− 1 for Co, 1.80-47.29 mg kg− 1 for Cu, 2759–54,284 mg kg− 1 for Fe, 46.68-1703.43 mg kg− 1 for Mn, 4.19–73.73 mg kg− 1 for Ni, 0.73- 83 mg kg− 1 for Pb, 6.37–162 mg kg− 1 for Zn, respectively. Multivariate statistical analyses have demonstrated a correlation between metal accumulation and lithogenic and anthropogenic factors. The results of the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) indicate that the majority of toxic metals were classified as minimal enrichment, uncontaminated to moderately contaminated and low contamination, respectively. The majority of metals exhibited low contamination levels, as indicated by the pollution load index (PLI). According to the ecological risk factor (Er), these metals posed a low ecological risk, while the ecological risk index (RI) suggested a moderate potential ecological risk. These findings indicate the necessity for effective management strategies to reduce risks in wetlands, which are fragile ecosystems.