A Comprehensive Assessment of Metal Pollution and Ecological Risk in the Marine Sediments of Izmir Bay

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 6, 778 - 790

Fatmanur Çakır , Ertuğrul Aslan , Derya Kaya , İbrahim Tan

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1720929

Abstract

The Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea, Turkey) is an ecosystem under significant pollution pressure from industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and port operations. This study aimed to determine the distribution of metal and metalloid concentrations (Al, Fe, As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in surface sediments of the bay and to assess the potential ecological risks posed by these contaminants. Analyses based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and pollution assessment methods revealed high pollution levels at stations influenced by the Gediz River (S.11, S.13) and in the inner bay, where port activities and wastewater treatment plants are predominant (S.24, S.29). The highest average metal concentrations across the bay were identified as Zn (390.38 mg kg-1) and Cr (339.95 mg kg-1), while the lowest was Hg (0.26 mg kg-1). These findings indicate that metal pollution in Izmir Bay is largely driven by riverine inputs and anthropogenic activities. The study provides a scientific basis for developing management strategies aimed at mitigating ecological risks in the bay.

Keywords

Aegean Sea , Metal pollution , Marine sediment , İzmir Bay

İzmir Körfezi Deniz Sedimentlerinde Metal Kirliliği ve Ekolojik Risk Üzerine Kapsamlı Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

İzmir Körfezi (Ege Denizi, Türkiye), endüstriyel faaliyetler, tarımsal yüzey akışı ve liman işletmelerinden kaynaklanan önemli düzeyde kirlilik baskısı altında olan bir ekosistemdir. Bu çalışmada, körfez yüzey sedimentlerinde metal ve metaloid (Al, Fe, As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn ve Hg) derişimlerinin dağılımının belirlenmesi ve bu kirleticilerin oluşturduğu potansiyel ekolojik risklerin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Sediment kalite rehberleri (SQG'ler) ve kirlilik değerlendirme yöntemleri temelinde yapılan analizler, Gediz Nehri’nin etkisindeki istasyonlar (S.11, S.13) ile liman faaliyetlerinin ve atıksu arıtma tesislerinin yoğun olduğu iç körfezdeki istasyonlarda (S.24, S.29) yüksek düzeyde kirlilik bulunduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Körfez genelinde en yüksek ortalama metal derişimleri Zn (390,38 mg kg⁻¹) ve Cr (339,95 mg kg⁻¹) olarak belirlenirken, en düşük değer Hg (0,26 mg kg⁻¹) için saptanmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, İzmir Körfezi'ndeki metal kirliliğinin büyük ölçüde nehir kaynaklı girdilerden ve insan faaliyetlerinden kaynaklandığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, körfezdeki ekolojik risklerin azaltılmasına yönelik yönetim stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi için bilimsel bir temel sunmaktadır.

Keywords

İzmir Körfezi , Ege Denizi , Metal kirliliği , Deniz sedimentleri

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