Research Article

Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye

Number: 88 December 29, 2025
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Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, which can accumulate potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in its tissues, was used as a bioindicator. The main objective of the study was to determine the records of PTEs such as Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Hg, As, Mn, and Zn in mussel samples collected from five stations along the eastern shores of the Çanakkale Strait. PTEs in the samples were examined using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and common and different sources of the pollutants were addressed using correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). The obtained data indicate the presence of As well above the limit values at all sampling stations. Correlation and PCA analyses indicate strong positive correlations between some PTEs, such as Cr-Ni and Fe-Cu, indicating that PTEs originate from common anthropogenic sources. Cd is negatively correlated with As and Zn, pointing to a different source. According to ICP-OES analyses, the PTEs at the stations studied are ranked according to average values as follows: Al>Fe>As>Mn>Cu>Zn>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd>Hg. The PTEs that pose the most risk are As, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn. Ferry transport, chemicals used in agricultural activities, and municipal waste are likely to be the main contributors to the PTE load.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

TUBİTAK 2209A

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve any experimental procedures requiring ethical committee approval or the use of human or animal subjects. Fieldwork and sample collection were conducted in accordance with relevant national and international regulations. The authors declare that all data presented in this study were collected and reported ethically and accurately. The authors also confirm that there are no conflicts of interest and that the authorship order reflects individual scientific contributions.

Thanks

This study was supported by the TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program under the supervision of the second author.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Geography

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

August 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 7, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 88

APA
Yılmaz, İ. M., Erginal, A. E., Akbaş, A., & Seçilmiş Canbay, H. (2025). Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi, 88, 81-87. https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1756703
AMA
1.Yılmaz İM, Erginal AE, Akbaş A, Seçilmiş Canbay H. Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. Turk Geog. Rev. 2025;(88):81-87. doi:10.17211/tcd.1756703
Chicago
Yılmaz, İrem Melis, Ahmet Evren Erginal, Abdullah Akbaş, and Hale Seçilmiş Canbay. 2025. “Potentially Toxic Element Pollution Records in the Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis) Along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye”. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi, nos. 88: 81-87. https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1756703.
EndNote
Yılmaz İM, Erginal AE, Akbaş A, Seçilmiş Canbay H (December 1, 2025) Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi 88 81–87.
IEEE
[1]İ. M. Yılmaz, A. E. Erginal, A. Akbaş, and H. Seçilmiş Canbay, “Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye”, Turk Geog. Rev., no. 88, pp. 81–87, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.17211/tcd.1756703.
ISNAD
Yılmaz, İrem Melis - Erginal, Ahmet Evren - Akbaş, Abdullah - Seçilmiş Canbay, Hale. “Potentially Toxic Element Pollution Records in the Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis) Along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye”. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi. 88 (December 1, 2025): 81-87. https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1756703.
JAMA
1.Yılmaz İM, Erginal AE, Akbaş A, Seçilmiş Canbay H. Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. Turk Geog. Rev. 2025;:81–87.
MLA
Yılmaz, İrem Melis, et al. “Potentially Toxic Element Pollution Records in the Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis) Along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye”. Türk Coğrafya Dergisi, no. 88, Dec. 2025, pp. 81-87, doi:10.17211/tcd.1756703.
Vancouver
1.İrem Melis Yılmaz, Ahmet Evren Erginal, Abdullah Akbaş, Hale Seçilmiş Canbay. Potentially toxic element pollution records in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) along the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. Turk Geog. Rev. 2025 Dec. 1;(88):81-7. doi:10.17211/tcd.1756703

Publisher: Türk Coğrafya Kurumu / Turkish Geographical Society