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

Year 2025, Issue: 88, 81 - 87, 29.12.2025

İrem Melis Yılmaz , Ahmet Evren Erginal , Abdullah Akbaş , Hale Seçilmiş Canbay

https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1756703

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

Marine Pollution , Mytilus galloprovincialis , Heavy metal , Çanakkale Strait , Çanakkale

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.

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

TUBİTAK 2209A

Thanks

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

Çanakkale Boğazı boyunca Akdeniz midyesinde (Mytilus galloprovincialis) potansiyel toksik element kirliliği kayıtları, Türkiye

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, dokularında ağır metal biriktirebilen Akdeniz midyesi Mytilus galloprovincialis biyoindikatör olarak kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın temel amacı, Çanakkale Boğazı'nın doğu kıyılarındaki beş istasyondan toplanan midye örneklerinde Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Hg, As, Mn ve Zn gibi potansiyel toksik elementlerin (PTE) kayıtlarını ortaya koymaktır. Örneklerdeki PTE’ler ICP-OES ile incelenmiş ve kirleticilerin ortak ve farklı kaynakları korelasyon ve asal bileşenler analizi (PCA) ile ele alınmıştır. Elde edilen veriler tüm örnekleme istasyonlarında sınır değerlerin oldukça üzerinde As'ın varlığını göstermektedir. Korelasyon ve PCA analizleri Cr-Ni ve Fe-Cu gibi bazı metaller arasında güçlü pozitif ilişkiler olduğunu göstermektedir ki, bu durum PTE’lerin ortak antropojenik kaynaklardan türediğini açıklar. Farklı bir kaynağa işaret eden Cd, As ve Zn ile negatif korelasyon gösterir. ICP-OES analizlerine göre çalışılan istasyonlarda metaller ortalama değerlere göre şu şekilde sıralanır: Al > Fe > As > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > Hg. En önemli risk oluşturan PTE’ler As, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu ve Zn’dir. Metal yükünden feribot taşımacılığı, tarımsal faaliyetlerde kullanılan kimyasallar ve kentsel atıklar birinci derecede sorumludur.

Keywords

Marine Pollution , Mytilus galloprovincialis , Heavy metal , Çanakkale Strait , Çanakkale

Project Number

TUBİTAK 2209A

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