Heavy Metal–Based Water Quality and Pollution Indices Assessment of Drinking Waters in Ağrı Province, Türkiye

Öz

In this study, water quality and pollution levels in terms of heavy metals were evaluated in drinking water samples collected from water reservoirs, boreholes, and public fountains belonging to the Ağrı Water and Sewerage Administration in the central neighborhoods of Ağrı Province. For this purpose, water samples were taken from 50 different locations in the central neighborhoods of Ağrı province. Analyses of Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Co and Zn in the drinking water samples were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In this study, the water quality ındex (WQI) was used to evaluate the quality of drinking water, while the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal assessment index (HEI), and pollution level (DC) were used to determine the heavy metal pollution of drinking water. As a result of the analyses, Hg was not detected in the water samples. The determined ranges of WQI, HPI, HEI, and DC values were 77.35–101.74, 64.14–93.25, 5.01–6.81, and −2.99 to −1.19, respectively. Except for sampling point N1, WQI values between 50 and 100 indicated that the drinking water samples were classified as good-quality water according to water quality criteria. Based on the HPI results, the ranking of heavy metal concentrations was Pb > Cd > Co > Ni > Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu. The highest HPI and HEI values were observed in water samples collected from region N12. However, since HPI values at all sampling points were below 100, the drinking water samples were considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects. In addition, because HEI values were below 10 and DC values were below 1 at all locations, the water samples were classified as having low pollution levels. Overall, the results indicate that drinking water in the city center of Ağrı Province is generally suitable for consumption. However, due to industrial pollutants, the uncontrolled use of organic and chemical fertilizers, and the application of wastewater and sewage sludge in agriculture, regular heavy metal analysis and pollution monitoring in drinking water are essential for public health.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Water Quality
• Pollution Index
• Heavy Metal
• Drinking Water
• Ağrı Province

Ağrı İli Merkezindeki İçme Sularında Ağır Metaller Yönünden Su Kalitesi ve Kirlilik Düzeylerinin Değerlendirmesi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, Ağrı ili merkez mahallelerinde yer alan Ağrı Su ve Kanalizasyon İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü'ne ait su depoları, sondaj kuyuları ve umumi çeşmelerden alınan içme suyu örneklerinde, ağır metaller açısından su kalitesi ve kirlilik düzeyleri değerlendirilmiştir. Bu amaçla Ağrı ilinin merkez mahallelerindeki 50 farklı noktadan su örnekleri alınmıştır. İçme suyu örneklerinde Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Co and Zn ağır metallerinin analizleri atomik absorpsiyon spektroskopisi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, su kalite İndeksi (WQI) içme sularının kalitesinin değerlendirilmesinde, ağır metal kirlilik indeksi (HPI), ağır metal değerlendirme indeksi (HEI) ve kirlilik derecesi (DC) ise içme sularının ağır metal kirliliğinin belirlenmesinde kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda, su örneklerinde Hg tespit edilmemiştir. Örnekleme noktalarına göre belirlenen WQI, HPI, HEI ve DC değerleri sırasıyla 77,35–101,74, 64,14–93,25, 5,01–6,81 ve −2,99 ile −1,19 aralığında bulunmuştur. N1 örnekleme noktası dışında, içme suyu örneklerine ait WQI değerlerinin 50–100 aralığında olması, bu suların su kalite kriterlerine göre iyi kalite sınıfında yer aldığını göstermiştir. HPI sonuçlarına göre ağır metal konsantrasyonlarının sıralaması Pb > Cd > Co > Ni > Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu şeklinde belirlenmiştir. En yüksek HPI ve HEI değerleri, N12 bölgesinden alınan su örneklerinde tespit edilmiştir. Bununla birlikte, tüm örnekleme noktalarında HPI değerlerinin 100’ün altında olması, içme sularının sağlık açısından olumsuz etki oluşturmadığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca, tüm örneklerde HEI değerlerinin 10’un altında, DC değerlerinin ise 1’in altında olması nedeniyle, sular düşük kirlilik sınıfında değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Ağrı ili merkezindeki içme sularının genel olarak içme amacıyla uygun olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ancak, endüstriyel kirleticiler, organik ve kimyasal gübrelerin kontrolsüz kullanımı, atıksu ve kanalizasyon çamurunun tarımda uygulanması nedeniyle, içme sularında ağır metal analizlerinin düzenli olarak yapılması ve kirlilik düzeylerinin izlenmesi, halk sağlığı açısından büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İçme suyu
• Ağrı İli
• Ağır Metal
• Su Kalitesi
• Kirlilik İndeksi

Kaynakça

1. Abdul, H. M., Jawad, A., & Haider, S. A. (2010). Application of water quality index for assessment of Dokan lake ecosystem, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2(9), 792-798.
2. Akhan, M. (2014). Investigation of heavy metals in naturel mineral waters and spring waters, PhD. Thesis, İstanbul University, Institute of Health Science, Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, İstanbul.
3. Alloway, B. J. (2013). Heavy metals in soils: Trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability (3rd ed.). Springer.
4. Anonymous (2018). Ağrı Province 2017 Environmental Status Report.R epublic of Türkiye, Ağrı Governorship, Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization. http//agr-_2017_cevre_durum_raporu_son-20180910151359.pdf. Access date: 15.08.2025.
5. Asri, F.O., & Sonmez, S. (2006). The effect of heavy metal toxicity on plant metabolism, Derim journal, 23 (2): 36-45.
6. Atay, D., Pulatsu, S. (2000). Water pollution and control. Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries Publication No. 1513, Ankara.
7. ATSDR. (2022). Toxicological profile for cadmium. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
8. Begun, A., Ramaiah, M., Harikrishna, S., Khan, I., & Veena, K. (2009). Analysis of Heavy Metals Concentration in Soiland Litchens fromVarious Localities of Hosur Road, Bangalore, India, E-Journal of Chemistry, 6(1):13-22.

9. Bostan, P. (2017). Basic kriging methods in geostatistics. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 27(1), 10-20.
10. Brraich, O. S., & Jangu, S. (2015). Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring in the water of Harike Wetland (Ramsar Site), India. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 5(2), 1-6.
11. Caylak, E. (2022). Quality and health risk assessment in drinking water of Cankiri, Turkey. Pollution and Effects on Community Health, 1, 1-13.
12. Dede, Ö. T. (2016). Application of the heavy metal pollution index for surface waters: A case study for Çamlıdere. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry, 44(4), 499-504.
13. Edet, A. E., & Offiong, O. E. (2002). Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring. A study case from Akpabuyo-Odukpani area, Lower Cross River Basin (southeastern Nigeria). GeoJournal, 57(4), 295-304.
14. Egemen, Ö., & Sunlu, U. (1999). Water quality. Ege University Fisheries Faculty Periodicals. Bornova, 14, 20-25.
15. EPA. (2014). Human health risk assessment for cadmium. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
16. FAO. (2010). Cadmium in soils and crops. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
17. Fifield, F. W., & Haines, P. J. (1997). Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Blackie Academic and Professional, London.
18. Guler, C., & Cobanoglu, Z. (1997). Chemicals and Environment, Environmental Health Basic Source Series No: 50, Ankara.
19. Herojeet, R., Rishi, M. S., & Kishore, N. (2015). Integrated approach of heavy metal pollution indices and complexity quantification using chemometric models in the Sirsa Basin, Nalagarh valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 34(4), 620-633.
20. Hutton, M., & Symon, C. (1986). The quantities of cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic entering the UK environment from human activities. Science of the total environment, 57, 129-150.
21. İSESY (2012). Regulation on the quality of surface water from which drinking water is obtained or planned to be obtained, R. G. Date: 26.06.2012, R. G. Number: 28338. Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. (Web page: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/06/20120629-9.htm) (Access date: 02.10.2025).
22. Kabata-Pendias, A. (2011). Trace elements in soils and plants (4th ed.). CRC Press.
23. Kahraman, U.C. (2007). Comparison of water quality and heavy metal pollution of some selected ground water wells and pipeline network water in Konya Garrison, Master's thesis, Selcuk University, Institute of Health Sciences, Konya.
24. Kahvecioglu, O., Kartal, G., Guven, A., & Timur, S. (2003). Environmental Effects of Metals-I, Metalurji, 136, 47-53.
25. Kar, D., Sur, P., Mandai, S. K., Saha, T., & Kole, R. K. (2008). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface water. International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology, 5(1), 119-124.
26. Kocaman S., & Kaya F. (2012). Administrative Geography Analysis of Ağrı Province, Atatürk University Faculty of Letters, Department of Geography I. National Geography Seminar Proceedings, 329-345, Erzurum.
27. Koleli, N., & Kantar, C. (2005). Toxic heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, As) concentration in phosphate rock, phosphoric acid and phosphorus fertilizers, Ekoloji, 14, 1-5.
28. Kurt, A., Kander, S., & Copur, O.U. (2022). Determination of the heavy metal levels of well waters used as drinking waters in the rural areas of bursa city, Gıda, 47(2)199-211.
29. Lee, C. S., Li, X. D., Zhang, G., Li, J., Ding, A. J., & Wang, T. (2007). Heavy metals and Pb isotopic composition of aerosols in urban and suburban areas of Hong Kong and Guangzhou, South China—evidence of the long-range transport of air contaminants. Atmospheric Environment, 41(2), 432-447.
30. Lohani, M. B., Singh, A., Rupainwar, D. C., & Dhar, D. N. (2008). Seasonal variations of heavy metal contamination in river Gomti of Lucknow city region. Environmental Monitoring and assessment, 147(1), 253-263.
31. Munsuz, N., & Unver, İ. (1995). Water quality, Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Publication No. 1389, Ankara, 1995.
32. Quansah, A.K., Sam, A., Ohuapo-Agyemang, L., & Nkansah, P.A. (2022). Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution Index of Groundwater during Dry Season in Winneba-Ghana. Elixir Pollution, 171 (2022), 56502-56506.
33. Pehlivan, R. (2025). Quality of Bottled Water and Protection of the Consumer www.gidahareketi.org/su/sise_sularinin_kalite.pdf (Access date: 03.10.2025).
34. Poyraz, B. (2014). Heavy metal analysis of drinking water samples taken from different locations, Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, 2(1): 16-27, 2014.
35. Prasad, B., & Bose, J. (2001). Evaluation of the heavy metal pollution index for surface and spring water near a limestone mining area of the lower Himalayas. Environmental geology, 41(1), 183-188.
36. Sahu, P., & Sikdar, P. K. (2008). Hydrochemical framework of the aquifer in and around East Kolkata Wetlands, West Bengal, India. Environmental geology, 55(4), 823-835.
37. Suthar, S., & Singh, S. (2008). Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms (Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus). International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology, 5(1), 99-106.
38. The Ministry of Health of Türkiye (2004). Türkiye Health Report, Research, Planning and Coordination Board Health Statistics, Ankara, 2004.
39. TS 266. (2005). Water intended for human consumption, Turkish Drinking Water Standards TS 266 standard -Turkish Standards Institute –Ankara.
40. USEPA (2009). National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, Washington: 7. EPA 816-F-09-004.
41. Ustaoglu, F. (2021). Ecotoxicological risk assessment and source identification of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Çömlekci stream, Giresun, Turkey. Environmental Forensics, 22(1-2), 130-142.
42. Varol, S., & Davraz, A. (2015). Evaluation of the groundwater quality with WQI (Water Quality Index) and multivariate analysis: a case study of the Tefenni plain (Burdur/Turkey), Environmental Earth Science, 73:1725–1744.
43. Varol, S., & Sekerci, M. (2018). Evaluation of water resources of korkuteli district center (antalya) by water quality index (WQI) method, Journal of Engineering Sciences and Design, 6(1), 74-86.
44. Wasim Aktar, M., Paramasivam, M., Ganguly, M., Purkait, S., & Sengupta, D. (2010). Assessment and occurrence of various heavy metals in surface water of Ganga river around Kolkata: a study for toxicity and ecological impact. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 160(1), 207-213.
45. Webster, R., & Oliver, M. A. (2007). Geostatistics for environmental scientists. John Wiley & Sons.
46. WHO (1992). Our Planet, Our health, Report of the WHO Comission on health and Environment World Health Organization, Geneva. http://www.who.int/en/.
47. WHO (2004). Cadmium in drinking water, Background Document for Development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality.
48. WHO (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. WHO Press, World Health Organization, Geneva 27, Switzerland.
49. Yuksel, B., Ustaoglu, F., & Arica, E. (2021). Impacts of a garbage disposal facility on the water quality of çavuşlu stream in Giresun, Turkey: a health risk assessment study by a validated ICP-MS assay, Aquatic Sciences and Engineering, 36(4): 181-192.
50. Zıetz, B., De Vergara, J.D., Kevekordes, S., & Dunkelberg, H. (2001). Lead contamination in tap water of households with children in Lower Saxony, Germany, The Science of the total environment, 275 (1): 19-26.