Spatial Distributions of Heavy Metals in the Water and Sediments of Lake Çıldır, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the heavy metal levels were determined for the water and surface sediments of Lake Cildir. The sediment particle size, organic carbon content, and pH were determined in the lake sediments in addition to the determination of the spatial distribution of heavy metals, as well as the metal enrichment levels for the sediment. The results of the metal analysis obtained using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique indicated that the metal levels in Lake Cildir and spring waters which feed the lake were identified as Class 1 water quality according to the Turkish Surface Water Quality Regulation limits. Although the Ni and Cr levels found in the sediment were higher than some Sediment Quality Guideline (SQG) limits, the Ni and Cr levels of the core samples representing past periods provided no indication of enrichment for these elements. The spatial distribution of metals in Lake Cildir was found to be affected by the depth, water inflows, outflows, and a derivation channel that has recently been built.