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Monitoring and protecting freshwater habitats are paramount for a sustainable water management perspective. This study investigated potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the potamic water of the Anday Stream Basin (Türkiye), Black Sea Region, for a hydrological year (from May 2020 to April 2021). Among PTEs, the highest average values were recorded for sodium (Na) at 41.3 mg/L and the lowest for mercury (Hg) at 0.009 μg/L and noted under quality guidelines. The stream was found to be at the level of "Low Heavy Metal Pollution" and "Low Contamination" based on the ecotoxicological risk indices. The highest calculated hazard quotient (HQ) value of 1.21E-02 for Cd was noted in the children via the dermal pathway and the lowest of 6.91E-06 for Fe in adults via the ingestion pathway. Results revealed a higher hazard index (HI) value of 1.50E-02 for Cd to children and the lowest of 1.98E-05 for Fe to adults. As a result of applying agricultural risk indices, the stream showed sodium adsorption ratio values less than 6 and was found to be "Excellent" for agriculture. However, the sodium percentage values were less than 20 and found "Permissible" and the magnesium hazard > 50 and noted as "Unsuitable" for agriculture. Statistical analysis revealed that natural factors mainly attributed to PTE contamination of the Anday Stream Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the levels and patterns of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in surface sediment of Almus Dam Lake (ADL), a key fish breeding site in Türkiye. PTE concentrations in sediment were ranked: Hg (0.05 ± 0.01) < Cd (0.16 ± 0.01) < Pb (9.34 ± 1.42) < As (18.75 ± 15.65) < Cu (63.30 ± 15.17) < Ni (72.64 ± 20.54) < Zn (86.66 ± 11.95) < Cr (108.35 ± 36.40) < Mn (1008 ± 151) < Fe (53,998 ± 6468), with no significant seasonal or spatial differences. Ecological risk indices (mHQ, EF, I geo , CF, PLI, E r i, mCd, NPI, PERI, MPI, and TRI) showed low contamination levels. Health risk assessments, including LCR, HQ, and THI, indicated minimal risks to humans from sediment PTEs. Statistical analyses (PCA, HCA, SCC) identified natural, transportation, and anthropogenic PTE sources, with slight impacts from agriculture and fish farming. This research underlines contamination status of ADL and emphasizes the need for targeted management strategies, offering critical insights for environmental safeguarding. [Display omitted] • Certain PTEs surpassed average shale, TEL and PEL values • Benthic organisms in the surface sediments may have toxic response • Ecological indices indicated low contamination • No health risk was estimated based on recreational activities • PCA, SCC and HCA tests estimated natural, transportation and anthropogenic origins [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the spatial-temporal distributions of limnological parameters of Çanakkale Strait (ÇS) and İstanbul Strait (İS), Turkiye. Fluvial (n = 11) and lacustrine (n = 4) habitats water samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons of 2022–2023. Among limnological parameters, the highest mean electrical conductivity values of 6063 μS/cm were noted in the İS basin during the rainy season and the lowest was 0.04 mg/L for nitrite in the ÇS basin. Generally, the levels of organic contaminants and ecological risk indices were as follows: rivers of İS > rivers of ÇS > Alibey Dam Lake (İS) > Atikhisar Dam Lake (ÇS). The highest non-carcinogenic health risks of 0.88 were noted for children in the ÇS basin during the dry season and the lowest of <0.01 in Atikhisar Dam Lake during the rainy season. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to data to categorize investigated ecosystems and sources apportionment of contaminants and geospatial distribution. [Display omitted] • Limnological parameters (TDS, EC, salinity, turbidity, COD and PO 4 -P) were higher in wet season. • Fluvial habitats of İstanbul Strait showed higher contamination than others. • Ecological risk indices were noted higher for the fluvial habitats of İstanbul Strait. • Human health risk indices were noted in the fluvial habitats of Çanakkale Strait. • Anthropogenic based ecological risk factors are mainly driven by agrogenic and domestic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution of lentic ecosystems by potentially hazardous elements (PHE) due to human activities has become a global concern. In this study, the contents of eight PHEs in the sediments of 10 most important ponds located in the Saros Bay region (Türkiye) were evaluated. The contents of PHEs in the sediments of the ponds ranged from 0.14 mg/kg for Cd to 274 mg/kg for Mn. According to the enrichment factor (EF) results, ponds P3, P8 and P9 for Cd and pond P8 for Pb showed "moderate enrichment". However, the pollution load index (PLI) results indicated that all ponds were in a "baseline contamination" state due to the combined effect of all PHEs. Similarly, based on ecological risk assessment indices, no ecological risk from PHEs was identified. In addition, Cd, Zn, As, Cr, Cu and Pb contents in all ponds were found below threshold effect concentrations. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were not expected for recreational receptors due to exposure to the PHEs in the sediments via incidental ingestion and dermal contact. Correlation and cluster analysis results indicated that although agricultural activities contributed slightly to the As content, all PHEs mainly originated from natural sources. [Display omitted] • Pollution status of PHEs in the sediments of the ponds was low. • No ecological risk from PHEs was identified. • Cd, Zn, As, Cr, Cu and Pb contents were below TEC. • Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were not expected. • All PHEs mainly originated from natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silver deposits located in the upper basin of the Felent Stream are currently the largest producing mine in the Türkiye. It is also significantly impacted by industrial, agricultural, and thermal spring-related waste in Kütahya Province. The main objectives of this study were to examine the spatiotemporal variations of 12 dissolved potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surface water of Felent Stream, to identify their possible sources, and to assess their probable risks. As a result of this study, among investigated PTEs, the highest mean concentrations of 3592-14,388 µg/L for Mg and the lowest of 0.15-0.19 µg/L for Cd were noted in Felent Stream water. The average concentrations of PTEs were found in the order of Mg > Ca > Na > As > Mn > B > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. Remarkably, during the dry season, there was a conspicuous escalation in the average PTEs contents of water, with an approximately multifold amplification. PTEs in stream water were evaluated for their potential ecotoxicological risks and possible sources. Based on ecological risk assessment indices, the stream exhibited low pollution levels during the wet season but displayed elevated pollution levels during the dry season, indicating a general shift towards heightened pollution conditions. The hazard index (HI) data for As exhibited significant potential noncarcinogenic risks across all monitoring stations. Conversely, the carcinogenic risk (CR) data underscored the imperative nature of addressing the health risks associated with As in the waters of the studied region. Mining activities were identified as the primary origin of PTEs based on principal component analysis (PCA). Moreover, upstream regions, proximal to the mining site, emerged as the most heavily contaminated areas according to cluster analysis (CA)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Thrace is a part of the Marmara Region northwest of Türkiye. This region hosts several lentic ecosystems used for irrigation and drinking water supply. The present study was conducted to analyze the temporal distributions of water quality parameters (WQPs) of lentic ecosystems (lacustrine habitats), including lakes (L1-L2), reservoirs (R1-R12), and ponds (P1-P19) of the Thrace Region. Thirty-three lacustrine habitats were identified in the region. Freshwaters were collected in the wet (end of winter) and dry (end of summer) seasons of 2021-2022 and tested for 12 WQPs. Data was evaluated for the water quality index (WQI) and nutrient pollution index (NPI) and their overall quality level. For the evaluation of non-carcinogenic health risk indices of WQPs, the chronic daily index (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) were applied. Cluster analysis (CA), Pearson correlation index (PCI), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to classify the lacustrine habitats and identify the source of WQPs. The average values were as follows: 9.28 mg/L for dissolved oxygen (DO), 94.6% for oxygen (O 2 ) saturation, 9.29 for pH, 613 μS/cm for electrical conductivity (EC), 3.96 NTU for turbidity, 358 mg/L for total dissolved solids (TDS), 3.17 mg/L for nitrate (NO 3 ), 0.05 mg/L for nitrite (NO 2 ), 1.01 mg/L for phosphate (PO 4 ), 78.5 mg/L for sulfate (SO 4 ), and 102 mg/L for chloride (Cl). Results showed a significant increase in WQPs, including NO 3 , NO 2 , and PO 4 , in the wet season, while the salinity decreased from the dry to wet season. Results revealed that HI values of water contaminants in lacustrine habitats were noted to be less than one. Based on determined WQPs, the present study recommends using lacustrine water habitats for irrigation, drinking, and other domestic and industrial purposes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)