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Spatial distribution, environmental risk assessment, and source identification of potentially toxic metals in Atikhisar dam, Turkey

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the ecological risk created by metal contents of the surface sediments of Atikhisar dam, Çanakkale, NW Turkey. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to determine anthropogenic effects. Ecological risk was assessed using the modified potential ecological risk index (mPER), with its levels being evaluated using the modified ecological risk index (mER). Toxic effects were determined using the toxic risk index (TRI). The ecological risk indices were mapped to provide their spatial distributions. Our findings indicate that enrichment was very high for Hg and significant for Pb, Tl, Cd, and As. The following mER pattern was detected: Hg > Cd > TI > As > Pb > Ni > Cr > Co > Zn > Mn > V. Hg and Cd exhibited extremely high and very high ecological risks, respectively, while TI and As had a significant ecological risk, with Pb exerting a medium ecological risk. Hg, Pb, Tl, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu were enriched via anthropogenic effects exceeding their natural concentration levels. Due to their high toxic effects, Hg, Cd, Tl, As, and Pb were identified as the very high risk elements. Mining, household wastes, agriculture, and natural mineral deposits were identified as the possible sources of the potential ecological risk.

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Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This study was carried out with the financial support of Balıkesir University, Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project number: SB 2019-030). We would like to thank Professor Dr. A. Evren Erginal for supervising the project stage of the study, Furkan Inan for his help in the field work, and Mr. Graham Lee for proof-reading the text.

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  1. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey

    Şakir Fural

  2. Faculty of Humanities and Literature, Department of Geography, Ardahan University, Ardahan, Turkey

    Serkan Kükrer & Dilek Aykır

  3. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography, Balıkesir University, Balikesir, Turkey

    İsa Cürebal

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  1. Şakir Fural
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Fural, Ş., Kükrer, S., Cürebal, İ. et al. Spatial distribution, environmental risk assessment, and source identification of potentially toxic metals in Atikhisar dam, Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 193, 268 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09062-6

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