Trace Metal Concentrations in the Seston of the Gulf of Iskenderun (Turkey, North-Eastern Mediterranean)

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Al, Mn, Pb and Cr metals were determined in the seston at different stations in Iskenderun Bay, along with their seasonal variations, during the period from June 2012 to September 2013. The bay is exposed to intense environmental impacts due to local industrial facilities, settlements, river discharges and shipping. The ranking of annual average trace metal accumulation concentrations in seston was determined to be Al > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Mn > Ni > Co > Cr in Iskenderun Bay. Al had the highest metal accumulation at a concentration of 1269.11 +/- 20.23mg/kg recorded at the 2nd station during autumn. Cr had the lowest accumulation at a concentration of 0.62 +/- 0.14mg/kg recorded at the 1st station during spring. Except for Co, it was determined that the highest accumulations for all metals were in autumn, and, except for Cu and Mn, the lowest accumulations were in spring.