Ecological Risk Assessment of Metals in Sediments from Three Stagnant Water Bodies in Northern Turkey

Purpose of Review In recent years, anthropogenic activities have caused metal pollution in the sediments of stagnant water bodies, and thus threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. Therefore, determining the potential ecological risks, contamination degree, and possible sources of metals in sediment of stagnant water bodies is essential for effective management of metal pollution. In this study, we used contamination and risk assessment indices together with multivariate statistics to determine ecological risks and contamination degree of 14 metals in sediments of three important stagnant water bodies (Ladik Lake and Yedikir and Degirmendere dam lakes) in northern Turkey. In addition, the effects of organic matter (OM) and pH on metal accumulation in the sediments were also investigated. Recent Findings The mean contents of Al, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb did not differ significantly among the water bodies studied (p > 0.05). The Ladik Lake sediments had significantly lower pH level and higher OM content (p < 0.05). Contamination indices indicated that there was no significant metal contamination in the sediments of all water bodies. Similarly, ecological risk indices indicated that metals posed low ecological risks in the water bodies. According to the sediment quality guidelines, metals would not cause harm to benthic organisms. The accumulation of most metals in the Yedikir Dam Lake was controlled by OM, while the distribution of some metals was affected by both OM and pH in the Degirmendere Dam Lake. According to the factor analysis, all metals in the sediments of the water bodies studied mainly originated from natural sources. The results of this study revealed that sediment contamination indices, ecological risk assessment methods, sediment quality guidelines, and multivariate statistics can be used as effective approaches in determining the environmental and ecological risks and pollution sources of metals in the sediments of stagnant water bodies. Thus, this study can provide important information for the ecological risk assessment and management of metals in the sediments of stagnant water bodies.