Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in sediment, surface water and some plants in the Karasu Riparian Zone

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study aims to determine and compare the heavy metal concentrations in the water, sediment, and plants of the Karasu river in Erzurum, Türkiye. In this context, aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and barium (Ba) concentrations were measured for this study. Salix excelsa (willow), Rosa canina L., Pyrus elaeagnifolia (wild pear), Malus sylvestris (wild apple), and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) plants were used as samples. Heavy metal concentrations follow the order of Al³⁺ > Fe²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺ in the sediment. Heavy metal concentrations follow the order of Al³⁺ > Fe²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ in water. The leaf part of Salix excelsa has the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) for Mn among plant parts. Mean BCF values were as follows: Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Al³⁺ ≈ Fe²⁺. In addition, the highest plant translocation factor (PTF) values were determined in Salix excelsa for Al and Fe; in Rosa canina L. for Ni and Zn; in Hippophae rhamnoides L. for Mn and in Malus sylvestris for Ba.

KEY WORDS: Heavy metals accumulation, Sediment, Water, Plant, Riparian Zone

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(1), 35-45.                                                                  

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i1.4