Concentrations of heavy metal and radioactivity in surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elazıimage, Turkey)

Concentration of heavy metals and natural gross radioactivity were measured in the surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elazıimage, Turkey). Eight sampling sites were pre-defined in different locations of the lake. A preliminary study on heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co and Pb), major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations and natural radioactivity related to 226Ra, gross-α and gross-β radiations in the surface water and deep sediments were determined. The obtained results showed that, in general, the heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu and Pb) and major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations in water did not exceed WHO (World Health Organization, 1999), EC (Europe Community, 1998), EPA (Environment Protection Agency, 2002) and TSE-266 (Turkish Standard, 1997) guidelines. Generally, heavy metals and major elements concentration of the sediments were found decrease in sequence of Fe > Mg > Ca > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Co > Pb. The results of this study indicated that a general absence of serious pollution in the Hazar Lake. The results obtained from the radioactivity determination indicate that the surface water radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, gross-α and gross-β were ranging from 0.52 ± 0.02 to 2.02 ± 0.06 Bq/l and from 0.65 ± 0.03 to 2.52 ± 0.07 Bq/l and from 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.14 ± 0.01 Bq/l, respectively. Deep sediment radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra is ranging from 0.07 ± 0.03 to 0.32 ± 0.07 Bq/g.