Seasonal dynamics of potentially toxic and essential elements in water of rivers feeding the Çanakkale Strait: a strategic gateway to the Aegean Sea
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, vol.47, no.9, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 47 Issue: 9
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s10653-025-02706-3
- Journal Name: Environmental Geochemistry and Health
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
- Keywords: Ecotoxicological indices, Health risk assessment, Irrigation suitability, Streams of Çanakkale Strait, Trace and toxic elements
- Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No
Abstract
This study investigated inorganic contamination and associated ecotoxicological, irrigational and health risks in eight fluvial habitats discharging into the Çanakkale Strait (ÇS), analysing twelve potentially toxic (PTEs) and essential (EEs) elements in seasonal surface water samples (2021–2022). Comprehensive water quality (WQI, HPI, NPI, CD, ERI), irrigational suitability (SAR, Na%, MH, KR), and non-carcinogenic/carcinogenic health threats were assessed. Furthermore, multivariate statistical techniques (PCI, PCA, and CA) enabled the identification of probable pollution sources and the classification of potamics. Spatially, Biga Peninsula (BP) streams had higher levels of PTEs, while Gelibolu Peninsula (GP) streams had more EEs. Temporally, dry season concentrations were generally higher. Ecotoxicological and irrigational indices mostly indicated acceptable to moderate contaminated conditions. However, arsenic exposure at Kepez, Hamamlık and Küçük Menderes streams poses both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, with CR values far exceeding the safety threshold. PCA identified three distinct pollution sources—geological, industrial, and agricultural—explaining over 81% of the total variance in water quality parameters. CA categorized the region into high, moderate, and low contamination zones, underscoring spatial heterogeneity in water quality.