Investigation of the Metal Pollution Sources in Lake Mogan, Ankara, Turkey

It is important to investigate the monthly level of trace metals in freshwater systems to assess environmental health. This information can be used to support effective management and control of natural areas in regard to the introduction and bioavailability of chemicals in the aquatic environment. We aimed to determine monthly changes in the levels of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and selenium (Se) in water, sediment, and fish samples from Lake Mogan. Five different stations were established in Lake Mogan. Water and sediment samples as well as muscle, liver, kidney, gill, and brain tissues from fish were obtained from these stations every month for 1 year. All analyses were conducted with ICP-OES. In descending order of intensity, the metals identified in the water samples were Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, As, Se, and Hg; those identified in the sediment samples were Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Se, Pb, Cr, As, Al, Cd, and Hg; and those identified in fish tissues were Se, Fe, Zn, Cr, Al, Pb, Cu, Ni, As, Hg, and Cd. The most polluted station was located where waste from restaurants and tea gardens were dumped. The level of waste, and thus the level of pollution, was especially high in August. It is concluded that the metals that accumulate in water, sediment, and fish in Lake Mogan originate from anthropogenic activities.