Assessment of heavy metal pollution of seston from freshwater resources poured into the Northeast Mediterranean region

This study was carried out to determine the accumulation levels of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Cr) in seston to three different freshwater resources poured into the Iskenderun Bay. Seasonal averages of physico-chemical parameters measured at stations, Arsuz Stream, Payas Stream, and Ceyhan River, are classified as Class III—contaminated water according to the temperature parameter in the summer. Payas Stream has been determined to be Class III—polluted water according to pH parameters during the summer season. Ceyhan River was found to be Class III—contaminated water according to the dissolved oxygen parameter in the autumn season. Heavy metal accumulation levels in the seston were determined Fe > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd in Arsuz Stream, Fe > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd in Payas Stream, and Fe > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd in Ceyhan River. The results in this study showed that high accumulation levels in seston were determined for Fe while low accumulation levels for Cd.