Pollution characteristics, sources and health risks assessment of potentially hazardous elements in sediments of ten ponds in the Saros Bay region (Türkiye)

Pollution of lentic ecosystems by potentially hazardous elements (PHE) due to human activities has become a global concern. In this study, the contents of eight PHEs in the sediments of 10 most important ponds located in the Saros Bay region (Türkiye) were evaluated. The contents of PHEs in the sediments of the ponds ranged from 0.14 mg/kg for Cd to 274 mg/kg for Mn. According to the enrichment factor (EF) results, ponds P3, P8 and P9 for Cd and pond P8 for Pb showed “moderate enrichment”. However, the pollution load index (PLI) results indicated that all ponds were in a “baseline contamination” state due to the combined effect of all PHEs. Similarly, based on ecological risk assessment indices, no ecological risk from PHEs was identified. In addition, Cd, Zn, As, Cr, Cu and Pb contents in all ponds were found below threshold effect concentrations. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were not expected for recreational receptors due to exposure to the PHEs in the sediments via incidental ingestion and dermal contact. Correlation and cluster analysis results indicated that although agricultural activities contributed slightly to the As content, all PHEs mainly originated from natural sources.