Monitoring Trace Metal Levels in Yozgat-Turkey: Copper, Iron, Nickel, Cobalt, Lead, Cadmium, Manganese and Chromium Levels in Stream Sediments

Abstract

In the presented study, the concentrations of some heavy metal ions in bottom sediment samples collected from streams around Yozgat-Turkey in December 1998 and October 1999 were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after leaching with aqua regia. Copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, lead, manganese and chromium levels in the sediment samples were found in the range of 10.4-16.7 ?g/g, 58.3-113.7 ?g/g, 31.9-76.4 ?g/g, 8.3-19.2 ?g/g, 31.2-60.3 ?g/g, 34.3-64.4 ?g/g and 26.7-39.6 ?g/g, respectively. Cadmium contents of the sediment samples were below 3 ?g/g at all stations. These values were below the maximum tolerable limits set by the Water Pollution Control Regulation of the Turkish authorities. Correlations between metal concentrations were evaluated.