Determination of trace element concentrations in water, sediment and fish species from the atatürk dam lake (Euphrates), Turkey

Abstract

Trace element concentrations were determined in water, sediment and fish samples (Carassius auratus, Capoeta trutta and Cyprinus carpio) collected from Atatürk Dam Lake which is the largest dam lake in Turkey. Trace element analyses were measured with ICP-OES. Cd and Hg were not detected in water, sediment and fish samples. Also, Mn and Ni concentrations were not determined in water. In Atatürk Dam Lake, the accumulation orders of trace elements were found to be Fe >Zn >Cu=Se in water, and Fe >Mn >Ni >Zn >Cu>Se in sediment. In general, the accumulation orders of elements in the tissues of the species were nearly similar to each other. The highest bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were determined for Zn, in water and in all tissues of the species, except for Fe in the liver of Capoeta trutta. The BAFs calculated in sediment area were generally lower than 1. Mean concentrations for all trace element levels in species muscles were found at permissible levels set by FAO and Turkish legislation. As a result, trace element concentrations of water, sediment and fish samples in Atatürk Dam Lake were not found at the risk levels. But it may be said that some steps should be taken in order to protect the present situation