Ecotoxicological health risk analysis of potential toxic elements accumulation in the sediments of Kizilirmak River

This study analyzed the spatial distribution, ecotoxicological and health risks and possible sources of 14 potential toxic elements from surface sediment samples in Kizilirmak River by using geographical information systems software, ecotoxicological indices, and multivariate statistical analysis. The results indicated that enrichment factor, Contamination factor and geoaccumulation index (I-geo) values were higher in the areas where domestic and industrial wastewater was discharged. For elements such as Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, their potential ecological risk index values indicate that they have "low potential ecological risk" in all stations. For Hg metal, it is indicated as "Moderate potential ecological risk," whereas for Cd, it is indicated as "Noticeable potential ecological risk." Integrated pollution index (IPI), Toxic units (TUs) and Pollution load index (PLI) values were the highest in S1 station (IPI = 1.35, TUs = 10.02, PLI = 1.06) and were determined as the lowest in S6 station (IPI = 0.88, TUs = 6.38, PLI = 0.70). Ecotoxic risk level in river sediment (TRI); was at the level of "considerable toxic risk" in S1, S2, S3 stations, whereas it was at the level of "moderate toxic risk" in S4, S5, S6 stations. Total hazard index value being slightly above 1 (1.10) for children means that separate or combined effect of 14 metals present in the sediment may cause health risk even at a low rate. For adults, although potential noncarcinogenic health effects are not expected, lifetime carcinogenic risk values in terms of Cr and As might have a potential to cause carcinogenic risk even at low rate.