Assessment of metal accumulation and ecological risk around Rize Harbor, Turkey (southeast black sea) affected by copper ore loading operations by using different sediment indexes.

The purpose of the study was to determine metal pollution and ecological risk in the sediments around Rize Harbor. Metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Ni and Al), were determined in the sediments collected from 7 sites in November, 2010. Metal levels in the sediments were varied from 33.9 to 279.1 mg/kg for Cu, 82 to 383 mg/kg for Zn, 15.9 to 33 mg/kg for Pb, 4.9 to 12.3 mg/kg for As, 0.1 to 1.4 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01 to 0.07 mg/kg for Hg, 13.1 to 17.6 mg/kg for Ni, 1.5 % to 2.98 % for Al. Concentration of metals also was evaluated by enrichment factor, Sediment Quality Guideline (SQGs) of US EPA, and two sets of SQGs indices. A factor analysis was used to determine source of contamination. Two probable source types were identified as anthropogenic and crustal for metals, explaining 86.4 % of the total variance. Six sites were heavily polluted by Cu. Copper concentration in R1 station was found significant enrichment. Current concentration of copper would be expected to frequently be associated with the toxic effect on biota.