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Metal contamination in thebottom sediments of thegulf of IskenderunMustafa Ergin a , Bilal Kazan b , Fülya‐Yücesoy

Eryilmaz c & Mustafa Eryilmaz da Ankara University, Faculty of Sciences,Department of Geological Engineering, MarineResearch Group , Tandoğan, 06100, Ankara,Turkeyb Denizcilik Müstesarliği , Tandoğan, Ankara,Turkeyc Istanbul Technical University , Faculty ofNaval Architecture and Ocean Engineering ,80626 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkeyd Seyir Hidrografi ve Osinografi DairesiBaskanliğl , Cubuklu, Istanbul, TurkeyPublished online: 24 Feb 2007.

To cite this article: Mustafa Ergin , Bilal Kazan , Fülya‐Yücesoy Eryilmaz &Mustafa Eryilmaz (1998) Metal contamination in the bottom sediments of the gulfof Iskenderun, International Journal of Environmental Studies, 55:1-2, 101-119,DOI: 10.1080/00207239808711170

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207239808711170

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Intern. J. Environmental Studies, 1998, Vol. 55, pp. 101-119 © 1998 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N. V.

Reprints available directly from the publisher Published by license under

Photocopying permitted by license only the Gordon and Breach Science

Publishers imprint.

Printed in India.

METAL CONTAMINATION IN THEBOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF THE GULF

OF ISKENDERUN

MUSTAFA ERGINa, BILAL KAZANb,FÜLYA-YÜCESOY ERYILMAZC and MUSTAFA ERYILMAZd

aAnkara University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geological Engineering,Marine Research Group, Tandoğan, 06100 Ankara (Turkey);

bDenizcilik Müstesarliği, Tandoğan, Ankara (Turkey);cIstanbul Technical University, Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean

Engineering, 80626 Maslak, Istanbul (Turkey);dSeyir Hidrografi ve Osinografi Dairesi Baskanliğl, Cubuklu, Istanbul (Turkey)

(Received in final form 4 June 1991)

The objective of this study was to determine the influences of a variety of anthropogenicactivities on the metal levels of bottom sediments in the Gulf of Iskenderun. For thispurpose, surface (top 5cm of sea floor) sediment samples were obtained from a total of73 stations and subjected to grain size, heavy metal, carbonate and microscopic analy-sis. Principal component analysis was introduced to discriminate groups of stationsaccording to sedimentary parameters obtained. The relatively high concentrations(on carbonate-free basis) of Fe(7-23.2%), Mn(1000-3240 ppm), Co(100-333 ppm),Cr (400- 919 ppm), Pb(50-97 ppm) and Zn (125 and 176 ppm) measured in the western(outer) and eastern(inner) parts of this Gulf are found in areas receiving large amountsof waste materials (i.e. slag) from iron-steel complexes, domestic seawage, as well asdischarges from the fertilizers, petroleum refining and pipeline terminals around thegulf. Comparison of these results with the average composition of crustal and regionalrocks and other metal-contaminated regions suggest a significant contamination insome parts of this gulf by metals. However, as shown by principal component analysis,ultrabasic and biogenic carbonate factors mostly mask these anthropogenic influences.The Gulf of Iskenderun was chosen for this study because it has been increasinglycontaminated by various pollutants during the last decade.

Keywords: Pollution; heavy metals; sediments; geological sources; Gulf of Iskenderun

101

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102 M. ERGIN et al.

1. INTRODUCTION

High concentrations of heavy metals relative to their geochemical back-ground values found in surflcial coastal marine sediments near the indus-trialized and urbanized regions, have normally been ascribed to the"anthropogenic" or "man-made" or "civilizational" influences [1—3].However, these criteria cannot be fulfilled in coastal areas, especially offTurkish coasts where the geological weathering of particular source rocks(i.e. ultrabasics) and associated ore/mineral deposits may also cause rela-tive enrichment of metal concentrations in the bottom sediments [4-7].

The studied area, the Gulf of Iskenderun seems to be an idealcoastal region to test all these geological and anthropogenic effects onmarine sedimentation. The Gulf of Iskenderun is located in the east-ernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea, southeast off Turkey (Fig.l).It has a rectangular shape (60 x 35 km) and is bordered to the southand east by narrow coastal plains which in turn are flanked by highmountains. To the north and west, the Gulf is bordered by largefluvial and coastal plains, where the Ceyhan River (main supplier ofsiliciclastic sediments into the gulf) has built a prominent delta com-plex. The Ceyhan River carries about of 5500 x 103 t/y suspended loadinto this gulf. The hydrography of the Gulf of Iskenderun is controlledlargely by the northwesterly-flowing open-sea currents and the in-fluences of local winds [8]. The open-sea waters enter into this gulffrom south and north along the coasts and move towards the innergulf to create clockwise and anticlockwise gyres [8].

Among the anthropogenic contributions, the effluents from petro-leum refineries, petroleum pipe-line terminal, fertilizer industries, iron-steel complexes, several sewage outfalls and the heavy ships traffic areimportant [9]. Texture and composition of recent sediments lying onthe floor of the Gulf of Iskenderun are greatly influenced by theremains of benthic organisms, deltaic input of terrigenous material,and the weathering of ophiolitic rock and mineral sources [7]. A widevariety of sediment types are found in the Gulf of Iskenderun rangingfrom fine-grained mud to coarse-grained sandy gravel [7].

There are hardly any studies on metal contamination in the Gulf ofIskenderun sediments, and the only available works of Ergin et al.[7,10], were concerned with the sedimentologic and geologicalaspects. Therefore this paper intends to provide useful background

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M E T A L C O N T A M I N A T I O N 103

0 K*IZ VJKnr , - ^ - « _

ur

..•••y;::;>;::;;-.v-v::;::--:::v;1'::.;,/ 3>y ^ i ^ - "

FIGURE 1 Maps showing the studied area, Gulf of Iskenderun with sediment samplingstations (top) and surrounding land geology (bottom; compiled from various sources).S indicates sewage outfalls; P: pipeline terminal and petroleum refining; F: fertilizerindustries; I: iron-steel complex [9].

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104 M. ERGIN et al

information on the environmental pollution impact by heavy metalsin the Gulf of Iskenderun. In this context, the objectives of this studywere to collect sediment samples; to analyze their grain size and someheavy metal distribution; and to discuss the resulting data with respectto anthropogenic activities in and around the Gulf of Iskenderun.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

During the 1988-1991 cruises of R/V Bilim in the Gulf of Iskenderun,73 surficial (top 5 cm of sea floor) sediment samples were collectedusing a grab at 15-190 m water depths.

Grain size analysis was performed using standard sieve and pipettetechniques and the results are expressed as clay (< 0.002 mm), silt(0.002-0.063 mm), sand (>0.063-2 mm) and gravel (>2 mm in diam-eter) fractions. Total carbonate contents (expressed as %CaCO3) weredetermined using a gasometric-volumetric system in which CO2 re-leased by acidification of sample with diluted HC1 acid was measuredagainst standards. All the coarse-grained sediment fractions are exam-ined under microscope to identify their geologic, biogenic and an-thropogenic nature. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Znand Pb were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometer(Varian Techtron AA6 Model) after complete digestion of the bulksamples in a HF-HNO3-HClO4-acid mixture. The accuracy of theanalytical method was tested against standard materials (i.e., CRM142 from the Community Bureau of Reference Materials) and theresults were better than 10%. By using principal component analysis,possible statistical relationships were determined between metal con-centrations measured and other sedimentary parameters. Further de-tails on grain size and carbonate analysis are given elsewhere [7].

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Sediment Texture and Carbonate Distribution

Figure 2 shows the textural composition and carbonate distribution insediment samples of this study. Coarse-grained sediments are usually

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METAL CONTAMINATION 105

FIGURE 2 Textural composition and carbonate distribution in surfidal bottom sedi-ments of the Gulf of Iskenderun.

found in patches off the southern, eastern and northwestern coastswhere calcareous remains of benthic organisms constituted major partof sand and gravel. Thus, coarse-grained sediment fractions are wellcorrelated with the total carbonate contents of samples. Otherwise,sediment samples were mostly fine grianed having silt and clay con-tents upto 80% of the bulk sediment (Fig. 2).

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106 M. ERGIN etal.

3.2. Heavy Metal Distribution

Surface sediments of the Gulf of Iskenderun contained 1.5-9.0% Fe,281-1130 ppm Mn, 179-808 ppm Ni, 70-694 pptn Cr, 30-117 ppmZn, 6-99 ppm Co, 9-39 ppm Cu, and 10-61 ppm Pb (Tab. I). Of themetals measured, the concentrations of Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pbappear to be considerably high relative to their crustal average (Tab. I).

In particular, Cr and Ni enrichments in the gulf sediments wereattributed to the wide occurrences of ultrabasic rocks and theirweathering products on the surrounding land masses [7]. To test this,some regional data on ultrabasic outcrops and their chemical compo-sition was compiled from Aslaner [11] and given in Table I. It showsthat ultrabasic rocks of varying types in the surroundings of Gulf ofIskenderun are markedly rich in Cr and Ni with measured concentra-tions upto 7000 ppm for Cr and 2900 ppm for Ni. It is well knownthat Cr and Ni are guide elements of ultrabasic rocks [12]. By usingprincipal component analysis [13], an approach was made to explorerelationships between bulk metal concentrations (before any normaliza-tion procedures) and other sedimentary parameters. The results of theapplication of PCA to chemical analysis are shown in Table II andFigure 3. The first component corresponds to carbonate content andgrain size, with high positive loadings for CaCO3 (associated withcoarse-grained sand and gravel) of biogenic origin, and high negativeloading for Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb and Al (associated withfine-grained silt and clay). High positive loadings for CaCO3, sandand gravel and negative loadings for metal contents strongly suggestthat these components control the sedimentary variability of metalconcentrations greatly. The dilution effect of carbonates on thealumino-siliciclastic marine sediments have long been known. Thesecond component, with high positive loadings for Ni, Cr, Mg and Coseparates a group of samples which receive substantial quantities ofweathering products of ultrabasic rocks from the surrounding regions.This would clearly indicate that how the carbonate and ultrabasicfactors control metal distribution in the Gulf of Iskenderun sediments.

On the other hand, microscopic examinations indicate that sedi-ment samples from, at least five stations (4, 23, 31, 37, 46) containedconsiderable amounts of anthropogenic waste materials such as slagfrom steel making. To identify a group of samples which receive

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TABLE I Comparison of sedimentary metal data used in this study with those found in average crustal rocks and other contaminedmarine sediments

This studyThis study*ContaminatedSedimentsGolden HornEstuary. Seaof Marmara16

Eastern AegeanSea. Turkey6

Mers in HarbourTurkey21

EckernforderBight. W. BalticSea3

Skagerrak,North SeaSea22

Fe

1.5-9.03.8-23.2

2.6-3.8

0.8-5.9

3.8

2.7-3.6

3.2-3.9

Mn

281-1130700-3240

333-565

151-4234

457

468-1562

370-1037

Co

6-998-333

17-31

3-76

_

7-16

20-52

Cr

70-694212-919

242-485

13-487

30-49

83-104

Ni

179-808305-1337

98-167

19-634

266

23-49

63-78

Cu

9-3914-52

333-3900

4-80

136

20-44

30-62

Zn

30-11762-176

450-8750

28-205

250

87-285

175-223

Pb

10-6113-97

124-702

-

144

35-107

63-182

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TABLE I (Continued)

Jamaica BayNew York. USA20

Ganges EstuaryT_J;Q23

Gulf of Venice,Italy24

Thermaikos GulfGreece25

Humber EstuaryU.K.26

Tokyo Bay27

Gulf of Aqaba

Crustal RocksAverage29

Shales30

Ultrabasics11

Fe

1.2-4.6

0.7-6.7

3.5-5.5

4.4

2.9-4.01.4-3.3

5.04.7

5.0-7.6

Mn

254-800

650-2600

677

350-1670200-605

950850

700-2600

Co

14-64

1-14

15-35

21-42

2519

75-101

Cr

21-100

10-254

80-280

212

29-126

10090

500-7000

Ni

1-28

8-57

5-41

90-440

55

16-4419-98

7568

1700-2900

Cu

2-144

4-53

3-44

35-70

70

16-796-10

5545

42-62

Zn

7-302

12-611

48-870

80-2400

319

106-40533-66

7095

Pb

1-168

12-115

5-84

45-310

127

25-5875-130

1320

*)Carbonate-free data.

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METAL CONTAMINATION 109

+

CDCoQ.

Eoo"asQ .

'o

a.

2nd

—

4-

2-

0-

2-

4

A

A

^ A

A *. j£ A AAJ T A "A *

AAA A i A A A

A4 A A

A \ . A^^ *^ '^A A

A^^*L A AA A 4 ^ H A A AA±AA A A

—i r 1 r T i

- - 4 0 4-4 +1st Principal Component

FIGURE 3 Scatter diagram of samples of Gulf of Iskenderun sediments in the spacedefined by the first two principal components detailed in Table II.

significant amounts of effluents from anthropogenic activities, stationswith elevated metal contents and beside lithogenic contribution, aremarked (Fig. 4) of Figure 3.

Although ultrabasic (represented by Cr and Ni), carbonate and fine-grain size factors interfer, at least part of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and Coseems to be slightly distinctive from the main bulk of sediment. Forexample, upper halves of the PCA diagramms (Fig. 4) are dominatedby ultrabasic factors, whereas lower parts display other types of metalcontribution which are based on microscopic results. Co and, to alesser degree Pb and Zn, can be attributed to both ultrabasic andanthropogenic inputs.

Although normalization of sedimentary metal concentrations to aCaCO3 basis is not a standard procedure, the overwhelming dilution

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110 M. ERGIN etal.

TABLE II Results of principal component analysis (of correlationmatrix) on data from metal concentrations of 73 sediment samplesfrom the Gulf of Iskenderun. Remaining components have eigenvaluesless than one

Proportion of Variance

FeMnNiZnCrCoCuPbMgAlCaCO3

GravelSandSiltClay

Component 145%

-0.271-0.271-0.144-0.299-0.150-0.098-0.313-0.072- 0.093-0.265

0.3030.2210.313

-0.224-0.258

Component 213%

-0.0180.0210.511

-0.1680.4990.320

-0.159-0.101

0.481-0.152-0.019

0.0290.063

-0.1780.040

of carbonates of metal contents observed in the Gulf of Iskenderunmade it necessary to consider carbonate effects. For example, sedi-ment samples with the highest amounts of anthropogenic waste ma-terials were taken from stations 4, 23 and 31, where Fe contents werelow (3.20-4.73%) and carbonate contents ranged from 59.5 to 79.6%.Surely, such low Fe-contents without any normalization procedurescould not be regarded as indication of anthropogenic metal enrichment.Moreover, a large variety of benthogenic shells were stained by Fe asobserved in sediments of and near stations 4, 23, 31. On the otherhand, samples from stations 37 and 46 (stained by Fe too) also con-tained appreciable amounts of anthropogenic waste materials buttheir relatively low carbonate contents (about 24%) did not mask Felevels of sediments.

To compare basin-wide metal data, bulk metal concentrations ofsediments were calculated on carbonate-free basis and presented inFigure 5 and Table I Carbonate-free iron concentrations ranged be-tween 3.8 and 23.2%, whereby the majority of the Fe-values remainednearly at 6.0 to 6.5% (Fig. 5). These Fe concentrations are slightlyhigher than crustal average of this metal (5.0%) but coincide well withthe composition of basic-ultrabasic source rocks (Tab. I) which are

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METAL CONTAMINATION 111

widely distributed around the gulf (Fig. 1). However, of the particularinterest here, are the highest Fe concentrations measured in the north-eastern (st. 23:23.2%; st. 46:11.9%; st. 31:7.6% Fe) and western (st.37:11.5% Fe) and southwestern (st. 4:79% Fe) parts of the Gulf(Fig. 5). Microscopic examination of the coarse-grained sediment frac-tions of these stations revealed the presence of various man-madewaste materials (i.e. slag). Thus the highest Fe contents presented heremust be explained greatly by the influence of waste disposals fromonshore-based iron-steel complexes (Fig. 1). Since there is no gradualincreasing trend in the sedimentary Fe levels, from the depositionalsite at sea to the respective point source onshore, it is obvious thatcontamination of bottom sediments by Fe occurs by the direct

Cr «

• a

a-, V 4 ' ' . .

1.PC

Fe

* A

Cu

$&*'\ *

Nr «.

Mr

*.£ . «

Pb

* Ai „

FIGURE 4 Same as Figure 3 also showing dominant factors at stations. Note the groupof stations with the highest metal, carbonate and clay-size distribution (circled triangles).See text for details.

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112 M. ERGIN et al.

Ca-bonate A

A ©

i*A*A A $

Co «

« a,

Clay

* A

* V i *m A^ J p * T& A

A>2P M « ' \ »^ A

Zn

1 A

0 .A

A

FIGURE 4 (Continued).

disposal of Fe-rich waste substances onto the sea floor, most likelyusing ships or other vessels. Clay sediments of the Ceyhan River(3.2-5.9% Fe) seem to play only minor role in the elevated Fe-contri-bution to the gulf.

Carbonate-free manganese levels of the sediments remained mostlybetween 751 and 1000 ppm (Fig. 5), values consistent with averagecomposition of crustal rocks (Tab. I). The highest Mn values are re-corded in the western (st. 37:1497 ppm) and eastern (st. 23:3240 ppm)parts of the gulf. Like Fe, Mn appears to be enriched at these sites as aresult of waste disposals from the shore-based iron-steel complexes,whereas dumping on the sea floor by ships activities is the mostimportant mechanism of transport of metal pollutants from thesource. Similar Fe-Mn-contamination due to effluents from the ironand steel industries (i.e. blast furnaces and ferromanganese plant) areknown from other coastal regions [3, 14]. Another high Mn content(1104 ppm) was measured off the northeastern coast (st. 31) wherefertilizer industries (Fig. 1) discharge their waste substances. Mn is oneof the important metals used in the fertilizer industries [1, 15].

The most of the carbonate-free cobalt concentrations (8-130 ppm;Fig. 5) showed relatively higher values than those found in average

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(Cl-H)

(ppm)• 3500-1500• 1500-1250• 1250-1000

Co(CFB)

(ppm)400-200160-120120-8080-40<40

(ppm)1000 800800-fiOO600-400400-200

N i(CFB)

(ppm)©1500-1200• 1200-900• 900-700• 700-500• 500-300

C uC C I I 3 )

(ppm)• 60-50• 50-40• 40-30• 30-20• <20

200-175175-150150-125125-100100-75<75

FIGURE 5 Distribution of metal concentrations normalized to carbonate (CFB) in thesurface sediments of the Gulf of Iskenderun. Note the elevated levels of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn andPb derived from anthropogenic activities, not only related to lithogenic (ultrabasics)sources. Cr, Ni and part of Co indicate effects of ultrabasic sources from the east.

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114 M. ERGIN etal.

crustal rocks (Tab. I). However, it is also known that ultrabasic rockswhich are dominant in the region contain similar high Co concentrations(75-101 ppm; Tab. I). The highest Co concentration (333 ppm) wasfound at st. 23 (Fig. 5) where also large amounts of waste products(i.e., slag) of the iron-steel complexes are found. Although high Cocontent (125 ppm) measured at the gulf entrance (st. 37) could possiblyindicate, at least in part, influences from iron-steel complexes (dump-ing from ships) other values (127-130 ppm) found in the inner (sts. 29,51, 68) and southern gulf (st. 47:203 ppm) cannot be explained solelyby the anthropogenic activities.

The carbonate-free Cr (212-919 ppm) and Ni (305-1337 ppm) con-tents of the sediments have already been discussed in Ergin et. al. [7]and the results were related to the presence of ultrabasic source rocks inthe region. However, Cr-contamination of bottom sediments was alsoknown from other Turkish coastal regions (Golden Horn Estuary, NE-Sea of Marmara; Tab. I), where textile and leather tanning industriesare the major anthropogenic contributors of this metal to this estuaryand hence to its bottom sediments [16]. Maximum Cr content wasfound at station 37 (919 ppm) where also waste products from theiron-steel industry seem to be disposed, mainly through the ship andboat activities. On the other hand, two stations in the northeast (56 and69) which are under the influences of effluents from the fertilizer indus-try and petroleum refining and pipeline terminals exhibited high Crlevels (740 and 835 ppm; Fig. 5). As it is known, Cr has also beenemployed in petrochemicals, fertilizers and petroleum refining [15].

Carbonate-free copper contents (14-52 ppm) are well comparablewith the average composition of crustal rocks (Tab. I). Thus, a Cu-contamination in the gulf sediments cannot be suggested at this stage,although this possibility remains especially at northerly and westerlystations (> 40 ppm Cu; Fig. 5) which probably receive man-made inputfrom the Ceyhan River, fertilizer industries, petroleum refineries andiron-steel complexes but also from the domestic-municipal discharges.Clay sediments from the Ceyhan River contained 40-84 ppm Cu [17].

Carbonate-free lead concentrations fall in the range between 13 and97 ppm (Fig. 5). These values are comparably higher than those foundin crustal rocks (Tab. I). Thus a geological source for Pb in the regionseems to be of minor importance. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 5,high Pb concentrations are confined to stations which receive effluents

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METAL CONTAMINATION 115

from the iron-steel complexes (st. 23:78 ppm Pb; st. 37:81 ppm Pb)and petroleum refineries and pipeline terminals (sts. 26-28:58-97ppm Pb). These high lead values are comparable with those frommany contaminated regions (Tab. I) and are attributable to effluentsfrom the petrochemicals and petroleum refining [15] and iron-steelcomplexes [14]. Particularly, combined effects of boat and ship ex-haust systems and oil and other petroleum products from ships andboats (which all are prominent in the Gulf of Iskenderun) increase thePb levels of bottom sediments, as also known from other gulfs [18].Apart from these, domestic sewage discharges may also cause appreci-able Pb-enrichment as shown by Berrow and Webber [19] andSeidemann [20]. Furthermore, Pb contents in the southern part of theGulf are relatively high (50-75 ppm; Fig. 5). This outer part of the gulfis under the influences of northerly-flowing water masses which movealong the coasts of Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Although there is nodata available to confirm this but it is not unreasonable to expect suchpollutant transport derived from these countries because many wastematerials can be observed floating in the surface waters of this seacoming predominantly from the south.

Carbonate-free zinc contents (62-176 ppm) are generally in goodagreement with the composition of crustal rocks (Tab. I). Higher Znlevels are confined to areas receiving waste products of iron-steelcomplexes (st. 23:178 ppm; st. 37:155 ppm), petroleum refining andpipeline terminals (st. 31:148 ppm; st. 16:125 ppm), as well as, domes-tic discharges off Iskenderun (st. 58:143 ppm; Figs. 1 and 5) . Zn con-centration off the Ceyhan River mouth (sts. 6,7,10:128-138 ppm)could suggest additional anthropogenic contribution. Because claysediments of Ceyhan River contained 121-318 ppm Zn, in part due toanthropogenic activities on land [17].

Correlations are also made between Fe and other metals and theresults showed that Fe appears to be enriched relative to other metalsat more than 5 stations (Fig. 6). The differences in the antrhopogenicand geological source types, sedimentation behaviour of metals anddiagenesis probably all interfer each other so that Fe/Metal ratiosbecome more than an anthropogenic factor. Nevertheless, enrichmentof Fe relative to Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and to some degree to Co isapparent at some stations (Fig. 6) which receive significant an-thropogenic materials.

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116 M. ERGINeta/.

FIGURE 6 Relationships between Fe and other measured metal contents in surfacesediments of the Gulf of Iskenderun. High Fe/Metal ratios are more or less indicative ofanthropogenic activities.

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METAL CONTAMINATION 117

4. CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in this study have shown the considerable effectsof both anthropogenic and ultrabasics influences on the metal con-tents of bottom sediments in the Gulf of Iskenderun which was furthermodified by the varying proportions of biogenic carbonates in thesamples. This is inferred by using the principal component analysiswhich revealed high positive loadings for CaCO3 and sand and gravelcontents and negative loadings for metal contents. A seconds compo-nent displayed high positive loadings for Ni, Cr, Mg and Co suggest-ing ultrabasic factors. Microscopic examinations of sediments indicatethe presence of high amounts of anthropogenic waste products mainlyfrom the iron and steel making. This must have resulted in someenrichment of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and partly Co found at, at leastfive stations. Other types of anthropogenic effluents, derived from thedomestic seawage discharges, fertilizers, petroleum refining and pipe-line terminals are thought to be additional sources responsible formetal enrichment in the studied sediments. However, the two principalcomponents (carbonates and ultrabasics) masked the anthropogeniceffects greatly. Unfortunately, no information was available on thetypes and composition of waste materials from both domestic andindustrial sources.

A cknowledgements

The author thanks Erdemli Inst.Marine Sciences, METU, Icel, Turkeyfor providing shiptime and laboratory facilities. The scientists andcrews onboard R/V Bilim are thanked for their help during sedimentsampling. V. Ediger, S. Yemenicioglu, and N. Kubilay helped withsediment analysis. E. Mutlu carried out principal component analysis.Preparation of the manuscript was supported by a project(YDABCAG-156) from the Turkish Scientific and Technical ResearchCouncil (TUBITAK).

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