Ecotoxicological risk assessment for sediments of cavuslu stream in Giresun, Turkey: association between garbage disposal facility and metallic accumulation

The objective of this paper was to stress the possible potential toxic element (PTE) accumulation in the surface sediments of the cavuslu Stream (cS), as well as examining the source identification of whether or not any association between garbage disposal facility (GDF) and ecotoxicity or human health risk in Giresun, Turkey. The sediment specimens were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) followed by microwave digestion. The descending order of metals (mg/kg) in sediments were as follows: Fe (38,791 +/- 3269) > Al (27,753 +/- 4051) > Mn (730.90 +/- 114.60) > Cr (233.39 +/- 53.32) > V (176.40 +/- 19.66) > Cu (85.22 +/- 6.06) > Ni (72.87 +/- 11.50) > Zn (46.45 +/- 3.68) > Co (21.96 +/- 3.33) > Pb (12.17 +/- 1.97) > As (3.12 +/- 1.45) > Sb (0.22 +/- 0.06) > Cd (0.17 +/- 0.02) > Hg (0.04 +/- 0.01). Among these elements, certain metals (V, Cr, Cu, and Ni) in the sediments were above the average shale. Cr and Ni levels were above their corresponding threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL) values while Cu concentration exceeding its TEL, indicating that benthic organisms in the sediment of cS have likely toxic responses. Based on the results from contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and geo-accumulation factor (I-geo) values of PTEs, the sediment was frequently classified into moderate contamination, moderate enrichment, and unpolluted to moderately polluted group. Pollution load index (PLI), integrated pollution index (IPI), and ecological risk index (E-r(i)) indicated low pollution or low potential ecological risk. Toxicity risk index (TRI) and toxic unit analysis (TUs) suggested moderate toxicity. The outcomes of hazard quotient (HQ), total hazard index (THI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) stressed out that PTEs would not pose a significant health risk when adults are exposed to sediments in cS. However, a non-cancerogenic health risk for children was considered as the collective effect of 14 PTE (THI = 1.47 > 1). Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)) outlined that the metallic accumulation in the sediments of cS was related to lithological, geological, and anthropogenic impacts. Therefore, the GDF is likely a major reason in terms of anthropogenic pollution in the sediments of the cS.

Automated summary

This paper aimed to investigate the potential accumulation of toxic elements in the surface sediments of cavuslu Stream in Giresun, Turkey, and determine any association between a garbage disposal facility and ecotoxicity or human health risk. Results showed that certain metals in the sediments were above average shale levels, indicating potential toxic responses in benthic organisms. Multivariate statistical analysis suggested that anthropogenic pollution, likely from the GDF, played a major role in the metal accumulation in the sediments of the cavuslu Stream.