Heavy metal levels in biota and sediments in the northern coast of the Marmara Sea

Concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu were determined in biota and sediment samples collected from the Marmara Sea in Turkey. The levels of Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu in the macroalgae are higher than previous studies in the Marmara Sea. Moreover, Cu and Zn concentrations at the present study are significantly high than Bosphorus and Black Sea algae. The order heavy metal concentrations in the mussel samples was: Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd > Co. The metal concentrations are generally lower when compared with the Black Sea mussels except Pb. At the same time, concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in the mussel species are lower when compared with the results in the Aegean Sea. The ranges of Mn and Cu in the tested fish samples are higher than Black Sea fish. On the other hand, Cd, Co, Cr, Zn and Pb concentrations are lower. The northern coast of the Marmara Sea having the highest metal concentrations in sediments as follows: Co, Cr, Ni, Fe at, Sarkoy; Pb, Cu at M. Eregli; Cd, Zn, Mn at Menekse. The heavy metal levels in the sediment samples are lower than other areas in the Marmara Sea.