Temporal variation of metal concentrations of creek sediment samples

The aim of our study was to investigate the changes of metal concentrations in stream sediments depending on station and sampling period variation. Sediment samples were collected seasonally from six separate stations selected along Kilicozu Creek (Kirsehir, Turkey), and the Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd concentrations were determined. Stations were selected on the basis of pollution gradient. It was observed that the metal concentration means per annum were Zn> Cr> Ni> Cu> Pb> Cd. Seasonal highest values of heavy metals were observed as follows; Pb (14.4 µg·g⁻¹), Ni (43 µg·g⁻¹), and Cd (6.2 µg·g⁻¹) in autumn, Cr (55.7 µg·g⁻¹) and Zn (71.9 µg·g⁻¹) in summer, and Cu (42.5 µg·g⁻¹) in spring. One-way ANOVA results also showed that there were significant metal concentration changes between stations. Potential metal contamination risk was determined for studied sediment samples. It was observed that Cd contamination exceeded the limit values in this stream sediment. According to the reference values, Zn or Pb contamination in the creek sediment has not reached the effective level. The findings of this study may be useful for further biomonitoring studies.