HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS OF THE GEDIZ RIVER, TURKEY

Abstract

This paper drives the mathematical discussion of heavy metals level of As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr in the samples collected from the Gediz Delta. In 2006, several scientists from Ege University Faculty of Fisheries declared the data of eight different stations belonging to the basin to observe the natural and anthropogenic effect in the sediment of the delta. Based on these data, we try to look at the results with a more comprehensive mathematical perspective and attract the attention to the Gediz Basin with holistic discussions. Land use in the watershed and a data set comprised of observations of 7 heavy metals from 8 locations are described. In order to interpret the anthropogenic effect of contamination of the river, statistical analyses are performed. In the study, by investigation a covariance matrix indicates the strength of bivariate relationships, a dendrogram shows hierarchical clustering into different groups, and factor analysis indicates three distinct eigenvectors. In addition, one can find three indices Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) developed by Canadian sedimentologists. The fact that the findings in the discussion belong to 2006 permits the authors to understand the recent condition more clearly. The level of pollution from the past is comparable.