Heavy metal pollution in surface sediment and mussel samples in the Gulf of Gemlik

Sediment quality data provide essential information for evaluating ambient environmental quality conditions. An evaluation is presented of heavy metal pollution, on the basis of statistical analysis of metal concentrations from the sediments of the Gulf of Gemlik, southeastern Marmara Sea, Turkey, which has been subject to high levels of pollution. The ranges for heavy metal concentrations (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) at the 63 μm fractions. Not only large industrialized seaports but also resort areas throughout the Gulf are flagged as hotspots for elevated concentrations, generally higher compared to those from the other Turkish marine environment. The highest concentrations of Cr, Pb, and Ni were measured in the outer part of the Gulf, while the highest concentrations of Cu were documented offshore the main rivers. While the concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni in some stations approach the severe effect level given in various sediment quality guidelines, the concentrations of the most human-related metals (Cd and Zn) in the mussels collected from the Port Mudanya were higher than the acceptable values for human consumption set by various health organizations.The research fund of the Istanbul University; project UDP-200

232Th, 238U, 40K, 137Cs radioactivity concentrations and 137Cs dose rate in Turkish market tea

In this study, the activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 40K and 137Cs were measured in 10 branded tea samples from local Turkish markets using gamma spectrometry with an HPGe detector. The mean activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 40K and 137Cs were found to be 2.71.0, 0.90.4, 50142 and 45.042.6Bqkg-1, respectively. The average annual effective 137Cs dose as a consequence of tea consumption was found to be 385nSv for an adult person, which is not hazardous to public health. The correlation coefficient between 137Cs and 40K was found to be-0.82 in these samples. The present data were compared with those found in other studies