Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Li, Mn, Ni, and Ba Concentrations in Sediments of Lotic Habitats in the Gelibolu Peninsula, Türkiye

Özet

Sediments, rich in various toxic and essential elements, play a crucial role in freshwater habitats. While some elements are necessary for living organisms, prolonged and large-scale exposure to them—similar to non-essential toxic elements—can be harmful. The Gelibolu Peninsula, situated in the northwestern part of Anatolia, holds significant agricultural, industrial, and touristic potential due to its fertile lands, strategic location, and rich natural resources. This study was carried out to determine the spatiotemporal variations of lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and Barium (Ba) levels in sediments of the riverine ecosystems located in the Gelibolu Peninsula. Three riverine ecosystems were selected for the study, and sediment samples were collected during both the dry and wet seasons of 2022–2023 to assess seasonal variations. According to the results of this research, the annually average concentrations of investigated elements in sediments of the riverine ecosystems located in the Gelibolu Peninsula were found in the order of Mn (708 mg/kg) > Ba (52 mg/kg) > Ni (22 mg/kg) > Li (15 mg/kg). While no significant seasonal differences were detected in Mn, Ni and Ba accumulations, it was recorded that the average Li values in the sediments increased approximately 4 times during the wet season.