The heavy metal assessment of Harsit stream (Giresun, Turkey) using multivariate statistical techniques

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the degree of heavy metal contamination of Harsit Stream in northeastern Turkey. Heavy metals such as Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in water were analyzed using ICP-MS and the result compared with national and international Standard for Drinking Water Quality. the water samples were collected from 7 different sites between June 2014 and May 2015. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SPSS statistical package programs. Descriptive statistical analysis including One-way ANOVA, significance (0.01 and 0.05) was done. Important differences in the mean values were tested with Duncan's multiple range test. Moreover, the multi variate statistical techniques (hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA)), the Pearson correlation were applied to the heavy metal variables. in water samples, according to analysis results, the following findings were obtained for the concentration ranges of the metals: Al: 4.922-1078.906, Cr: 7.141-74.900, Mn: 0.525-18.102, Fe: 4.188-7.855, Co: 3.262-7.878, Ni: 5.832-44.923, Cu: 0.873-20.649, Zn: 10.367-362.901, Cd: 1.724-19.427 and Pb: 2.570-6.259 mu g/L were found. the pollution load index between the heavy metals in the stream produced the following output: Zn > Al > Cr > Cu> Fe > Mn > Co > Pb > Cd > Ni for summer, Al > Zn > Cr > Ni> Cu > Mn > Fe > Co > Pb > Cd for autumn, Al > Zn > Cr > Ni> Fe > Co > Pb > Cu > Mn > Cd for winter, Al > Zn > Cr > Ni> Fe > Co > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cd for spring. Moreover, the distribution of heavy metals between stations was not statistically significant (p<0.05, p<0.01). Consequently, it can be concluded that the concentrations of some heavy metals in water from Harsit stream are higher than the WHO, EPA and Canada standards.