A case study on trace metals in surface sediments and dissolved inorganic nutrients in surface water of Ölüdeniz Lagoon-Mediterranean, Turkey

Hydro-chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, silicate and phosphate) in seawater and major trace metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Zn, Pb, Cu) in sediments were evaluated for the assessment of quality of seawater and sediments in very small lagoon in Mediterranean, Ölüdeniz. Enrichment factors for metals in sediment were in the range of 1.62–8.09, comparable to crustal rock composition. For metals, comparison with literature data revealed relatively low metal concentrations for Ölüdeniz sediments. Correlation analyses on the sediment metal data showed strong correlation in between Cr, Fe and Zn. Surface water salinity slightly decreases within the lagoon, indicating that limited fresh waters inflow to the lagoon. In October, the lagoon waters contained very low phosphate concentrations but measurable values of nitrate and silicate, yielding high NO3−/PO43− ratios (90). Very low Chlorophyll-a (biomass indicator) concentrations measured in the lagoon suggest the phosphorus limitation of primary productivity.