Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface water of the İnegol plain, Turkey, using spatiotemporal variation characteristics

The availability of safe water is as important as the water crisis, due to various types of pollutants in water. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine the concentrations and to characterize the spatial distribution of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn heavy metals in surface waters of the Inegol Plain in both winter and summer periods. We use ordinary kriging interpolation technique to estimate a variable at an unmeasured location using observed values at nearby locations, and indicator kriging to map the probability of heavy metals to exceed the threshold fixed by the Turkey Water Pollution Control Regulation (SKKY). The concentrations of heavy metals in surface water show substantial seasonal differences in summer and winter in the Inegol Plain. Cr, Fe, Pb and Zn concentrations were recorded within the permissible limits throughout the plain. However, according to the background value of Cu, Mn and Ni, results show that the water in the area is under high pollution risk from these pollutants, particularly in areas distributed around the industrial areas. It is evident from the study that heavy metal concentrations were higher in water samples in the vicinity of hot water industries and of the Inegol Organized Industrial Zone.Teaching Staff Training Program (OYP) of the Higher Education Council (YOK) in TurkeyWe gratefully acknowledge financial support provided by the Teaching Staff Training Program (OYP) of the Higher Education Council (YOK) in Turkey