Investigation of Organic and Inorganic Substances Pollutions of the Marmara Sea Sediments Between Gemlik (Bursa) - Bandirma (Balikesir) Regions and the Effect of Marine Pollution on Foraminifera

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the relationship between organic and inorganic substances in the recently observed pollution in the Sea of Marmara. The heavy metal analysis results of the sediments taken from the sea were interpreted by quality assessment methods [Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (Cf), Pollution Loading Index (PLI), Geological Accumulation Index (I-geo), Ecological Risk Index (Er) and Pollution Index (PI)]. In almost all of the assessment methods, we determined that some locations are heavily polluted and some locations are moderately polluted. Polluted spots are the sea areas adjacent to the Gemlik and Bandırma locations and the areas where wastewater is discharged into the sea. In the current period, the primary sources of pollution in the Sea of Marmara are domestic and industrial wastewater discharged directly or indirectly into the sea. Secondary sources are ship traffic and agricultural activities. In addition, we observed that the main causes of eutrophication and mucilage, which are observed frequently in the Marmara Sea, are organic matter and heavy metal pollution.