Potentially Toxic Element-Induced Ecological Risk Assessment of Kilitbahir Port, Çanakkale, Türkiye
Abstract: This study discusses the results of ecological risk analysis of sediments taken from Kilitbahir Port,one of the most active ports along the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles). ICP-MS analyses of the collected samplesrevealed moderate enrichment in Mo, Cu, and Zn in relation to anthropogenic activities in the studied sediments.The compatibility of the geoaccumulation and enrichment factor data indicates that the pollution is anthropogenic.No significant toxic risk was detected, although Mo is the most enriched potentially toxic element. The ecologicalrisk determined in terms of Hg and Cd is likely to be related to oil and fuel leaks caused by marine vessels passingto/from the Kilitbahir port and road traffic moving over the study area.