Heavy metal pollution in the surrounding ore deposits and mining activity: a case study from Koyulhisar (Sivas-Turkey)

The oxidation of sulfide minerals generates acidic waters containing high levels of SO₄ and Fe. The study area has active Pb?CZn?CCu mining. It is thought that the surface/subsurface/underground sulfide minerals in the region generally contribute to the acidification of groundwater. Low pH values are also responsible for dissolved metals (Al, Fe, Mn, SO₄, Pb, Zn) in the groundwater and river. Furthermore, current mining wastes have affected concentrations of trace elements in the water. High Fe and Mn concentrations are generally found in the spring which has acidic and low Eh values, while Al, Fe and Mn concentrations in the acidic waters show notable increases with the maximum values reaching 8,829, 19,084 and 1,708?ppb, respectively. These values exceed the Turkish drinking water standard of 200, 200 and 50?ppb, respectively.     

High-resolution palynological analysis in Lake Sapanca as a tool to detect recent earthquakes on the North Anatolian Fault

High-resolution palynological analysis of a 38-cm long core collected from Lake Sapanca, northwest Turkey, reveals large earthquakes that occurred during the second half of the 20th century along the North Anatolian Fault Zone. Four events have disturbed the lacustrine sedimentary sequence. Three of the four events are historical earthquakes in 1999 in Izmit, 1967 in Mudurnu and 1957 in Abant. These events are recorded in the core by turbiditic deposits and reworked sediment and by low overall palynomorph concentrations but high values of thick-exined pollen, fern spores and fungal spores. Palynomorphs in the event beds have been grouped based on their associations in modern moss, river and lake samples. The inferred mechanisms of transport and sources for the palynomorphs are: 1- lake sediment displaced by slump, 2- collapsed shoreline sediment owing to seiche, waves and sudden lake level changes, 3- subsidence of deltas and 4- river-transported soil and sediment from upland areas. The 1999 Izmit earthquake is only weakly recorded by palynomorphs, probably due to recent engineering control on the rivers. The 1967 Mudurnu earthquake had the strongest effect on the lake, introducing successive packages of sediment to the centre of the lake from underwater slopes, the lakeshore and rivers.