Anthropogenically-Induced Ecological Risks in Lake Gala, Thrace, NW Turkey

The aim of this study is to determine the anthropogenic effects in lake Gala in the Thrace Region and to make an ecological risk analysis as a result of these effects. Based on the multi-element analyzes of the samples collected from the lake by Grab and Core method, using ICP-MS, which is frequently used in the calculation of ecological risk in sediment pollution studies; Ecological risk analysis of lakes with statistical analyzes such as Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Ecological Risk Index to Potential (PER), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Factor Analysis, Spearman's Correlation Analysis and Cluster Analysis has been made. According to the analysis results, very high contamination observed in Hg and high contamination values observed in Mn pose a remarkable threat to the ecosystem. We conclude that the lake is exposed to intense anthropogenic pressure due to agricultural wastes, industrial pollutants, domestic wastes and pollutants from transportation vehicles.