Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ECOHYDROLOGY & HYDROBIOLOGY, ss.1-15, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study evaluated the distribution and behavior of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) along the Riva Stream (Istanbul, Türkiye) by examining accumulation patterns in riparian macrophytes and spatial changes in water quality along a pollution gradient. Five sampling points were selected as representative of upstream (S1), midstream (S2–S3), and downstream (S4–S5) sections of the stream. Four common macrophyte species (Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, Lythrum salicaria, and Persicaria lapathifolia) were sampled together with monthly surface water during the 2024 growing season. Results showed clear spatial differences in water quality, with midstream sites (S2–S3) consistently displaying the highest PTE concentrations. Statistical analyses indicated significant effects of sites and species on metal accumulation. Plant responses reflected local contamination patterns and revealed strong species-specific differences. P. lapathifolia showed the highest accumulation of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe), reaching 275.3 mg kg⁻¹ Cu and 694.9 mg kg⁻¹ Fe at S3. L. salicaria accumulated markedly higher lead (9.7-fold) and zinc (1.8-fold) at S3 compared with the upstream site (S1). P. australis was the dominant accumulator of chromium across sites, whereas T. latifolia showed the lowest accumulation for most elements, except for cadmium. Cadmium concentrations remained low overall, with slight increases at midstream sites. These findings reveal that riparian macrophytes respond predictably to spatial pollution gradients under natural river conditions. The results support their use as bioindicators of PTE contamination and as nature-based tools for targeted riparian management, providing field-based evidence relevant to the EU Water Framework Directive and SDG targets 6.3 and 6.6.