In this study, it is aimed to determine the heavy metal pollution caused by wastewaters of leather factory in Keban Dam Lake (Agın region). For this purpose, water samples were taken monthly during one year from the selected stations (wastewater of leather factory, wastewater discharged region and open water region). The concentrations of some heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As and Hg) were determined in water samples. The ranges of elements were found as Cu=11.71-19.14; Fe=82.03-169.92; Zn=39.06-70.31; Cr=58.59-82.03; Ni=2.5-10.25; Cd=45-72.5 mg/L; As=43.57-76.0 and Hg=0.42-0.76 µg/L in wastewater; Cu=6.25-9.74; Fe=42.96-87.89; Zn=16,21-42,96; Cr=39,06-58.59; Ni=1.22-7.25; Cd=23.75-45.0 mg/L; As=20.32-37.92 and Hg=0.19-0.38 µg/L in discharged water to dam lake, Cu=0.31-0.52; Fe=0.24-0.54; Zn=0.43-0.67; Cr=0.05-1.12; Ni=0.002-0.004 and Cd=0.009-0.02 mg/L in open water respectively. It has been determined that heavy metal pollution is very high in the wastewater of leather factory and discharged water to Dam Lake. Among these heavy metals, the most accumulated metal was chromium. In all three regions, the lowest concentrations were found in winter and the highest concentrations were found in summer. The results were compared with tolerable values for heavy metals provided from the WHO, EC and USEPA standards for freshwater. Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr and Ni concentrations in the wastewater and discharged water to the Dam Lake were found above the standard values given by WHO, EC and USEPA.

Industries, as a source of pollution, have a considerable impact on aquatic ecosystems due to the diversity in the composition of their wastewater. In this study, it is aimed to determine the heavy metal pollution caused by the wastewater of milk products factory, paint factory and textile factory in the Organized Industrial Zone of Kahramanmaraş province. For this purpose, seasonal concentrations of some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As and Hg) have been determined in wastewaters of milk products factory, paint factory and textile factory and in the region where these wastewaters discharge in the Erkenez Stream. The seasonal variation of heavy metals in all stations, generally the lowest concentrations of all elements were determined in winter and the highest concentrations were determined in summer. When the heavy metal contents of milk products factory, paint factory and textile factory wastewaters were compared, the highest values were found in textile factory wastewater. When all stations are taken into consideration, according to USEPA and water quality criteria, it is determined that the wastewaters of milk products factory, paint factory and textile factory and the area of the Erkenez Stream, where these wastewaters are discharged, were very dirty in term of heavy metals. When these results are taken into consideration, it is clear that the wastewater of these factories causes serious heavy metal pollution in the Erkenez Stream.