Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant on Water Column and Sediment Quality in Izmir Bay (Eastearn Aegean Sea)

WOS: 00038516170001

Investigating Summer Dynamics of the Nutrients in Lake Aktas (Ardahan) Surface Water, Using Geographic Information Systems

Lake Aktas is a tectonic lake with a total surface area of 25.5 km(2) (11.7 km(2) in Ardahan, Turkey; 13.8 km2 in Georgia). This study investigated water quality of the lake, a crucial element in protecting the ecological characteristics of a lake, and ensuring its sustainable use. The study involved use of Geographical Information Systems software to analyze the temporal and spatial changes in nutrient element concentrations that may deteriorate water quality and ecological characteristics of the lake. In the framework of the study, surface water samples were collected on the Lake Aktas in June, July, and August 2014 from nine stations selected at intervals in accordance with spatial analysis. The collected samples were measured for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, and orthophosphate. The obtained results were compared with the concentrations specified in Surface Water Quality Management Regulation published by the T. R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. According to the findings, surface water classification and distribution for Lake Aktas included the following categories class I ( WS-I/natural) in terms of oxygen, ammonium, and nitrate nitrogen, and class II (WS-II/undeveloped) in terms of nitrite. It was found that ammonium and phosphate levels have considerably increased in the last ten years, based on the comparisons made with the study sampled in Aktas Lake during 2004-2005 (Ozbay and Kilinc 2008)

Seasonal and spatial variations of ecological risk from potential toxic elements in the southern littoral zone of Izmir Inner Gulf, Turkey

This study aims to investigate the ecological risk level of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Izmir Inner Gulf. Samples were taken from 16 stations selected in the southern littoral zone of the gulf for four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). Multi-element, total organic carbon, chlorophyll-a, biogenic silica and carbonate analyses were carried out. To determine contamination level and ecological risks, some indices (enrichment factor, modified hazard quotient and potential risk analysis, toxic risk index, etc.) were calculated. Mo and Pb show significant anthropogenic enrichment in the inner gulf. These are followed by Cu, Cd, and Zn with moderate accumulation. Risk assessment indices point out that Ni, Cr, and Cd have a serious potential to create risk for ecosystem, and these are followed by As, Hg, Pb, Zn, and Cu. According to the spatial distribution, land use maps, and factor analysis, the Cd, Zn, and Cr increases are localized at the mouth of the Poligon Stream. Pb and Cu accumulate at the mouth of four large streams feeding the eastern part of the gulf. Pb and Cu enrichment is associated with traffic and industrial discharges. While one of the sources of Hg is anthropogenic, another source is eutrophication resulting from benthic and planktonic diatom blooms. While Fe and Mn are added to the gulf via rivers as a result of rock and soil erosion, another source is sediment. Cr, As, and Ni come from anthropogenic and lithogenic sources and immobilized in sediment. CO3-2 source is marine (biogenic) and dilutes other immobilized PTEs. It is understood that the peripheral stations rich in allochthonous organic carbon and the stations close to the central area rich in autochthonous organic carbon contribute to the carbon source in question.This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) within the scope of project 114Y419.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [114Y419

Nutrient and Chlorophyll a Trends after Wastewater Treatment Plant in Izmir Bay (Eastearn Aegean Sea)

WOS: 000298099400021The aim of the study is to determine effects of Izmir Big Channel Wastewater Treatment Plant on inorganic nutrients such as NO(3)(-)-N, NO(2)(-)-N, NH(4)(+)-N, PO(4)(-3)-P, Si and Chl-a levels in Izmir bay. Variations of inorganic nutrients and Chl-a were investigated weekly during 1 year period in 2003-2004 in Izmir bay. In addition, physico-chemical environmental parameters such as pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), water temperature and salinity were measured. The parameters mentioned above have been carried on in different depths of the 3 sampling stations which were located in middle and inner parts of Izmir bay. The concentration ranges of nutrients and chlorophyll-a were from BDL (Below Detection Limit) to 40.94 mu M for NH(4)(+)-N, BDL to 21.35 mu M for NO(3)(-)-N, BDL to 28.99 mu M for NO(2)(-)-N, BDL to 31.43 mu M for PO(4)(-3)-P, 0.16 to 54.12 mu M for Si and BDL to 66.13 mu g L(-1) for Chlorophyll-a. When the results were compared with those obtained before Izmir waste water treatment plant had been operated, concentrations of Chl a and nitrogen forms declined while it was not the case for PO(4)(-3)-P.TUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK); Izmir Municipality Gulf Control StaffBelediyeler; Science and Technology Research Centre of Ege UniversityEge UniversityThe researchers would like to thank TUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey), Izmir Municipality Gulf Control Staff and Science and Technology Research Centre of Ege University for their efforts to participate in this project as well as their scientific and financial supports

THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN N:Si:P MOLAR RATIO AND COASTAL MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON IN IZMIR BAY (EASTERN AEGEAN SEA-TURKEY)

6th International Symposium on Ecology and Environmental Problems -- NOV 17-20, 2011 -- Antalya, TURKEYYOZUKMAZ, Aykut/0000-0003-2575-3044WOS: 000313458600005N:P, Si:N and Si:P ratios are one of the most important factor having a control on the dominance of phytoplankton groups both in oceans and coastal waters. The changes of these ratios have a limiting effect on the growth of the phytoplankton groups. This study aimed that to determine effects of the N:P:Si ratios to coastal phytoplankton groups in Izmir Bay on a weekly basis after activated the Big Channel Waste Water Treatment project. For this purpose, nutrients and Chl-a levels were analyzed from sea water which were taken from 0, 5, 10 m and bottom depths of the Gulf of Izmir on a weekly basis between 2003-2004. At the end of the study, results of analysis from water samples which were taken from three stations on a weekly basis between 2003-2004 from the Gulf of Izmir the ratios of nutrient values (N:P, Si:P, Si:N and C:Chl a) were compared. In conclusion, the average N:P, Si:P, Si:N and CM a:C values were 2.55 +/- 0.31, 4.19 +/- 0.56, 2.78 +/- 0.41, 0.0080 +/- 0.0011 for the Meles station (Station 1), 2.31 +/- 0.29, 4:39 +/- 0.67, 3.74 +/- 0.58, 0.0083 +/- 0.0011 for the Yacht harbor station (Station 2) and 1.99 +/- 0.32, 4.56 +/- 0.59, 4.35 +/- 0.71, 0.0067 +/- 0.0009 for the Cigli station (Station 3), respectively. The emergence of processes acting on Reactive Phosphate and TIN in different times reveal a great difference onto the temporal distribution of these two nutrients in the Inner part of Izmir Bay. Thus, indirect evidences about these processes have been obtained from the nutrients and their rates of distribution.Hacettepe Uni