Water quality of Mediterranean coastal plains: conservation implications from the Akyatan Lagoon, Turkey


Yetis A. D., SELEK Z., SEÇKİN G., Davutluoglu O. I.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, vol.186, no.11, pp.7631-7642, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 186 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10661-014-3954-8
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.7631-7642
  • Keywords: Mediterranean lagoon, Water quality, Hyper-salinity, Seawater intrusion, SURFACE SEDIMENTS, NUTRIENTS, SPECIATION, WETLANDS, METALS
  • Gazi University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The water quality of the Akyatan Lagoon was characterized using hydrochemical methodology. The lagoon is located on the Mediterranean coast and is the largest wetland ecosystem in Turkey. In addition, the lagoon is classified as a hyper-salinity wetland. Water samples were collected monthly between December 2007 and November 2008. Eleven stations within the lagoon were determined, and triplicate grab samples were obtained from each station to characterize water quality as follows: T A degrees C, pH, total alkalinity (TAlk), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), and main anions, including chloride (Cl-), nitrates (NO3 (-)), and sulfate (SO4 (2-)). Results from selected stations indicated varying TDS, EC, salinity, and Cl- concentrations, from 20,892 to 175,824 mg/L, from 35.7 to 99.6 mS/cm, from 22.3 to 71.0 ppt, and from 14,819 to 44,198 mg Cl-/L, respectively. Data indicated that the spatial distribution of water quality parameters was significantly affected by freshwater input via the constructed drainage channels which collect water from a catchment area and discharge water into the lagoon as a point source, thus preventing drainage water to reach the lagoon as a nonpoint source.