Large scale constructed wetland implementation projects in Turkey in Salt Lake Special Environmental Protection Area

Abstract

Salt Lake, in ecological and economical terms, is one of the most important lakes in Turkey. The lake exhibits great biodiversity of plants because the lake and its basin are a natural habitat to various types of endemic plants which are resistant to a salty environment. The lake also serves as a habitat to many kinds of birds, especially flamingos. From an economic standpoint, Salt Lake meets approximately 70% of the salt requirement for Turkey. For this reason it is of great importance to preserve the natural environment of the lake. In addition to the various activities conducted for the environmental protection of the Salt Lake, a comprehensive constructed wetland (CW) project has been prepared and implemented for the towns of Sultanhani and Altinekin, where the population is expected to reach approximately 5000 by the year 2037. It entails the largest and most important subsurface-flow constructed wetland systems(CWs) in Turkey. Many site surveying research projects have also been conducted to support this detailed CWs engineering project. Each step of the project preparation and application are detailed in this study. A great deal of experience has been gained by Turkey and Mediterranean countries on large scale CWs.