Abstract
Lake Uluabat, having an international significance and subject to the Ramsar Convention, is fed by the basin of Mustafakemalpasa Stream which runs through fertile lands utilized for livestock breeding and agriculture. In this study, total amount of nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) loads of non-point pollutants (agriculture, livestock breeding, vegetation, surface runoff and small settlements) was calculated. It was found out that most intensive pollution load stemmed from livestock breeding which causes dispersion of 13653.57 tons·year-1 of TN and 3224.45 tons·year-1 of TP into the Lake Uluabat. Additionally, seasonal changes in concentration of TN and TP were observed during the period of 2008-2009 in Lake Uluabat. It was concluded that the rise of agricultural activities in summer months was the reason underlying the increase in pollution during the months in question.
Highlights
As an increasingly common global problem with substantial ecological and socioeconomic consequences; eutrophication can be described as the natural and artificially-induced increase of inorganic nutrients entering aquatic environment, degradation of water quality as a result of excessive accumulation of microscopic plants and algae, reduction of the natural lifetime of the water source and the resulting restriction of water use [1,2]
It was found out that most intensive pollution load stemmed from livestock breeding which causes dispersion of 13653.57 tons·year−1 of total amount of nitrogen (TN) and 3224.45 tons·year−1 of TP into the Lake Uluabat
Pollution caused by non-point sources results from agricultural activities; surface runoff that takes place in cities; the construction industry; mining activities and forestry applications; pesticides and fertilizers used in parks, meadows and golf pitches; Salinization of roads; atmospheric sedimentation; livestock breeding activities; and hydrological modification work [2,5,9]
Summary
As an increasingly common global problem with substantial ecological and socioeconomic consequences; eutrophication can be described as the natural and artificially-induced increase of inorganic nutrients entering aquatic environment, degradation of water quality as a result of excessive accumulation of microscopic plants and algae, reduction of the natural lifetime of the water source and the resulting restriction of water use [1,2]. Dispersion of high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into water sources give rise to the odds of eutrophication taking place and creates an impact on water quality [3]. Nitrogen and phosphorus enter the aquatic ecosystem through point and non-point sources. If pollution enters a given environment through controllable and quantifiable point discharge, such sources are classified as point sources. Pollution caused by non-point sources results from agricultural activities (irrigation, drainage, surface runoff, erosion, use of pesticides and fertilizers); surface runoff that takes place in cities; the construction industry; mining activities and forestry applications; pesticides and fertilizers used in parks, meadows and golf pitches; Salinization of roads; atmospheric sedimentation; livestock breeding activities; and hydrological modification work (examples being dams, water channels, excessive pumping of underground water and siltation) [2,5,9]. The impact of the pollution load that enters into the lake was evaluated and precautions to be taken were suggested
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