Ergene River Research Articles

Description of a new species of Phoxinus from the Ergene River (Aegean Sea Basin) in Türkiye (Actinopterygii, Leuciscidae)

Phoxinus radeki, a new species, is described from the Ergene River (Aegean Sea Basin). It is distinguished from Phoxinus species in Türkiye and the adjacent area by having the scales of the breast, scaled but separated unscaled area anteriorly, short dark rectangular blotches along the lateral line between the lateral line and belly yellowish in both males and females, body depth dorsal fin origin 16–21% SL, caudal peduncle depth 8–10% SL. Additionally, molecular results demonstrated that the new species differed from its closest congeners with a mean genetic distance value of 3.08% (min. 2.82–max. 3.29) and moderately support values in cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene partial sequences (1064 bp.). Further, the species delimitation analysis identified the new species as a single MOTU independent of other Phoxinus species.

Assessing the return flow in human-induced rivers using data-driven and hydrologic models case study: Ergene River Basin

Assessing the return flow in human-induced rivers using data-driven and hydrologic models case study: Ergene River Basin

Microplastic distribution in the surface water and sediment of the Ergene River

Rivers are major transport pathways for microplastics to reach the oceans. Although gained much attention over the last few years, there is still a relatively lack of knowledge on microplastics in rivers. This study aims to investigate (i) spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in an industrially polluted river, (ii) the relationship of microplastic abundance with river's morphological and hydrodynamic characteristics (iii) the potential sources of microplastics inferred from the particle characteristics including shape, size, color and type. To achieve these aims, water and sediment samples were collected from six sites upstream of the Ergene River in May 2019 and Sep 2020. According to the results, surface water had an average concentration of 4.65 ± 2.06 and 6.90 ± 5.16 items L−1 (mean ± standard deviation, n = 12), respectively for the May 2019 and September 2020 periods, whereas 97.90 ± 71.72 and 277.76 ± 207.21 items kg−1 (n = 18) were observed for the sediment compartment, respectively. Microplastic levels in water correlated positively with stream depth but negatively with channel width. Fibers were the dominating shape both in water (88%) and sediment (70%) and majority of the particles were black (49% in water and 39% in sediment) and blue (25% in water and 18% in sediment). According to Raman spectroscopic analysis, polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 28%) and polyamide (PA, 27%) were dominating polymers in water, while polystyrene (PS, 56%) were dominant in sediment. Compared to many other rivers, the Ergene River had excessive levels of microplastics. The research indicated that textile industries and effluents from organized industrial zones were the foremost contributor of microplastics in the river.

Spatial-temporal distributions, probable health risks, and source identification of organic pollutants in surface waters of an extremely hypoxic river basin in Türkiye.

This study was carried out to determine the spatiotemporal distributions of organic pollution parameters in the Meriç-Ergene River Basin subjected to intensive agricultural and industrial pressure. A total of 5 basin components, including Anadere (A), Çorlu (Ç), Tunca (T), Meriç (M), and Ergene (E) rivers, and 9 stations (A1, Ç1, T1, M1-M2, and E1-E4) were identified in the watershed, and surface water samples were collected in the dry (end of summer) and wet (end of winter) seasons of 2021-2022. The Water Quality Index (WQI) and Nutrient Pollution Index (NPI) were applied to the data to evaluate the overall water quality characteristics. The Chronic Daily Index (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) were applied to the data to reveal the probable noncarcinogenic health risks of organic contaminants. Cluster Analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to the data to classify the sampling sites and identify the source apportionment of organic pollution parameters. The recorded spatiotemporal averages of the investigated parameters in the basin are as follows: 6.26mg/L for DO, 9 for pH, 1626 μS/cm for EC, 985mg/L for TDS, 1 ‰ for salinity, 6.88mg/L for nitrate, 0.1mg/L for nitrite, 1.8mg/L for phosphate, 81mg/L for sulfate, and 473mg/L for chloride. The results indicate that the most contaminated components of the basin are Çorlu Stream and Ergene River, and in addition to their quite high salt and nutrient content, they have extreme hypoxic conditions to the extent that it is impossible for many aquatic organisms to live. The contamination degrees of the investigated basin components were determined using the organic pollution risk assessment indices as follows: Çorlu Stream > Ergene River > Anadere Stream > Tunca River > Meriç River.

Forecasting of volumetric flow rate of Ergene river using machine learning

Today, the significance of the estimation of physical parameters has considerably increased; for example, the prediction of water flow rate (WFR) is one of the types that will gain a substantial importance among the others. The predictions of WFR of rivers play a prominent role in the plans and constructions of new water dams, or to operate the ones that were formerly constructed. In this study, a variety of machine learning algorithms have been suggested in the estimations of one-ahead instantaneous measurement of river WFR. In this regard, four different prediction algorithms including long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with fuzzy c-means (FCM), ANFIS with subtractive clustering (SC), and the ANFIS with grid partition (GP) were initially trained and secondly tested. The study region was selected as Inanli measurement station, which is located on the Ergene River. A cumulative of 134 different models were formed using these algorithms. Instantaneous WFR predictions in terms of WFR data have shown that ANFIS-FCM and ANFIS-SC had given the best statistical error outcomes. Accordingly, the values of 0.34 m3/s, 0.72 m3/s, and 0.9728 have been found as a result of machine learning establishment corresponding to statistical accuracy results of MAE, RMSE, and R values, respectively. Namely, it has been concluded that error values of the ANFIS-FCM and ANFIS-SC computations have outcome to be sufficiently good. Also, it was concluded and shown in the current study that both tools of the ANFIS can be two efficacious methods to WFR forecasting.

THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS ON THE INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES: THE CASE OF TEKİRDAĞ, TURKEY

Although the unplanned and uncontrolled industrialization in Tekirdağ increased the rank of Tekirdağ from 23rd in 1973 to the 10th place in 2013 in the development ranking among the provinces in Turkey, industrialization and industrial facilities with high environmental impacts brought many environmental problems and started to pose a great threat in terms of environmental sustainability in Tekirdağ. Especially after the 2008 global financial crisis, environmental sensitivity has gained an international dimension. In a similar vein, the Ergene River Basin Environmental Management Master Plan and 1/100,000-scaled the Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan came into force in 2009 upon the pollution in Tekirdağ, Turkey and its surrounding received governmental attention. 1/25,000 Scale Tekirdağ Provincial Environmental Plan and 1/5000 Scale Master Development Plans which were prepared and elaborated in consideration of the Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan and 1/100000-scaled Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan affect the nature and structure of the industry in Tekirdağ and the district-based development of Tekirdağ's districts. After examining the effects of environmental plans on the structure and development of the industry in Tekirdağ, this study analyzes the impact of environmental plans on court decisions about the attempts to set up new industrial areas in Tekirdağ.

Endüstriyel Kalkınma ve Çevresel Kuznets Eğrisi: Ergene Havzası Üzerine Bir Vaka Çalışması

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis argues that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic development and environmental damage as such environmental damage increases during the early stages of economic development but then decreases after a certain level of economic development is reached. This study aims to contribute to the discussion of the EKC hypothesis by providing a case study from the Ergene River Basin in Turkey. The case study of industrialization in the Ergene River Basin confirms the inverted U-shape relationship between economic development and environmental degradation suggested by the EKC hypothesis.

Evaluation of ecological risk analysis for benthic macroinvertebrates in paddy fields in the Meriç–Ergene River Basin (Turkish Thrace)

Benthic macroinvertebrates are very important components of aquatic environments, and monitoring their population dynamics helps us understand the effects of environmental factors on ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna in paddy fields in the Meriç–Ergene River Basin (Turkish Thrace region) by investigating some physicochemical environmental parameters that may affect its distribution. For this purpose, water and sediment samples were collected from paddy fields in the study area during the cultivation season, including spring, summer and autumn of 2016, taking into account the water resources that supply the rice fields (artesian water, the Meriç River, the Ergene River and Meriç–Ergene mixed water). A total of 47 taxa (on average 8953 individuals per m2 ) were identified at the study sites. Water samples were analyzed to determine water temperature, pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, dissolved oxygen and pesticides, and sediment samples were analyzed to determine the content of some heavy metals, including Cd, Ni, Cu, and Mn. The biological risk index (mERM-Q) and the potential ecological risk index (RI) were applied to the data and a hypothetical ecological risk analysis was conducted using our data and data available in the literature to assess the ecological risk profile of the ecosystem based on benthic macroinvertebrates. To this end, environmental factors were grouped based on the literature as heavy metals (S1), nutrients (S2), other physicochemical parameters (S3) and pesticides (S4), while organisms were grouped as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, Insecta and others based on the dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates to assess pressure factors. As a result, pesticides (S4) were found to exert the strongest ecological pressure on benthic macroinvertebrate fauna in paddy fields in the Meriç–Ergene River Basin.

Intermittency as an indicator of drought in streamflow and groundwater

AbstractUnder normal precipitation conditions, increasing water demand causes groundwater level to deplete and streamflow to decrease. This results in more frequent intermittency. The so‐called intermittency cycle hypothesis is examined in this study. It is a vicious circle in hydrology making both surface and groundwater resources less efficient in supplying ever‐increasing water demand. To test the hypothesis, a data‐based analysis is applied to Gediz, Kucuk Menderes, and Ergene river basins in western Turkey. Results at basin‐ and station‐scale show no change in precipitation while streamflow fluctuates with a tendency to decrease and groundwater steeply declines. Groundwater is used excessively to meet the drastically increased water demand. With the overuse of groundwater, water table descends, streamflow decreases and intermittency increases. Intermittency ratio of a river is found related to the decrease in streamflow and the drop in groundwater level. It can trigger drought in streamflow and groundwater. It is concluded that intermittency can be taken as a quantitative indicator of drought in streamflow and groundwater.

Contribution for pollution sources and their assessment in urban and industrial sites of Ergene River Basin, Turkey

Contribution for pollution sources and their assessment in urban and industrial sites of Ergene River Basin, Turkey

Spatial and temporal evaluation of the physicochemical quality of domestic/industrial water in the Kırklareli Reservoir (Turkish Thrace)

The K?rklareli Reservoir, located in the Meri?-Ergene River Basin, is an important drinking/industrial freshwater resource of the K?rklareli Province. In order to ensure the sustainable use of this important reservoir, its current situation should be examined periodically and evaluated by multivariate analyses. For this reason, water samples were taken between the dates April 2018 and February 2019 at monthly intervals from 3 different stations. The data on the environmental and physicochemical variables (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, chlorophyll-a, light permeability, fluoride, chloride, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4, SO4 and essential/potentially toxic elements) were measured and evaluated according to the classes of surface water quality control regulation of Turkey. The parameters exceeding first-class water quality values (chlorophyll-a, pH, NO2-N, chloride, selenium) were mapped in GIS using the spline integration approach. In addition, the sodium absorbtion ratio, Kelly index values and magnesium ratio, were calculated to evaluate the water quality for agricultural irrigation water standards. The water quality of the reservoir was evaluated using multivariance analyses (Bray?Curtis similarity index, correspondence analyses, Pearson correlation index). As a result, it was emphasized that the use of the GIS approach is a potential useful method for monitoring the sustainable water quality of the K?rklareli Reservoir, which was determined to have an oligomesotrophic character.

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on surface water quality in the Meriç-Ergene River Basin, Northwest Turkey

The surface water resources in the Meriç-Ergene River Basin, especially Ergene River and Çorlu Stream are among the most polluted rivers in Turkey. Despite the action plans for prevention and control of surface water pollution in the basin, the desired results have not been achieved. However, the implementation of a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 might probably lead to an improvement in the surface water quality. We evaluated the impact of the lockdown on water quality by measuring the levels of physico-chemical variables and metal(loid)s in water samples taken from 25 sampling stations in the basin. BOD, COD, EC, turbidity, TSS and Mn levels did not show significant differences between the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods due to the ongoing domestic wastewater discharges and agricultural activities in the basin during the lockdown period. However, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Pb and Cd concentrations decreased considerably during the lockdown. Similarly, heavy metal pollution index and heavy metal evaluation index values showed a significant improvement in water quality of almost all stations during the lockdown period. Also, total hazard index values for children and adults reduced by 67% and 69%, respectively during the lockdown period, while total carcinogenic risk values for As and Cr reduced by 60% and 94%, respectively. The limited operational status of most industrial facilities in the basin during the lockdown reduced the amount of industrial effluents, leading to significant improvement in surface water quality for metal(loid)s. The lockdown has shown that the solution for preservation and sustainability of natural water resources lies in our hands, and the efficient management of pollution sources can prevent surface water pollution at a very rapid pace. Finally, we suggest that water management policy needs to be improved and implemented.

Adsorption application of activated carbon from ripe black locust seed pods for wastewater taken from Ergene River, Turkey

ABSTRACT Ergene River contains many chemical substances and therefore, it has negative effects on the surrounding ecosystem and local people. To find a solution to these chemical substances and also to determine the adsorption performance of the activated carbon obtained from ripe black locust seed pods, the adsorption of various elements was studied on this activated carbon in Ergene River water sample. In Ergene River water sample, the adsorption performances of Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, V, Ti, Na, Mg, K, Ca, S, P, B, Pb, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Al on the activated carbon were studied under various operating conditions.For this aim, operating condition effects, such as adsorbent dosage, adsorption temperature, and contact time on these element adsorptions were investigated. 0.4 g activated carbon was found to be adequate for the above 90% removals of most elements from 50 mL Ergene River sample, and it was noticed that adsorption temperature differently affected adsorption performances of each element in the experiments at 25, 35, and 45°C. Also, the adsorption equilibriums of most elements in activated carbon/Ergene River solution were rapidly reached in first 5 min, but reaching adsorption equilibriums of Co, Sn, Mg, K, and Ca took more times (until 1500 min). Moreover, the desorption study of these elements from the activated carbon adsorbed with chemical substances in Ergene River sample was achieved by using HCl solutions with various concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 M. As a result, the activated carbon obtained from ripe black locust seed pods displayed promising performance for the most elements, bad odour, and colour removals in Ergene River sample.

Health risk assessment of toxic metals in surface and groundwater resources of a significant agriculture and industry zone in Turkey

Thrace Region has a great agriculture and industry potential and Ergene River Basin is the prime watershed of this significant region. In the current research, water quality of lotic and lentic surface and groundwater resources of Ergene River Basin were evaluated by using some toxic element and health risk assessment indices. Samples were collected from sixty-six (21 of them lotic, 15 of them lentic and 30 of them groundwater) locations and nickel, chromium, arsenic, zinc, lead, copper and cadmium accumulations were read by using an ICP-MS. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and degree of contamination index (Cdeg) were applied to detected data. Also the toxic element concentrations in surface–groundwater were assessed in terms of public health by using some health risk assessment methods including hazard index (HI), hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR). According to the results of applied indices, arsenic and chromium were recorded as the most dangerous toxicants among the investigated elements. While the lacustrine ecosystems were recorded as the least contaminated basin components, fluvial ecosystems, especially Corlu Stream and Ergene River, were recorded as the most polluted basin components. It was also recorded that arsenic contents in the drinking water of 50% of the investigated villages were found as a major risk factor for human health in terms of CR.

Validation of an Analytical Workflow for the Analysis of Pesticide and Emerging Organic Contaminant Residues in Paddy Soil and Rice.

Contamination of agricultural soil with organic contaminants is a global problem due to the risks associated with food security and ecological sustainability. Besides the use of agrochemicals, hundreds of emerging contaminants enter arable lands through polluted irrigation water. In this study, an analytical workflow based on QuEChERS extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS quantification was applied to measure 65 emerging contaminants (42 pesticides and 23 multiclass industrial chemicals) in soil and rice for the first time. The method was validated on paddy and yard soil and rice plants. A recovery efficiency ranging between 70 and 120% (RSD <20%) was achieved for more than 70% of the analytes. Then, the validated method was used to quantify target contaminants in 22 soil and 9 rice samples collected mainly from paddy fields close to the Ergene River (Turkey), which is a highly polluted river used for irrigation in the region. Pesticide residues were present in all soil samples up to 2.4 mg/kg. However, their concentrations were below their maximum residual limits in rice. Azoxystrobin, prochloraz, propiconazole, imidacloprid, and epoxiconazole were the most frequently detected pesticides. In addition, industrial pollutants such as benzyldimethyldodecylammonium and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate were detected in paddy soil samples at concentrations between 0.1 and 691 μg/kg. Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium and 5-methyl-1H benzotriazole were also measured in rice at concentrations up to 0.26 and 2.13 μg/kg, respectively.

Identification of core micropollutants of Ergene River and their categorization based on spatiotemporal distribution

Ergene River is heavily utilized for irrigation of fields to grow the main stocks of rice, wheat, and sunflower of Turkey also exported to Europe; therefore, monitoring the river's water quality is crucial for public health. Although the river quality is routinely monitored, the evaluation of pollution based on micropollutants is limited. In this study, we measured 222 organic micropollutants in 300 samples collected from 75 different locations on the Ergene River between August 2017 and May 2018 using direct injection liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry with optimized scheduled multiple reaction monitoring. In total, 165 micropollutants were detected at a range of concentrations between 1.90 ng/L and 1824.55 μg/L. Sixty-three chemical substances were recurrent micropollutants that were detected at least one location in all seasons. Among them, 41 chemical substances were identified as the core micropollutants of the Ergene River using data-driven clustering methods. Hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine, benzotriazoles, and benzalkonium chlorides were frequently detected core micropollutants with an industrial origin. Besides, diuron, carbendazim, and cadusafos were common pesticides in the river. Core micropollutants were further categorized based on their type of source and environmental behavior using Kurtosis of concentration and load data obtained for each micropollutant. As a result, the majority of the core micropollutants are recalcitrant chemicals either released from a specific source located upstream of the river or have urban and agricultural sources dispersed on the watershed. In this study, we assessed the current state of pollution in the Ergene River at the micropollutant level with a very high spatial resolution and developed a statistical approach to categorize micropollutants that can be used to monitor the extent of pollution and track pollution sources in the river.

ASSESSMENT OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN FLUVIAL ECOSYSTEMS OF THE THRACE REGION (TURKEY) BY MEANS OF WATER QUALITY INDEX AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY

Aim of the study: Thrace Region is the most important geographical regions of Turkey in terms of agricultural and industrial production. Meriç – Ergene River Basin is the main watershed of this significant region and there are many streams feeding the basin. In the current research, water qualities of fluvial ecosystems of Thrace Region were evaluated by using some ecological and statistical indicators. Material and methods: For each water sample, 27 physical and chemical limnological parameters (EC, TDS, turbidity, NO3, NO2, SO4, F, COD, BOD5, As, Se, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, B, Na, Mg, Cr, Mn, Al, K, Ca, Fe, Ni) were analysed and all the investigated parameter values were used to develop the Water Quality Index (WQI). Furthermore, Cluster Analysis (CA) were applied to detected data in order to classify the investigated locations and also Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to provide a visual summary of contamination levels in the basin components. Results and conclusions: The results show quite high WQI coefficients of COD (20.773), Se (9.667) and BOD5 (9.216) parameters in fluvial components of Thrace Region. The WQI values of the fluvial habitats of Thrace Region ranged from 33.91 – 329.84 and Çorlu Stream and Ergene River were determined as the most contaminated fluvial ecosystems. According to the results of applied CA, 2 statistically significant clusters were formed, which were named as “High Contaminated Zones” and “Low Contaminated Zones”.

Assessment of water quality classes using self-organizing map and fuzzy C-means clustering methods in Ergene River, Turkey.

Surface water is one of the primary sources for drinking, irrigation, and industrial activities in Ergene River, Turkey. However, its quality has deteriorated due to the point and non-point pollution sources. Therefore, an appropriate assessment of surface water quality is very important. Water quality classification is calculated separately for each quality parameter in Turkey. An overall assessment of surface water quality is essential for water management. In this study, self-organizing maps (SOMs) and fuzzy C-means clustering (FCM) methods have been used for assessing surface water quality in the Ergene River. Seven water quality parameters have been considered as important indicators to evaluate water quality status in 7 observation points located in the river, covering the period from 1985 to 2013.

Health risk assessment of toxicants in Meriç River Delta Wetland, Thrace Region, Turkey

In the current research, water quality of Meric River Delta was evaluated using some toxic element risk assessment indices. Samples were collected from 24 locations and nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) accumulations in delta components were read using an ICP-MS. Water quality index (WQI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and degree of contamination index (Cdeg) were applied to detected data for assessing the water quality. Also, the toxic element concentrations in water were assessed in terms of public health using some health risk assessment methods including hazard index (HI), hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR). According to the results of WQI, HPI, HEI and Cdeg, Ni and As were recorded as most dangerous toxicants among the investigated elements and Gala Lake was recorded as most effected delta component. According to the results HQs and CR, As was recorded as the most dangerous toxicant among the investigated elements and Gala Lake and Ergene River were recorded as the most effected delta components.

İçme Suyunda Florür Düzeyleri ve Su Kalitesinin Diş Sağlığı Açısından Değerlendirilmesi: Ergene Nehir Havzası

This study was carried out to determine the fluoride levels in drinking water of Ergene River Basin, which is known as the life blood of Thrace Region and one of the most contaminated river basins in Turkey. Drinking water samples were collected from 30 stations including residential areas located in the Ergene River Basin in dry (summer) season of 2018. Fluoride levels of water samples were determined by using a spectrophotometer and Cluster Analysis (CA) was applied to detected fluoride data in order to classify the investigated residential areas according to fluoride contents. Geographic Information System (GIS) was also used in order to make a visual explanation by presenting distribution map of fluoride accumulations and also the detected data were evaluated in terms of teeth health of local people, who constantly drinks this water. According to detected data, the fluoride accumulations in drinking water of Ergene River Basin were determined between 0.246 ppm (Velimeşe Village) – 1.460 ppm (Bayramlı Village). According to the results of CA, 3 statistically significant clusters were formed as “High Fluoride Cluster”, “Optimum Fluoride Cluster” and “Low Fluoride Cluster”.