Aksu, Mehmet Ege University - Faculty of Fisheries - Department of Hydrobiology, Turkey , Başaran, Aslı Ege University - Faculty of Fisheries - Department of Hydrobiology, Turkey , Egemen, Özdemir Ege University - Faculty of Fisheries - Department of Hydrobiology, Turkey

Effects of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline on the water quality in Yumurtalık Coast of the Iskenderun Bay

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The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline (BTCOP) was constructed to transport oil from the Caspian Sea to the Ceyhan Port of Turkey and from there to European markets. The aim of the project is the establishment of a safe and economically viable transport system of oil. The purpose of this study is monitoring of the effects of Ceyhan Marine Terminal of BTCOP on water quality characteristics in the Yumurtalik Coast. With this aim, samplings were accomplished in July 2007, August 2009 and July 2011 at four stations, two of them served as reference. Salinity, temperature and density variations with depth were measured with CTD device. In addition, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), Nutrients (nitrite+nitrate-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus and silicate) and chlorophyll-a were measured along the water column. In conclusion, there is no eutrophication risk at the study area in light of our findings. Phosphate is the limiting nutrient. There was no evident impact of BTCOP activities on water quality at the area concerned. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring is essential to detect any deterioration on the water quality and to take necessary measures.

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Water quality , monitoring , chlorophyll a , Yumurtalik , Baku , Tbilisi , Ceyhan

Ege Journal Of Fisheries an‎d Aquatic Sciences

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