Evaluation of Physicochemical Characteristics of Lake Uluabat in Accordance with Guidelines

34665

Lake Uluabat was designated as one of the twelve RAMSAR Convention sites in Turkey, due to being an important wetland with its rich biodiversity. High nutrient content of lake water enables Lake Uluabat to be characterized by fairly high biological productivity. In this study, the overall evaluation of lake water quality was done by comparing the determined physicochemical parameters and the limit values from several national and international legislations implementing water quality standards. The water quality of Lake Uluabat appears to be fourth class water quality according to Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulations (TWPCR). The determined values of ammonia ion, magnesium, copper, cadmium and zinc are higher than the acceptable values of Fishery Products Guidelines (FPG) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Water Quality Criteria, the values of cadmium, copper, zinc, chromium and lead are higher than the criteria maximum concentration and the criterion continuous concentration for freshwater. Determined parameters other than the above mentioned ones are lower than the limit values of the compared guidelines.

149

Guidelines , Lake Uluabat , physicochemical parameters , wetland.

Uludağ University Journal of The Faculty of Engineering

157

Uludağ University Journal of The Faculty of Engineering