Assessment of Physico-chemical Water Quality of Birecik Dam, Şanlıurfa, West East Region, Turkey

Abstract

In year 2013, onsite seasonal measurements have been carried out in 4 different points of Birecik Reservoir, and water samples have been taken from surface and different depths. Physical and chemical parameters have been investigated in taken water samples. The result of analysis were obtained in the following range pH (6.98-9), temperature (9.9-26 °C), electrical conductivity (275-373 µs/cm), sodium ( 19.93-22.06 mg/L), potassium (1.-2.2 mg/L), chloride/11.68-21.4, hardness (179-210 mg/L), calcium (41.66-52.9 mg/L), magnesium ((17-18.35 mg/L), sulphate (27.92-43.48 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (7.92-8.83 mg/L), chemical oxygen (0.25-8.70 mg/L), nitrate (0.62-2.48 mg/L), nitrate (0.001-0.008), ammonium (0.01-0.07), phosphate (0.001-0.031 mg/L). The samples were compared with standard values recommended by world health (WHO). The study finalize that Birecik reservoir which was declared to be a threat to the water quality should be arrested at denitrification and nutrient control to halt the degradation of the water.

Full text

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7): 623-628, 2015
Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology
www.agrifoodscience.com,
Turkish Science and Technology
Assessment of Physico-chemical Water Quality of Birecik Dam,
Şanlıurfa, Southeastern Anatolia Region, Turkey
Banu Kutlu1*, Ahmet Sesli2, Rıdvan Tepe2, Ekrem Mutlu3
1Tunceli University, Fisheries Faculty, Basic Science Department, 62000 Tunceli, Turkey
2Elazığ Fisheries Management Research Station, 23000 Elazığ, Turkey
3Kastamonu Universities, Fisheries Faculty, Aquaculture Department, 37150 Kastamonu, Turkey
A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T
In year 2013, onsite seasonal measurements have been carried out in 4 different points of
Article history:
Received 04 May 2015
Accepted 16 May 2015
Available online, ISSN: 2148-127X
Birecik Reservoir, and water samples have been taken from surface and different depths.
Physical and chemical parameters have been investigated in taken water samples. The
result of analysis were obtained in the following range pH (6.98-9), temperature (9.9-26
°C), electrical conductivity (275-373 µs/cm), sodium ( 19.93-22.06 mg/L), potassium (1.-
2.2 mg/L), chloride/11.68-21.4, hardness (179-210 mg/L), calcium (41.66-52.9 mg/L),
magnesium ((17-18.35 mg/L), sulphate (27.92-43.48 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (7.92-8.83
Keywords:
Birecik reservoir
Physiochemical parameters
Water quality
Seasonal
mg/L), chemical oxygen (0.25-8.70 mg/L), nitrate (0.62-2.48 mg/L), nitrate (0.001-
0.008), ammonium (0.01-0.07), phosphate (0.001-0.031 mg/L). The samples were
compared with standard values recommended by world health (WHO). The study finalize
that Birecik reservoir which was declared to be a threat to the water quality should be
arrested at denitrification and nutrient control to halt the degradation of the water.
* Corresponding Author:
E-mail: kutlubanu@gmail.com
Türk Tarım – Gıda Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, 3(7): 623-628, 2015
Birecik Baraj Gölü, Şanlıurfa, Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi Su Kalitesinin Mevsimsel Olarak
İncelenmesi
M A K A L E B İ L G İ S İ Ö Z E T
2013 yılında Birecik Baraj Gölü’n de dört farklı noktada mevsimsel olarak yerinde
Geliş 04 Mayıs 2015
Kabul 16 Mayıs 2015
Çevrimiçi baskı, ISSN: 2148-127X
Anahtar Kelimeler:
Birecik baraj gölü,
Fiziko-kimyasal ğarametreler
Su kalitesi
Mevsimsel
ölçümler yapılmış, yüzey ve farklı derinliklerden su örnekleri alınmıştır. Alınan su
örneklerinde fiziksel ve kimyasal parametreler incelenmiştir. Mevsimsel değişimler
araştırılarak atık suların ve diğer kaynakların baraj gölü sahasına etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bu
çalışmada elde edilen parametrelere ait veriler Su Kirliliği Kontrol Yönetmeliği’nde
bildirilen kıta içi su kalite standartlarına göre değerlendirildiğinde, genel olarak Birecik
Baraj Gölü sularının I. sınıf yani yüksek kaliteli su sınıfında yer aldığı sonucuna
varılmıştır. Su Kirliliği Kontrol Yönetmeliğinde I. sınıfa dahil olan suların yalnız
dezenfeksiyon ile içme suyu temini, rekreasyonel amaçlar, alabalık üretimi, hayvan
üretimi, çiftlik ihtiyacı ve diğer amaçlar için uygun olduğu bulunmuştur.
* Sorumlu Yazar:
E-mail: kutlubanu@gmail.com

Kutlu et al., / Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7):623-628, 2015
624
Introduction
Water quality affects the composition, productivity,
abundance of the species and physiological conditions of
the aquatic species. Reservoirs are essentially affected by
the environmental pollutions as they are a constant
receiving environment. This pollution does not only
adversely affect the living creatures in it but also this
negative effect reach to humans through the food chain.
Water is severely deteriorated degraded (Williamson et
al., 2008).
Mankind have been building dams for thousands of
years with aims to prevent floods, to benefit from
hydroelectric, to procure drinking water, to procure
industrial water, to procure irrigation water and to utilize
water recreationally. Fresh water is the major worry in
terms of water quantity and quality (Shinde et al., 2011).
Especially since 1950s, as the pollution increased and the
economies enlarged, increasing numbers of barrages
started to be constructed by private or public sector. In
order to satisfy energy and water requirements, at least
45.000 large barrages have been constructed to date
(Anonymous, 2012a). Advancing technology, rapidly
increasing population, global climate change, and
domestic, industrial and agricultural pollution resources
create a great pressure on the lakes. The widest ecologic
problem among them is the human-originated
eutrophication. Occurring as a result of excessive entrance
of nitrogen and phosphor, the lake eutrophication leads
water quality to worsen, and biodiversity to significantly
decrease (Kristensen and Hansen, 1994; Dodson et al.,
2000). As a result of newly established reservoirs or
watering activities, certain changes in environmental
factors such as ecosystem and climate and consequently
in planta and animals are expected. As a result of these
changes, either some of the plant and animal species may
disappear or their population may significantly change. In
response to these changes, the fresh water, fauna and flora
in new reservoir regions may have a great potential. For
this reason, the natural resources must be continuously
observed, and the monitoring activities must be executed
in order to make required precautions. Determination of
the physical and chemical parameters is importance for
this reason. The main criteria determining the pollution in
aquatic environments are physiochemical and biological
factors. The creatures living any water are of great
importance in terms of biological diversity, food chain,
water quality, and biological purity of the water. In recent
years, the studies examining the physiochemical
properties of the reservoirs have significantly increased in
number (Alaş, 1998).
In parallel with Water Framework Directive (WFD)
accepted by European Union, studies are carried out in
Europe in order to ecologically improve the aquatic
systems and other systems in relation with them (WFD,
2000). And in Turkey, the Water Pollution Control
Regulation (WPCR) has brought comprehensive
regulations on according to Turkish legislation (Water
Pollution Control Regulation WPCR) Official Gazette
(1988) water quality management. In this regulation, the
improvement of the water quality in direction of the
country’s necessities and the protection of the quality of
water sources within the frame of ecosystem principle are
aimed, and the quality classification of drinking and tap
waters, underground waters and surface waters has been
done. Most of the Turkey’s fresh water basins are not
under protection, and they are recipients of domestic,
industrial and agricultural pollutants.
In this research, it was aimed to determine the water
quality of the reservoir, to put forth the problems related
to the pollution and to contribute in fishing industry by
determining some physical and chemical parameters in
different depths and water surface in the Birecik
Reservoir.
Material and Method
Established on the Fırat River within the border of
Şanlıurfa city, the construction of Birecik Barrage has
finished in 2000. Its volume at normal water code is 1220
hm3, lake surface area is 56.25 km2, and it has been
constructed for watering and energy purposes. At 4
determined points on Birecik Reservoir, the onsite
measurements have been executed in seasonal basis
(Figure 1).
Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, % oxygen
saturation, electrical conductivity, and secchi disk depths
were measured onsite. 500 ml of the taken water samples
were filtered through nitrocellulose membrane filter, and
then the analyses were started. The total hardness and
total alkalinity of filtered part were determined through
titrimetric method, while ammoniac, nitrite, nitrate,
reactive phosphor, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, sodium,
magnesium, and calcium were determined through ion
chromatography method (APHA, 1995). Total nitrogen
and total phosphor were determined with Nova 60
spectrophotometer device via kits.
The normality test of each parameter has been
executed through Shapiro–Wilk method. The difference
between monthly changes and depths at sampling points
for each of examined parameter was compared via one-
way ANOVA. The significance in normally distributed
series (p<0.05) was determined via Student t-test, while
that of non-normally distributed series was determined via
Wilcoxon test. For multi-variable correlation analysis,
non-parametric Pearson correlation method was utilized.
For statistical analysis of the data, the JMP 7.0 software
was used.
Figure 1 Birecik Baraj Lake station

Kutlu et al., / Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7):623-628, 2015
625
Result
The annual average temperature in the sampling points
in Birecik Reservoir was found to be 15.9±5.4°C in the
surface water (Table 1). The difference between the
seasonal changes of the temperature was found to be
significant (P<0.05) and the difference between the
depths was found to be insignificant (p=0.719).
pH was determined to be 8.11±0.75 in the surface
water. pH values in the sampling points in the reservoir
were as follows: 6.98-9.00 in the surface, 7.25-9.20 in 5
m depth, 7.11-9.10 in 10 m depth and 7.11-9.10 in 20 m
depth (Table 1). Electrical conductivity was found to be
averagely 339±38 µS/cm in the surface water. Electrical
conductivity in the sampling points in the reservoir was as
follows: 269-384 µS/cm in the surface, 272-375 µS/cm in
5 m depth, 272-373 µS/cm in 10 m depth and 275-374
µS/cm in 20 m depth (Table 1). When the measured
values were analyzed, electrical conductivity between
depths produced similar results. Dissolved oxygen in the
surface water was determined to be averagely 8.49±0.29
mg/L. Dissolved oxygen in the sampling points in the
reservoir was as follows: 7.92-8.33 mg/L in the surface
(average saturation %86), 7.99-8.55 mg/L in 5 m depth
(average saturation %78±9), 7.03-8.87 mg/L in 10 m
depth (average saturation %78±9) and 7.38-8.70 mg/l in
20 m depth (average saturation %74±10) (Table 1).
Total hardness was found to be averagely 191±7 mg
CaCO3/L in the surface water. Total hardness in the
sampling points in the reservoir was as follows: 174-207
mg CaCO3/L in the surface, 179-210 mg CaCO3/L in 5 m
depth, 189-206 mg CaCO3/L in 10 m depth and 186-207
mg CaCO3/L in 20 m depth (Table 1). Sodium was found
to be averagely 20.96±0.71 mg Na+/L in the surface
water. Sodium in the sampling points in the reservoir was
as follows: 19.93-22.06 mg Na+/L in the surface, 19.94-
21.81 mg Na+/L in 5 m depth, 20.11-22 mg Na+/L in 10 m
depth and 20.08-23.04 mg Na+/L in 20 m depth (Table 1).
The difference between the seasonal changes of the
sodium was found to be significant (P<0.05) and the
difference between the depths was found to be
insignificant (P=0,998). Potassium was found to be
averagely 2.05±0.10 mg K+/L in the surface water.
Potassium in the sampling points in the reservoir was as
follows: 1.90-2.22 mg K+/L in the surface, 1.84-2.28 mg
K+/L in 5 m depth, 1.94-2.18 mg K+/L in 10 m depth and
1.89-2.80 mg K+/L in 20 m depth (Table 1).
Calcium was found to be averagely 47.24±2.62mg
Ca+2/L in the surface water (Table 1). Magnesium was
found to be averagely 17.66±0.40 mg Mg+2/L in the
surface water. Magnesium in the sampling points in the
reservoir was as follows: 17.05-18.35 mg Mg+2/L in the
surface, 17.08-18.47 mg Mg+2/L in 5 m depth, 17.25-
18.23 mg Mg+2/L in 10 m depth and 16.52-18.25 mg
Mg+2/L in 20 m depth (Table 1). Sulphate was found to be
averagely 38.30±4.07 mg SO4-2/L in the surface water.
Sulphate in the sampling points in the reservoir was as
follows: 27.92-43.48 mg SO4-2/L in the surface, 33.22-
43.96 mg SO4-2/L in 5 m depth, 32.26-43.21 mg SO4-2/L
in 10 m depth and 35.07-43.74 mg SO4-2/L in 20 m depth
(Table 1). Chemical oxygen Need was found to be
averagely 3.39±2.02 mg O2/L in the surface water. CON
in the sampling points in the reservoir was as follows:
0.20-8.70 mg O2/L in the surface, 0.70-5.30 mg O2/L in 5
m depth, 0.40-8.70 mg O2/L in 10 m depth and 1-6 mg
O2/L in 20 m depth (Table 1). It was determined that the
secchi disk depth in the Birecik Reservoir was 2.90 m in
the station 2, 3.00 m in the station 3 and 4.35 m in the
station 4.
Orthophosphate was found to be averagely
0.008±0.008 mg PO4-3-P/L in the surface water (Table1).
Total phosphor was found to be averagely 0.023±0.015
mg P/L in the surface water. Total phosphor in the
sampling points in the reservoir was as follows: 0.01-0.07
mg P/L in the surface, 0.01-0.05 mg P/L in 5 m depth,
0.01-0.1 mg P/L in 10 m depth and 0.01-0.06 mg P/L in
20 m depth (Table 1). Ammonium was found to be
averagely 0.013±0.015 mg NH3-N/L in the surface water.
Ammonium in the sampling points in the reservoir was as
follows: 0.001-0.049 mg NH3-N/L in the surface, 0.001-
0.045 mg NH3-N/L in 5 m depth, 0.001-0.032 mg NH3-
N/L in 10 m depth and 0.001-0.051 mg NH3-N/L in 20 m
depth (Table 1). Nitrite was found to be averagely
0.008±0.008 mg NO2--N/L in the surface water. Nitrite in
the sampling points in the reservoir was as follows:
0.001-0008 mg NO2--N/L in the surface, 0.001-0.030 mg
NO2--N/L in 5 m depth, 0.001-0.023 mg NO2--N/L in 10
m depth and 0.001-0.034 mg NO2--N/L in 20 m depth
(Table 1). Nitrate was found to be averagely 1.754±0.478
mg NO3--N/L in the surface water. Nitrate in the sampling
points in the reservoir was as follows: 0.629-2.488 mg
NO3--N/L in the surface, 1.173-2.473 mg NO3--N/L in 5
m depth, 1.233-2.521 mg NO3--N/L in 10 m depth and
1.365-2.626 mg NO3--N/L in 20 m depth (Table 1). Total
nitrogen was found to be averagely 1.953±0.526 mg N/L
in the surface water. Total nitrogen in the sampling points
in the reservoir was as follows: 0.713-2.758 mg N/L in
the surface, 1.329-2.737 mg N/L in 5 m depth, 1.379-
2.792 mg N/L in 10 m depth and 1.560-2.913 mg N/L in
20 m depth (Table 1).
Discussion
As a result of 12-month study, through the values of
water quality parameters, the water quality classes of
Birecik Reservoir were determined by utilizing the tables
titled “Quality Criteria by the Classes of Intracontinental
Water Resources” and “Limit Values for Eutrophication
Control of Lakes, Ponds, Marshes, and Reservoirs” in
Water Quality Control Regulation (Dirican, 2008).
The water temperature of the Birecik Reservoir has
varied between 9.90 and 26ºC. From the aspect of
temperature, there is not any thermal pollution, but it only
changes seasonally. In terms of mean water temperature,
the water of Birecik Reservoir is I. Class. According to
the Water Pollution Control Regulation, the waters having
I. class temperature are suitable for trout breeding.
In studies carried out in our country, since the soil and
rock structure is generally limy, the measured pH values
indicate the slightly alkali character of our lakes
(Anonymous, 2004). pH value needs to be in between
6.5-8,5 for not jeopardizing the living creatures and for
being used with water product cultivation in an aquatic
ecosystem (Arrignon, 1976; Dauba, 1981). The diffusion
of CO2, which is used by algae cells for photosynthesis,
becomes easier and faster in pH 8-10 range, hence the

Kutlu et al., / Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7):623-628, 2015
626
photosynthesis rates of the algae also increases (Bozniak
and Kennedy, 1968). Within pH 7-9 range, CO2 exists in
water in form of HCO3-, and in form of CO3 when pH is
higher than 9.5 (Goldman and Horne, 1983; Gökmen,
2007). pH must be known from the aspects of ensuring
both of biologic life and chemical balance, and it must be
able to be controlled. pH is an important indicator of
corrosive or precipitation inclination of the water (Şengül
and Müezzinoğlu, 2008). In primary production, since the
carbondioxide that is used by algae changes the carbonate
balance, the pH value of the medium increased (Tüfekçi
et al., 2003). According to the data obtained from Birecik
Reservoir, the stations show slightly basic character, and
water quality is I. class. Since the Birecik Reservoir has
slightly basic character, it can be concluded that it is
fertile, and also it provides suitable environment for
aquatic creatures.
Electrical conductivity varies depending on geological
structure and precipitation level, but it is not affected from
nutrient salts in the water (Temponeras et al. 2000).
Conductivity rises in parallel with the increases in
temperature and saltiness (Şen, 2003). As the pollution in
the water increases, the electrical conductivity value
exceeds the level of 1000 µS/cm. The electrical
conductivity value measured in Birecik Reservoir is less
than this level the water quality is I. class. The electrical
conductivity value that is acceptable for aquatic creatures
is 250-500 µS/cm. Hence, Birecik Reservoir has suitable
electrical conductivity values for aquatic creatures.
Table 1 The average values of physico- chemical parameters of Birecik Reservoir
Dept (m)
Temperature (°C)
pH
Electrical conductivity (µS/cm)
Dissolved O2 (mg/L)
min
max
Ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
0
9.90
26.00
15.97
5.46
6.98
9.00
8.11
0.75
269
384
339
38
7.92
8.83
8.49
0.29
5
10.40
22.90
15.23
4.44
7.25
9.20
8.16
0.81
272
375
340
37
7.99
9.44
8.34
0.38
10
10.40
18.50
13.29
2.38
7.11
9.10
8.03
0.82
272
373
330
36
7.03
8.87
8.13
0.49
20
10.30
17.70
12.83
2.22
7.11
9.10
8.05
0.83
275
374
327
34
5.30
9.30
7.60
1.17
Oxygen Saturation (%)
Total Hardenesss (mg CaCO3/L)
Sodium (mg/L)
Potassium (mg/L)
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
0
74.30
99.30
85.75
8.07
174
207
191
7
19.93
22.06
20.96
0.71
1.90
2.22
2.05
0.10
5
54.40
92.40
78.84
9.97
179
210
194
7
19.94
21.81
21.02
0.72
1.84
2.28
2.01
0.13
10
60.30
90.30
78.05
9.73
189
206
197
5
20.11
22.00
21.14
0.66
1.94
2.18
2.02
0.08
20
50.30
85.40
74.78
10.61
186
207
196
6
20.08
23.04
21.13
0.90
1.89
2.80
2.13
0.25
Calcium (mg/L)
Magnesium (mg/L)
Chlorides (mg/L)
Sulphate (mg/L)
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
0
41.66
52.91
47.24
2.62
17.05
18.35
17.66
0.40
11.68
21.14
17.76
2.47
27.92
43.48
38.30
4.07
5
42.99
53.74
48.55
2.55
17.08
18.47
17.69
0.44
14.76
20.53
18.22
1.64
33.22
43.96
39.74
3.07
10
45.93
52.51
49.38
1.70
17.25
18.23
17.79
0.33
13.74
20.08
17.46
2.07
32.26
43.21
38.45
3.67
20
46.63
52.72
49.22
1.66
16.52
18.25
17.65
0.59
15.47
21.87
18.19
1.88
35.07
43.74
39.56
2.92
Nitrite (mg/L)
Nitrate (mg/L)
Ammonium (mg/l)
Total Phosphor (mg/L)
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
0
0.001
0.019
0.008
0.008
0.629
2.488
1.754
0.478
0.001
0.049
0.013
0.015
0.713
2.758
1.953
0.526
5
0.001
0.030
0.005
0.008
1.173
2.473
1.984
0.402
0.001
0.045
0.015
0.014
1.329
2.737
2.204
0.444
10
0.001
0.023
0.007
0.008
1.233
2.521
2.010
0.399
0.001
0.032
0.012
0.010
1.379
2.792
2.232
0.437
20
0.001
0.034
0.010
0.010
1.365
2.626
2.056
0.362
0.001
0.051
0.017
0.017
1.560
2.913
2.292
0.395
Dissolved Phosphate (mg/l)
Total Phosphate Phosphorus (mg/l)
Chlorophyll a (mg/)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l)
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
min
max
ave
ss
0
0.001
0.031
0.008
0.008
0.010
0.070
0.023
0.015
0.51
14.97
5.57
4.33
0.2
8.7
3.4
2.0
5
0.002
0.025
0.008
0.007
0.010
0.050
0.027
0.014
0.75
11.51
3.37
3.88
0.7
5.3
2.7
1.5
10
0.001
0.050
0.011
0.014
0.010
0.100
0.023
0.026
0.25
5.83
2.17
1.73
0.4
8.7
3.3
2.3
20
0.001
0.028
0.007
0.009
0.010
0.060
0.029
0.013
0.76
15.12
4.43
4.75
1.0
6.0
3.5
1.7
C1
T°C
O2
T2
TP
TN
Chl
KOI
Na
NH4
P
Mg
Ca
Cl
N02
N03
P04
S04
ph
0.42
0.21
0.03
0.02
0.15
0.26
0.03
0.14
0.18
0.21
0.04
0.29
0.12
0.09
0.02
0.25
0.04
0.11
C1
0.29
0.16
0.29
0.39
0.11
0.08
0.12
0.65
0.02
0.43
0.70
0.10
0.42
0.38
0.12
0.19
0.38
T°C
0.02
0.08
0.26
0.09
0.06
0.31
0.00
0.00
0.26
0.00
0.08
0.28
0.16
0.09
0.11
0.24
O2
0.31
0.21
0.08
0.11
0.27
0.30
0.16
0.12
0.24
0.29
0.10
0.33
0.07
0.04
0.17
T2
0.03
0.61
0.23
0.16
0.40
0.07
0.15
0.53
0.94
0.33
0.03
0.61
0.07
0.42
TP
0.05
0.09
0.03
0.32
0.00
0.26
0.22
0.04
0.23
0.02
0.06
0.05
0.25
TN
0.16
0.06
0.11
0.14
0.09
0.11
0.76
0.49
0.12
1.00
0.18
0.57
Chl
0.02
0.12
0.29
0.08
0.08
0.19
0.08
0.20
0.16
0.06
0.09
KOI
0.11
0.15
0.10
0.09
0.21
0.09
0.12
0.06
0.38
0.13
Na
0.10
0.61
0.86
0.20
0.47
0.28
0.10
0.04
0.46
NH4
0.23
0.12
0.07
0.03
0.26
0.11
0.15
0.02
P
0.62
0.03
0.21
0.36
0.10
0.13
0.17
Mg
0.27
0.30
0.29
0.12
0.12
0.29
Ca
0.29
0.04
0.76
0.16
0.40
Cl
0.08
0.47
0.07
0.98
NO2
0.13
0.16
0.06
NO3
0.18
0.59
PO4
0.11
1C: Conductivity, 2T: T. Hardness

Kutlu et al., / Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7):623-628, 2015
627
Accordingly we can state that Birecik Reservoir is
suitable for aquatic life in terms of dissolved oxygen
amount. According to the Water Pollution Control
Regulation, if the amount of dissolved oxygen in any
water is 8 mg/L, then this water is I. class high-quality
water, if it is 6 mg/L, then this water is II. Class mildly
polluted water, and if it is less than 3 mg/L, then the water
is IV. Class severely polluted water. According to WPCR,
Birecik Reservoir has I. and II. Class (Table 1). The
average values of physico- chemical parameters of
Birecik Reservoir water quality. When the amount of
dissolved oxygen in any water decreases under a certain
level, then the fish start to die due to drowning. This
happens firstly with trout fish since their dissolved
oxygen needs are higher. The amount of dissolved oxygen
needed in trout breeding is 6– 7 mg/L (Egemen and
Sunlu, 1999). Since the level of dissolved oxygen
measured in Birecik Reservoir is higher than 6–7 mg/L, it
can be said that it is suitable for trout breeding. When
classified according to CaCO3 equivalent in mg/L unit,
total hardness values can be defined as soft between 0 and
50, mild between 50 and 100, mildly hard between 100
and 150, medium hard between 150 and 250, hard
between 250 and 350, and severely hard 350 (Egemen and
Sunlu, 1999). Accordingly, it has been determined that
the water of Birecik Reservoir is “mildly hard water”
class.
The calcium is the most abundant alkali mineral
existing in seas and fresh waters, and it is very important
biologically since it constructs the core of many creatures’
skeleton. Calcium increases the development and growth
of flora and fauna in lakes. In fresh waters, all the
creatures are in metabolic relationship with calcium. The
high density of calcium increasing the growth rate of
algae and high plants is also effective on distribution of
other organisms. Calcium is especially important for
Mollusca’s shell and for skeleton structure of the
vertebrates, especially the fish (Bremond and Vuichard,
1973; Nisbet and Verneaux, 1970). The calcium values
measured in all of the stations on Birecik Reservoir varies
between 41.66–53.74 mg/L at both of surface and various
depths. The calcium level in fertile waters is 25 mg/L
(Cirik and Cirik, 1999). Accordingly, it can be concluded
that the water of Birecik Reservoir is under risk, even
slightly, from the aspect of fertility in terms of
calcium.Normally, calcium exists in fresh waters at higher
concentration than magnesium does (Barlas et al., 1995).
As seen in Birecik Reservoir (Table 1), calcium values
were found to be higher than magnesium values (Boyd,
1992; Boyd et al.1998).
COD is one of the most used collective parameters in
environmental pollution. In chemical oxidation,
regardless of presence biologically decaying or the speed
of decaying, all of the organic matters are oxidized. In
oxidation medium, the carbonic organic materials
transform into CO2 and H2O, while nitrogenous organic
compounds transform into NH3 (Samsunlu 1999).
According to WPCR, the water of Birecik Reservoir is
in I. Class water class according to the ammonium levels
measured at surface and various depths.
The important of sulfate ion in natural waters is
diversified. There should be sulfate in medium in natural
waters in order for biological productivity to increase. In
adequate level of sulfate in medium prevents the
phytoplankton development, and decreases the growth
rate of the plants. Hence, the biological productivity
decreases. Moreover, in anaerobic mediums, the sulfate
ion is degraded to sulfuric hydrogen, while being used by
sulfide bacteria in chemosynthetic events. According to
WPCR, the water of Birecik Reservoir is in I. and II.
Class water class in terms of nitrite values measured in
surface waters.
Nitrate is a form of nitrogen mineral that is widely
seen in waters rich in terms of oxygen, and it is an
important factor that can limit or increase the growth.
Pollution of the waters by nitrate occurs due to excessive
use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agricultural lands,
oxidation of the ammoniac arising due to decay of protein
that animal and herbal wastes contain, discharging the
domestic and industrial waste waters without refining,
uncontrolled removal or storage of animal wastes (Aslan
et al., 2003).According to WPCR, if the nitrate
concentration in water is 5 mg/L, then the water is I.
Class; if it is 10 mg/L, then the water is II. 0Class mildly
polluted water; if it is 20 mg/L, then the water is III. Class
polluted water; and if it is higher than 20mg/L, then the
water is IV. Class severely polluted water. The nitrate
values measured at all the stations on Birecik Reservoir
varied between 0.629-2.626 mg/L at both of surface and
various depths (Table 1). According to WPCR, the water
of Birecik Reservoir is I. Class high-quality water in
terms of nitrate values. According to trophic situation
classification made by OECD (1982), the oligotrophic
lakes contain <0.008 mg P/L as total phosphor and <0.661
mg N/L as total nitrogen, while mesotrophic lakes contain
<0.027 mg P/L and <0.763 mg N/L, eutrophic lakes
contain <0.084 mg P/L and <1.874 mg N/L. But
Nürnberg (1996) has stated these limits as <0.010 mg P/L
and <0.250 mg N/L for oligotrophic lakes, as 0.010-0.030
mg P/L and 0.350-0.650 mg N/L for mesotrophic lakes,
as 0.031-0.100 gm P/L and 0.651-1.200 mg N/L for
eutrophic lakes. In WPCR, the table for trophic
classification of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs states these
limits as ≤10 μg P/L for total phosphor, as ≤350 μg N/L
for total nitrogen, and <3.5 μg/L for chlorophyll a for
oligotrophic lakes, as 10>TP≥30 μg P/L, 350>TN≥650 μg
N/L and 3.5-9.0 μg/L for chlorophyll a for mesotrophic
lakes, and 30>TP≥100 μg P/L, 650>TN≥1200 μg N/L and
9.1-25.0 μg/L for chlorophyll a for eutrophic lakes.
Birecik Reservoir was defined as mesotrophic in terms of
chlorophyll a content. The range of total nitrogen in
surface and depths was 0.713-2.792 mg N/L, while the
mean value was 2.17 mg N/L. Hence, Birecik Reservoir
was defined as eutrophic in terms of total nitrogen
content. Phosphor is one of the multidirectional elements
that are keys for some complex chemical balances.
Phosphor exists in waters in various phosphate types.
Dissolved reactive phosphate (orthophosphate) is the only
phosphate compound that can be utilized by many plants
and microorganisms.
This study has revealed that preventive or
rehabilitative precautions must be taken as soon as
possible in Birecik Reservoir, which has high-quality
water in general, in order to protect the fresh water

Kutlu et al., / Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 3(7):623-628, 2015
628
ecosystems, to ensure the rational usage and sustainable
development, and especially to decrease the nitrogen load
and to control the amount and qualification of pollutants
mixing into the reservoir.
Nitrite is a mid-product of nitrogen cycle. As well as
nitrates, also nitrites contribute to plankton development.
Moreover, Nisbet and Verneaux (1970) assert that the
pollution begins if the concentration of NO2 in water
exceeds 1 mg/l. The concentration of NO2 in natural
waters is generally low. But in locations where the
organic pollution is high and oxygen concentration is low,
it may reach at high concentrations. According to the limit
values in trophy classification system, the lakes in 0.8–1.5
m range are eutrophic, those in 1.4–2.4 m range are
mesotrophic, and those in 3.6–5.9 m are oligotrophic
(Ryding and Rast, 1989). Accordingly, it is concluded
that Birecik Reservoir is in “Mesotrophic Lake” class.
Ammonium ion is not significantly toxic for
organisms living within the water. But by transforming
into ammoniac depending on high pH and temperature,
ammonium may become toxic for fish life and other
creatures in aquatic environment (Ünlü et al., 2008). In
clean and oxygen-rich waters, the concentration of
ammonium compounds is very low.
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