Dissolved Nutrient Distributions in Groundwater in the Mediterranean Coastal Plains - the Case of Silifke, Turkey


SEÇKİN G., YILMAZ T., SARI B., ERSÜ Ç. B.

CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER, vol.38, no.12, pp.1137-1145, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 38 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/clen.201000043
  • Journal Name: CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1137-1145
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate parameters were studied for the first time in the groundwater in the Silifke coastal plain, which is a RAMSAR site in Turkey. Seasonal variations of these parameters in the plain were examined based on groundwater data collected from 21 wells during the winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons. Total dissolved organic carbon (DOC), inorganic carbon (DIC), inorganic phosphate (DIP), inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and total alkalinity (TAlk) average values in the groundwater were low in all seasons (<2.2 mg/L for DOC; <54 mg/L for DIC; <0.06 mg/L for DIP; <1.5 mg/L for DIN; <232 mg/L for TAlk). The results showed a strong relationship between DIC and HCO(3)(-) as expected. The results indicate that the content of these parameters in the groundwater of Silifke coastal plain pose no or little risk at present. However, computed Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) values indicated that the groundwater has a tendency to form scale and CaCO(3) precipitation may occur.