Effect and control of pollution in catchment area of Lake Sapanca, Turkey

A. Tanik*, B. Beler Baykal, E. Gönenç, S. Meriç, Y. Öktem

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Land-based point and diffuse pollution sources in the catchment area of Lake Sapanca, Turkey, were investigated. The present and future distribution of pollution loads were evaluated in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand, and pesticides. A methodology for the estimation of pollution loads was presented; most of which were based on 'unit loads.' Presently domestic and industrial pOint sources dominate over diffuse sources including fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural use, nutrient loads from forests and meadows, urban runoff, and leachates from unregulated dumps of solid wastes. For the future, the aim of the control action is to maintain the sustainability of the water quality of the lake, at least at the second class of European Community standards. Within this framework; urgent/shortterm and medium/long-term control actions will be exercised. In the urgent/short-term stage, simpler and natural ways of treatment will be employed. In the medium/longterm stage an integrated collection end treatment system will be put on operation. After completion of a proposed collection system and treatment plants to handle point sources, the control of diffuse sources will be more significant. Control of diffuse sources for the abatement of further deterioration of water quality then becomes the key issue to be emphasized in the Lake Sapanca catchment area. Diffuse sources control will be achieved by dividing the catchment area into three major protection zones. Use of pesticides and fertilizers on agricultural land and all other activities within these protection zones will be accomplished according to control plans, which will be supervised by an institution established to be responsible of all the activities within the basin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)407-414
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Management
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1998

Keywords

  • Diffuse sources
  • Land-based pollution
  • Nutrients
  • Pesticides
  • Point sources
  • Protection zones

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