Analysis and Classification of Tigris River Water Quality in Terms of Pollution Sources and Some Pollution Parameters

Abstract

The problem of water pollution in our age has reached significant levels in recent years due to the use of water resources, industrialization and irregular and uncontrolled urbanization. Use of water resources economically and without polluting them is very important in terms of environmental health and aquaculture potential. Water resources are not only reduced in quantity over time but also deteriorate in quality. The deterioration in quality of a river by discharging domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes causes negative impacts on some or all its beneficial uses. In this study, the water quality of Tigris River was examined in terms of domestic, industrial, agricultural, soil and sediment-based wastes parameters at the stations close to the settlement areas, and the pollution variables were compared with the limit values specified in the water quality standards and the quality classes were determined according to the water usage purposes. It was determined that the measured quality parameter values for nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which represent pollution originating from domestic and agricultural pollutants, are higher than the limits recommended and permitted by the standards and above the standards determined for water quality classes. The measured copper, iron and chromium values of inorganic and heavy metals representing industrial pollutant parameters were found to be quite high. The amount of sediment carried in rainy months was increased. The turbidity parameter associated with the suspended sediment was observed to be above the maximum permissible values. The Tigris River, which is a part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) activities, is under the threat of domestic, industrial, agricultural and sedimentary pollution and also has a risk of pollution. In addition, it is likely that the pollution will affect the future beneficial uses in the GAP if it becomes too high and adequate measures are not taken.

Keywords: Tigris River, Pollution sources, Water quality parameters, Standards, Classification