Assessment of Surface Water Quality in Biga Stream (Canakkale/Turkey)

Abstract

Assessment of water quality is a major objective in the management of water organizations, since the water quality may pose a health risk for animals and humans. The study herein focuses on quality of Biga stream, for 12 months and also the variation in culturable heterotrophic bacteria abundance between stations is examined. Based on results of comparison data with Turkish legislation, it is seen that waters of Biga stream belonged to Class 1 for parameter temperature, dissolved oxygen; belonged to Class 2 for biochemical oxygen demand, pH and total coliform; belonged to Class 3 for electrical conductivity and belonged to Class 4 for faecal coliform. MANOVA were used to compare spatial-temporal variations on physicochemical and microbiological parameters. While there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and pH between seasons, there was no significant difference between the stations. And there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between stations and seasons in terms of Total coliform, Faecal coliform and Faecal streptococci; Heterotrophic plate count (+ 35oC) and Faecal streptococci, respectively. It is therefore strongly necessary to monitor water quality and control the release of untreated wastes into the stream. Keywords: Biga Stream monitoring, Water quality, Culturable heterotrophic bacteria, Abiotic factors