Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the Balikligol Lakes, Sanliurfa, Turkey

Abstract

The Balikligol freshwater lakes (Lake Ayn-i Zeliha and Lake Halil-ur Rahman) in Sanliurfa are located in the Southeastern Anatolian region, Turkey. They have not only environmental value, but are also of touristic value due to their historical and sacred status in the past and present, as well as their natural aquarium look. From time to time, fish deaths have been observed, possibly by deteriorating water quality. Therefore, water samples collected from 7 different points in the Balikligol lakes during a one-year period were analyzed monthly for 11 physico-chemical water quality parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), Fe, Na, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb). In general, the measured parameters comply surprisingly well with the standard values. DO values are within the range given in International and Turkish standards. As far as COD values are concerned, they met the standard, except for the summer period. To meet with standard COD values, aeration must be done during the summer period, and the feeding of fishes should be kept under control. The average pH values were between 7-7.7. The analyses also showed that Cu, Ni and Ph were not present, and Fe, Cr and Na levels complied with the standards.