Water Quality in Tortum Stream and its Tributaries (Erzurum/Turkey)

This study was undertaken with the aim of determining the effects of domestic waste and hydroelectric dams on water quality in the Tortum Stream and its tributaries. Water samples were taken monthly from nine sampling points of Tortum Stream and its tributaries between July 2012 and May 2013. Analyzed for temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), alkalinity, Ca, total hardness, sulfate (SO4), ammonia-nitrogen (N-NH3−), nitrite-nitrogen (N-NO2−) and nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3−) as well as total phosphorus (TP), total orthophosphate (TO), total iron and silica (SiO2) were carried out. Physical and chemical characteristics of Tortum Stream and its tributaries which were examined according to the Water Framework Directive and the Water Pollution Control Regulations. It can be said that the stream has a low water quality standard except for water temperature, dissolved oxygen and sulfate. The results showed that Tortum Stream and tributaries are under threat because of domestic waste, fertilizers and hydroelectric constructions.