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Evaluation of Aksu Stream Water Quality Under the Influence of Anthropogenic Pollution and Climate Change

Author(s): S. Tuzun Dugan; A. Uslu; P. Orhan; A. Muhammetoglu; M. Yesiltas; M. A. T. Kocer; H. Muhammetoglu

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Abstract: Due to the increase in population and intense industrial and agricultural activities, the water demand is increasing globally which creates pressure on water resources along with the adverse impacts of climate change. In Turkey, total annual usable water potential is 112 billion m3 and the per capita water potential is approximately 1400 m3/person/year. Consequently, Turkey is classified as a “water stress” country and is gradually approaching to become “water poor”. The expected adverse impacts of climate change in Turkey (increased summer temperatures, reduced winter precipitation, loss of surface waters, more frequent arid seasons, and floods) will cause considerable changes in the quantity and quality of water resources. The most important impact of climate change in Turkey is expected to be on the water cycle by causing decreases in water resources in the future. According to the Turkey’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, water resources management is defined as one of the vulnerable sectors. Therefore, sustainable management of water quality and quantity has gained an utmost importance to meet the increasing water demands of agriculture, industry, and urban uses. The aim of this study is to present an integrated approach for the analysis of pressures and impacts on the water quality of Aksu Stream, which is one of the rivers in the Antalya River Basin and discharges to the Mediterranean Sea at Antalya city. The total drainage area of Aksu Stream is 3652 km2 with a total length of almost 145 km. Lake Kovada, Karacaoren-1 and Karacaoren-2 Dam Reservoirs are important impounded surface waters in the basin. Karacaoren-1 Dam was constructed to provide irrigation water, prevent floods, and produce energy. Karacaoren-2 Dam was planned to provide drinking water to Antalya city, but both reservoirs were subject to pollution from domestic and industrial wastewater discharges. The downstream catchment of Aksu Stream which extends from the exit of Karacaoren-2 Dam Reservoir till the stream discharge to the Mediterranean Sea is subject to pressures on water quality and quantity due to intense agricultural activities in the north and tourism activities in the south. The stream water is abstracted nearly all around the year for agricultural irrigation which causes rapid decreases in the stream flows and even periodic dryness at several sections. Consequently, the natural flow balance is highly deteriorated as the amount of released water from the upstream Karacore-2 Dam is controlled to provide only enough water for irrigation and to produce maximum energy from hydropower. In addition to the agricultural pressure, the stream is also exposed to a treatment plant discharge as a point source of pollution. This study presents the results of monitoring study for integrated management of Aksu Stream.

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Year: 2022

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