Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Aquaculture Studies, cilt.25, sa.6, ss.335-344, 2025 (Scopus)
Karacaören I Dam Lake, a potential source of drinking water, is under significant threat from human activities. This study aimed to determine the seasonal variations of certain physicochemical and nutrient parameters and to use the water quality index (WQI) to assess the seasonal water quality of the lake. Some physicochemical parameters, including dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), electrical conductivity (EC), transparency, and nutrients such as phosphate, sulphate, nitrite, and nitrate, were monitored seasonally across seven sampling points. The mean values observed for pH, DO, temperature, TDS, EC, SO42-, NO2-, NO3-, PO43-, BOD and COD were 7.81±0.39, 8.9±1.62 mg/L, 21.99±6.28°C, 177.70±33.39 mg/L, 352.92±70.63 µS/cm, 17.36±2.70 mg/L, 0.06±0.10 mg/L, 4.60±3.41 mg/L, 0.30±0.94 mg/L, 3.19±0.54 mg/L and 15.50±2.51 mg/L, respectively. All examined parameters except for PO43-, BOD, and COD showed significant differences from season to season (P≤0.05). According to the water quality classification outlined in the Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation, the nitrite levels were found to be at a critical level, rendering the water unsuitable for human consumption. The Water Quality Index (WQI) results indicated that the water in the dam lake is in good conduction, but it is not classified as excellent for human consumption. Therefore, necessary protective measures should be implemented regarding the planned use of the dam lake’s water.