Predicting nitrogen concentration in groundwater beneath unsewered areas: Case study of Liman region in Antalya, Turkey

Ozden T., MUHAMMETOĞLU H.

ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS, cilt.9, sa.2-3, ss.240-245, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 9 Sayı: 2-3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2008
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15275920802122890
  • Dergi Adı: ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.240-245
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Antalya, groundwater, nitrate, nitrogen, prediction, septic tanks, unsewered areas
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

A simple approach to predict nitrogen concentration in groundwater beneath unsewered areas was developed and applied to the Liman region in Antalya, Turkey. The approach was also applied to predict the population density that was expected to increase groundwater nitrogen concentrations beyond 5.65 mg/L, which is the maximum value allowable by Turkish drinking water standards. The approach evaluated nitrogen and water budgets that included septic tanks, rainfall, and groundwater entering the upgradient boundary. The approach was shown to be sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic gradient, denitrification rate in sewage, population density, and domestic water consumption. Predictions and field measurements of nitrogen concentration in groundwater showed good agreement in the Liman region. Moreover, the study illustrated the significant impact of groundwater entering the aquifer upgradient of the Liman region on nitrogen levels. The developed and tested approach is helpful and easy for planners and decision-makers to use in similar areas.