DETERMINATION OF WATER QUALITY OF SOME RIVER IN SAKARYA BASIN ACCORDING TO PHYSIOCHEMICAL VALUES AND BENTHIC ALGAE

Abstract

In the research,  determination of benthic diatoms and the assessment of trophic levels in important water sources for Lake Sapanca, namely Aşağıdereköy Stream, Balıkhane Stream, Kurtköy Stream, Mahmudiye Stream, Sarp Stream, İstanbul Stream, and Keçi Stream, were targeted. In the research, a total of 14 stations, 2 sampling stations from each stream, were studied. Sampling was carried out seasonally between January 2022 and October 2022. Phytobenthos composition and seasonal changes in streams were investigated. In the study, a total of 104 taxa were identified in the streams. In addition, physicochemical measurements were made at selected research stations in order to determine the water quality of Aşağıdereköy, Balıkhane, Kurtköy, Mahmudiye, Sarp, İstanbul and Keçi streams. The average water temperature in the streams was found to be 15.6 °C, the conductivity value was 547.8 μS cm⁻¹, the pH value was 7.3, and the dissolved oxygen content was 8.2 mg/l. Cocconeis pediculus, Navicula angusta, Navicula radiosa, Navicula rhynchocephala, Navicula tripunctata, Navicula trivialis, and Surirella minuta taxa were found to be the most abundant. Aşağıdereköy, Balıkhane, Kurtköy, Mahmudiye, Sarp, İstanbul, and Keçi streams were classified as "GOOD-MODERATE" according to DESCY, IDAP, IPS, IDG, SLA indices, and as "MODERATE" according to CEE, TDI, SHE, and TIT indices.

Keywords: Sakarya, Diatom indices, Epiphic, Surface Water Pollution, Environment