Investigation Of Heavy Metal Pollution Caused By Fertilizer In Groundwater With A New Approach; Göksu Delta, Turkey

Abstract

Today the chemical fertilizers used in agricultural applications have been an important factor pollution of environmental. Göksu Delta is an important wetland where the Göksu River reaches to sea in the eastern of the town Tasucu-Mersin. The delta is classified as a Wetland of International Importance according to the Ramsar Convention. In this area, use of excessive fertilizer effects the surface and groundwater quality negative. Because of the Delta's geological structure, soil characteristics and climatic conditions, groundwater quality is affected very easy from the surface activities. In the agricultural activities intensively used fertilizers and pesticides contain not only N and P compounds but also some heavy metals. This study aim is investigation of heavy metal pollution sourced from fertilizers in groundwater with a new approach. For this, the most widely used fertilizer in the area (ammonium nitrate) and a groundwater samples were taken at three different time periods and were analyzed (electrical conductivity (EC), salinity (Sal), temperature(T), pH, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb)). The results were transferred to Scholler semi-logarithmic diagram which is a new approach in identifying pollutant sources to show the effect of fertilizer. In addition to, the results were compared with the limit values in order to determinate the quality of groundwater. Especially, samples that were taken in the rainy season (1.Period), with the effect of infiltration were detected high heavy metal concentrations. Analyzing the Scholler semi-logarithmic diagram results, fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) has been determined to be effective to heavy metal pollution in groundwater in different three periods. This diagram never before has been used to determine pollutant sources. This study will be a guide for estimating sources of soil and groundwater pollutant in agricultural areas.

Keywords

• Göksu Delta,Groundwater,Heavy Metal Pollution,Fertilizer,Schoeller SemiLogarithmic Diagram

References

1. Reference1 Nadim COPTY, Professor Bogazici University, Institue of environmental science [e-mail]
2. Reference2 Aydeniz DEMİR DELİL,Asist.Prof. Mersin University, [e-mail]
3. Reference3 Savaş,ŞENER,Prof. Mersin University, [e-mail]