Limit Values of Dissolved Nutrients for the Assessment of Eutrophication in the Northeastern Mediterranean Rivers
Abstract
In this study, an attempt was made to determine limit values of dissolved nutrients for assessing trophic status and water quality of Northeastern Mediterranean Rivers from the previously published nutrient data sets. Study findings indicated that the oligotrophic river waters should have concentrations of total phosphorus, orthophosphate, ammonium and total nitrogen less than 0.13 mg/L, 0.07 mg/L, 0.11 mg/L and 0.90 mg/L, respectively. The proposed limit values defining oligotrophy, mesotrophy and eutrophy were different than the values reported by the Surface Water Quality Regulation and the commonly used reference values. These discrepancies were probably due to distinct physical and biochemical characteristics of the rivers. For defining threshold and reference values of dissolved nutrients, new approaches, such as modeling studies, are needed to produce more sensitive assessment tools for sustainable management of NE Mediterranean Rivers.
Keywords
Eutrophication, dissolved nutrients, limit values, Northeastern Mediterranean Rivers
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