Seasonal variations of some physico-chemical parameters in a lentic system: Kirmir Creek and tributaries, Turkey

Author: Akasya Topcu ^*, Özden Fakıoğlu, Özge Zencir and A. Şeref Korkmaz

Received 5 January 2010, accepted 11 April 2010.

Abstract

The goal in this study was to determine the seasonal variations of nitrogen and phosphorus fractions with silica concentrations in Kirmir Creek and its tributaries (Süveri Creek and İlhan Creek) between January and December 2007. The lowest ammonia-nitrogen value was assessed at 0.044 mgL^-1 in April in İlhan Creek, whereas the highest value was 0.568 mg L^-1 (August) in Süveri Creek. The minimum nitrite nitrogen concentration was 0.001 mg L^-1 (March) in both Kirmir Creek and İlhan Creek, while the maximum value was assessed at 0.024 mg L^-1 (August) in İlhan Creek. The minimum value of nitrate nitrogen was 0.26 mg L^-1 (January) in Kirmir Creek and the maximum concentration 3.57 mg L^-1 (June) in İlhan Creek. The minimum mean values of total phosphorus and total orthophosphate were 0.0004 and 0.0002 mg L^-1, respectively (January) in İlhan Creek, whereas the highest values were 0.006 mg L^-1 (March) in Kirmir Creek and 0.003 mg L^-1 (February) at the same station, respectively. Silica concentrations varied between 14.22 (September) in Kirmir Creek and 58.18 mg L^-1 (July) in Süveri Creek. The range of the examined values of pH and dissolved oxygen were 7.03–8.65 and 7.4–11.5 mg L^-1, respectively. This study on water quality, conducted in Kirmir Creek and its tributaries, will be used to create databases for future research. It is a well-known fact that there is a number of variables and/or mechanisms affecting water quality; however, in the present situation, there is no risk of the deterioration of the water system in this study.

Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, silica, water quality, Kirmir Creek.