Direct discharges of domestic and industrial wastewaters to the coastal zone of Aegean Sea are an important concern. Design of an environmental baseline assessment program prior to any coastal development is a crucial part of the feasibility studies due to the complexity of the coastal dynamics. The background biogeochemical status of the Nemrut Bay’s water column was set to assess the impact of a proposed industrial discharge. The seawater samples were collected on seasonal bases representing winter (mixed water column) and summer (stratified) conditions, and were analyzed for dissolved heavy metal ions (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Fe, Mg), dissolved and particulate nutrients (NO3-, NO2-, PO43-, Si, TOC, TPP, POC, PON), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) contents. The baseline assessment was based on the Turkish regulatory liabilities. The analyses of the samples showed that anthropogenic influence is mostly detected in stations closer to the shoreline. The Nemrut Bay has quite a low level of pollution regarding the impacts of high intensity of industrial and maritime activities in its vicinity are considered.
About the Author:
Ms. Esen has 27 years of experience as an environmental engineer. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in environmental engineering and carried out post-graduate studies on coastal zone management and coastal engineering. She carried out academic studies in university as a lecturer and worked as a senior researcher at Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, TUBITAK, where she involved in the coordination and cooperation of national and regional oceanographic research programs and act as a national representative in international research consultation and coordination meetings. She has been working as a senior environmental consultant at SRK Consulting Turkey since 2011.
