Investigation of physical and geochemical characteristics of Gümüşhane (Turkey) city central drinking water

It has been aimed to determine the physical and geochemical properties of the existing surface waters at the study area covering the Gümüşhane city center and the investigation of the wall rock-water interaction. The pH of the water samples taken from the study area was 6.3-8.2 and their conductivity ranged between 240-900 µS and this was concordant to Turkey and WHO drinking water standards. Hardness of the water samples in the study area was between 18.1-115.1 oFr and was classified as extremely hard-hard-very hard water. In addition, when evaluated according to the Criteria for the Inland Surface Water Classification with respect to certain parameters (according to the amount of pH, Na, SO42-, Fe, Mn, Al, Co, Ni, Cu and Cr) was located in the I. class (high quality) water class, according to some parameters (according to the amount of the Cl- and conductivity) was located in the 1st and 2nd class (slightly polluted) water class. According to the Pb concentrations except by a few samples (SK-5, SD-1, OD-1 and OD-19 numbered water samples) was classified as I. and II. class water, according to the Zn contents except by a few samples (OD-10, OD-11, Ç-3, Ç-5, OD-9, OD-3-1 and SK6-1 numbered water samples) was classified as 1st and 2nd class water, according to the amount of Cd except by a few samples (Ç-6, OD-12, OD-8, Ç-8, OD-4-1, OD-3-1, Ç-1, OD-9, Ç-5, Ç-3, OD-11 and OD-10 numbered water samples) was classified as I. and II. class water. Waters in the study area in general was from carbonated and sulfated (Ca+Mg>Na+K) water classes and usually, their poor acids are more than their strong acids (HCO3-+CO32- > Cl-+SO42-). The pH (6.3-8.2) of the water in the study area showed no relationship between the metals present with varying concentrations in water. It is tought that elements like Fe, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu are enriched in the waters with the water-rock interaction in the area where water rises or by the mixture of waters with mine waste or the industrial waste these elements were thought to increase. Also, it was determined that some water samples were determined to be in the good water class in terms of drinking and usage waters. Key Words: Physical and Chemical Parameters, Gümüşhane, Drinking Water, Water Quality