Investigation of boron levels on drinking waters in Seyitgazi region (Eskişehir)

Water is one of the most important ecological factors that provide vital activities of living organisms. Although some of the elements in water are absolutely necessary for living organisms, when they are above the permitted limit values, they can also create toxic effects. Element boron (B) is also one of the elements that are required for organisms. But, the increase in the use of boron creates major problems in terms of ecosystems. Reasons of environmental distribution of boron are natural activities such as rock weathering, evaporation of boric acid from the sea water, volcanic activities and the anthropogenic activities made during mineing and processing. In this study, between 2011 and 2012, drinking water samples are seasonally collected from the determined stations in 47 villages of Seyitgazi district (Eskişehir) where boron ore deposits are concentrated. In these drinking water samples taken from the villages, the limits of boron and some physico-chemical parameters are investigated, statistically evaluated and compared with the national/international legislation limit values.Key Words: Drinking Water, Boron, Seyitgazi, Turkey