Examination of Antalya-Belek Acisu river water quality in terms of possible effects on soil polution

In this study, water quality was investigated in order to reveal the possible effects of Acısu River, which passes trough Kadriye in Serik district of Antalya and flows into the Sea from Belek, on the environment and soil pollution. Water samples were taken from Acısu River in two periods, August 2019 and February 2020, from 9 different sampling stations with the consideration of seasonal changes. The water samples were examined in terms of some quality criteria and heavy metals. In the water samples, pH and EC levels, and concentration of total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, As, Hg, NO3-, CO3-2, HCO3-, SO4-2, CI-, B elements were analysed. There are hotels, settlements, greenhouses, orchards and a water treatment plant in the region where Acısu River passes. It was observed that the pollution values increased in some points of the River due to residential and agricultural activities and the waste water facility along the River line. Especially in the water samples taken before (7. and 8. sampling stations) and after the treatment plant (9. sampling station) EC, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, CI-, SO4-2, B elements concentrations were determined to be higher than the other sampling stations. It is clear that at these points of the Acısu River, water is faced with risk of eutrophication caused by nutrient enrichment especially with nitrogen and phosphorus. When evaluated in terms of heavy metal concentrations, based on "Water Pollution Control Regulation", values corresponding to the first class water limits for Cd, Zn, Mn, Ni and Cr, second class water limits for Fe and third class water limits for Cu were obtained. For As and Hg, insignificant concentrations that do not pose any danger in current state were obtained.