Investigation of the potential pollution level of Ahlat marshes in terms of surface water quality

Located on the shores of Lake Van in Turkey Ahlat Marshes is one of the 46 wetlands nominated as "Wetlands of National Importance". It is crucial to ensure the sustainability of important wetlands, both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, which hosts many live species, and to take early measures if necessary. Such reasons require regular monitoring of water quality in wetlands. In this first time study in Ahlat Marshes; i ) Seasonal variation of water quality, ii) The determination of the spatial distribution of water quality parameters for the area; iii) In order to determine the current situation,by comparisions of the obtained results according to some national and international regulations/legislations, investigations were carried out at seven different sampling points for a total of 4 semesters between November 2015 and August 2016. Within this scope, physical and chemical water quality parameters such as pH, temperature, Electrical Conductivity, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, Suspended solids, alkalinity, salinity, total hardness, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, chemical oxygen requirement, total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total Phosphorus, Total Organic Carbon, sodium, potassium and as calcium and magnesium were analyzed. As a result; In terms of many parameters in the study of Ahlat Marshes water quality, an increase in the distribution values towards the western part (AS-4 and AS-6 points) from the eastern part of the marsh (AS-2 and AS-5 points) is seen. Fort he sustainabililty of water bodies in our country, addition to the physicochemical quality studies fort he purpose of continuation and preservation of this area, it is of great importance to reveal the ecological situation,effects and risk factors such as large biological and hydromorphological quality factors and finally to take the necessary planning and measures. In terms of many parameters according to the legislations provided in the "National Water Quality Regulation" and "Water Pollution Control Regulation", water quality of the Ahlat Marshes can be classified as Class I and II Keywords: Ahlat Marshes, Water Quality, Wetland, Spatial Distribution, Geographic Information System.