Investigation of water parameters of some natural waterresources in Amanos mountains

Efficient use of water, which is the most important need for the continuation of life, the determination of the current state of natural water resources and protection is important. In this study, some water parameters of a total of 12 water sources from the Akçay, Bekbele and Sakıt settlements on the slopes of the Amanos Mountains facing Iskenderun Bay between May 2018 - April 2019 were monitored. These water sources were followed for flow rate, hydrogen potential (pH), temperature, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), electrical conductivity (COND), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity (salinity). Measurements were performed monthly on the site of natural water sources with a mobile device. In addition, 8 of these 12 natural water sources was analyzed for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), nitrate (NO3), fluoride (F-), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl-) and zinc ( Zn) content. Eight natural water sources, two from Akçay settlement, two from Bekbele settlement and four from Sakıt, were selected for mineral analysis. The lowest and highest values of water resources in terms of some parameters vary as follows: pH: 7.20- 8.01; temperature: 13.41- 19.16 OC; ORP: (-65.38) - (-15.91) mV; conductivity; 274.88- 622.88 μS; TDS: 190.00- 448.88 ppm; salinity: 145.87- 346.66 ppm and flow rate: 3.31- 27.11 l / min. In addition, the lowest and highest values for some mineral contents were found as follows: Calcium: 3.03- 81.0 ppm; Magnesium: 4.39- 87.7 ppm; Iron: 0.06- 0.10 ppm; Nitrate: 0.5 to 20.0 ppm; Fluoride: <0.1- 2.2 ppm; Sodium: 3.03- 11.5 ppm; Chloride: 4.48--16.4 ppm and Zinc: < 0.01 ppm. As a result, these natural water resources were found to be within national and international (TSE, WHO and EC) potable water standards in terms of the values investigated.