Assessment of groundwater pollution in Antalya Aksu-Altinova region

Antalya Altınova Region which is situated in cross section of Aksu, Muratpaşa and Kepez districts, is the sole area of agricultural production. This region supports most of the agricultural needs in Antalya city. Altınova, with a low increase rate of urbanization, is open to pollution of groundwater resources and soil due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. In this thesis study, data sets obtained from groundwater quality monitoring study conducted at 40 measurement and sampling stations located over the travertine plateu of Antalya city were analyzed for spatial and temporal variations. The monthly monitoring data sets for temperature, conductivity, chloride, nitrate and total hardness were analyzed for seasonal and yearly variations and their spatial distribution maps were prepared using SURFER program. The second study area of this thesis is Altınova region where nine measurement and sampling stations were selected. In 2014, both groundwater and soil samples were collected from these stations and analyzed. The groundwater pollution risk was evaluated using DRASTIC-General and DRASTIC-Pesticides vulnerability methods. Due to karstic geological formation, high vulnerability to pollution was assessed for Altınova region. In order to control and reduce groundwater pollution, use of fertilizers and pesticides should be controlled taking into account the crop production, cost and environmental impacts. In this respect, good agricultural practices should be realized for the least level of enviromental impacts to reduce leaching of pollutants to groundwater.