Investigation of the pollution parameters in geothermal waters in Aydin-Buharkent region

Earth's crust has lots of various energy sources. Geothermal energy comes from the ground - it's never ending, renewable and does not cause any pollution. Researches are in progress to figure out more areas for use of the geothermal energy. It's already being used for generating electricity, heating homes, and in agriculture. Recent researches are also being concentrated on geothermal energy, since it has positive effects on the environment, from the point of pollution and hence helath. The purpose of this research is to investigate the pollution parameters of Buyuk Menderes river and its sediments. During this research, water and sediment samples were collected periodically from the predetermined stations and the parameters like pH and conductivity were checked immediately on site. Analysis of the various ions (B, Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Mn2+, Fe3+, NO3 -, SO4 2-, PO43-) in the water and sediment samples were done after they were taken to the laboratory. Metal analysis of water and sediment samples were conducted by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Analysis of SO42-, NO3-, NH4+ were done by spectrophotometric method. Analysis of HCO32-, CO32- were conducted by titration methods. Sodium absorption ratio (SAR) which determines the water quality was calculated from calcium, magnesium and sodium concentration. Metal analysis of sediment samples were conducted by AAS after sediments samples had been dissolved in microwave device. According to the results, SAR values were determined as being very high for all the stations. Mn2+, Al3+, Cr3+, Cd2+, Pb2+ values couldn't be determined for any of the stations. Boron values were very high except for the fourth station. Key words: Heavy Metal, Aydin-Buharkent, pH, Conductivity, SAR, AAS