Chemical analysis of dam sediments

The effective service life of the dams ends with the accumulation of sediments on the dam reservoir and sluice gates, causing the decrease in the water holding capacity and the clogging of the gates. It may be possible to extend the service life of the dam by cleaning the sediments accumulated in the weirs, but this process is costly and involves logistical problems. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether if it is possible to use the sediments accumulated in the dam reservoir directly or as a soil additive in agriculture. For this purpose, organic matter and heavy metal contents of sediments collected from various dams were investigated in detail and pH, conductivity and moisture retention etc. abilities are determined. If the sediments under investigation are found suitable for use as soil or soil additive in agriculture, the life of the dams will be extended, and an alternative source of additives will be provided to the agricultural sector. Organic matter analyzes of the sediments were carried out by gravimetric methods, C, H and N contents were found by using elemental analyzer, humic acid and fulvic acid analysis were done by the alkali extraction method. For heavy metal analysis, samples were solubilized by microwave assisted wet burning method, and metal concentrations were determined by employing an ICP-OES method. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the results at 95% confidence level.