Determination of the seasonal changes of the physico-chemical parameters of Karacomak stream

Pollution in streams is a major water quality issue in many fast growing cities due to the fact that improvements in available clean water resources and sanitation infrastructure have not kept pace with population growth and urbanization in most developing countries. Today different physical and chemical parameters are used to assess stream water quality. The aim of this thesis is seasonally to detect physicochemical characteristics of Karaçomak stream in Kastamonu province and its water quality classes. For this purpose, firstly, five different stations were chosen on the stream. Water samples were secondly taken from each station and their water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, COD, BOD and total water hardness were determined with seasonal periods between October 2016 - July 2017. Water quality classes of the stream were lastly evaluated according to Water Pollution Control Regulation. Results obtained from study showed us that most of physical and chemical water parameters had slight variation among the stations and the stream has a high water quality (unpolluted). In conclusion, it may be recommended that human activities within the catchments should be monitored closely to minimise their polluting impacts on the water quality in spite of the stream is not under intensive pollution treat for now.