The effects of polluting sources on water quality, sediment and reproduction biology and growth of Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) in Keban Dam Lake

In this study, the effects of heavy metal pollution caused by wastewaters discharged from Etibank Ferro Krom Factory (Örencik) and Leather Factory (Ağın) on water quality and sediment of Keban Dam Lake and on the development and reproduction of Capoeta trutta were investigated. Toxicological tests were performed in laboratory in order to yield the effect of heavy metals on different development stages of the fish. Cyprinus carpio specimens were used for toxicological tests by which the effects of heavy metals on hatching of eggs, larvae, fingerling and one year old fishes were aimed to be investigated. Morphological deformations occurred on such stages of the fish during tests were also observed. In addition Dilution Factor of Toxicity for the wastewater was determined. The present study was conducted from November 2005 to October 2006 and the samplings were done at monthly intervals.The highest amounts of heavy metals analyzed in this study were found in water, sediments and fish samples obtained from Ağın Region which was followed by Örencik Region of the dam lake. The heavy metal concentrations were the lowest in samples taken from Aydıncık that was chosen as reference region due to this. The maturation age for female C. trutta caught from Ağın region was determined as 2 while it was 3 for females from Örencik and Aydıncık regions. Maturation age was found to be 2 for male C. trutta for all regions. The Gonadosomatic Index Value (GSI) reached to the highest in May for both sexes and reproduction period for the fish was estimated between May and June. The highest and lowest average egg numbers were counted in females from Aydıncık and Ağın regions respectively.The wastewater of both Etibank Ferro Krom Factory and Ağın Leather Processing Factory with high amount of heavy metals have found to have negative effects on the quality of both water and sediment as well as on the growth and reproduction of C. trutta in Keban Dam Lake.Key Words: Capoeta trutta, heavy metals, water quality, aquatic toxicology, Keban Dam Lake, Etibank Ferro Krom Factory, Ağın Leather Processing Factory