Investigation of effects of recreational activities on the Gölcük national park

Golcuk Natural Park takes place in the borders of Bolu, Turkey, which is located in Western Black Sea Region. Yearly, approximately 400 thousand people visit the park for recreational purposes. Recently, local governmental authorities have organized emergency action meetings to discuss the problems like uncontrollable plant growths in the lake and the deaths of some trees. At two different seasons 21 different surface soil samples were collected and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration levels, ionic quantities and fat concentrations were determined. The PAH concentration levels determined in surface soil samples changed from 12 to 2003 ng/g dwt in June. In November samples the PAH concentrations were changed from 84 to 3125 ng/g dwt. The fat concentrations were found in the range of 2.0 to 28,0 mg/g dwt in June 2016 and 0.8-to 8,0 mg/g dwt in November 2016. The surface of the lake was divided into approximately 50 equal grids and surface water samples and sediment (bottom mud) samples were collected from the grids. In order to determine the lake water quality; physical parameters, to estimate the nutrient inputs; the anion-cation fluxes and to estimate the effects of barbecue activities on the park fat concentrations were measured. Sediment samples were analyzed for only PAHs compounds and fats. The fat concentrations detected in the surface water samples ranged from 1.2 to 41.1 mg/L, the anions concentrations were changed between 294.5 and 503.6 μeq/L and the cations concentrations were changed from 1892 to 1970 μeq/L. PAH concentration levels detected in sediments were between method detection limit ro 3820 ng/g dwt and the fat concentrations were changed between 0.37 and 19.97 mg/g dwt. In addition, atmospheric bulk deposition samples were collected weekly and analyzed for PAHs and major ions. Using the bulk deposition results the way of local pollutant transport to the lake was determined. Fluxes of local atmospheric anions changed between 2755 and 13300 mg Anion/m2.year, and the cations fluxes were changed between 827 and 11545 mg Cation/m2.year. Pollution distribution maps were prepared to visualize the pollutant distribution. Present state of the pollution and the local transport methods to the lake were determined in this study.