Investigation of Yanıklar stream (Fethiye-Muğla) for limnological and water quality

Yanıklar Stream, where is a connection of Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, has an important place as its rich nature, touristic value and agricultural structure. In this study, some physico-chemical parameters from the water samples taken from 6 selected stations at both the bay and water resources support the bay, were investigated monthly between December 2017 and November 2018. The water samples were analysed in the laboratories of Research Laboratory Centre of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. The result of measurements are of follows: water temperature 12,90-28,45 oC; pH 7,23-9,42; dissolved oxygen 4,28-11,82 mgL-1; saturated oxygen 43,53-128,10 % electrical conductivity 287-54711 µScm-1; salinity 0,16-33,04 %o; nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N) ALA-0,044 mgL-1, nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) 0,03-19,11 mgL-1, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) ALA-0,425 mgL-1; total phosphorus ALA-0,123 mgL-1; ortho-phosphate ALA-0,09 mgL-1; suspended solids 0,08-25,96 mgL-1; and biological oxygen demand 1,94-5,62 mgL-1. When the results of this analysis are evaluated, it is determined that some of the stations caused pollution in the water quality and environment due to the intensive tourism activities experienced in the region especially in the summer months, the provision of secondary residences for tourism services, the use of selected stations as picnic areas during the weekends and the use of pesticides used in greenhouses. Keywords: Yanıklar Stream, Water Quality, Pyhsico-Chemical Parameters, Environmental Factors, Water Resources.