Groundwater and pollution threats; the case of Adana province

The negative impacts of livestock waste on the environment constitute an important problem in terms of sustainable management of natural resources. Improperly managed livestock wastes pose a serious pollution hazard, especially in ground and surface waters. Although animal manure is used as a valuable source of nutrients in agriculture, its excessive and irregular use can adversely affect water quality. This situation increases the importance of monitoring groundwater quality and protecting these resources. This study aims to evaluate selected groundwater wells in Adana province in terms of quality parameters, to determine the current status of cattle breeding enterprises, and to examine possible pollution threats. Within the scope of the study, questionnaires were applied to the identified livestock enterprises, and the results were evaluated. In addition, water samples were taken from groundwater wells, which are widely distributed in the province and permission was obtained to take water samples, and these samples were subjected to various chemical analyses, and water quality was evaluated. As a result of the analyses, the highest and lowest concentrations were measured as 55.422 mg L⁻¹ and 0.697 mg L⁻¹ for nitrate; 0.036 mg L⁻¹ and 0.0001 mg L⁻¹ for nitrite; 0.030 mg L⁻¹ and 0.0003 mg L⁻¹ for phosphorus; 1.02 mS cm⁻¹ and 0.33 mS cm⁻¹ for EC; and 7.95 and 7.20 for pH, respectively, and the averages were generally found to be in compliance with the standards. In this direction, it was aimed to evaluate groundwater pollution threats, to investigate the effects of animal wastes on environmental pollution, and to make recommendations for the development of sustainable waste management strategies and the protection of natural resources.