RESUMEN
Lake Uluabat, which is located in Marmara region, is one of the most productive lakes in Turkey. Due to concerns about potential pollution resulting from watershed sources and adjacent agricultural lands, a study of the trophic state of lake Uluabat was conducted during the period February 2003 to January 2004. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), Secchi disc depth (SD) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) were analyzed monthly in order to assess the trophic state of the lake. According to calculated nutrient ratios, phosphorus was found to be the primary limiting nutrient in lake Uluabat. Carlson’s trophic state index values, based on TP, SD and chl a, indicated that lake Uluabat is an eutrophic system.
RESUMEN
Lake Uluabat, known for its scenic beauty and richness of aquatic life, is situated in Marmara Region, Bursa (Turkey). On account of its importance, lake Uluabat was designated by the Ministry of Environment as a Ramsar site in 1998. Physical, chemical and microbiological parameters of the aquatic ecosystem in lake Uluabat were measured monthly at five stations from February 2003 to January 2004. The results showed that lake Uluabat can be classified as Class I with respect to temperature (16.36 +/- 7.47 degrees C), nitrate nitrogen (0.63 +/- 0.50 mgl(-1)), sodium (9.64 +/- 2.78 mgl(-1)), chloride (20.45 +/- 4.59 mgl(-1)), sulphate (54.80 +/- 29.97 mgl(-1)); as Class II with respect to dissolved oxygen (7.62 +/- 1.99 mgl(-1)), ammonium nitrogen (0.52 +/- 0.49 mgl(-1)), chemical oxygen demand (35.74 +/- 10.66 mgl(-1)), total coliform (2027 MPN100 ml(-1) (average value)); as Class III with respect to pH (8.69 +/- 0.16) and as Class IV with respect to total nitrogen (84.94 +/- 66.13 mgl(-1)), total phosphorus (1.11 +/- 3.01 mgl(-1)), biochemical oxygen demand (21.21 +/- 6.60 mgl(-1)) according to TWPCR (Turkey Water Pollution Control Regulation). The nutrient content of lake waterapparently indicated that lake had an eutrophic characteristic. Phosphorus was determined as a limiting factor in lake. The measured hardness values (140.94 +/- 14.61 CaCO3 mgl(-1)) indicated that lake water was classified as soft/hard during the study period. Eutrophic characteristic of the lake and contaminant accumulation in water will probably affect the future use of the lake. Therefore, pollution parameters must be regularly monitored and evaluated according to aquatic living and local regulations.