ISSN: 1304-7191 | E-ISSN: 1304-7205
Application of water quality index for drinking purposes in dam lakes: A case study of thrace region
1Trakya University, Department of Laboratory Technology, EDIRNE
Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 2020; 38(1): 393-402
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Abstract

Thrace Region is located in the north – west part of Marmara Region of Turkey and has very large agricultural lands because of contained quite rich soil and many freshwater resources. Altınyazı, Karaidemir, Kayalıköy, Kırklareli, Sultanköy and Süloğlu Dam Lakes are located in Thrace Region and they were constructed by DSİ (State Water Works) in order to provide irrigation and drinking water and flood protection. The aim of this study was to determine a total of 25 essential and toxic element accumulations in water of these significant reservoirs (Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl and Pb) and apply the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) in order to evaluate the water quality in terms of drinking purposes. Cluster Analysis (CA) was also used to classify the investigated elements and stations in terms of similar characteristics. Water samples were collected in spring season (rainy) of 2018 from 15 stations and element accumulations were investigated by using an ICP-MS. According to results of elemental CA, 4 statistically significant clusters were formed in terms of similar elemental densities, which were named as "most intense elements", "high-moderate intense elements", "low-moderate intense elements" and "rarest elements". According to results of locational CA, 2 statistically significant clusters were formed in terms of similar water quality characteristics, which were named as "more polluted locations" and "less polluted locations". According to the results of WAWQI, the reservoirs has "A grade" water quality and the values of overall WAWQI were within the permissible limits (<100). But the Qi values of selenium were found as over the permissible limits and the risk sequence of the elements in water of the reservoirs as follows: Se > As > Cr > B > Mo > Ba > Ni > Pb > Cd > Mn > Cu in general.