ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE BASINS

ANTALYA BASIN

The main point and non-point pollutant sources that cause pressure in the Antalya basin would be generally listed as following:

• Urban-sourced untreated wastewater;
• Untreated wastewater from industries (leather industry, marble enterprises operating around Isparta Stream);
• Septic tank discharge waters from rural areas;
• İrregular solid waste storage areas leachate water;
• Fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities causing leakages into surface and groundwater;
• Pollution loads from livestock activities causing leakages into surface and groundwater;
• Fishing activities; and
• Tourism and accommodation activities.

BATI KARADENİZ BASIN

The main point and non-point pollutant sources that cause pressure in the Batı Karadeniz basin would be generally listed as following:

• Domestic wastewater discharges;
• Industrial wastewater discharges;
• Agricultural activities; and
• Removal of sand, gravel etc. from river bed.

DOĞU AKDENİZ BASIN

The main point and non-point pollutant sources that cause pressure in the Doğu Akdeniz basin would be generally listed as following:

• Urban-sourced untreated wastewater;
• Insufficiently untreated wastewater from industries;
• Septic tank discharge waters from rural areas;
• Irregular solid waste storage areas leachate water;
• Fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities causing leakages into surface and groundwater; and
• Pollution loads from livestock activities causing leakages into surface and groundwater.

DOĞU KARADENİZ BASIN

The main point and non-point pollutant sources that cause pressure in the Doğu Karadeniz basin would be generally listed as following:

• Domestic wastewater discharges;
• Industrial wastewater discharges;
• Agricultural activities;
• River type HPPs;
• Solid waste leachate (non-point); and
• Mining activities.

KIZILIRMAK BASIN

One of the most important factors threatening the Kızılırmak basin is the non-point-source pollution which is potential originated from agricultural activity. There are fertile plains at the basin boundaries. The middle and lower Kızılırmak region, especially the Bafra Plain (Kızılırmak Delta), is highly productive. Although the portion of fertile land decreases towards the east, agriculture is an important economic activity in the section. Almost half of the basin consists of agricultural land. Although there is intensive cereal cultivation, sugar beet, potato, vegetable and fruit cultivation is also an important agricultural activity. Transport of pesticides and fertilizers, which are used unconsciously in agricultural lands, to surface water and groundwater by rain is one of the possible factors in water quality deterioration.

MARMARA BASIN

The main point and non-point pollutant sources that cause pressure in the Marmara basin would be generally listed as following:

Domestic wastewater discharges;

• Industrial wastewater discharges;
• Agricultural activities;
• Leachate from irregular landfill sites;
• Shipping activities;
• Mining; and
• Tourism and hospitality activities