The Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Waters of the Nilufer Stream in Bursa

This study was conducted from 2002 through 2007 with no studies in 2004, to evaluate 8 metalcontaminants (As(total), Cd, Cr (total), Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of the Nilufer Stream, where intensiveindustrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities take place. The results were then compared withnational and international water quality guidelines. The effect of the wastewater treatment facilities thatwere established during the measurement period on water quality was also taken into account. It wasdetermined that the Nilüfer Stream water quality along the basin has declined rapidly year to year. Intensivewastewater discharge causes a waste dominating flow in the stream and has caused the water quality tosteadily decline over time. The total chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) levels in the basin outlet of the NiluferStream water were evaluated as "high polluted water" according to the national standards in theclassification of the quality of the surface water. The mean metal concentrations in the Nilüfer stream waterare generally higher than the international guidelines. As a result, metal contaminant pollution of theNilüfer Stream was found to be connected to human activities in its catchments.