Monitoring of Water Quality in Karsak Stream and Evaluation of its Effects on Gemlik Bay

The Karsak Stream, located within the borders of Bursa and between ？znik Lake and Gemlik Bay, is the most water-bearing stream of Gemlik District. Karsak Stream, which provides the discharge of ？znik Lake, is exposed to pollution sources in ？znik Lake and basin and it is flows into Gemlik Bay with many pollutants in its content. Besides the septic waters of the southern part of Orhangazi, the wastewater of the industrial enterprises and private companies in the region is transported to the Gulf of Gemlik via Karsak Stream and creates a significant pollution problem. In this study, the data of water samples taken from 10 different points selected in Karsak Stream for seasonal monitoring in 2013 and 2014 were examined. Seasonal averages of pollution parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and a number of heavy metals were analyzed in the samples. Quality Criteria according to the Classes of Inland Water Resources are evaluated. Thus, the potential for pollution transported to the Gulf of Gemlik is revealed