A study on sediment accumulation and environmental pollution of Fethiye Gulf in Turkey

This study aims to estimate with available data the present situation of sediment deposited at Fethiye Gulf—which is located in southwestern part of Turkey and has high tourism potential—to evaluate environmental effects of sediment transportation and to analyse future measures in the plain and upper basins to minimize possible sediment accumulation in the gulf. As a result of the study, it was determined that approximately 3.62 million m³ sediment has been transported to the gulf, and gulf area has been narrowed by up to 7 ha. The concentration of very fine load (silt and clay) transported to gulf by streams, offtake canals, and wastewater canals of mining sector varies between 1.0 and 16.0 mg l⁻¹. However, the sediment concentration of samples taken from open canals belonging to ferrochromous facilities varies between 25.0 and 65.0 mg l⁻¹. In those canals, it was seen that a large amount of Cr, Pb, and Hg metals exist. It shows that ferrochromous facilities have not been able to deposit fine grain load. The specific weight of transported sediment to gulf is between 2.75 and 2.80 g cm⁻³. Dissolved oxygen values in the gulf were measured at between 8.0 and 9.0 mg l⁻¹.