Abstract
Intensive technological developments, rapid population growth and urbanization, and excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers have caused water resources to be contaminated substantially by nitrates in Turkey. The accumulated information should be evaluated to draw a nationwide attention to the problem. The aim of this review article was to highlight the importance of nitrate (NO3) contamination and to discuss the measures to be taken to mitigate the contamination across the nation. Agriculture, especially chemical fertilizers used in irrigated agriculture, was the most important source of NO3 in groundwater. Also, the industrial and domestic discharges substantially contributed to NO3 in both groundwater and surface waters in many cases. The most severe and widespread groundwater (e.g., 344 mg NO3 L−1 in İzmir, 476 mg L−1 in Afyon, 477 mg L−1 in Antalya, and 948.0 mg L−1 in Konya) and surface water contaminations (e.g., 293.8 mg NO3 L−1 in İzmir, 63.3 mg L−1 in Eskişehir, 89.8 mg L−1 in Edirne, and 90.6 mg L−1 in Sakarya) occurred in the regions where intensive agriculture, industrial development, and rapid urbanization were clustered. Well-established irrigation and fertilizer management plans are critical for reducing fertilizer-related NO3 contaminations in the irrigated agriculture. Special attention should be given to the regions where industrially and domestically contaminated running water bodies are in contact with groundwater. Discharge of wastewaters to the streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes should be prevented. Well-designed studies are needed to evaluate potential health effects, including the risk of cancer, of NO3 in drinking water.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abascal E, Gómez-Coma L, Ortiz I, Ortiz A (2022) Global diagnosis of NO3 pollution in groundwater and review of removal technologies. Sci Total Environ J 810:152233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152233
Ağca N, Karanlık S, Ödemiş B (2014) Assessment of ammonium , NO3, phosphate, and heavy metal pollution in groundwater from Amik Plain, southern Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 186:5921–5934. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3829-z
Aksever F, Büyükşahin S (2017) Assessment of variations in water quality using statistical techniques: a case study of Işıklı Lake, Çivril/Denizli, Turkey. Arab J Geosci 10:143–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-2877-4
Aksever F (2019) Hydrogeochemical characterization and water quality assessment of springs in the Emirdağ (Afyonkarahisar) basin, Turkey. Arab J Geosci 12:780–801. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4942-7file
Aksever F, Davraz A, Bal Y (2016) Assessment of water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes: a case study of Baş köy springs (Ağlasun / Burdur / Turkey). Arab J Geosci 9:738–768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2778-y
Aksever F, Davraz A, Karagüzel R (2015a) Relations of hydrogeologic factors and temporal variations of NO3 contents in groundwater, Sandıklı basin Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 2179–2196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3569-y
Aksever F, Karagüzel R, Mutlutürk M (2015b) Evaluation of groundwater quality and contamination in drinking water basins : a case study of the Senirkent-Uluborlu basin. Environ Earth Sci 73:1281–1293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3483-3
Aksoy A, Scheytt T (2007) Assessment of groundwater pollution around Torbali, Izmir, Turkey. Environ Geol 53:19–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0614-5
Akbal F, Gürel L, Bahadır T et al (2011) Water and sediment quality assessment in the mid-Black Sea coast of Turkey using multivariate statistical techniques. Environ Earth Sci 64:1387–1395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-0963-6
Albek E (2003) Estimation of point and diffuse contaminant loads to streams by non-parametric regression analysis of monitoring data. Water Air Soil Pollut 147:229–243. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024592815576
Arkoç O (2016) Application of water quality index with the aid of geographic information system in Eastern Thrace to assess groundwater quality. Jeol Mühendisliği Derg 40:189–207. https://doi.org/10.24232/jeoloji-muhendisligi-dergisi.295447
Arslan O (2009) A GIS-based spatial-multivariate statistical analysis of water quality data in the Porsuk River, Turkey. Water Qual Res . Can 44:279–293. https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2009.029
Arman H, Ileri R, Dogan E, Eren B (2009) Investigation of Lake Sapanca water pollution, Adapazari, Turkey. Int J Environ Stud 66:547–561. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207230902842776
Avci H, Dokuz U, Avci A (2018) Hydrochemistry and groundwater quality in a semiarid calcareous area: an evaluation of major ion chemistry using a stoichiometric approach. Environ Monit Assessmenttal 190:641–657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7021-8
Aydin H, Ustaoğlu F, Tepe Y, Soylu E (2021) Assessment of water quality of streams in northeast Turkey by water quality index and multiple statistical methods. Environ Forensics 22:270–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2020.1836074
Azzellino A, Colombo L, Lombi S, et al (2019) Groundwater diffuse pollution in functional urban areas: the need to define anthropogenic diffuse pollution background levels. Sci Total Environ J 656:1207–1222. https://doi.org/file:///G:/USB Sürücüsü1/Ymakale/Nitrat/Environmental studies and pollution/Review/new references/Zhang et al 2015.pdfhttps://. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.416
Baba A, Tayfur G (2011) Groundwater contamination and its effect on health in Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 183:77–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-1907-z
Bayram A, Önsoy H, Bulut V, Akinci G (2013) Influences of urban wastewaters on the stream water quality : a case study from Gumushane Province, Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 185:1285–1303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2632-y
Berhe B, Dokuz U, Çelik M (2017) Assessment of hydrogeochemistry and environmental isotopes of surface and groundwaters in the Kütahya Plain, Turkey. J African Earth Sci J 134:230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.06.015
Bozdag A (2015) Combining AHP with GIS for assessment of irrigation water quality in Çumra irrigation district (Konya), Central Anatolia, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 73:8217–8236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3972-4
Bozdag A (2016) Assessment of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in two aquifer systems in Çumra Plain, Central Anatolia. Environ Earth Sci 75:674–688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5518-4
Bozdağ A, Göçmez G (2013) Evaluation of groundwater quality in the Cihanbeyli basin, Konya, Central Anatolia, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 69:921–937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1977-4
Buller I, Patel D, Weyer P et al (2021) Ingestion of NO3 and nitrite and risk of stomach and other digestive system Cancers in the Iowa Women’s Health Study. Int J Environ Res Public Heal Artic 18:6822. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136822
Carstensen M, Hashemi F, Hoffmann C et al (2020) Efficiency of mitigation measures targeting nutrient losses from agricultural drainage systems: a review. Ambio2 49:1820–1837. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01345-5
Çaylak E, Tokar M (2012) Investigating chemical and microbiological contaminants in drinking water of Cankiri Province, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 67:2015–2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1641-z
Cakmak B, Apaydin H (2010) Advances in the management of the wastewater in Turkey : natural treatments or constructed wetlands. Spanish J Agric Res 8:188–201
Çelik M (2002) Water quality assessment and the investigation of the relationship between the River Delice and the aquifer systems in the vicinity of Yerköy (Yozgat, Turkey). Environ Geol 42:690–700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-002-0579-y
Çelik M, Dokuz U, Türköz P, Güllü Ö, Şebnem A (2013) Hydrogeochemıcal and isotopıc investıgatıon of Nasrettın Hoca Sprıngs, Eskişehir, Turkey. Bull MTA 146:93–104
Celiker M, Yıldız O, Sonmezer Y (2014) Assessing the water quality parameters of the Munzur Spring, Tunceli, Turkey. Ekoloji 23:2000–2001. https://doi.org/10.5053/ekoloji.2014.936
Cemek M, Akkaya L, Birdane Y, Seyrek K, Bulut S, Konuk M (2007) NO3 and nitrite levels in fruity and natural mineral waters marketed in western Turkey. J Food Compos Anal 20:236–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2006.12.003
Çetindağ B (2005) Investigation of discharge and groundwater contamination characteristics around the Karasu Spring, Muş area, Turkey. Environ Geol 47:268–282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1152-7
Cui M, Zeng L, Qin W, Feng J (2020) Measures for reducing NO3 leaching in orchards: a review. Environ Pollut J 263:114553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114553
Christensen JH, Kanikicharla KK, Aldrian E, et al. (2013) Climate phenomena and their relevance for future regional climate change. In Climate Change 2013 the Physical Science Basis: Working Group I Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Vol. 9781107057999, pp. 1217-1308). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.028
Davraz A, Afsin M, Aksever F, Karakas Z (2016) The interference of a deep thermal system with a shallow aquifer and health risk assessment: the case of Sandıklı (Afyonkarahisar). Environ Earth Sci 75:1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5144-6
Davraz A, Karaguzel R, Soyaslan I, Sener E, Seyman F, Sener S (2009) Hydrogeology of karst aquifer systems in SW Turkey and an assessment of water quality and contamination problems. Env Geol 58:973–988. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1577-5
Davraz A, Özdemir A (2014) Groundwater quality assessment and its suitability in Çeltikçi plain (Burdur / Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 72:1167–1190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-3036-1
De Roos AJ, Ward MH, Lynch CF, Cantor KP (2003) Nitrate in public water supplies and the risk of colon and rectum cancers. Epidemiol 14(6):640–649. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ede.0000091605.01334.d3
Demir V, Ergin S (2013) Occurrence and assessment of chemical contaminants in drinking water in Tunceli, Turkey. J Chem 13:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/238374
Demirel Z, Külege K (2005) Monitoring of spatial and temporal hydrochemical changes in groundwater under the contaminating effects of anthropogenic activities. Environ Monit. Assess 101:129–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9145-x
Divrik M, Elipek B, Öterler B, Kırgız T (2020) Multivariance analysis on the distribution of micro-macro elements and their derivates at Meriç River (Thrace Region , Turkey). Aquat Res 3:144–154
Ekmekci M (2005) Pesticide and nutrient contamination in the Kestel polje – Kirkgoz karst springs. Environ Geol 49:19–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-0022-2
Elçi A, Polat R (2011) Assessment of the statistical significance of seasonal groundwater quality change in a karstic aquifer system near Izmir-Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 172:445–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1346-2
Elhatip H (1997) The influence of karst features on environmental studies in Turkey. Environ Geol 31:27–33
Elhatip H, Hınıs M, Gülbahar N (2008) Evaluation of the water quality at Tahtali dam watershed in Izmir-Turkey by means of statistical methodology. Stoch Env Res Risk Assess 22:391–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-007-0127-0
Elhatip H, Kömür M (2008) Evaluation of water quality parameters for the Mamasin dam in Aksaray City in the central Anatolian part of Turkey by means of artificial neural networks. Environ Geol Geol 53:1157–1164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0705-y
Elipek B, Guher H, Oterler B, Divrik M (2017) Determining of water quality by using multivariate analysis techniques in a drinking/using water reservoir in Turkey. Fresenuis Environ Bull 26:5007–5012
Ersahin S (2001) Assessment of spatial variability in NO3 leaching to reduce nitrogen fertilizers impact on water quality. Agric water Manag 48:179–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3774(00)00138-4
Ersoy A, Karaca Z (2019) Determination of groundwater parameters for drinking and agricultural use in the coastal region of Engiz Aquifer System, Samsun (Turkey). Arab J Geosci 12:198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4365-5
Evans A, Mateo-sagasta J, Qadir M et al (2019) Agricultural water pollution : key knowledge gaps and research needs. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 36:20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2018.10.003
Ghaffari H, Yunesian M, Nabizadeh R et al (2019) Environmental etiology of gastric cancer in Iran: a systematic review focusing on drinking water, soil, food, radiation, and geographical conditions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:10487–10495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04493-8
Grizzetti B, Vigiak O, Udias A et al (2021) How EU policies could reduce nutrient pollution in European inland and coastal waters. Glob Environ Chang 69:102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102281
Güler C (2007) Evaluation of maximum contaminant levels in Turkish bottled drinking waters utilizing parameters reported on manufacturer’s labeling and government-issued production licenses. J Food Compos Anal 20:262–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2006.10.005
Güler C (2009) Site characterization and monitoring of natural attenuation indicator parameters in a fuel contaminated coastal aquifer: Karaduvar (Mersin, SE Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 59:631–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0060-2
Güler C, Goffrey D, Tağa H, Yıldırım Ü (2017) Processes governing alkaline groundwater chemistry within a fractured rock (ophiolitic mélange) aquifer underlying a seasonally inhabited headwater area in the Aladağlar Range (Adana, Turkey ). Geofluids 2017:13–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3153924
Güler C, Kurt M, Korkut N (2013) Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to nonpoint source pollution in a Mediterranean coastal zone (Mersin, Turkey) under conflicting land use practices. Ocean Coast Manag 71:141–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2012.10.010
Gulis G, Czompolyova M, Cerhanw J (2002) An ecologic study of NO3 in municipal drinking water and cancer incidence inTrnava District, Slovakia. Environ Re 88:182–187. https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.2002.4331
Gültekin F, Ersoy A, Hatipoglu E, Celep S (2013) Quality assessment of surface and groundwater in Solaklı Basin (Trabzon, Turkey). Bull Eng Geol Env 72:213–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0467-6
Gümüş G, Destanoğlu O, Şimşek MG, Bakır TK, Turhan Ş (2021) Assessment of concentrations of anions in bottled natural mineral waters from the Turkish market in accordance with national and international standards. Int J Environ Anal Chem 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2021.1884239
Güner E, Tekin S, Seckin G (2018) An assessment of shallow groundwater wells in an agricultural and coastal area in Göksu Delta, Turkey. Bilge Int J Sci Technol Res 2:9–16. https://doi.org/10.30516/bilgesci.369068
Harrison S, McAree C, Mulville W, Sullivan T (2019) The problem of agricultural ‘diffuse’ pollution: getting to the point. Sci Total Environ 677:700–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.169
Ibrikci H, Cetin M, Karnez E, Albert W, Tilkici B, Bulbul Y, Ryan J (2015) Irrigation-induced NO3 losses assessed in a Mediterranean irrigation district. Agric Water Manag 148:223–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2014.10.007
Ibrikci H, Cetin M, Karnez E, Kirda C, Topcu S, Ryan J, Oztekin E, Korkmaz K, Oguz H (2012) Spatial and temporal variability of groundwater NO3 concentrations in ırrigated Mediterranean agriculture. Commun Soil Sci Plant Analalysis 43:47–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2012.631413
Iyigun C, Türkeş M, Batmaz İ et al (2013) Clustering current climate regions of Turkey by using a multivariate statistical method. Theor Appl Clim 114:95–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-012-0823-7
Kaçaroğlu F, Günay G (1997) Groundwater NO3 pollution in an alluvium aquifer, Eskişehir urban area and its vicinity, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 31:178–184
Kaplan M, Sönmez S, Tokmak S (1999) The NO3 content of well waters in the Kumluca Region–Antalya. Tr J Agric For 23:309–313
Karagüzel R, Irlayici A (1998) Groundwater pollution in the Isparta Plain, Turkey. Environ. Geol 34:303–308
Karaman M, Budak M, Taşdelen S (2017) NO3 Contamination in the groundwater of the Lake Acıgöl Basin. EGU General Assembly, SW Turkey, p 17257
Kavurmaci M (2016) Evaluation of groundwater quality using a GIS-MCDA-based model: a case study in Aksaray, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 75:1257–1274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6074-7
Kavurmaci M, Üstün A (2016) Assessment of groundwater quality using DEA and AHP: a case study in the Sereflikochisar region in Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 188:257–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5259-6
Kazakis N, Matiatos I, Ntona M-M et al (2020) Origin, implications and management strategies for NO3 pollution in surface and ground waters of Anthemountas basin based on a δ15N-NO3− and δ18O-NO3− isotope approach. Sci Total Environ J 724:138211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138211
Kivrak E, Uygun A (2012) The structure and diversity of the epipelic diatom community in a heavily polluted stream (the Akarçay, Turkey) and their relationship with environmental variables. J Freshw Ecol 27:443–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2012.671147
Kurunc A, Ersahin S, Sonmez N, Kaman H, Uz I, Uz B, Aslan G (2016) Seasonal changes of spatial variation of some groundwater quality variables in a large irrigated coastal Mediterranean region of Turkey. Sci Total Environ 554–555:53–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.158
Kurunc A, Ersahin S, Uz B, Sonmez N, Uz I, Kaman H, Bacalan G, Emekli Y (2011) Identification of NO3 leaching hot spots in a large area with contrasting soil texture and management. Agric Water Manag 98:1013–1019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2011.01.010
Kuştul S, Bilgin A, İzmirli Ş (2020) The effect of chemical fertilizers used in tea agriculture on groundwater in the region of Rize. Recep Tayyip Erdogan Univ J Sci Eng 1:28–37
Liu R, Zheng X, Li M et al (2019) A three chamber bioelectrochemical system appropriate for in-situ remediation of NO3-contaminated groundwater and its reaction mechanisms. Water Res 158:401–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.04.047
Mimiroğlu P, Elipek B, Aydoğdu H (2020) The evaluation of ecological status in Tunca (Tundzha) River (Turkish Thrace) based on environmental conditions and bacterial features. Aquat Res 3:98–109
Musacchio A, Re V, Mas-pla J, Sacchi E (2020) EU Nitrates Directive, from theory to practice: Environmental effectiveness and influence of regional governance on its performance. Ambio 49:504–516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01197-8
Nas B, Berktay A (2010) Groundwater quality mapping in urban groundwater using GIS. Environ Monit Assess 160:215–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0689-4
Okay C, Akkoyunlu B, Tayanç M (2002) Composition of wet deposition in Kaynarca, Turkey. Environ Pollut 118:401–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00292-5
Özdemir M, Siriken B, Yavuz H, Birdane Y (2007) Some microbiological , chemical analysis and NO3 nitrite levels of drinking and well water samples in Afyonkarahisar. Ankara Ünviersitesi Vet Fakültesi Derg 54:91–97
Ozkahya P, Camur-Elipek B (2016) Nutrient contents and physicochemical properties of well waters in Meric (Maritsa) river basin at Turkish Thrace. Bulg Chem Commun 48:21–26
Özler H, Aydın A (2008) Hydrochemical and microbiological quality of groundwater in West Thrace Region of Turkey. Environ Geol 54:355–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0822-7
Paredes I, Otero N, Soler A et al (2020) Agricultural and urban delivered NO3 pollution input to Mediterranean temporary freshwaters. Agric Ecosyst Environ 294:106859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.106859
Pasten-Zapata E, Ledesma-Ruiz R, Harter T, Ramirez A, Mahlknecht J (2014) Assessment of sources and fate of NO3 in shallow groundwater of an agricultural area by using a multi-tracer approach. Sci Total Environ 470:855–864
Picetti R, Deeney M, Pastorino S et al (2022) Nitrate and nitrite contamination in drinking water and cancer risk: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Environ Res J 210
Powlson D, Addiscott T, Benjamin N et al (2008) When does NO3 become a risk for humans? J Environ Qual 37:291–295. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2007.0177
Quist AjS studies and pollution/Review/References for R 2/Gulis et al 2002. pdf, M I-C, Meyer P et al (2018) Ingested NO3 and nitrite, disinfection by-products, and pancreatic cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Int J Cancer 142:251–261
Randall G, Huggins D, Russelle M, Fuchs D, Nelson W, Anderson J (1997) NO3 losses through subsurface tile drainage in conservation reserve program, alfalfa, and row crop systems. J Environ Qual 26:1240–1247
Şener Ş, Davraz A, Karagüzel R (2013) Evaluating the anthropogenic and geologic impacts on water quality of the Egirdir Lake, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 70:2527–2544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2296-0
Shaffer MJ, Wylie BK, Hall MD (1995) Identification and mitigation of NO3 leaching hot spots using NLEAP-GIS technology. J Contam Hydrol 20:253–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-7722(95)00072-0
Simsek C, Elci A, Gunduz O, Erdogan B (2008) Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization of a karstic mountain region. Env Geol 54:291–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0817-4
Simsek C, Yavuz A, Elci H, Elci A, Gunduz O (2011) Waste disposal on karstic terrain: a case study from the ancient marble quarries in Iznik (Nicaea), Turkey. Geosci J 15:339–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-011-0021-0
Singh B, Craswell E (2021) Fertilizers and NO3 pollution of surface and ground water: an increasingly pervasive global problem. SN Appl Sci 3:518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04521-8
Singh S, Anil A, Kumar V et al (2022) NO3s in the environment: a critical review of their distribution, sensing techniques, ecological effects and remediation. Chemosphere 287:131996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131996
Tokatlı C (2014) Drinking water quality of a rice land in Turkey by statistical and GIS perspectives. Pol J Environ Stud 23:2247–2258. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/26967
Tokatlı C (2018a) Drinkin water quality assessment in villages in Meriç River Basin (Edirne, Turkey). Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 36:871–886
Tokatlı C (2018b) Use of geographic information system (GIS) to evaluate the nitrogenous compounds in groundwater of Ergene River Basin (Turkey). In: 2nd International Symposium on Innovative Approches in Scientific Studies. Samsun, pp 440–442
Tokatlı C (2021) Assessment of spatial – temporal variations in freshwater pollution by means of water quality index: a case study of Hasanağa stream basin. Aquat Sci Eng 36:66–71
Tokatlı C, Köse E, Çiçek A, Emiroğlu Ö (2020) Trace and toxic elements accumulations in the waters of a contaminated watershed in Turkey. Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 38:383–392
Topcuoğlu B (2017) Assessment of NO3 and heavy metal pollution of groundwaters in the intensive agricultural areas. In: 6th International Congress on Food, Agricultural, Biological and Medical Sciences (FABMS), İstanbul, pp 132–144
Ustaoglu F, Tepe Y, Aydin H, Akbas A (2020a) Evaluation of surface water quality by multivariate statistical analyses and WQIi: case of Comlekci stream, (Giresun-Turkey). Fresenuis Environ Bull 29:167–177
Ustaoglu F, Tepe Y, Ta B (2020b) Assessment of stream quality and health risk in a subtropical Turkey river system: a combined approach using statistical analysis and water quality index. Ecol Indic 113:105815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105815
Ustaoglu F, Tepe Y, Aydin H, Akbas A (2020) Evaluation of surface water quality by multivariate statistical analyses and WQIi: case of Comlekci stream, (Giresun-Turkey). Fresenuis Environ Bull 29:167–177
Varol S (2021) Potential health risk assessment related to arsenic pollution and hydrogeochemistry of groundwaters in Akşehir and surroundings (Konya/Turkey). J Water Health 19(1):97–107. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.107
Varol S, Davraz A (2010) Hydrogeological investigation of Sarkikaraagac Basin (Isparta, Turkey) and groundwater vulnerability. Water Int 35:177–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508061003663445
Varol S, Davraz A (2015) Evaluation of the groundwater quality with WQI (water quality index) and multivariate analysis: a case study of the Tefenni plain (Burdur/Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 73:1725–1744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3531-z
Ward M, Jones R, Brender J et al (2018) Drinking water NO3 and human health: an updated review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15:1557. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071557
Yesilnacar M, Sahinkaya E, Naz M, Ozkaya B (2008) Neural network prediction of NO3 in groundwater of Harran Plain, Turkey. Env Geol 56:19–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1136-5
Yetis U, Yukseler H, Valatka S, Girgin S, Semeniene D, Kerestecioglu M, Jacobsen M (2013) Implementation of the European Union’s NO3s Directive in Turkey. Desalin Water Treat 51:4171–4182. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.768036
Yolcubal I, Gündüz Ö, Sönmez F (2016) Assessment of the impact of environmental pollution on groundwater and surface water qualities in a heavily industrialized district of Kocaeli (Dilovası), Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 75:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4986-2
Yuce G, Pinarbasi A, Ozcelik S, Ugurluoglu D (2006) Soil and water pollution derived from anthropogenic activities in the Porsuk River. Env Geol 49:359–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-0072-5
Zeybek Z, Gür K (2009) Evaluation of water quality of Akgöl lake wetland (Karaman-Konya/Turkey). Conference on Lakes and Nutrient Loads, Tirana, pp 24–25
Zhang Q, Qian H, Xu P et al (2021) Effect of hydrogeological conditions on groundwater NO3 pollution and human health risk assessment of NO3 in Jiaokou Irrigation District. J Clean Prod J 298:126783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126783
Zhang Q, Sun J, Liu J et al (2015) Driving mechanism and sources of groundwater NO3 contamination in the rapidly urbanized region of south China Qianqian. J Contam Hydrol J 182:221–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2015.09.009
Data availability statement
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Sabit Erşahin had the idea for the article, performed the literature search and data analysis, and drafted and/or critically revised the work. Bayram C. Bilgili performed the literature search and data analysis, prepared the figures, and revised the work.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Xianliang Yi
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Erşahin, S., Bilgili, B.C. Nitrates in Turkish waters: sources, mechanisms, impacts, and mitigation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 95250–95271 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29202-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29202-4