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Environmental pollution and its effect on water sources from marble quarries in western Turkey

Environmental Earth Sciences volume 75, Article number: 796 (2016) Cite this article

Abstract

Turkey is located in one of the oldest marble-producing areas in the world, with 4000 years of natural stone production, which started at Marmara Island. With over 80 types and 400 different colors and patterns, Turkey has one of the world’s largest natural stone reserves. Bursa and Isparta comprise the most significant regions of marble production in Turkey. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of pollution on water resources that might be generated in marble quarries in Turkey. Measured concentrations are compared to the standards established in the Turkish Environmental Laws Controlling Environmental Protection (TELCEP) for the rock quarry industry. Water quality was assessed at four quarries: Dagakcakoy, Armutlu, Akdogan, and Candır. Water quality data were divided into two periods: before quarry operations began (2000) and during the operational period (2013). Site investigations and water quality data have indicated that in terms of water and land resources, natural stone waste may be a source of contamination as a result of inadequate solid and liquid waste disposal. Based on the water quality data, marble quarry activity is shown to be an environmental concern for the following pollutants: organic pollutants, inorganic pollutants, suspended solids, and nutrients.

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Acknowledgments

I am very grateful for the assistance with data requirements, particularly spatial data, provided by personnel at the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. I express also my thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments which have helped to improve this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University, 32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Mehmet Ozcelik

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  1. Mehmet Ozcelik
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Correspondence to Mehmet Ozcelik.

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Ozcelik, M. Environmental pollution and its effect on water sources from marble quarries in western Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 75, 796 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5627-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5627-0

Keywords

  • Marble quarries
  • Environmental protection
  • Pollution
  • Water quality
  • Waste water