The Bacteriological Risk Transported to Seas by Rivers; the Example of Çırpıcı River, Istanbul, TR

Abstract

The identification of bacteriologically characters of coastal areas is important due to the fact that bacteriological pollution,transported to seas via rivers is a potential threat for ecosystem, animal and human health. In this study, bacteriological load ofÇırpıcı River transporting to Sea of Marmara from Zeytinburnu location in Istanbul and its relationship with variable environmentalparameters investigated. The levels of fecal coliform (FC), total coliform (TC), fecal streptococci (FS) and total heterotrophic aerobicbacteria (HAB) tested using Membrane Filtration Technique in the surface water samples. Seawater temperature, pH, salinity,dissolved oxygen were recorded in-situ using multiparameter (YSI556 MPS). While the highest TC detected to be 13x107 CFU/100ml, the highest FC was 14x106 CFU/100 ml. The lowest FC recorded as 223 CFU/100 ml. While the highest FS level was determinedto be 73x105 CFU/100 ml, the highest HAB was 14x106 CFU / ml. Variable environmental parameters recorded for seawatertemperature between 10.3-29.5˚C; pH 6.0-8.38; dissolved oxygen 0.34- 10.71 mg /l and salinity 16.50-26.57 psu during the studyperiod. Significant correlation between the temperature and FC, FS and HAB detected. The levels of bacteria detected at the spotwhere the Çırpıcı River poured into Sea of Marmara were found higher than the station at the 800 m open of Sea of Marmara. It wasdetermined that the Çırpıcı River carried 103 CFU bacterial loads at 100 ml for TC to Sea of Marmara. The FC and FS counts carriedto Marmara Sea from Çırpıcı River recorded to be 102/100 ml and 103/100 ml, respectively. The fact that FC and TC levels wereabove the limit values during the study indicate the stability of pollution sources in the region and that the Çırpıcı Stream carries abacteriological risk in terms of human, animal, and environmental health.