Oil pollution level in sea water and sediments of Turkish Straits (Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) and Golden Horn during 2004-2007

Abstract

Abstract In this paper oil pollution levels were determined in sea water and sediments of Turkish Straits (Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles) and additionally Golden Horn during 2004-2007. Oil concentrations were varied in examined area. The highest oil levels found in sea water were: in 2004 in Bosphorus B7 at 10 m depth 1512.73 μg/l, in 2005 at K0 therm., 3173.67 μg/l, in 2006 at KK 1307.55 μg/l and in 2007 at B13 therm., 1243.61μg/l. The highest oil amount found in sediments were: in 2004 in Sea of Marmara at MKC 1238.40 μg/g, in 2005 at MK 2763.76 μg/g, in 2006 at MK 1859.10 μg/g.The cause of high pollution levels is: for Bosphorus heavy ship traffic, for Sea of Marmara illegal discharge of ballast water from tankers came to Izmit refinery and sewage of urban/industrial water and for Golden Horn heavy boats traffic. It was observed in some stations a relationship on pollution levels between sea water and sediment.