QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SURFACE WATER IN THE AKCADAG BASIN (MALATYA), TURKEY: A CASE STUDY FOR IRRIGATION AND DRINKING PURPOSES

摘要

The quality of irrigation water has a considerable impact on what plants can be successfully grown, the productivity of these plants, and water infiltration and other soil physical conditions. Irrigated agriculture is dependent on an adequate water supply of usable quality. To avoid problems when using poor quality water supplies, there must be sound planning to ensure that the quality of water available is put to the best use.The usage of irrigation water by Polat and Sürgü Streams is one of the most important factors in respect to the intensification of agricultural activities in the Akcadag Basin. Responsible and accurate use of these factors by means of GIS is of vital importance. This study aims to visualize waters defined to be qualified to be used for irrigation or drinking purposes with the aid of GIS and to ensure the sustainable use of surface waters in the Akcadag Basin.The most common measure to assess irrigation in water is called the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). The SAR defines sodicity in terms of the relative concentration of sodium (Na) compared to the sum of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) ions in a sample. The SAR assesses the potential for infiltration problems due to a sodium imbalance in irrigation water. The highest value was found in SAR station 2 (0.473) while the lowest value (0.027) was calculated in the station 7. The selected stations should be monitored in wet and dry seasons in order to provide a more accurate interpretation of the area and to ensure proper use. It is possible to aim to protect water resources and make people reach these resources in a healthy way, to create a sustainable water management policy by means of different monitoring tools to be used for the monitoring of the area.