Assessment of Water Quality Related To Lead/Zinc Mines in Umurbey Dam Basin, Northwestern Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine hydrochemical properties of the water resources and to assess the potential environmental consequence of the mining activities in Koru and Tesbihdere lead/zinc mine districts, and investigate detrimental effects caused by mining activities on the water resources and sediment quality in Umurbey dam basin (Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey). Cadmium, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations in sediments downstream of Tesbihdere and Koru mines and in Umurbey dam sediments are higher than average values of world river sediments.