Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

This study includes studies to determine water quality by examining the pollution level, interbasin spread, seasonal changes in physical, chemical and microbiological properties of natural spring waters of Karacadağ, Diyarbakır province and the interaction of natural spring water with pollutant sources. Periodic analyses were conducted on water samples in the field and in the laboratory in the study area. Based on the findings obtained as a result of the analyses, the evaluation of natural spring waters for drinking, agricultural and industrial use was made and the causes of pollution of natural water resources were revealed. The investigation revealed a statistically significant correlation between pH and electrical conductivity (EC) values in the natural spring waters of Karacadağ. The link was identified in 43.7% of the samples. The correlation between pH and EC values in natural spring waters serves as a significant indicator for assessing the chemical characteristics and contamination levels of the water. Microbiological analyses conducted on natural spring waters in the Karacadağ region showed that high loads in indicator organisms such as fecal streptococci and coliform bacteria put the waters at risk of fecal contamination and therefore their use as drinking water poses serious risks to public health. The data obtained show that the microbiological quality standards determined by Turkish Standards, the World Health Organization and the European Union are exceeded and therefore the microbiological safety of the waters cannot be ensured.