ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Applying Isotope Techniques and Modeling
to Identify the Nitrogen Source
in Göksu Delta
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Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University
Submission date: 2018-04-30
Final revision date: 2018-08-08
Acceptance date: 2018-08-16
Online publication date: 2019-04-29
Publication date: 2019-05-28
Corresponding author
Olcay Gülçiçek
mersin university, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University, 33340 MERSİN, Turkey
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(5):3179-3195
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ABSTRACT
Göksu Delta is an important wetland area in Turkey and has been declared a first-degree site and
has been included in the Ramsar list. Agricultural activities continue for 12 months of the year due to
the favorable climate in the delta and these activities are the most important income source for
the people living in the region. Investigations to date have identified the presence of nitrogen pollutants
in delta groundwater. However, studies have yet to be conducted on the source of nitrogen contaminants.
This study has identified source(s) of nitrogen through the combined use of isotope methods
and groundwater modeling.15N and 18O stable isotope analysis were done for identifying the source(s)
of nitrogen pollution. We used a three-dimensional Visual MODFLOW model to simulate the alluvial
aquifer around the delta. After establishing the groundwater fate and transport model (MT3DMS),
we investigated the source of nitrate pollution by particle tracking analyses (MODPATH). The results
of δ15N showed that nitrogen in delta groundwater was greatly affected by agricultural activities, but
was mainly sourced from domestic wastewater. Similar to isotopic results with the particle tracking
model, 5 years ago it was determined that nitrate ions came from domestic wastewater of Silifke city
and surrounding settlements that lack wastewater treatment facilities.