『Abstract
In most countries of the world, groundwater and surface water
are at a serious risk of pollution due to chemicals used in agricultural
activities. The present study examined whether such a risk exists
in Eskipazar, Turkey and the surrounding area, which covers a
surface area of 696 km2. Nitrate pollution (NO3) was observed in waters discharging from the
Orenick（Oの頭に¨） Formation, consisting of loose
conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone, siltstone, and claysone levels;
from the Yoruk（oとuの頭に¨） member of the Orenick（Oの頭に¨） Formation consisting of limestone, from
areas where the Orenick（Oの頭に¨） Formation
and Yoruk（oとuの頭に¨） member are located together,
and from alluvium. Agricultural is practiced in these areas, and
the waters discharging from these formations are used as drinking
water and for domestic purposes. In particular, periodically varying
levels of pollutants, such as B, Pb, Hg, Se were detected in wells
drilled in Orenick（Oの頭に¨） Formation featuring
a high NO3 concentration. The concentrations
of S, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Sr, Y, I, Ba, and U in these
waters are also slightly higher than other cold waters in the
study area. In addition to the NO3 pollution,
high levels of Ca and SO4 pollution was observed
at a well drilled in alluvium. In addition, some trace element
concentrations identified in the wells drilled in the Orenick（Oの頭に¨） Formation were higher than the average
values at geothermal and/or mineral springs in the study area.
The study area has an adequate sewage system and has no sources
of pollution, such as mineralization, industrial center, waste
disposal area, etc. Therefore, it is believed that the main causes
of NO3 and trace element pollution are fertilizers
and pesticides used in agricultural activities. Water-rock interaction,
usage period of fertilizers and pesticides, amount of precipitation,
groundwater level, usage of elements by plants, mobility of elements,
pH value of the environment, redox potential, adsorption/desorption,
biochemical processes, etc. are thought to be the causes of the
periodical variation of some trace element concentrations observed
in these waters.
Keywords: Groundwater pollution; Agricultural activity; Hydrogeology;
Eskipazar (Karabuk（uの頭に¨）)』
Introduction
Materials and methods
Geology
Hydrogeology
NO3 pollution
Trace element pollution
General evaluations
Conclusions and recommendations
Acknowledgments
References