Impact of the cascade hydropower construction (HPC) on water quality of the Seyhan River, Turkey

Abstract

Cascade hydropower construction is a series of hydroelectric power stations located on different sections of river. Hydropower constructions HPC in the environment have both positive and negative effect. HPCs are works that have brought enormous benefits to providing electric energy, water storage, controlling floods, irrigation, transportation, human communities, and areas of recreation, etc. These engineering works can be providing large economic development in the regions where they are located. But, dam construction converts the natural stream flow to human control. This paper summarizes the impacts of cascade HPC on water quality in the Seyhan River. Water quality data were collected and data were divided into two stage: before HPC 1995-2008 and during HPC construction 2009-2014 . Dam construction negatively affects water quality based on water quality data. The analysis results were compared with maximum permissible limit values recommended by Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation TWPCR standards. The contents of all chemical and physical parameters are higher before construction, and water pollution was observed at HPC construction site. Also, biological oxygen demand, chloride, nitrite nitrogen, total dissolved solids and total coliform bacteria were found to be above TWPCR.