A Chemical Reaction to A Physical Impact: Lake Bafa Wetland Ecosystem (Turkey) Case

Abstract

Lake Bafa is one of the biggest coastal wetlands, which is located at the southwestern part of Turkey. Its lagoon-like character makes it sensitive to hydrochemical changes. Here, in October 2006, mass fish mortality occurred and this disaster attracted public attention. Thousands of dead fish were observed at the northeastern shores of the lake. Every institution undertook some researches and made evaluations regarding their responsibilities. However an overall systemic assessment was necessary to diagnose. Then the Ministry of Environment and Forestry initiated a comprehensive work taking geomorphology, biology, hydrochemistry into consideration together with the actual human use. At the beginning, the general opinion was that the main reason of this disaster was the heavy metal load of the lake. Conversely, our findings proved that this disaster happened because of a human induced chain reaction being completed with a local oxygen deficiency.