The Preliminary Search Results of Cyanobacteria Flora of Thermal Areas in Sarayköy (Denizli), Turkey

Abstract

Series of horst and graben features represent the wide spread tectonic activity of Aegean region. As the result, many thermal springs are existed at this area. Thermal springs and hot water treatments have been used since early Roman times. When we have a look on the history of thermal waters, we can see the importance in human health, and there are various usage areas attracting attention such as developing beauty and health. Today, Thermal tourism sector is an important tourism industry in Turkey and especially these sectors has been developing rapidly in Denizli. So, it is necessary to examine and put forward their biological structure in a scientific point of view. The aim of this study carried out in Sarayköy (Denizli) and its surroundings is to determine the relationship between the temperatures of thermal waters and the Cyanobacteria species and to find out the physical and chemical properties of these thermal waters. In this study, samples are gathered from 14 stations in 3 different thermal springs (Umut, Inaltı and Çavuşoglu) in Sarayköy district (Denizli) in a period of 12 months. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 7 genera and 30 species belonging to 4 families were identified. As a result, with detecting thermal Cyanobacteria species is expected to contribute to for the thermal algal flora of Turkey.