A Study on the Trophic Status of Two Contrasting Lakes (Lake Karagöl and Lake Mogan)

Abstract

The main aim of this study carried out at Lake Mogan, which is an important recreation area for Ankara/Turkey, and Lake Karagöl, which is used as a picnic area in Ankara/Turkey, between May 2009 and June 2009 to determine the trophic status of the lake, was approaching the conclusion with different ways using various parameters. In this respect, water samples were collected from stations determined for the lakes; Secchi depth, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured; vertical and horizontol plankton samples were taken; bottom mud was sampled. Water samples were analysed for nitrogen, phosphor and chlorophyll a proportions. Planktonic and zoobenthic organisms which are dominant for lakes were determined. Trophic status of the Lake Mogan is considered to be eutrophic under the illumination of the recent evulations and the studies accomplished before. Although Lake Karagöl has eutrophic characteristics, it had lower values of physicochemical parameters when compared to Lake Mogan.