178 birds species from 39 families belong to 17 order defined in the research, carried out between 2001-2003 in Lake Acarlar in northeastern Marmara region. Passeriformes has been determined to be the most dominant order while Pelecaniformes, Cuculiformes, Caprimulgiformes have been to be the least dominant order in the research area. In two years 73632 individuals have been defined at Lake Acarlar,  having a diversity index of 36,41. The Lake which is a rich ornithological area, faces various problems due to increasing population. Some of these problems are unauthorized hunting, damage to the forest ecosystem, attemps to create agricultural fields and Silk Road Free Zone Project.

Keywords: Bioecology, birds, environmental problems, Lake Acarlar, ornithofauna.

In this study a part of Western Black Sea coastal highway located between Bartin and Amasra was investigated. Landsat 5 TM satellite data of 1987 and 2000 was used for ecological and visual evaluation relating to highway and its close vicinity. PCI Geomatica V9.1 was made use of as the image processing software. Image enrichment was applied with the aim of identifying the terrain groups and increasing the interpretation capability of image. The data belonging to this section were analyzed in geographical information systems and the results were studied in terms of landscape planning. During highway construction, total of 22,03 ha area consisting primarily of beech stands and other species was damaged. 71% of the total road construction area was classified as high sloped. It was determined that landslides occurred in roadsides having high slopes not only endanger the traffic safety, but also damage the landscape aesthetic. The altitude, aspect and climate characteristics of the study area was investigated, and was determined that the current situation of the study area is appropriate for renovation of the vegetation damaged during the highway construction. For this reason, suggestions were presented to protect natural landscape in order that the study area and its vicinity have a close relation with the highway.

Keywords: Geographic information systems, global positioning system, highway, natural landscape, remote sensing.

In this research, three wastewater sludges which were different in origin were amended to soil samples taken from Bursa-Özlüce region at rates equivalent to 100t/ha and an incubation study was performed during a period of 12 months. Soil samples which have similar physical properties were taken from two agricultural lands: nonirrigated and irrigated from polluted Nilüfer-Ayvalý stream. Total and anorganic nitrogen forms and nitrogen mineralization ratios in sludge amended soils were compared and probable differences which might occur due to irrigation were studied.

The results of the study indicated that wastewater sludge amendments apparently increased the total nitrogen contents of both soil samples. The nitrogen mineralization occurred during the first three months were significantly differentiated with respect to the origin of wastewater sludge (p<0.05). At the end of the total incubation period, 48-66% of the sludge organic nitrogen was mineralized in all amended pots.

When the results of the study were evaluated with respect to irrigated and nonirrigated soil samples, it was determined that the nitrate nitrogen concentrations in nonirrigated soils were significantly higher than those in irrigated soils for all sludge amendments (p<0.001). The calculated percentages of organic nitrogen mineralization at the end of 12 months in irrigated and polluted soils (average 54%) were significantly (p<0.05) different from calculated values in nonirrigated soils (average 64%) for all sludge amendments.

Keywords: Mineralization, nitrogen forms, soil pollution, wastewater sludge.

In this study, treatability of olive mill wastewater which had previously been treated physico-chemically together with domestic wastewater has been investigated using respirometric method. Olive mill wastewater (OMW) samples have been taken from a factory which produces olive oil with continuous method in Bursa. Acid cracking and physico-chemical treatability studies of the OMW have been carried out; a variety of coagulants with different dosages have been tested to achieve maximum removals of COD, SS and phenol. At 8000 mg/L alum concentration; 69% COD, 74% phenol and 87% SS whereas at 8000 mg/L ferric(III) chloride concentration; 80% COD, 79% phenol and 91% SS and whereas at 6000 mg/L Ca(OH)2 concentration; 80% COD, 85% phe-nol and 86% SS removals were achieved. When OMW was mixed with activated sludge (SS= 3200 mg/L) at 1/1 (V/V), 1/2 (V/V) and 2/1 (V/V) ratios, decreases in respiration activity of 67%, 79% and 75% have respectively been observed. Among the three, only for the 1/2 (V/V) ratio of OMW/AS mixture in which OMW had previously been treated by lime, alum and ferric (III) chloride showed increases in respiration activities of 81%, 9% and 25%, respectively. Therefore, it can be said that OMW which was previously treated chemically with lime, alum and ferric (III) chloride, can be co-treated with domestic wastewater at a 1/2 (V/V) ratio. Among the three chemicals, lime could be preferred due to better removal efficiencies of COD, SS and phenol and lower cost.

Keywords: Domestic wastewater, olive mill wastewater, physico-chemical treatment, respirometric method.

The aim of presented study is the investigation of clay minerals utilization in the wastewater treatment. The chemical treatability studies were carried out by the refined packing type kaolinite (hydrate aluminum silicate). By testing kaolinite as coagulant and flocculant separately within the experimental studies, optimum doses were determined, and on the basis of treatment efficiencies, results were compared with the chemicals such as alum, lime and ferric chloride which are widely used. The removal of organic matter was determined according to Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) parameter. Higher treatment efficiencies were obtained when kaolinite was used as flocculant. For the domestic wastewater, 82% organic matter, 70% suspended solids matter, and 23% oil-grease removals were achieved when alum was used as coagulant and kaolinite was used as flocculant. The turbidity of wastewater was removed completely, and insignificant differences were observed in pH parameter. For industrial wastewater samples, the highest efficiency was obtained when ferric chloride was used as coagulant and kaolinite was used as flocculant. In this case, 99% organic matter, 83% suspended solids matter, and 85% oil-grease removals were obtained. For the industrial wastewater treatment, the usage of kaolinite as coagulant yielded also efficient results, 96% COD removal was obtained.

Keywords: Chemical oxygen demand, chemical treatment, coagulant, flocculant, kaolinite.