Ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern im Euphrat und Tigris Einzugsgebiet

Aim

The aim of this IHP funded project is to enable Turkish scientists to regularly monitor the ecological water quality of streams and rivers in the Euphrates and Tigris catchment area.

This should support a peaceful and sustainable use of water resources in this area. The water quality monitoring is expected to provide a scientific platform on which a constructive cooperation of Turkish, Syrian, Iraqi and German scientists can be developed. Thereby the long-term transfer of knowledge into the Euphrates and Tigris region will be supported.

The first step towards a sustainable use of water resources is to analyse and evaluate the ecological water quality. To achieve this aim, we plan to develop a water quality monitoring program in cooperation with Turkish scientists. An important prerequisite for a successful implementation of a monitoring program in the near future is the inclusion of local scientists and stakeholders in the planning process.

Therefore, in the first phase of the project the focus lies on establishing working relationships with Turkish universities and scientists. In the future, this basis can be used for training programs and cooperation projects.

First Results

To establish working relationships, we selected a small sub-catchment for a pilot study. The on-site research in this pilot area allowed us to come into direct contact with scientists, evaluate possible water quality problems, and analyse working conditions in the region. Thereby a first assessment of the water quality effects of different land uses within the catchment area should be accomplished.

To evaluate the ecological water quality, the benthic invertebrate community of both streams was sampled and analysed. In addition, the chemical qualities of water and sediments were analysed. All field work of the pilot study was done in cooperation between the University Koblenz-Landau and the University Tunceli.