Environmental Characteristics in a Fish Farm with Copper Alloy Cage System in the Dardanelles

This study was conducted in a copper alloy cage fish farm to observe the environmental properties of the marine system. Water quality parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, chlorophyll-a and inorganic nutrients such as NO2+NO3, NH4, PO4 and SiO2 were observed between May 2014 and September 2014 in the study area. The observed results were compared with acceptable limits pronounced in international organizations such as EPA and FAO, and national organizations such as WPCR and RTMAF as well as the previous studies conducted in the region. According to the results, a decrease in dissolved oxygen and pH was observed at the farm while increases in inorganic nutrients except for ammonia were recorded. TSS values showed significant positive correlation with TP, indicating that TSS was supported by fecal pellets or unused fish feed in the cage system. MDS analysis results showed that TSS, chlorophyll-a and TP were similar throughout the sampling period. The study showed that copper alloy cage system did not have any negative impact on the marine system, compared with the limits provided by FAO, EPA, WPCR and RTMAF as well as with previously conducted studies in the region.