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The possibility of marine discharge of a negatively buoyant industrial waste was evaluated by a modeling study using Killworth 3-D, which is the first version of the Modular Ocean Model (MOM). The Model was run with the recorded wind direction and speed on the cruise dates and the circulation patterns for surface and subsurface were found to be similar with the current meter measurements. Model scenarios have been set-up in order to estimate the intensity and direction of the currents in the Nemrut Bay under the condition of wind blowing from a definite direction for a long time. MOM model has been run for four major wind directions, each having duration of 10 days and the behavior of the discharge plume in the worst case has been traced. Also, the behavior of the discharge plume in the real case has been estimated by using the wind data of the region. According to the model results, impact of trace elements that compose the discharge effluent is limited both in time and space. It is concluded that trace elements will leave the Bay in a short time due to the short residence times.

Direct discharges of domestic and industrial wastewaters to the coastal zone of Aegean Sea are an important concern. Design of an environmental baseline assessment program prior to any coastal development is a crucial part of the feasibility studies due to the complexity of the coastal dynamics. The background biogeochemical status of the Nemrut Bay’s water column was set to assess the impact of a proposed industrial discharge. The seawater samples were collected on seasonal bases representing winter (mixed water column) and summer (stratified) conditions, and were analyzed for dissolved heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Fe, Mg), dissolved and particulate nutrients (NO 3 - , NO 2 - , PO 4 3- , Si, TOC, TPP, POC, PON), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) contents. The baseline assessment was based on the Turkish regulatory liabilities. The analyses of the samples showed that anthropogenic influence is mostly detected in stations closer to the shoreline. The Nemrut Bay has quite a low level of pollution regarding the impacts of high intensity of industrial and maritime activities in its vicinity are considered.

Surface sediments collected from nine stations in Nemrut Bay, Aegean Sea were analyzed for trace metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Fe, As, and Mg) and grain sizes. The results were compared with the numerical sediment guidelines used in North America as well as literature values reported for similar studies conducted in Izmit Bay and Izmir Bay. The metal levels were also evaluated according to the enrichment factor and contamination factor analyses. The analyses revealed significant anthropogenic pollution of Hg, Pb, Zn, and As in the surficial sediments of Nemrut Bay.