IMRHMCSR

The Yüreğir Plain, formed by the deltas of the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers, is the largest delta plain in Turkey with an area of 125 thousand hectares.  The district of Yüreğir is located on the east bank of the Seyhan River, within the metropolitan city of Adana. It is the second largest district and municipality in Adana with its over 400.000 population. It is known for its rapid and informal urbanization, agricultural activities, and industrial zones. However, these developments have led to several environmental challenges, particularly regarding river pollution, water loss, and air quality. 
The district’s shoreline on the Seyhan River is approximately 15 kilometers long. This shoreline is one of the most important sections of the river within the city and faces both urban development and environmental problems. The water quality of the Seyhan River on the Yüreğir shore is sometimes adversely affected, especially due to industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals and domestic wastes. In addition, construction and unplanned urbanization along the coastline can also damage the ecosystem of the river and lead to biodiversity loss. 

• Industrial Pollution Hotspot: Yüreğir is home to various industries, including textiles, metal processing, and chemical production, which are known sources of heavy metal pollution. These contaminants pose a significant risk to water quality, agriculture, and public health. 
• Agricultural Dependency: The Seyhan River is a critical water source for irrigation in Yüreğir, supporting thousands of hectares of farmland. Heavy metal contamination can bioaccumulate in crops, posing a risk to food safety and local livelihoods. 
• Public Health Concerns: Studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals through contaminated water and food can lead to neurological disorders, kidney damage, and developmental issues in children. With a population of over 430,000 residents in Yüreğir, addressing water pollution is crucial for community health and safety. 
• Environmental Impact: The Seyhan River feeds into the Mediterranean Sea, meaning that untreated industrial discharge from Yüreğir can contribute to marine pollution and biodiversity loss beyond local borders. The project will help mitigate these environmental risks through sustainable pollution control measures. 

The project aims to combat heavy metal pollution in Turkey’s Seyhan River by piloting an advanced sensor for real-time water quality monitoring, inspired by the successful Use Case 3 from Turin, Italy. By detecting harmful heavy metals, this initiative addresses significant environmental and public health concerns while safeguarding the river’s biodiversity and ecosystem. Over nine months, the project will be implemented in three stages, culminating in the development of a comprehensive roadmap to prevent and mitigate heavy metal contamination. 

Data collected from the installed sensors will guide the formulation of targeted pollution reduction strategies, policy recommendations, and long- term monitoring solutions. Close collaboration with local government, environmental NGOs, municipal water treatment companies, community members, and business representatives will ensure that the roadmap reflects both scientific insights and stakeholder perspectives. By providing actionable strategies for improved water quality and public health protection, this initiative contributes to the broader goal of sustainable water resource management in Turkey and beyond. 

Expected results:

1. Real-Time Heavy Metal Monitoring – Successful deployment and operation of  an advanced mobile heavy metal sensor in the Seyhan River, providing real-  time data on key contaminants (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) to improve environmental  monitoring and response.
2. Identification of Pollution Hotspots – Analysis of collected data will help  pinpoint contamination sources, trends, and pollution hotspots, supporting  targeted interventions and regulatory measures.
3. Development of a Data-Driven Roadmap – Creation of a strategic pollution  prevention and mitigation plan, including recommendations for regulatory  action, industrial compliance, and water treatment improvements to ensure  long-term water quality protection.
4. Enhanced Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer – Strengthened cooperation  between local authorities, researchers, and industry stakeholders, fostering  expertise in sensor-based environmental monitoring and ensuring the  scalability of the model to other polluted water bodies.
5. Improved Public Health & Environmental Protection – By addressing heavy  metal contamination, the project will contribute to reducing exposure risks,  protecting local communities, and preserving aquatic ecosystems, supporting 
   sustainable water resource management in Turkey and beyond.