Tarım Kaynaklı Su Kirliliği: Pestisitler ve Azot Yükünün İzlenmesi

This study examines agricultural pollution in Turkey, focusing on pesticide residues and nitrogen surplus (N-surplus), in comparison with European Union (EU) policies. Despite partial alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis, Turkey lacks an integrated national program for systematically monitoring the environmental impacts of pesticide and nitrogen loads. In contrast to the EU's Nitrates Directive and Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive, regular and transparent data generation on pollution levels in soil, water, and ecosystems remains insufficient in Turkey. This is further evidenced by increasing pesticide violations in Turkish-origin products reported through the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). The study emphasizes that agricultural pollution is not merely an environmental issue but also has significant implications for food security, public health, and international trade. Based on the One Health approach, the study recommends: (i) establishing risk-based national monitoring networks with open data portals; (ii) designating critical basins as Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) equivalents and mandating good agricultural practices; (iii) linking agricultural subsidies to indicators such as integrated pest management (IPM) adoption, reduced pesticide/nitrogen footprints, and monitoring compliance; and (iv) implementing nature-based solutions that combine field-edge vegetated buffer strips with free water surface constructed wetlands. This integrated approach simultaneously safeguards ecosystem services, strengthens the resilience of food systems, and mitigates health risks. The key message is clear: without monitoring, management is not possible; without measurement, improvement cannot be achieved.