Fuzzy Logic-Based Evaluation of Physicochemical Water Quality Parameters in the Gökırmak River (Türkiye)

Traditional water quality classification methods rely on fixed threshold values, which limits their ability to reflect the degree of deviation from these boundaries. This rigid approach often results in uncertainties when assessing the ecological status of rivers. Fuzzy logic, in contrast, provides a more flexible framework by incorporating gradual transitions between classes and accounting for the relative importance of parameters. In this study, a fuzzy logic-based classification system was developed to evaluate the water quality of the Gökırmak River (Türkiye) and was compared with the conventional water quality index defined by national standards. Ten physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand) were monitored monthly at six stations for one year. The fuzzy logic model was constructed using triangular membership functions and a Mamdani inference system. Model performance was assessed by comparing fuzzy classification results with expert evaluations based on the Surface Water Regulation. The system achieved 90% agreement, calculated as the ratio of consistent classifications to the total number of cases, demonstrating that fuzzy logic can serve as a reliable tool in water quality assessment. The findings highlight that fuzzy logic-based approaches not only reduce classification uncertainties but also provide a decision support framework for sustainable water resource management. Further research should expand the dataset across longer time periods and incorporate retrospective records to improve generalizability. © 2025, Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.