Monitoring environmental pollution in Erzurum by chemical analysis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles

Pollution distribution maps of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) for Erzurum province were developed on the basis of chemical analysis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles collected from randomly selected sampling points during 2 years. The maps show deposition zones for the studied elements and could help in identification of sources and directions of air pollution dispersion. This study indicated that vegetation in Erzurum was greatly endangered by sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), whereas Zn does not pose an immediate threat to vegetation in most of the country's territory. However, in the city center, main and secondary road agglomeration, very high pollution with Pb and Cu could limit growth. Higher levels of SO(2) measured in some areas of Erzurum might be harmful for human and animal health. Results of this study indicated that Scots pine needles were not contaminated by Zn.     

Acute toxicity of alpha-cypermethrin to guppy (Poecilia reticulata, Pallas, 1859)

Alpha-cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used to control pests in domestic, industrial and agricultural situations. Adult male guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata standard test species) were selected for the bioassay experiments. The experiments were performed in four series and the 96-h LC50 value was determined for guppies. The acute toxicity experiments were carried out by static method and behavioral changes in guppies were determined for each alpha-cypermethrin (98% technical grade) concentration. Data obtained from the alpha-cypermethrin investigation were evaluated by the use of probit analysis statistical method and the 96-h LC50 value for guppy was estimated as 9.43 microg/l.     

Application of multivariate statistical techniques in the assessment of surface water quality in Uluabat Lake, Turkey

The application of different multivariate statistical approaches for the interpretation of a complex data matrix obtained during the period 2004-2005 from Uluabat Lake surface water is presented in this study. The dataset consists of the analytical results of a 1 year-survey conducted in 12 sampling stations in the Lake. Twelve parameters (T, pH, DO, [Formula: see text], NH(4)-N, NO(2)-N, NO(3)-N, [Formula: see text], BOD, COD, TC, FC) were monitored in the sampling sites on a monthly basis (except December 2004, January and February 2005, a total of 1,296 observations). The dataset was treated using cluster analysis, principle component analysis and factor analysis on principle components. Cluster analysis revealed two different groups of similarities between the sampling sites, reflecting different physicochemical properties and pollution levels in the studied water system. Three latent factors were identified as responsible for the data structure, explaining 77.35% of total variance in the dataset. The first factor called the microbiological factor explained 32.34% of the total variance. The second factor named the organic-nutrient factors explained 25.46% and the third factor called physicochemical factors explained 19.54% of the variances, respectively.     

Pesticide binding and urea-induced controlled release applications with calixarene naphthalimide molecules by host–guest complexation

ABSTRACT

Three novel calix[4]arene molecule-based 1,8 naphthalimide fluoroionophore for the selective determination of kesoxim-methyl were synthesized and used in pesticide binding studies. The possible interaction between pesticides and fluorescent calix[4]arene molecules was monitored by UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. When compared the studied pesticides, kesoxim-methyl was strongly quenched the fluorescence intensity of upper rim-modified calix[4]arene. UV and fluorescence titration experiments were also studied to determine both the quenching mechanism and stoichiometric ratio consisted in complex formation. Furthermore, pesticide release experiments were also performed with a fertilizing agent as urea by using fluorescence spectroscopy technique.     

Heavy metal content and distribution in surface sediments of the Seyhan River, Turkey

Chemical fractionation of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) was studied using a modified three-step sequential procedure to assess their impacts in the sediments of the Seyhan River, Turkey. Samples were collected from six representative stations in two campaigns in October 2009 and June 2010, which correspond to the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total metal concentrations in the sediments demonstrated different distribution patterns at the various stations. Cadmium was the only metal that was below detection at all stations during both sampling periods. Metal fractionation showed that, except for Mn and Pb, the majority of metals were found in the residual fraction regardless of sampling time, indicating that these metals were strongly bound to the sediments. The potential mobility of the metals (non-residual fractions) is reflected in the following ranking: Pb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr in October 2009 and Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr in June 2010. The second highest proportion of metals was bound to organic matter/sulfides, originating primarily from anthropogenic activities. Non-residual metal fractions for all stations were highest in June 2010, which may be linked to higher organic matter concentrations in the sediment samples with 1.40% and 15.1% in October 2009 and June 2010, respectively. Potential sediment toxicity was evaluated using the Risk Assessment Code (RAC). Based on RAC classification, Cd and Cr pose no risk, Cu and Ni pose low risk, Pb and Zn were classified as medium risk metals, while the environmental risk from Mn was high. In addition, based on the sediment quality guidelines (SQG), the Seyhan River can be classified as a river with no, to moderate, toxicological risks, based on total metal concentrations.     

Effects of spacing and post-planting treatments on survival and growth of Fraxinus angustifolia seedlings

This study was conducted at a bottomland hardwood site with heavy textured soil in Akyazi, Turkey to determine the effect of initial spacing (3.0 x 3.0, 3.0 x 2.0, 2.5 x 1.6 and 2.5 x 1.2 m) and post-planting treatments (untreated check, moving, hoeing, disking, and hoeing plus disking) on early survival and growth of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. One-year old bare-root seedlings (70 +/- 5 cm in height) were hand-planted in December 2004. Through three years survival was perfect with a rate of 98% in all treatments. Spacing and the interaction between spacing and post-planting treatment did not significantly affect seedling growth through three years. However height and diameter growth increased overtime and differed significantly among post-planting treatments. The hoeing and hoeing plus disking treatments gave the highest growth, and resulted in about 31% increase in diameter and height increment, and in total diameter and height about 20%. These results suggest that post-planting treatments on bottomland sites with heavy textured soil give promising results.     

Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Leuciscus cephalus from a stream in southwestern Turkey

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) were measured in water, bottom sediment and tissues (muscle and gills) of Leuciscus cephalus from the Dipsiz stream in the Yatagan basin (southwestern Turkey), the site of a thermal power plant. Results for levels in water were compared with national and international water quality guidelines, as well as literature values were reported for streams and rivers. Comparisons were made of metal concentrations in water and sediment with those in the muscle and gills of L. cephalus caught from the Dipsiz stream. We found that there was metal accumulation in the gills compared to the muscle. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cr in the gills were higher than that in the muscle; however, Cu levels were higher in muscle than that in gills. Concentrations of heavy metals in L. cephalus muscle were below the legal limits for human consumption, although Cr, Pb and Zn levels in the gills were above the limits in the fish taken from the Dipsiz stream. On the other hand, no correlation was found between metal concentrations in water and sediment or between metal concentrations in water and muscle and gills of L. cephalus. A positive correlation was found between concentrations of Cu and Zn in the sediment and in fish tissue, whereas there was no relationship between other metal concentrations in the sediment and water, and muscle and gills of L. cephalus. As with water, Pb and Cd concentrations in particular were higher in sediment than that in background levels. The results show that the pollutants from the thermal power plant may be a source of these elements.     

Performance of butyl rubber–based macroporous sorbents as passive samplers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, two macroporous butyl rubber (BR)–based sorbents prepared in benzene (H-BR) and in cyclohexane (L-BR) with different porosities...     

Analysis of winter thermal comfort conditions: street scenarios using ENVI-met model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Rapid migration to cities and the increasing demand for housing negatively affect living areas. Furthermore, uncontrolled population growth,...     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in feed samples in Burdur Province, Turkey

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of total aflatoxin (AF), ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and fumonisin (FB) in dairy cattle, beef cattle, and lamb–calf feeds. A total of 180 dairy cattle, beef cattle, and lamb–calf feeds (60 samples each) were randomly collected from farms, feed mills, and villages in Burdur province, between September 2006 and August 2007. All samples were analyzed by the competitive Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The most frequent mycotoxin detected was total AF, which was found in 108 samples (60 %) in concentrations ranging from 3.82 to 116.83 μg?kg^?1, followed by DON that was detected in 87 samples (48.3 %), in concentrations ranging from 18.50 to 500 μg?kg^?1. Ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 toxin, ZEA, and FB were found in 84 (46.7 %), 85 (47.2 %), 57 (31.7 %), and 19 (10.6 %) samples, respectively, in concentrations of 1.01 to 15.85 μg?kg^?1 for OTA, 3.85 to 52.36 μg?kg^?1 for T-2 toxin, 2.10 to 29.30 μg?kg^?1 for ZEA, and 2.69 to 4.96 mg?kg^?1 for FB. It was concluded that feed samples in Burdur province were contaminated by mycotoxins, and the levels of total aflatoxin in the samples were considered a risk to animal health.