Evaluation of surface water quality characteristics by using multivariate statistical techniques: A case study of the Euphrates river basin, Turkey

The surface water quality of the Euphrates river basin in Turkey are evaluated by using the multivariate statistical techniques known as factor analysis (FA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis. When FA was applied to the water quality data obtained from the 15 different surface water quality monitoring stations, two factors were identified, which were responsible from the 86.02% of the total variance of the water quality in the Euphrates river basin. The first factor called the urban land use factor explained 44.20% of the total variance and the second factor called the agricultural use factor explained 41.81% of the total variance. MDS technique showed that electrical conductivity (EC), percent sodium (Na%) and total salt are the most important variables causing difference in the water quality analysis.     

Vegetation as an Indicator of Soil Properties and Water Quality in the Akarçay Stream (Turkey)

In this study, the relationship among water quality, soil properties, and plant coverage in the region of the Akarçay stream was examined. Correlation analyses were carried out between soil samples taken from each of four plant communities in the Akarçay basin and water in the Akarçay stream. The four plant communities in the study area are as follows: Limonium lilacinum (Boiss. et Bal.) Wag., Alhagi pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Desv. Peganum harmala L., and Hordeum marinum Huds. subsp. marinum. B, Cl, EC, K, Mg, Na, pH, and SO₄ data from both soil and water samples were subjected to statistical analysis, and significant correlations were obtained (p < 0.05). These correlations indicated that the chemical features of the soil had a major effect on water quality. The important parameters were B, Cl, EC, K, Mg, Na, pH, and SO₄ for Limonium lilacinum communities; Ca, K, and pV for Peganum harmala; and B, Cl, Mg, pH, and pV for Alhagi pseudalhagi. There were also statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) among the parameters examined. These findings strongly suggested that these plant communities can be used as indicators for soil chemistry and water quality.     

Developing and Implementing Multiple-Use Forest Management Planning in Turkey

This paper explains briefly the conceptual framework of an ecosystem-based multiple-use forest management planning focusing on biodiversity conservation and participation. Some results from a case study were documented to realize the implementation of the concept. A strong liaison between the related institutions and major stakeholders and the effective use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) are necessary. Effective participation is evident only with the involvement of enthusiastic and skillful stakeholders. A case study of ??neada, Turkey, supported the idea that participation as communication has better possibilities to promote multiple-use forest management than participation as information gathering. Primary challenges relate to the effectiveness of conservation program, availability of coherent biodiversity data, capacity building; awareness, training, and common understanding of biodiversity and protected area concept; coordination among the related institutions and stakeholders; and willingness and enthusiasm of authorities to accept and implement the concept.     

Earthquake-related chemical and radioactivity changes of thermal water in Kuzuluk-Adapazan,Turkey

The movements of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) caused two devastating earthquakes within an 87-day interval, epicentered on G?lcük-Izmit (17 August, 1999) and Düzce-Bolu (12 November, 1999). The Kuzuluk geothermal area (KGA) is located in the middle of the epicenters and the distance between the geothermal area and the fault zone is less than 5 km. Hot water samples were collected from two thermal boreholes that supply hot water to the Kuzuluk thermal complex. The water samples taken prior to and after earthquakes were analysed by Neutron Activation and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Particularly, increase in total a and total beta activities, in the content of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu and decrease in the content of Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn, and Co are significant. The highest values are 75, 35, 12 and 65 ppb for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cu, respectively. The lowest values are 45, 55, 15, 135 and 6 ppb for Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn and Co, respectively.     

Bioaccumulation of cesium-137 by biota in different aquatic environments

Macroalgae, isopods and fish species were exposed to 137Cs in brackish and sea water conditions for 18 days to determine radionuclide concentration factors. The concentration factors of 137Cs in brown shrimp and polychaete species were also investigated under brackish water conditions. At equilibrium, the concentration factors in macroalgae, isopod, fish, brown shrimp and polychate samples were found to be 2.5, 33, 2, 16 and 11 at 16 degrees C in brackish water conditions, respectively. The accumulation rate in macroalgae species was influenced by temperatures between 6 degrees C and 16 degrees C. The bioaccumulation of 137Cs in isopods at low salinity regime was increased significantly. At the same time, the bioaccumulation rate in macroalgae species also showed slight increase at low salinity. On the other hand, the bioaccumulation rate of 137Cs in the fish species in sea water was higher than in brackish water.     

Experimental studies on the biokinetics of 134Cs and 24Am in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

The biokinetics of 134Cs and 241Am in mussel species contaminated through water pathway has been studied under laboratory conditions. At equilibrium, the concentration factors for 134Cs and 241Am in small and large mussels were 2.80 and 2.57 and 200 and 150, respectively. The concentration factor of 134Cs in soft parts of the mussels was significantly high than whole body and shell tissue. However, the concentration factors of 241Am in soft parts and shell tissue samples were found to have similar rates. The depuration kinetics of the radionuclides were described by two-component exponential models. The biological half-lives at slow components between small and large mussels did not change significant, and were found to be 46.8-46.5 and 72.2-75.3 days for 134Cs and 241Am. The depuration kinetics of 134Cs and 241Am in soft parts described a single-component exponential model and the biological half-lives were found to be 29.4 and 41.1 days, respectively.     

Environmental analysis of Turkey’s aggregated and sector-level CO2 emissions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Turkey’s ecological footprint has recently been increasing, while its biocapacity has been decreasing. Furthermore, the country’s CO2...     

Using of leaching reactant obtained from mill scale in hydrometallurgical copper extraction

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study, which covered a set of leaching processes at a few stages, investigated the inclusion of iron found in mill scale, which is a waste of the...     

Evaluation of a fetus at risk for dihydropteridine reductase deficiency by direct mutation analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) is an enzyme involved in the recycling of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄), which is an obligate co-factor of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. DHPR deficiency is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the QDPR gene. DHPR-deficient patients are diagnosed by a lack of response to a low phenylalanine diet and by severe neurological symptoms. Final diagnosis is made by measurements of neurotransmitters and pterin metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine, in addition to DHPR enzyme activity, which can be assessed in whole red blood cells. Treatment of DHPR deficiency can be difficult and the outcome is not always satisfying, even if all treatment strategies are followed. Therefore prenatal diagnosis is of great importance in affected families. Prenatal diagnosis is possible by measuring DHPR activity in different cell types but this is time consuming. More than 25 different mutations have to date been identified in the QDPR gene and direct identification of a mutation in a fetus would be easy and rapid. We have developed a method based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for the analysis of the QDPR gene. The method is useful for rapid and simultaneous scanning of all exons and flanking intronic sequences of the QDPR gene. We describe the first prenatal diagnosis conducted using this method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.