Phytoplankton distribution during two contrasted summers in a Mediterranean harbour: combining automated submersible flow cytometry with conventional techniques

Present study was conducted in rapidly growing city Islamabad, and surface soils were collected from three major land cover types viz., built-up, drain side, and green areas. A total of seven physicochemical parameters and 11 metals were determined in surface soils. Factor analysis based on principal component analysis explained total variance of 68.0%, 64.5%, and 60.2% of three land cover types and showed high loadings for major elements (Mg and K) in built-up and green area and Fe in drain side. Top soil pollution index was carried out by using geo-accumulation index and metal pollution index (MPI₆). Concentration of major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K) in surface soils is derived by parent material, whereas concentration of Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn were mainly related with anthropogenic sources. Geostatistical methods such as kirging identified hotspot areas of metal contamination by Pb, Ni, and Zn in built-up areas influenced mainly by vehicular emissions and waste disposal. The results stresses that land clearing should be avoided to reduce contamination and management of urban soils.     

Real-Time PCR Detection of Norovirus in Mussels Collected from the Bosphorus in Istanbul,Turkey

Norovirus (NoV) is recognised as one of the most common causes of foodborne infections, and shellfish are a well-documented source of this virus. The presence of NoV in shellfish has not previously been investigated in Turkey, and hence the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of human NoV genogroups I and II in mussels collected from the Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 320 mussels representing 110 samples originating along the Bosphorus coast were collected from fish distributors. RNA was extracted using the RNeasy Mini Kit and real-time RT–PCR performed using primers specific for NoV genogroup I and II. Amongst the 110 samples, 5 (4.5%) were found to be positive for NoV genogroup II by SYBR Green assay; no genogroup I was detected. A positive signal was obtained by SYBR Green for NoV Genogroup II in mussels collected in October, November and December 2008, and February and July 2009. Only four out of five SYBR Green positive samples could be confirmed by the use of a NoV GII probe-based real-time RT–PCR. The average count and SD of Enterobactericaeae, E. coli and sulphide reductase anaerobic bacteria in PCR positive mussels were 3.56 log ± 0.96 log, 2.32 log ± 0.77 log and 1.70 log ± 0.56 log, respectively. This study shows that NoV Genogroup II is present in mussels collected from the Bosphorus, Istanbul, and may constitute a risk to human health.     

A GIS-based model for rating natural protection areas according to natural protection priorities

There has been a major urban shift of population in Turkey over the last century. Most people lived in rural areas until 1960, but now more than half live in urban areas. This trend has continued over the last 20 years, as families moved further away from city centres to find houses in the country, and this has caused land use to change rapidly. In decision-making studies to protect nature areas, rating and assessment of ecological data by scientific verification is difficult due to the huge volume and diversity of data. Therefore, the search for the most suitable and applicable method to achieve physical planning based on ecological understanding has been sought. The necessity for numerous parameters to be taken into account has stimulated the use of geographic information systems (GIS). This study assesses the usefulness of a GIS-based model in the protected area of Kaynaklar County, to the south of the city of Izmir. Existing cultural and natural land-use types, as well as soil, hydrologic, geologic and geomorphologic data layers (future classes) were gathered from field observation and using Landsat and IKONOS satellite images, and transferred to a database according to GIS rules. Index values were determined by taking impact on attributes of natural protection as a priority and these were attached to each feature class. Layers of data were merged by spatial intersection methods and new polygons were created for both cultural and natural features. A three-grade final map of the study area was generated using total index values of each new polygon.     

Effect of numerical schemes on advection terms for large eddy simulation of inclined dense jets

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - Discharged jet from desalination plants has harmful effects on the surrounding environment so that it is essential to investigate its behavior in detail. The aim of...     

Comparison of phytotoxic effects of bio-synthesised copper oxide nanoparticle and ionic copper on Elodea canadensis

This study aims to investigate the phytotoxic effects of both Punica granatum peel extract directed copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) and copper nitrate on Elodea canadensis. The CuONPs were characterised by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The ratio of photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and copper accumulation in the E. canadensis was determined to evaluate the phytotoxicity of the CuONPs and copper nitrate on E. canadensis. The significant improvements were observed in the growth rate of E. canadensis, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid contents, and total soluble protein in the E. canadensis when it was exposed to the CuONPs. Additionally, CAT and APX activities and MDA contents were enhanced by accumulation of the CuONPs into the E. canadensis. These results suggested that oxidative stress was alleviated, owing to the result of an increase in the antioxidants such as CAT and APX, with an increase in the concentration of the CuONPs. Finally, the findings of this study show that copper nitrate has many negative effects on E. canadensis compared bio-synthesised CuONPs.     

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.     

Pyrolysis of commingled waste textile fibers in a batch reactor: Analysis of the pyrolysis gases and solid product

The main object of this study was the investigation of the thermal recycling of commingled waste textile fibers, with the aim of the production of useful end products. Differential scanning calorimetry/Thermo gravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) was applied to determine the thermal degradation characteristics of the commingled waste textile fibers and there are two peaks located at the temperature ranges of 299–360°C and 399–500°C. Commingled waste fiber was pyrolyzed in a nitrogen atmosphere in relation to three different temperatures (500, 600, and 700°C), heating rates (25 and 50°C min^?1), and retention times (15 and 30 min). The effect of the experimental conditions such as pyrolysis temperature, heating rates, and retention time on the formation of char and gas--liquid products was investigated and the product yields were determined from the rate of the weight loss. The highest conversion rate 82.9 wt.% liquid--gas product and 17.1 wt.% char product was achieved at 700°C. Pyrolysis gases were taken for every 7, 15, and 25 min and were analyzed for major components such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, and H₂ by gas chromatography. The pyrolysis char called as carbon black derived from the pyrolysis of commingled waste textile fibers was analyzed for a range of properties, including the elemental analysis, moisture content, ash content, calorific value, and trace metal analysis.     

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.     

Evaluating the seasonal changes of some water quality parameters of the Buyuk Melen River Basin (Duzce, Turkey)

In this study, some heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Zn, Fe, Cr, Cu), suspended sediment, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), cyanide, phenol, fecal coliform and total coliform water parameters were determined in the streams (Kucuk Melen, Asarsuyu, Ugursuyu, Buyuk Melen and Aksu) of Buyuk Melen Watershed that provides drinking water to Istanbul in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. Measurements of water quality parameters were done monthly in eleven separate stations (4 in Kucuk Melen Stream, 1 in Asarsuyu Stream, 1 in Ugur Stream, 1 in Aksu Stream and 4 in Buyuk Melen Stream) from August 2001 to August 2002. The seasonal changes in water quality parameters were evaluated statistically. The results, the parameters, COD, BOD, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cr, Cu, cyanide, fecal coliform, total coliform and suspended sediment showed significant differences among seasons and streams (ANOVA; P <0.05). According to Turkish Standarts (TS) 266, European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the maximum values of each parameter in streams within the Buyuk Melen watershed are recorded and evaluated in this study.     

Investigation of acute toxicity and the effect of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) herbicide on the behavior of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758; Pisces,Cyprinidae)

A 96-h LC(50) values of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], a common contaminating agricultural herbicide, were determined on the adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758; Pisces, Cyprinidae). The study was conducted in two stages using 130 carp. The data obtained were statistically evaluated by the use of the EPA computer program based on Finney's Probit Analysis Method and a 96-h LC(50) value for C. carpio L., 1758 was found to be 63.24 mg/l in a static bioassay test system. 95% lower and upper confidence limits for the LC(50) were 55.03 and 71.92 mg/l, respectively. Water temperature was 17+/-1 degrees C. Behavioral changes of the above mentioned species were examined for various herbicide concentrations.