A critical review of the water quality classification system in Turkey: A case study on Meric Basin

An 11-year period of water quality data, collected by the Directorate of Sate Water Works of Turkey are thoroughly analyzed for the purpose of implementing water quality classes to water resources in the Meric Basin, located on the European land mass of Turkey. Water quality parameters are divided into four groups as physical, organic, inorganic, and bacteriological. The quality class of each group is evaluated by taking into account the poorest quality of any parameter in the group, after which a quality rank is assigned to the sampling station and the waterbody in question. This method of water quality classification imposed by the Turkish Water Quality Act, is then criticized with respect to a statistical approach.     

Pomacentrid Population Dynamics on Singapore Coral Reefs

Spatial distribution of the pomacentrids on Singapore reefs was assessed visually, while temporal change was studied within permanent quadrats established on a patch reef between 4 Jul and 30 Nov 1989. Partitioning of space, both horizontally and vertically, on the reef was observed in 15 species. The population of territorial damselfishes on the reef flat was less stable than on the reef slope over time, due to the seasonal occurrence of dense stands of the brown macroalgae, Sargassum. Space was found to be a limiting factor at the reef flat due to the high density of pomacentrids found there. Food resource was the limiting factor on the reef slope, where low light intensity due to sedimentation and lack of suitable substrate inhibited turf algal growth. Multi-specific recruitment of juveniles occurred in April and between mid-October and early November.     

In vivo methylation of guanine by the organophosphorus insecticide tetrachlorvinphos

The in vivo methylating capability of the organophosphorus insecticide tetrachlorvinphos, assayed by the formation of 7-methyl-guanine in mouse liver, was investigated. Following intraperitoneal injection of male mice with different doses of the 14C-insecticide, labelled at the OCH3 groups, the total and specific radioactivity of nucleic acids and protein were determined. The 14C-labelling in the isolated macromolecules reached its maximum 24 hours following administration of the insecticide. Analysis of the acid hydrolysate of DNA and of RNA on Dowex-50 WX-12 revealed the presence of (7-14C) methylguanine. At maximum 14C-labelling, the amount of radioactive 7-MeGu, calculated as fraction of total dose, was around 9 X 10(-5) and 39 X 10(-5) for DNA and RNA, respectively.     

Neutronensterne als Quellen kosmischer Röntgenstrahlung

Unlike single neutron stars which appear as radio pulsars, neutron stars in close binary systems emit intense X-radiation. These superdense objects are of interest not only as the end stages of stellar evolution but also as physical laboratories which are dominated by superstrong gravitational and magnetic fields and in which matter densities and temperatures attain extreme values.     

Microbial degradation of trifluralin by Aspergillus carneus, Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma viride

3H-Trifluralin was synthesized by condensation of 3H-4-chloro-3,5-dinitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluorotoluene with di-n-propylamine. After incubation of trifluralin with Aspergillus carneus, Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma viride for 10 days, a small percentage (less than 10%) of unchanged herbicide was recovered in the extractable fraction. This indicates a fairly rapid degradation of the herbicide by the fungal species. Other than trifluralin, the culture medium contained at least five labelled products: 2,6-dinitro-N-n-propyl-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine; 2,6-dinitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine; 2-amino-6-nitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine, 2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl phenol and a major polar product which constituted more than 50% of the total extractable transformation products. A pathway, which simulates that of aerobic degradation of the herbicide in soil, is suggested for the microbiological degradation of trifluralin.