Abstract

In this study, samples taken from phosphorous fertilizers, phosphoric acid and phosphate rocks used as raw materials for the production of phosphorous fertilizers were analyzed for their total Cd, Pb, Ni and As contents. The samples were obtained from a total of six fertilizer plants (five private and one state owned) which produce phosphorous fertilizers in Turkey. According to our results, maximum Cd, Pb, Ni and As concentrations of phosphate rocks imported from other countries were determined to be 358, 335, 386 ve 531 mg kg-1 P, respectively. Phosphate rocks were observed to contain the highest concentrations of Cd (358 mg/kg P) and As (531 mg/kg P) compared to other fertilizers. Samples from phosphoric acid, which has replaced phosphate rocks in the production of phosphorous fertilizers in recent years, were found to contain maximum Cd, Pb, Ni and As concentrations of 114, 11, 201 and 81 mg/L P, respectively. The metal contents of phosphoric acid and phosphate rocks showed variations depending on the exporter country. Toxic metal concentrations of fertilizers (TSP, DAP and compose) used in agricultural soils were compared with the current fertilizer metal standards of China and Japan. These results show that the Cd concentrations were above the Standard value of 8 mg/kg fertilizer in 10 of total of 14 fertilizers anayzed, and were close to this value in 2 fertilizers (7,5 mg/kg fertilizer). Pb concentration was about five times above the Standard value of 100 mg/kg fertilizer in 15:15:15 compose fertilizer (510 mg/kg fertilizer). As concentrations were found to be above the Standard value of 50 mg/kg fertilizer in 4 of total of 10 compose fertilizers analyzed. Finally, our results also indicate that the heavy metal concentrations of phosphorous fertilizers are heavily dependent on the heavy metal contents of raw materials (phosphoric acid or phosphate rocks) used in the production of phosphorous fertilizers.

Keywords: Cadmium, phosphate rock, phosphorous fertilizer, soil, toxic heavy metal.

Abstract

The forest vegetation of Gumus Mountain was investigated between the years of 2000 and 2001 from the phytosociological point of view. The study area is close to the transitional area between the Mediterranean, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian phytogeographic regions. The vegetation of the area was analyzed by Braun-Blanquet's method and four plant associations and two subassociations belong to forest vegetation types were described. Associations and their higher units are as follows:

Upperclass: Querco-Fagae Quezel, Barbero, Akman 1950

Class: Quercetea pubescentis (Oberd 1948) Doing Kraft 1955

Ordo: Querco-Carpinetalia orientalis Quezel, Barbero, Akman 1980

Alliance: Carpino-Acerion Akman, Barbero, Quezel 1977

1. Association: Fragario vescae-Pinetum sylvestris ass. nov.

Ordo: Querco-Cedretalia libani Barbero, Loisel, Quezel 1974

Alliance: Ostryo-Quercion pseudocerridis Akman, Barbero,Quezel 1977

2. Association: Trifolio physodis-Quercetum cerridis ass. nov.

3. Association: Dorycnio gracei-Pinetum nigrae ass. nov.

1. subassociation: corylletosum avellanae subass. nov.

2. subassociation: cistetosum laurifolii subass.nov.

4. Association : Pino sylvestris-Fagetum orientalis ass. nov.

Keywords: Gumus Mountain, Kutahya, phytosociology, synecology, Turkey.

Abstract

In this study, changes in Sera aspartate, aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and glucose levels after exposing 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm Cd over periods of 1, 3, 15 and 30 days to Cyprinus carpio (L. 1758) were investigated. Autoanalyser spectrophotometric methods were used in determining sera parameters. On short term exposure, sera aminotransferase and glucose levels in Cd exposed animals are varied compared with control, but the levels returned to normal on prolonged exposure. A 50% decrease was observed in sera glucose levels in day 30 compared with the levels in day 1 in all concentrations of cadmium tested.

Keywords: Aminotransferase, cadmium, Cyprinus carpio, glucose.

Abstract

Environmental pollution caused by toxic heavy metals and wastewater treatment processes in removing dyes from textile effluents have become of increasing importance in recent years. In this study, three algae species (Chara sp., Cladophora sp. and Chlorella sp.) have been used for biosorption of a sentetically prepared hydrolysable dye (Remazol Turkish Blue-G), Zn (II), Cd (II) and Co (II). The biosorption characteristics of algae species have been investigated under different pH levels (2.0-8.0) and under different azo dye and heavy metal concentrations (40-100 mg/L and 20-60 mg/L, respectively) in batch trials. The optimum pH values for the removal of Cd (II), Zn (II) and Co (II) were 6.0, 5.0 and 5.0, respectively for Cladophora sp., 6.0; 5.0 and 6.0 respectively for Chara sp., and 5.0; 6.0 and 5.0 respectively for Chlorella sp. The best heavy metal removal efficiency has been obtained with Cladophora sp. The optimum pH for decolorization study was 2.0 for each algae species and the best azo dye removal efficiency has been appeared with Chlorella sp. Consequently, the investigated algae species were found to be effective in both azo dye and heavy metal removal.

Keywords: Algae, azo dye, biosorption, decolourization, heavy metal removal.

Abstract

Fungi specimens were collected from Balikesir province between 1998 and 2000. Russula queletii Fr. identified among these specimens has been recorded for the first time in Turkey. This species has been described and illustrated. A complete list of species of Russula reported by scientists since the beginning of macrofungal studies in Turkey has been given.

Keywords: Russula, Turkish macromycota.