Abstract

Corylus avellana var. avellana (Corylaceae) has a widespread distribution in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey and is very valuable in the food industry and plays an important role in the economy of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. In this study, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations along a topographical gradient (from sea level to 550 m) and through the growing season (from April to October) were investigated. In addition to this, foliar resorption was also studied as resorption efficiency (_RE) and resorption proficiency (_RP) which is defined as the proportion of nutrients withdrawn from leaves and the N and P concentrations in senesced leaves, respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found with respect to leaf N concentration and SLA during the growing season although leaf P concentration, leaf N/P ratio and SLA were significantly changed during the growing season. Except for N_RE, P_RE, ARP, and P_RP all of the leaf traits were significantly changed along the topographic gradient. The N/P ratio which is an indicator of N- and P- limitation decreased during the growing season and along the topographic gradient. The N and P concentrations in the senescent leaves of C. avellana was below 50 μg cm^-2 and 3 μg cm^-2, respectively along the topographic gradient and this species is N and P-proficient according to the threshold values. Soil properties along the topographic gradient also changed.

Keywords: Corylus avellana var. avellana, nitrogen, phosphorus, resorption efficiency, resorption proficiency.

Abstract

The influence of tree species on forest soil properties has for a long time been studied. Recently, the role of soil carbon (C) pools for mitigation of greenhouse gases has highlighted the need for more knowledge on a tree species effects on soil organic C. In the temperate zone of Turkey, the effects of six different tree species; Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea L.), Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis L. Karst), Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra Arnold), Turkish Fir (Abies bormulleriana Mattfeld), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Taurus Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) on the carbon pools of the top mineral soil (0-30 cm) and the forest floor were investigated in adjacent stands.

Carbon pools of the forest floor varied from 11 Mg ha^-1 beneath the Oriental Spruce to 20 Mg ha^-1 beneath the Scots Pine. The C contents of the forest floor were similar among species and there was no significant difference in C mass of forest floors among species. In the 0-30 cm mineral soil layer, the highest soil organic C pool was beneath the Taurus Cedar and the lowest was found in the native Sessile Oak forest. Total C pools (forest floor + 30 cm mineral soil) increased in the order Quercus petraea < Abies bornmulleriana < Picea orientalis < Pinus sylvestris < Pinus nigra and Cedrus libani  from 77 to 126 Mg ha^-1. The results suggest that tree species differ in C sequestration rates within the forest floor and mineral soil, respectively, but there is little evidence of major differences in the combined forest floor and mineral soil after five decades.

Keywords: Carbon, Carbon Sequestration, Common garden experiment, Forest Floor, Forest Soil, Plantation.

Abstract

In our study, the toxic effects of thallium on Gammarus pulex a sensitive indicator organism for environmental pollution was studied for cytological changes. According to studies carried out with thallium acetate, this chemical was observed to lead to cellular changes in the hepatopancreas of the Gammarus pulex. In our studies, by using EPA acute toxicity tests, the LC₅₀ value was found to be 0.244 mg/L. The LC₅₀ value was calculated using the EPA Probit Analysis Program. The cytological changes to Gammarus pulex when exposed to thallium was examined with the Transmission Electron Microscope. Due to thallium intoxication, degenerative changes were frequently present in the cellular membranes; there were changes in the mitochondria as partial or total loss of cristae, there was  an increase in the number of lipid droplets, lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles were found to have increased in the hepatocytesand the nucleus showed significant shrinkage and deformation. We also observed fragmentation and dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)and the number of lesions also increased in the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes  and  in the RER. A lot of lipid droplets were also observed in the hepatocytes.

Keywords: thallium, Gammarus pulex, cytopathology, hepatopancreatic cell.

Abstract

In this study, variation in specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf mass per area (LMA) of evergreen Phillyrea latifolia and decidious Quercus cerris var. cerris were examined according to directional, seasonal and climatical parameters during a vegetation period. Calculations were done in both area and mass basis to determine if there was a difference in results or not. The field study was carried out in Q. cerris forest in Samsun, northern Turkey. Leaves were collected monthly from individuals chosen in different directions. SLA and LMA of both taxon were calculated and evaluated statistically.
As a result, except June in P. latifolia, there wasn’t significant difference in SLA and LMA due to direction. However, There were seasonal variations in SLA and LMA for both taxon. Maximum SLA was estimated in spring, May, maximum LMA was estimated in fall, September in both taxon. SLA and LMA of Q. cerris var. cerris were related with temperature, not related with fall and relative moisture, of P. latifolia weren’t related with temperature, fall and relative moisture. Compairing results calculated in area and mass basis, there wasn’t any differences in Q. cerris var. cerris; in P. latifolia number of variation groups increased in mass basis. Correlation between SLA and dry mass, LMA and dry mass were examined; it was found that correlation between LMA and biomass was most linear in both taxon. Thus, it is thought that evaluation in mass basis is more suitable for variation studies related with ecological factors.

Keywords: Quercus cerris var. cerris, Phillyrea latifolia, SLA, LMA, variation.

Abstract

In this study, from July to September 2007, habitat type and characteristics of Microtus levis was investigated. Of the caught 98 samples, 76 (52 ♂♂+24 ♀♀) were dead individuals and 22 (13♂♂+9 ♀♀) were alive from eleven localities (Seki, Yazır, Korkuteli, Bozova, Kızılkaya, Kozan, Kocaaliler, Bozdoğan, Gebiz, Kasımlar and Derebucak). Also all of this localities are first records for species.  There were statisticaly significant between sexes for snaptrapping but no differences for livetrapping (χ²_snaptrapping = 5.34, df= 1, p=0.02 ve χ²_livetrapping = 0.37, df= 1, p=0.54). On the other hand, there were strong positive correlations between the capture frequencies in traps (snap and livetrap), also population density and the altitude of localities (r_snaptrapping=0.750; n=11; p=0.031, r_livetrapping=0.918; n=11; p=0.041 and r_density=0.912; n=11; p=0.001).  M. levis lives in wet places and near the brook and river at colonies. In the areas, observed that nesting in with slopes of 31-60° at sunny south-facing areas. 64 of 76 dead and 20 of 22 alive individuals were caught on the south-facing (south, southeast, and southwest) exposures.  Also 94.05% of population density in South-facing areas.

Keywords: Antalya, ecology, exposure, Microtus levis, Rodentia.

Abstract

In this study; temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity (EC) and secchi disc parameters were in situ measured in water samples, collected seasonally, of Afsar Dam Lake, situated in Manisa province. Chlorophyll-a, ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrite (NO₂^-), nitrate (NO₃^-), ortho-phosphate (PO₄^-3) analyses were conducted. Trophic status was detected according to Carlson Trophic Index and OECD criteria. According to the findings; the highest chlorophyll-a average value was reached in autumn with 39.1 µg/L. Secchi-disc value varied between minimum 26 cm and maximum 312 cm. Correlation coefficient among secchi-disc and chlorophyll-a values was -0.4. Water temperature was minimum 11.7°C and maximum 29.5°C. Amonnium values were minimum 0.13 mg/L and maximum 1.35 mg/L. Nitrite values were minimum 0 mg/L and maximum 0.025 mg/L. Nitrate values were minimum 0 mg/L and maximum 1.80 mg/L. Ortho-phosphate value was minimum 0 mg/L and maximum 1.16 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen was minimum 5.2 mg/L and maximum 10.7 mg/L. pH value was minimum 7.08 and maximum 8.53. Electrical conductivity (EC) was minimum 472 µmhos/cm, maximum 588 µmhos/cm. A total of 37 phytoplankton and 19 zooplankton taxa were determined. Of these, 7 belong to Cyanobacteria, 12 to Ochrophyta, 5 to Charophyta, 8 to Chlorophyta, 2 to Dinoflagellata, 2 to Cryptophyta, 1 to Euglenozoa, 11 to Rotifera, 5 to Crustacea and 3 to Protozoa. Dam lake water was eutrophic according to Carlson trophic index and OECD.

Keywords: Afsar Dam Lake, Manisa, physico-chemical parameters, plankton, trophic status.

Abstract

Some water quality properties (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia-nitrogen, total phosphorus, suspended solid matter, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand) in effluents of medium (200 tons year^-1) and big scaled (2500 tons year^-1) with sedimentation ponds rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792) farms which are established on Esen Creek (Fethiye, Muğla) have been monitored monthly basis between October 2009 and September 2010. Furthermore, for each farm the nitrogen and phosphorus load is estimated for per ton of fish produced and per ton of feed used.

During the research period, the determined water quality features have generally shown significant statistical differences according to effluents of medium and big scaled trout farms (p<0.05). Concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (0.19 – 0.38 mg/L), total phophorus (0.13 – 0.64 mg/L) and supended solid matter (14.75 – 127.0 mg/L) in farm’s effluents are higher than the limit values of the relevant regulations in different countries and biochemical oxygen demand values (2.20 – 5.62 mg/L) are lower than the target values mentioned in the international legal regulations. It is estimated that in the big scaled farm (FCR: 0.80) the nitrogen load for one ton of fish produced is 59.08 kg and 4.01 kg phosphorus load; in the medium scaled farm (FCR: 1.25) the nitrogen load for one ton of fish produced is 106.25 kg and phosphorus load is 10.75 kg.

Some suggestions are proposed in the light of quantitative findings obtained during the present research.  

Keywords: Suspended solid matter, biochemical oxygen demand, effluent, land-based trout farms, total phosphorus.

Abstract

In this study were determined the concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in sediment and waters collected from Buyuk Menderes River and Dilek Peninsula Buyuk Menderes Delta in coast of Aegean Sea for seasonally using by gamma spectrometry. The concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in sediment and surface water samples varies between 0.35±0.03 and 1.30±0.15 Bq kg^-1, 1.10±0.12 and  1.85±0.16 Bq m^-3, respectively.

Keywords: Buyuk Menderes, ¹³⁷Cs, sediment, water.

Abstract

This study was conducted from 2002 through 2007 with no studies in 2004, to evaluate 8 metal contaminants (As(total), Cd, Cr(total), Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of the Nilüfer Stream, where intensive industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities take place. The results were then compared with national and international water quality guidelines. The effect of the wastewater treatment facilities that were established during the measurement period on water quality was also taken into account. It was determined that the Nilüfer Stream water quality along the basin has declined rapidly year to year. Intensive wastewater discharge causes a waste dominating flow in the stream and has caused the water quality to steadily decline over time. The total chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) levels in the basin outlet of the Nilüfer Stream water were evaluated as “high polluted water” according to the national standards in the classification of the quality of the surface water. The mean metal concentrations in the Nilüfer stream water are generally higher than the international guidelines. As a result, metal contaminant pollution of the Nilüfer Stream was found to be connected to human activities in its catchments.

Abstract

The most active ingredient against insects, azadirachtin, a tetranortriterpenoid, manifests antifeedant, growth regulatory and fecundity-reducing properties in insects.

Effects of azadirachtin extracts obtained from ripe fruits, seeds, trunk and flower of Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica on total glycogen amount of Galleria mellonella was studied.

Total glycogen synthesized were measured when the larvae reached their last larval stage after feeding them during 3^rd stage with 1.00, 2.00, 4.00 and 6.00 ml/100 g azadirachtin compared with control insects while 33%, 42% and 50% decrease were observed in individual fed with 2.00, 4.00 and 6.00 ml/100 g azadirachtin containing feed respectively.