Ahmet Sasmaz

Mercury uptake and phytotoxicity in terrestrial plants grown naturally in the Gumuskoy (Kutahya) mining area, Turkey

ABSTRACT This study investigated mercury (Hg) uptake and transport from the soil to different plant parts by documenting the distribution and accumulation of Hg in the roots and shoots of 12 terrestrial plant species, all of which grow naturally in surface soils of the Gumuskoy Pb-Ag mining area. Plant samples and their associated soils were collected and analyzed for Hg content by ICP-MS. Mean Hg values in the soils, roots, and shoots of all plants were 6.914, 460, and 206 µg kg−1, respectively and lower than 1. The mean enrichment factors for the roots (ECR) and shoots (ECS) of these plants were 0.06 and 0.09, respectively and lower than 1. These results show that the roots of the studied plants prevented Hg from reaching the aerial parts of the plants. The mean translocation factor (TLF) was 1.29 and higher than 1. The mean TLF values indicated that all 12 plant species had the ability to transfer Hg from the roots to the shoots but that transfer was more efficient in plants with higher ECR and ECS. Therefore, these plants could be useful for the biomonitoring of environmental pollution and for rehabilitating areas contaminated by Hg.

Bioaccumulation of thallium by the wild plants grown in soils of mining area

ABSTRACT Gümüsköy Ag (As, Pb, and Tl) deposits are one of the largest silver deposits in the country and located about 25 km west of Kütahya, Turkey. This study investigated the accumulation and transport of thallium into 11 wild plants in soil of the mining area. Plant samples and their associated soils were collected from the field and Tl contents were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The mean concentrations in the soil, roots, and shoots of the studied plants were, respectively, 170, 318, and 315 mg kg−1 for Tl. The plants analyzed and collected from the studied area were separated into different groups based on enrichment coefficients of roots and shoots (ECR and ECS). The results showed that because of their higher ECR and ECS, the following could be good bioaccumulators: CY, IS, SL, and VR for Tl. Therefore, these plants can be useful for remediation or phytoremediation of soils polluted by Tl.

Distribution of Chromium, Nickel, and Cobalt in Different Parts of Plant Species and Soil in Mining Area of Keban, Turkey

Abstract The distribution of chromium, nickel, and cobalt in the plant species and soil of the Zn‐Pb‐Ag sulfide deposits of the Keban area in Turkey have been studied to determine both biogeochemical indicators and biomonitoring of environmental pollution. Plants, including Euphorbia, Verbascum, and Astragalus, and their associated soil samples were collected, and the roots and shoots of these plants together with soils were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The three metal concentrations in the shoots of Euphorbia samples were found to be lower than in their roots, whereas the metal concentrations in shoots of Verbascum are higher than in their roots. Although the metal concentrations in soils were found to be lower than the permissible limits for agricultural purposes, the concentrations of these metals in different parts of some plants were observed at excessive/toxic levels. As a result, the roots of Euphorbia and the shoots of Verbascum and Astragalus can be used to biomonitor environmental contamination and as biogeochemical indicators.

Determination of uranium and thorium in soil and plant parts around abandoned Lead–Zinc–Copper mining area

This study reports distribution of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) in soil samples and the roots and shoots of some plants grown around an abandoned lead (Pb)–zinc (Zn)–copper (Cu) mining area. The plants Euphorbia macroclada, Verbascum cheiranthifolium Boiss, and Astragalus gummifer were examined. The determinations of U and Th were carried out by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Uranium and Th levels of the studied soil samples were found to be in the range of 1.1–70.3 mg kg−1 and 2.1–62.1 mg kg−1, respectively. Some results obtained from this study were higher than the mean U and Th concentrations of soils reported around the world. Uranium and thorium concentrations in studied plant roots were in the range of 0.04–16 and 0.08–14.57 mg kg−1, whereas in plant shoots they were 0.02–2.76 and 0.07–12.3 mg kg−1, respectively. It was concluded that the shoots of Astragalus and roots of Euphorbia and Verbascum can be used as both a biomonitor for environmental pollution and biogeochemical indicator because of their higher U and Th concentrations.

The distribution and accumulation of selenium in roots and shoots of plants naturally grown in the soils of Keban's Pb-Zn-F mining area, Turkey.

The objective of this study is to determine the distribution factors and enrichment coefficients between soil and plant parts by studying the accumulation and distribution of selenium (Se) in the roots and shoots of different plants. The plants (9 samples of Euphorbia macroclada, 5 samples of Verbascum cheiranthifolium, 8 samples of Astragalus gummifer) and their associated soil samples were collected from the Keban mining area. The roots and the shoots of these plants, together with the associated soils, were analyzed by ICP-MS. The mean Se value of the contaminated surface soils was found to be two to five times higher than those of previously studied uncontaminated surface soils. Se concentrations of the plant parts were lower than those in their associated alkaline soils, where the plants were grown, except for in the shoots of A. gummifer. Mean Se concentrations in the roots of E. macroclada, V. cheiranthifolium, and A. gummifer were 0.82, 0.22, and 0.47 mg kg−1 on a dry weight basis, respectively, while Se concentrations were 0.29, 0.26, and 2.66 mg kg−1 in the shoots on a dry weight basis, respectively. The enrichment coefficients and the distribution factors of those plants were lower than 1, except for the distribution factors of V. cheiranthifolium and A. gummifer plants. Thus, it appeared that the shoots of these plants could make them efficient bioaccumulator plants for Se because of high distribution factors and enrichment coefficients. Due to such factors, they can also be used to clean or rehabilitate soils and areas contaminated with Se.

Translocation and Accumulation of Boron in Roots and Shoots of Plants Grown in Soils of Low Boron Concentration in Turkey's Keban Pb-Zn Mining Area

Boron (B) concentrations were investigated in both shoots and roots of Euphorbia macroclada, Verbascum cheiranthifolium, and Astragalus gummifer grown in soil of the Keban, Turkey, Lead–zinc–copper–fluoride mining area, which has an arid climate. Soil B concentrations were also investigated. Plants and their associated soil samples were collected and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total B concentrations of soils in the study area were very low (mean: 4.97 mg kg−1) as compared with those in surface soils in other countries. Boron concentrations of plant organs were several times higher than those in their associated soils. The mean values of B concentrations in roots of E. macroclada, V. cheiranthifolium, and A. gummifer were 25, 70, and 69 mg kg−1, respectively, while those in shoots were 75, 115, and 77 mg kg−1, respectively. Results indicate that roots and shoots of plants grown in soils with low B concentrations can be used both as biomonitors for environmental contamination and biogeochemical indicators for B.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the argentiferous Pb–Zn and Cu veins of the Çolaklı́ area, Elazig, Eastern Turkey

Abstract The studied Pb–Zn and Cu veins occur as N–S trending and vertically dipping features in quartz diorite of Coniacian–Campanian Elazig Magmatic Complex. The complex has characteristics typical of arc magmatism and is composed of granitoids and, volcanic, subvolcanic and pyroclastic rocks. The veins are 0.5–2.5 m. thick and their lengths reach up to 750 m. The ore of veins are either massive or disseminated in gangue of carbonate minerals, quartz and barite. The veins display two sets of mineral assemblages: (1) Pb–Zn veins are composed of galena, freibergite, barite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, a Pb–Cl phase and native silver; (2) Cu veins have a mineral association of chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, cubanite, bismuthinite and fahlore. The ore bodies are accompanied by narrow but intensely developed wall rock alterations of argillization, carbonatization and silicification. Chemical analyses of ore samples indicate high Pb, Ag, Sb, Zn, Ba and Cu contents in the veins and high correlation values between Pb–Ag, Pb–Ba, Pb–Zn, Sb–Ag, Cd–Sb and Ba–Cd. The REE geochemistry points to ore deposition under acidic conditions and probably as a product of the final stages of magmatism. Field, microscopic and geochemical data also indicate that the ores are related to the last phases of the magmatic activity of the Elazig Magmatic Complex.

The hematological and biochemical changes in rats exposed to britholite mineral

The present study was to investigate the alteration of biochemical and hematological parameters on the rats exposed to natural radiation caused by britholite mineral (REE, Ca, Na)5 [(Si,P)O4]3(OH,F) within 15 days. Britholite was collected from Kuluncak mining area, Malatya, bearing radioactive 232Th isotope (average 2.68% ThO2), which is rare earth elements found high amounts. Britholite is toxic for the living animal and human and emits the radiation to natural surroundings about 0.8R/h due to its radioactive 232Th properties. In this study, animals were divided to two groups, one groups exposed to 232Th, the other group was served as control group. All animals were fed with same food and water during the experimental study (15 days). After 15 days, the hematologic and biochemical parameters (Na, K, Ca, P, Cl, Mg, glucose, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, albumin, Uric acid, AST, ALT, total protein, Fe, urea and creatine level and hormonal parameters (TSH, T3 and T4)) were analyzed The levels of serum triglyceride in the ionizing radiation group generated by 232Th isotope (p < 0.05) statistically significantly increased compared with control group value. Lymphocytes, TSH, T3 and T4 decreased in the ionizing radiation group generated by 232Th isotope while neutrophils increased in the ionizing radiation group generated by 232Th isotope. The rats exposed to ionizing radiation generated by 232Th isotope caused significant changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters and the most significantly alteration was observed in the thyroid hormonal levels, which might be due to high radiation doses within short time. These results should be kept in mind to maintain healthy life in people who lives in britholite mineral vicinity.

Selenium phytoremediation in wild plants growing naturally in the Gumuskoy Kutahya mining area Turkey

This study investigated selenium uptake and transport from the soil to 12 plant species in the mining area of Gumuskoy (Kutahya), Turkey. Plant samples and their associated soils were collected and analyzed for Se content by ICP-MS. Mean Se values in the soils, roots, and shoots of all plants were 0.9, 0.6, and 0.8 mg kg, respectively. The mean enrichment factors for roots (ECR) and shoots (ECS) of these plants were 0.78 and 0.97. The mean translocation factors (TLF) were 1.33. These values indicate that all 12 plant species had the ability to transfer Se from the roots to the shoot, but that transfer was more efficient in plants with higher ECR and ECS. Therefore, these plants may be useful in phytoremediation in rehabilitating areas contaminated by Se because their ECR, ECS and TLFs are greater than 1.