Ibrahim Ertugrul Yalcin

Heavy metals accumulation causes toxicological effects in aquatic Typha domingensis Pers

Typha domingesis is a herbaceous plant growing around the swaps, lakes, and riverbeds. In this study, concentrations of heavy metals and mineral elements in root, stem, leaf, and sediment samples of T. domingensis were analyzed. Samples were collected from four different locations around Karasu River (Uluköy, Beşsaray, Saztepe, Kilimli) as one of the most important tributaries of the River Euphrates. Additionally, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels and lipid peroxidation features of the plant samples were investigated. Variations between the sampling locations and the correlation between the parts of plants were statistically evaluated. As revealed by the data, there were no significant differences between chlorophyll and carotenoid levels or lipid peroxidation in samples collected from different locations. Al showed the highest concentration in sediments, and K was the highest in samples obtained from different parts of the plants that were studied. It was observed that T. domingesis was acceptable as a good biomonitor plant for different metals.

The usability of Juniperus virginiana L. as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution in Bishkek City, Kyrgyzstan

Uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization and industrialization due to increase of population and rapid industrial development have created severe environmental problems in Kyrgyzstan during the last few decades. In this study, Juniperus virginiana, a dioecious species, was employed in order to make assessment of the heavy metal pollution rate in the area and of the heavy metal pollution impact on the mineral nutrient status of the plant. For this study, leaf (washed and unwashed) and bark samples of J. virginiana, and its co-located soil samples were collected from eight different stations, all in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, in 2012 vegetation period. The standard procedures were used and the determinations of heavy metal and nutrient element contents (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn) in all samples were done using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. According to our measurements, J. virginiana was found to be capable of accumulating a considerable amount of metals and the mineral nutrient uptake pattern was altered because of metal deposition in the plant, which showed a contamination risk in the area.

Mineral Nutrient Acquisition by Cotton Cultivars Grown under Salt Stress

ABSTRACT Physiological responses were investigated in two cotton cultivars grown at various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) in order to determine the degree of the tolerance of the cultivars to salt stress and understand the physiological responses with respect to utilization of mineral nutrients. After germination of the seeds of cotton cultivars, they were transferred into standard pots with 210 g sterilized compost and watered with 30 ml Hoagland’s solution containing different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mM) of NaCl at two-day intervals for 3 months. Growth parameters were measured and the mineral nutrient analyses were done using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltman, MA). It was observed that plant growth and mineral nutritional status of both cultivars were altered extensively in those grown with NaCl. Excess NaCl reduces the concentrations of certain mineral nutrients and increases that of others, the patterns depending on the mineral nutrient and the plant part and varieties being compared to the control.