Investigation of Soil Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Trace Elements, and Anions Due to Iron–Steel Plant Emissions in an Industrial Region in Turkey

The spatial distribution of several air pollutants emitted from iron–steel industries in Hatay-Iskenderun industrial region in Turkey was investigated by measuring their concentrations in soil. Collected soil samples (n?=?20) were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs; i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated naphthalenes), anions, and trace elements. Generally, all measured POP concentrations and marker trace elements for iron–steel industry (Zn, Pb, and Cu) were high relative to those reported previously for rural and urban areas around the world, and they were comparable to those measured recently in a similar industrial region (Aliaga, Izmir, Turkey). For all investigated POPs, elements, and anions, the highest concentrations were measured at points located north of the iron–steel industries where their emissions are transported by the prevailing southerly winds. The spatial distribution and levels of POPs, elemental, and anionic concentrations indicated that the iron–steel plants in Hatay-Iskenderun region are important sources for these pollutants. Statistically significant relationships between several organic and inorganic pollutants further confirmed that they are emitted by common sources (iron–steel plants).     

Prevalence of Surra among camels and horses in Jordan

The prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection among camels and horses in Jordan was studied using thick blood smears and inoculation techniques with mice and rats. A total of 437 camels and 83 horses from four climatic zones were surveyed. In addition, 40 donkeys, 32 cattle and 35 goats in contact with infected camels and horses were also tested in the same way. Clinical disease was evident in 8.2% of the camels (36 out of 437) and in 9.6% of the horses (8 out of 83). Infection was limited only to the Sweama area on the Dead Sea (within the warm desert-climatic zone), with prevalence of 30.5% and 33.3%, respectively, for camels and horses. Donkeys, cattle and goats examined were all free from T. evansi. Clinically affected camels were positive by both, thick blood smear and mouse and rat inoculations. Rat and mouse inoculations revealed (X²=3.2, df=1, exact p=0.07) greater number of positive cases in horses than those revealed by thick blood smears. T. evansi-infected camels and horses showed all the clinical signs known for Surra. In addition, it was observed that 100% of infected camels stared at the sun.     

Hypodermosis in cattle slaughtered in Nigde province,Turkey<Superscript>*</Superscript>

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hypodermosis in cattle between January and June 2005 in Nigde province, which is located in the middle of Turkey. A total of 1336 cattle, which were slaughtered in Nigde, were investigated for Hypoderma larvae. The 68 out of 1336 cattle (%5.08) were found positive for Hypoderma larvae. A total of 536 Hypoderma larvae were found in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back of infested cattle. The 489 out of 536 larvae (%91.23) were identified as Hypoderma bovis and 47 out of 536 (%8.77) as H. lineatum. Number of Hypoderma larvae counted on single infested cattle varied between 1–45 and the mean number of Hypoderma larvae per cattle was 7.88 (536/68). Hypodermosis was recorded for the first time in cattle from Nigde. ^*This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Nigde University (FEB 2004/07).     

Enhancement of the biological resistance of wood by phenylboronic acid treatment

Phenylboronic acid (PBA) was tested in terms of boron leachability from treated wood. In addition, the fungal and termiticidal efficacy of PBA-impregnated sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood was tested against the decay fungi Coriolus versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel. and Tyromyces palustris (Berk. et Curt) Murr., representing white-rot and brown-rot fungi, respectively, and the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Ion chromatography analysis of hot water extracts of treated wood before and after leaching indicated that PBA is considerably resistant to water leaching, and saturation of the treatment solution increased the fixation ratio of boron in wood, whereas boric acid could not remain in wood impregnated even with the saturated solution. Decay test results revealed the excellent bioactive performance of PBA. Wood treated with 0.34% PBA solution was found resistant to both decay fungi, even after running-water leaching for 10 days and treatment with 1.00% PBA completely inactivated the Formosan subterranean termite for the leached specimens. Weight gain levels were 0.18% w/w (0.46kg/m³) and 0.99% w/w (2.49kg/m³) for these concentration levels, respectively, after being leached by running water. Contrary to the general belief that boron is a slow-acting toxicant against termites and unable to prevent mass loss of treated wood, PBA acted rapidly, and the mass loss caused by termites was low.This study was presented in part at the 47th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April, 1997     

Management alternatives for improved durum wheat production under supplemental irrigation in Syria

In the Mediterranean zone, efforts to optimize combinations of supplemental irrigation (SI), improved varieties, nitrogen (N) and sowing dates aim to improve and stabilize cereal yields and maintain quality, especially for durum wheat. Thus, a 4 year field study (1992/1993 to 1995/1996) on a deep clay soil in northern Syria assessed the impact of SI (rain-fed, 1/3, 2/3 and full SI) combined with variable N application rates (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha⁻¹) and sowing date (early, normal, late) for four improved durum wheat varieties adapted to rain-fed and irrigated conditions. As rainfall and evapotranspiration varied over the 4 years, the amount of SI water required also varied. Yields varied with the season, and the main factors, except variety, were significant. Delaying sowing from November to January reduced yields and response to both SI and N. With irrigation, crop responses were generally significant up to 100 N ha⁻¹, whereas the optimum response for rain-fed conditions occurred with 50 kg N ha⁻¹. Limited SI (1/3) significantly increased yields, but almost maximum yields were obtained by 2/3 of full SI. Water- and N-use efficiencies were greatly increased by SI, with little variation among varieties. However, irrigation and delayed sowing decreased grain protein levels, which were partially compensated for by added N. A similar effect was observed for kernel vitreousness. Models developed from the response data can facilitate the potential transfer of these findings. Thus, in most growing seasons, minimum irrigation during the winter growing season, combined with appropriate fertilization, can enhance wheat output and yet maintain grain quality.     

The protective effects of Vitamin C and Trolox on kinematic and oxidative stress indices in rainbow trout sperm cells against flower‐like ZnO nanoparticles

This study investigated the protective effects of 1 mM Vitamin C and 1 mM Trolox on kinematic and oxidative stresses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sperm cells against flower‐like zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NP, 1 mg/L) in vitro, during 2 hr. Trolox showed protective effects on all kinematic parameters measured for sperm cells against ZnO‐NPs, whereas Vitamin C only affected angular path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN) and amplitude of lateral displacement of the sperm cell head (ALH). Although ZnO‐NPs reduced total glutathione (TGSH) and catalase (CAT) compared with the control, there were positive treatment effects for both Trolox and Vitamin C on antioxidant capacity. Conversely, while ZnO‐NP increased the rate of malondialdehyde (MDA) lipid peroxidation, it decreased following antioxidant therapy. This research suggests that Trolox and Vitamin C play a protective role for rainbow trout sperm exposed to ZnO‐NP.     

The Effects of Fermentation Process with Acid and Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains on the Biogenic Amine Formation of Wet and Spray-Dried Fish Silages of Discards

The impacts of fermentation process with acid and lactic acid bacteria strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Streptococcus spp.) on the biogenic amine formation of wet and spray-dried fish silage obtained from whole gibel carp (Carassius gibelio, freshwater discard), whole ponyfish (Equulites klunzingeri, seawater discard), and processing by-products of seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were investigated. The results showed that among biogenic amines, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, serotonin, dopamine, and agmatine were predominant in all groups. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in biogenic amine concentrations of wet and spray-dried fish silage were observed. Raw fish and wet silages contained histamine level lower than the allowable limit of 50mg/kg, indicating the use of raw fish material with low microbial counts. In addition, no histamine was detected in spray-dried fish silage, except for seabass by-products with a trace quantity of histamine (<0.04mg/100g). The starter culture used for silage preparation did not effectively retard formation of biogenic amines compared to acid silage. It can be concluded that there is potential use of fermented fish silage as a protein source and possibly as a probiotic ingredient for animal feed in both wet and dry form.     

Uni- and Multi-Variate Assessment of Drought Response Yield Indices in 10 Wheat Cultivars

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal with its productivity being highly affected by drought. In the current study, 10 wheat cultivars were...