The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.

The objective of the study was to speciate and to evaluate various soil Cr species in relation to soil properties. Surface soil samples were taken from outskirts of the Cr factory and applied a sequential extraction procedure. Extracts analyzed in atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Chromium was partitioned into exchangeable Cr, Cr bound to carbonate, Fe-Mn oxide, and organic matter, and residual Cr. The most common form of chromium was in the residual form, followed by the organic form. Very low concentrations of Cr were found in the exchangeable and carbonate forms. Mean values of the extractable forms of Cr, expressed in percentages of total soil contents were: 0.94% exchangeable, 0.80% carbonates, 2.13% oxides, 7.08% organics and 89.81% residual. Multiple regression analysis of analytical data revealed that soil pH, contents of organic matter and calcium carbonate were the most important factor controlling the distribution of Cr forms determined.

Field and greenhouse experiments were carried out to study the response of rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Aslim), triticale ( Triticosecale Wittmark. cv. Presto), two bread wheats (Triticum aestivum L, cvs. Bezostaja-1 and Atay-85) and two durum wheats (Triticum durum L. cvs. Kunduru-1149 and C-1252) to zinc (Zn) deficiency and Zn fertilization in severely Zn-deficient calcareus soils (DTPA-Zn=0.09 mg kg 1 soil). The first visible symptom of Zn deficiency was a reduction in shoot elongation followed by the appearance of whitish-brown necrotic patches on the leaf blades. These symptoms were either absent or only slight in rye and triticale, but occurred more rapidly and severely in wheats, particularly in durum wheats. The same was true for the decrease in shoot dry matter production and grain yield. For example, in field experiments at the milk stage, decreases in shoot dry matter production due to Zn deficiency were absent in rye, and were on average 5% in triticale, 34% in bread wheats and 70%, in durum wheats. Zinc fertilization had no effect on grain yield in rye but enhanced grain yield of the other cereals. Zinc efficiency of cereals, expressed as the ratio of yield (shoot dry matter or grain) produced under Zn deficiency compared to Zn fertilization were, on average, 99% for rye, 74% for triticale, 59% for bread wheats and 25% for durum wheats.

Goksu Delta is a specially protected area in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The delta is classified as a Wetland of International Importance according to the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Increases in population have recently taken place in this region due to heavy agricultural activities and discharges of anthropogenic wastes. In the present study, frequencies of erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities such as, micronuclei (MN) and nuclear buds (NB) were investigated in peripheral blood of three fish species; Clarias gariepinus (Catfish), Alburnus orontis (Bleak), and Mugil cephalus (Mullet) from Akgol (AG) and Paradeniz (PD) lagoons of Goksu Delta. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb) were also measured in the water, sediment samples. MN and NA frequencies were elevated in fish from AG and PD lagoons in comparison with those from upstream regions. The results of this study indicate that the lagoons of Goksu Delta contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the agricultural activities and to the discharge of anthropogenic waste waters.

The interaction between cadmium (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 kg/da) and zinc (0, 1.5 and 3 kg/da) in barley (Hordium vulgare L. cv. Karatay-94) alone and in combination at tillering stage (3-4 leaf) grown under field conditions showed no phytotoxic symptoms. Cd application did not affect the grain yield of barley. Cd concentrations in flag leaf and grain increased marginally with increasing level of Cd but decreased with increasing Zn application. Cd and Zn application caused insignificant changes in N and K concentrations in barley. But P concentration in grain at especially Zn 0 dose decreased with increasing level of Cd application. The effect of different doses of Cd and Zn on grains Cd content was found to be significant. Increased Cd doses generally decreased Zn content in grains.

The Berdan River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea on the east coast of Turkey, receives discharges of industrial and municipal waste. In the present study, the in vivo piscine micronucleus (MN) test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of water samples collected from different locations along the Berdan River. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed in the laboratory for 2, 4, and 6 days, and micronuclei were evaluated in peripheral blood erythrocytes, gill cells, and caudal fin epithelial cells. A single dose of 5 mg/L cyclophosphamide was used as a positive control. In addition to micronuclei, nuclear abnormalities (NAs), such as binucleated cells and blebbed, notched, and lobed nuclei, were assessed in the erythrocytes, and chemical analyses were carried out to determine the amount of heavy metals in the water samples. MN and NA frequencies were significantly elevated (up to 2-to 3-fold) in fish exposed to river water samples taken downstream of potential discharges, and the elevated responses in gill and fin cells were related to the concentration of heavy metals in the water. MN frequencies (expressed as micronucleated cells/1,000 cells), in both treated and untreated fish, were greatest in gill cells (range: 0.80-3.70), and generally lower in erythrocytes (range: 0.50-2.80), and fin cells (range: 0.45-1.70). The results of this study indicate that the Berdan River is contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the discharge of wastes into the river water. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 48:000-000, 2007. V V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.

The objective of the study was to speciate and to evaluate various soil Cr species in relation to soil properties. Surface soil samples were taken from outskirts of the Cr factory and applied a sequential extraction procedure. Extracts analyzed in atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Chromium was partitioned into exchangeable Cr, Cr bound to carbonate, Fe–Mn oxide, and organic matter, and residual Cr. The most common form of chromium was in the residual form, followed by the organic form. Very low concentrations of Cr were found in the exchangeable and car-bonate forms. Mean values of the extractable forms of Cr, expressed in percentages of total soil contents were: 0.94% exchangeable, 0.80% carbonates, 2.13% oxides, 7.08% organics and 89.81% residual. Multiple regression analysis of analytical data revealed that soil pH, contents of organic matter and calcium carbonate were the most important factor controlling the distribution of Cr forms determined.

Field and greenhouse experiments were carried out to study the response of rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Aslim), triticale (Triticosecale Wittmark. cv. Presto), two bread wheats (Triticum aestivum L, cvs. Bezostaja-1 and Atay-85) and two durum wheats (Triticum durum L. cvs. Kunduru-1149 and C-1252) to zinc (Zn) deficiency and Zn fertilization in severely Zn-deficient calcareus soils (DTPA-Zn=0.09 mg kg 1 soil). The first visible symptom of Zn deficiency was a reduction in shoot elongation followed by the appearance of whitish-brown necrotic patches on the leaf blades. These symptoms were either absent or only slight in rye and triticale, but occurred more rapidly and severely in wheats, particularly in durum wheats. The same was true for the decrease in shoot dry matter production and grain yield. For example, in field experiments at the milk stage, decreases in shoot dry matter production due to Zn deficiency were absent in rye, and were on average 5% in triticale, 34% in bread wheats and 70%, in durum wheats. Zinc fertilization had no effect on grain yield in rye but enhanced grain yield of the other cereals. Zinc efficiency of cereals, expressed as the ratio of yield (shoot dry matter or grain) produced under Zn deficiency compared to Zn fertilization were, on average, 99% for rye, 74% for triticale, 59% for bread wheats and 25% for durum wheats. These distinct differences among and within the cereal species in susceptibility to Zn deficiency were closely related to the total amount (content) of Zn per shoot, but not with the Zn concentrations in shoot dry matter. For example, the most Zn-efficient rye and the Zn-inefficient durum wheat cultivar C-1252 did not differ in shoot Zn concentration under Zn deficiency, but the total amount of Zn per whole shoot was approximately 6-fold higher in rye than the durum wheat. When Zn was applied, rye and triticale accumulated markedly more Zn both per whole shoot and per unit shoot dry matter in comparison to wheats. The results demonstrate an exceptionally high Zn efficiency of rye and show that among the cereals studied Zn efficiency declines in the order rye>triticale>bread wheat>durum wheat. The differences in expression of Zn efficiency are possibly related to a greater capacity of efficient genotypes to acquire Zn from the soil compared to inefficient genotypes.

The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg ÿ1 soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.

Goksu Delta is a specially protected area in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The delta is classified as a Wetland of International Importance according to the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Increases in population have recently taken place in this region due to heavy agricultural activities and discharges of anthropogenic wastes. In the present study, frequencies of erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities such as, micronuclei (MN) and nuclear buds (NB) were investigated in peripheral blood of three fish species; Clarias gariepinus (Catfish), Alburnus orontis (Bleak), and Mugil cephalus (Mullet) from Akgol (AG) and Paradeniz (PD) lagoons of Goksu Delta. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb) were also measured in the water, sediment samples. MN and NA frequencies were elevated in fish from AG and PD lagoons in comparison with those from upstream regions. The results of this study indicate that the lagoons of Goksu Delta contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the agricultural activities and to the discharge of anthropogenic waste waters.

The interaction between cadmium (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 kg/da) and zinc (0, 1.5 and 3 kg/da) in barley (Hordium vulgare L. cv. Karatay-94) alone and in combination at tillering stage (3 -4 leaf) grown under field conditions showed no phytotoxic symptoms. Cd application did not affect the grain yield of barley. Cd concentrations in flag leaf and grain increased marginally with increasing level of Cd but decreased with increasing Zn application. Cd and Zn application caused insignificant changes in N and K concentrations in barley. But P concentration in grain at especially Zn 0 dose decreased with increasing level of Cd application. The effect of different doses of Cd and Zn on grains Cd content was found to be significant. Increased Cd doses generally decreased Zn content in grains.

The Berdan River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea on the east coast of Turkey, receives discharges of industrial and municipal waste. In the present study, the in vivo piscine micronucleus (MN) test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of water samples collected from different locations along the Berdan River. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed in the laboratory for 2, 4, and 6 days, and micronuclei were evaluated in peripheral blood erythrocytes, gill cells, and caudal fin epithelial cells. A single dose of 5 mg/L cyclophosphamide was used as a positive control. In addition to micronuclei, nuclear abnormalities (NAs), such as binucleated cells and blebbed, notched, and lobed nuclei, were assessed in the erythrocytes, and chemical analyses were carried out to determine the amount of heavy metals in the water samples. MN and NA frequencies were significantly elevated (up to 2-to 3-fold) in fish exposed to river water samples taken downstream of potential discharges, and the elevated responses in gill and fin cells were related to the concentration of heavy metals in the water. MN frequencies (expressed as micronucleated cells/1,000 cells), in both treated and untreated fish, were greatest in gill cells (range: 0.80-3.70), and generally lower in erythrocytes (range: 0.50-2.80), and fin cells (range: 0.45-1.70). The results of this study indicate that the Berdan River is contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the discharge of wastes into the river water. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 48:421-429, 2007. V V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Laboratory batch sorption experiments were performed to study the effects of soil components and solution pH on methamidophos sorption in an alluvial soil profile. Soil samples were collected at depths (0–30 cm (surface soil), 30–60 cm, 60–90 cm and 90–120 cm). Our results show that methamidophos sorption increases with increasing solution pH, indicating that amino groups in methamidophos may be actively involved in the sorption processes. While methamidophos sorption in the surface soil is mainly controlled through partitioning into soil organic matter, soil minerals (e.g., clays, Al/Fe oxides) play an important role on the sorption of methamidophos in subsurface soils. The batch sorption experiments also indicate that the mineral surfaces (e.g., clay or Al/Fe oxides) exhibit much greater sorption affinity for methamidophos at low methamidophos concentrations compared to the soil organic matter although the soil organic matter significantly increases the sorption capacity of soils. The sorption isotherms were non-linear in subsurface soils, and were best described with a linearized Langmuir equation, indicating specific interactions between specific surface groups in soils (e.g., Al/Fe oxides) and methamidophos. Despite the heterogeneity of soils used in the study, a simple isotherm model with spatially averaged isotherm parameters may be sufficient in describing the sorption processes in the whole soil profile.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the toxic and mutagenic effects of bottled purified and natural spring waters for drinking. The study presents the genotoxicologic results of drinking water samples packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Genotoxic agents have the potential to interact with DNA and may cause DNA damage. Endpoints analyzed included mitotic index (MI), replication index (RI), and sister chromatid exchange (SCE). An analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate the results. A significant decrease in MI and RI was observed compared with negative control cultures , respectively, (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). It is found that SCE frequency increases compared with negative control. There is no significant difference between negative control and drinking water samples and among drinking water samples for sister chromatid exchange induction (p > 0.05).