Heavy metal deposition in moss samples from East and South Marmara Region, Turkey

A survey of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in the east and south Marmara region, Turkey was carried out in September 2004. For this purpose, moss samples (Hypnum cupressiforme) were collected in a systematic network of 125 sites. Concentrations of the elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Fe, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, Mg, Ti, and Zn) in the moss were used as an indication of the level of air pollution in the region. Significant differences in heavy metal concentrations, especially for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn, were recorded in the moss samples collected around industrialized and heavily populated cities (Istanbul, Bursa, BandA +/- rma, Kocaeli, Biga-Can) and in an abandoned lead-mining area (BalA +/- kesir-Balya). A map of the spatial distribution of each element in the region was plotted, and enrichment factors were calculated. VARIMAX principal component analysis was applied to the data obtained, and five different components were obtained. The results showed that Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn derived from anthropogenic and industrial sources while other elements came mostly from natural sources

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of polyethylene microplastics on human peripheral blood lymphocytes

© 2021 Elsevier LtdCurrently, we need emerging initial data regarding how plastic exposures affect cellular and molecular components and how such interactions will be crucial for human health. We aimed to determine the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of microplastic (MPs,10-45 μm, polyethylene) on human peripheral lymphocytes by using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN) assay, which is a comprehensive method to reveal a range of mechanisms, not only diseases but also response to environmental exposures. We measured micronucleation (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge formation (NPB), and nuclear bud formation (NBUD) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We also measured the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI) to calculate cytostasis, which indicates cytotoxicity in lymphocytes treated with five different MPs concentrations for 48 h. Even lower concentrations of MPs increased the level of genomic instability. We found that the in vitro MP exposure significantly increased MN, NPB, and NBUD frequencies. Since we investigated the effect of larger particles relative to the lymphocytes, mechanic interaction of MPs with cells, the release of monomer and additives from MPs could be suggested as possible mechanisms accounting for increasing genomic instabilities. We did not observe a decrease in the cell proliferation index, indicating a lack of MPs’ cytotoxic potential. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to identify MPs’ genotoxic potential in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We suggested further studies to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of smaller plastics and the chronic effect of MP on the human population

Assessment of Po-210 and Pb-210 in lichen, moss and soil around Can coal-fired power plant, Turkey

This paper deals with determination of Po-210 and Pb-210 activity concentrations using epigeic moss (Hypnum cupressiforme), bushy soil (fruticose) lichen (Cladonia rangiformis) and surface soil samples in the area around C, an coal-fired power plant, northwest Turkey. Mean activity concentrations of Po-210 and Pb-210 were found to be 303.9 and 425.8 Bq kg(-1) for moss, 161.6 and 259.1 Bq kg(-1) for lichen, and 79.9 and 91.5 Bq kg(1) for soil samples at dry weight, respectively. We propose that distance and altitude of sampling site may be of significant parameters of distribution of both radionuclides

Heavy metal and radionuclide levels in soil around Afsin-Elbistan coal-fired thermal power plants, Turkey

This study aimed to determine the incidence of naturally occurring radionuclides Th-232, U-238 and K-40, artificial radionuclide Cs-137, and heavy metals in soil samples collected from the surroundings of Afsin-Elbistan coal-fired thermal power plant in Kahramanmaras Province, Turkey. Physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were also determined. Radiation levels were measured using a gamma multichannel analyzer equipped with an HPGe detector (Canberra 2020). Concentrations of the studied elements were determined using ICP-AES. The average specific activity of Cs-137, K-40, Th-232 and U-238 at standard deviations was found to be 51.4 +/- A 84.9, 409 +/- A 180, 39.8 +/- A 18.8 and 34.4 +/- A 22.0 Bq kg(-1). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) was calculated to be 122.8 Bq kg(-1), lower than the limits recommended by the OECD. Mean concentrations of heavy metals were 6.29 +/- A 0.77, 70.5 +/- A 20.3, 59.5 +/- A 75.2, 89.8 +/- A 58.9, 26.7 +/- A 23.7, 89.2 +/- A 58.4, 18,806 +/- A 4,273 and 14,634 +/- A 1,166 mg.kg(-1) for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Al and Fe, respectively. The Cd content in all samples and maximum values of Cu, Cr and Ni were higher than the limits specified for soil in Turkey

Radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment in surface soil samples from east and south of Marmara region, Turkey

The activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, (238)U and (226)Ra were measured in surface soil samples from East and South of Marmara region, Turkey. The physico-chemical parameters (organic matter, CaCO(3) contents and pH-value) of the soil samples were determined in the samples collected from 100 sampling stations. The average activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, (238)U and (226)Ra were found to be 27.46 +/- 21.84, 442.51 +/- 189.85, 26.63 +/- 15.90, 21.77 +/- 12.08 and 22.45 +/- 13.31 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The mean value of total annual external gamma radiation dose equivalent for the natural radionuclides was calculated to be 54.86 mu Sv. The current data were compared with those found in the other locations of Turkey and different countries

Radioactivity concentrations in topsoil samples from the Thrace region of Turkey and assessment of radiological hazard

The activity concentrations of gamma emitting radionuclides were measured in surface soil samples from the Thrace region. 232Th, 238U, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs activities and physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples were determined in samples collected from 73 sampling stations. Radionuclide concentrations measured were compared with those found in the samples from other locations of Turkey and from different countries. The average activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs were found to be 24.718.79, 22.307.93, 32.0912.44, 509.00160.05, 32.7429.24Bqkg-1, respectively. The mean value of the annual effective dose equivalent from the outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation was calculated as 57.2 Sv