Browsing by Author "Koç, I."

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Assessment of metals (Ni, Ba) deposition in plant types and their organs at Mersin City, Türkiye
(2024.01.01) Koç, I.; Canturk, U.; Isinkaralar, K.; Ozel, H.B.; Sevik, H.
The increase in heavy metal concentrations in the air, especially after the Industrial Revolution, is notable for the scientific world because of the adverse effects that threaten environmental and human health. Among the trace elements, nickel (Ni) is carcinogenic, and all barium (Ba) compounds are toxic. Trace elements are critical for human and environmental health. Their threat further increases, especially in the urban areas and surroundings with a high population. In urban areas, the trace element contamination in the airborne can be reduced using plants. However, which plant and plant organs absorb trace elements could not be determined. In the present study, Ni and Ba concentrations in the branch, wood, and leaf samples of 14 species collected from the city center of Mersin province were determined. As a result, broad-leaved species' Ni and Ba concentrations in their leaf sample were generally higher than other species. Almost all species had the lowest Ni and Ba concentrations in their wood samples. Among these 14 species, it was found that Ni concentration was very high, especially in non-washed leaves of Platanus orientalis, Photinia serrulata, and Citrus reticulate, and Ba concentration was very high in Citrus reticulata, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Laurus nobilis, and Acer hyrcanum. Using broad-leaved species in urban areas where pollution is at high levels will significantly contribute to reducing Ni and Ba pollution. It is recommended that these points be considered in future urban landscaping projects.
Climate Change Effect on Potential Distribution of Anatolian Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in the Upcoming Century in Turkiye
(2023.01.01) Çobanoglu, H.; Cantürk, U.; Koç, I.; Kulaç, S.; Sevik, H.
Climate change, which is effective on a global scale, affects almost all living creatures and ecosystems directly or indirectly. Forests are at the top of the ecosystems that are predicted to be affected more by climate. This study intended to determine how the growth regions of the Anatolian chestnut in Turkiye belong to one of the utmost vital forest tree species, which will be affected by climate change. Within the study scope, suitable areas for the growth of the species in 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100 were determined under different scenario models [intermediate (shared socio-economic pathways 245) and most extreme (shared socio-economic pathway 585)] and compared with the natural distribution areas of today (the year of 2020). As a result of the study, it is predicted that the suitable distribution areas for Anatolian chestnut cultivation will decrease significantly, especially after 2060-2080, and even disappear entirely by 2080, according to the extreme scenarios. Even with the best scenario (shared socio-economic pathway 245), it is projected that the suitable growth regions for Anatolian chestnuts will decrease to one-fifth of today's levels in 2100. It may be recommended to create mixed forests with better-adapted chestnut varieties or origins for future conditions due to being more resilient to various environmental stress factors. In addition, considering the future projections, new chestnut plantations should be established in suitable areas for chestnut production.
Proof of concept to characterize historical heavy-metal concentrations in atmosphere in North Turkey: determining the variations of Ni, Co, and Mn concentrations in 180-year-old Corylus colurna L. (Turkish hazelnut) annual rings
(2023.01.01) Key, K.; Kulaç, S.; Koç, I.; Sevik, H.
Heavy metals (HMs) are among the pollutants posing a significant threat to human, animal, and environmental health. Therefore, monitoring HM concentration changes, especially in the air, is crucial. This study used Corylus colurna L. (Turkish hazelnut) annual tree rings cut in 2020, and it was intended to define the 180-year variations in concentrations of Ni (nickel), Co (cobalt), and Mn (manganese) that are among the most harmful HMs. This study analyzed HMs concentrations in the wood, outer and inner bark in the north, south, east, and west directions and the seasonal variations in HM concentrations in tree rings. It was determined that, for all the three elements, the wood and barks significantly differed (P < 0.001) only in the north side, and the concentrations in wood were much lower than in the bark. The maximum concentrations were usually observed in annual rings in the west and south directions. The changes by both organ and direction can be related to the iron and steel factory and the highway, which are defined as HM sources. The results also revealed that the relocation of Co, Ni, and Mn in the wood of C. colurna tree remained at a limited level. The results suggest that C. colurna annual tree rings are very useful in tracking the variation of Ni, Co, and Mn concentrations.
Shifts That May Appear in Climate Classifications in Bursa Due to Global Climate Change
(2024.01.01) Aricak, B.; Cantuerk, U.; Koç, I.; Erdem, R.; Sevik, H.
Global climate change (GCC) is defined as a process that is considered the most crucial problem of the current century and will affect all living things and ecosystems in the world. In order to specify the potential impacts of this phenomenon, which does not seem possible to stop, it is necessary first to predict the change in climate types. Therefore, the current study aimed to define the shift of climate classifications (according to De Martonne, Erin & ccedil;, and Emberger climate category) in 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100 for Bursa, one of the largest cities in T & uuml;rkiye, according to the SSPs 245 and SSPs585 scenarios, and compare it with its current situation. As a result, it was determined that the climate types in Bursa province would change significantly and primarily manifest as a shift into arid climate types. It is recommended to take precautions on a sectoral basis to avoid the devastating effects of GCC.
Variation in Pb and Zn concentrations in different species of trees and shrubs and their organs depending on traffic density
(2023.01.01) Guney, D.; Koç, I.; Isinkaralar, K.; Erdem, R.
Global population growth and increasing urban population density together are responsible for many disruptions such as environmental pollution, especially air one. Trace metals are of specific prominence as air pollutants because they are conservative pollutants. They tend to accumulate biologically; some have poisonous or carcinogenic effects, even at small concentrations. Among toxic trace metals, lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) can be harmful to human health in certain quantities. These trace metals were included in primary pollutant lists of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Therefore, determining these trace metal concentrations in the air and monitoring the differences is very important for determining the risky districts and the level of risk. Biomonitors are the most important indicators of differences in trace metal concentrations in the atmosphere. The plants chosen as biomonitors intake several of the trace metals from the soil and/or the air into their bodies and determining the level of this accumulation might provide insight into the trace metal pollution of the atmosphere and soil. The present study aims to determine the variations of Pb and Zn concentrations in various landscaping plants growing in different districts of Kastamonu (Turkiye) depending on tree species, organs and traffic density. It was found that unwashed leaves of Acer negundo L. can be suggested as a good biomonitor for the presence of both analysed trace metals.