Results of heavy metals and other water quality levels in tap water from Çan sourced from Agi Dagi (Mt. Agi) (Çanakkale, Turkey).

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn and Cr were determined using an inductively coupled plasma and optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES), and water quality parameters pH, temperature, and conductivity were measured using the YSI 556 MPS water probe. The water samples were collected monthly from five different street tap water points sourced from Mt. Agi (Agi Dagi in Turkish) spring waters between May 2012 and February 2013 in Çan (Canakkale, Turkey). All results were compared with the drinking water standards of the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE 266), World Health Organization, European Union and US Environmental Protection Agency. While concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were within limit values, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were at undetectable limits. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 0.010 ppm, 0.018 ppm, 0.058 ppm, and 0.014 ppm, respectively. The findings revealed that although there was no public health risk in view of heavy metal concentrations, there was an acidity problem due to lower pH levels correlated with some heavy metals such as Cu (R = 0.419), Fe (R = -0.421) and Mn (R = -0.687).

Amino acid composition and crude protein values of some Cyanobacteria from Çanakkale (Turkey).

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) form an important component of integrated nutrient managements in agriculture and are exploited in commercial biotechnological ventures. In this study, Rivularia bullata (Poir) Berkeley ex Bornet & Flahault, Nostocs pongiaeforme C. Agardh ex Bornet & Flahault were researched for their amino acid composition and crude protein values. R. bullata was collected from coastal zones of the Gulf of Saros and N. spongiaeforme from the Ayazma Stream. The levels of amino acids were measured in algae samples using EZ: fast kits (EZ: fast GC/FID Protein Hydrolysate Amino Acid Kit) by gas chromatography. The crude proteins of samples were determined by the Kjeldahl method and were calculated using a nitrogen conversion factor of 6.25. Thirty-two amino acids were investigated, for N. spongiaeforme eight free essential amino acids (EAA), eight free non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and eleven other amino acids (OAA); for R. bullata eight EAA, eight NEAA and eight OAA were detected. Aspartic acid is the major constituent for both species. The total protein percents were determined for N. spongiaeforme as % 19.83 and for R. bullata as % 6.15. When considering the increasing world population and reducing natural products; Cyanobacteria will benew feed sources for all living.

Seasonal concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu) in Ulva rigida J. Agardh (Chlorophyta) from Dardanelles (Canakkale, Turkey).

In this study, changes in heavy metal accumulation in U. rigida J. Agardh taxon and seawater have been investigated with respect to different stations and seasons. For this purpose, the severity of heavy metal pollution in the Dardanelles has been presented through the determination of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations in U. rigida macroalgae and seawater taken seasonally from the stations located on six different regions on the strait. While the metal concentrations in alga specimens were found to be high in spring and winter in all stations; the metal concentrations in the seawater, particularly the Pb concentration, were found to be high in all seasons.

Loliolide in marine algae.

Loliolide content was determined in 13 marine algae including red, brown and green algae collected from the Black Sea, the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea. Identification and quantification were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The loliolide content in green alga is 1.76 microg g(-1), ranges from 0.14 to 4.35 microg g(-1) in red and from 0.18 to 4.83 microg g(-1) in brown algae. The results obtained are in the same range as previously reported for algae, as well as terrestrial plants. This article represents the first report of loliolide occurrence in green algae.