Assessment of microplastic contamination in some commercial fishes of the southern Caspian Sea and its potential risks.

This study examined the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of 384 fishes classified into four species from 11 sites in 2022 from the southern part of the Caspian Sea. GITs of fishes were collected and digested in H2O2 and KOH at 45 °C for 72 h. After filtration, extracted MPs were observed under a stereomicroscope, and selected MP particles were identified using FTIR. Presence of MPs was 68.98% in the GIT of the investigated fish. The mean abundance of MPs was 5.9 ± 0.9 MPs/GIT in Rutilus kutum, 9.2 ± 1.2 MPs/GIT in Chelon auratus, 3.6 ± 0.7 MPs/GIT in Alosa braschnikowi, and 2.7 ± 0.5 MPs/GIT in Vimba vimba. The predominant form of MPs was fiber (58.21%), followed by fragment (34.77%). Black (34.4%), white (19.07%), and blue (14.58%) were the most frequently detected colors of MPs. Overall, 6 MP polymers were identified, dominantly polypropylene (42.86%), polystyrene (17.86%), and cellophane (14.28%). The western part of the Caspian Sea (mostly tourist spots and urban areas) showed more MP pollution in fish compared to the eastern part. Polymer hazard index (PHI) revealed alarming microplastic contamination in the southern Caspian Sea. The PHI value of the present study showed that PES (PHI = 8403.78) and PS (PHI = 535.80) were "Extreme danger" and "Danger" risk categories, respectively.

Bioaccumulation Pattern and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Cirrhinus mrigala at Panjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Heavy metal accumulation in freshwater ecosystem has become one of the major aquatic environmental concerns for freshwater flora and fauna due to their higher stability and bioaccumulation as well as bio-magnification properties. Furthermore, passing through the food web, these heavy metals affect human populations ultimately. This study assessed the heavy metal accumulation in Cirrhinus mrigala in spring, autumn, and winter at different locations (I, II, and III) of Panjnad headwork. Furthermore, the human health risk assessment for the consumption of C. mrigala from the sampling locations was also carried out. Fish were collected from upper (I), middle (II), and lower (III) stream of Panjnad on a monthly basis. The current study evaluated the accumulation of Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), and Lead (Pb) in various fish organs (liver, kidney, gills, fins, skin, muscles and bones) and assessed their potential hazard to human health through health risk assessment indicators. The results demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) in heavy metal accumulation in different fish organs, seasons, and locations. The accumulation of Al, As, Ba, and Pb were considerably higher in liver and kidney as compared to the other body organs and followed a trend of liver > kidney > gills > fins > skin > bones > muscle and the overall mean concentrations of metals in different body tissues of C. mrigala were in the order of Al > As > Ba > Pb. The results also concluded that C. mrigala caught from the Panjnad headwork is not safe for human consumption due to higher values of TTHQIng (3.76), THQIng for Ba (3.27) and CRIng for As (6.4742).

Age- and Sex-Specific Bioaccumulation of Selected Metals in Freshwater Mussel (Unio elangatulus eucirrus Bourguignat, 1860) Populating from Keban Dam Lake (Elazig, Turkey).

In aquatic life, environmental chemicals are accumulated by mussels due to their sentinel nature and filter-feeding characteristics. Herein, the present study focused on assessing the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Ca, K, and Na levels in freshwater mussels (Unio elangatulus eucirrus) depending on sex and age. For all trace metals, some important differences of bioaccumulations were determined depending on ages and sex. In details, the results indicated that an important age-related accumulation of Mg, Cd, Ca, and K was in females and all trace elements, except Cu, Mg, and K levels in males (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were determined in mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mg, and Na. There are statistical differences in Mg, Mn, Fe, and Ca levels between females and males in four aged mussels (p < 0.05). Lead levels were under detectable limits. Overall, metal levels and their toxicity in freshwater mussels should be closely monitored for health of the environment, animals, and humans, since mussels and fish species fed on them are consumed highly in the research region and around.

An Evaluation Research About Effects of Characterized Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) and Lead Selenide (PbSe) Quantum Dots on Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina).

Quantum dots (QDs), such as cadmium selenide (CdSe) and lead selenide (PbSe) exhibit excellent optical, magnetic and chemical properties due to their extremely size (ca. 1-10 nm) and are attractive semiconductor nanomaterials for optical studies and energy storage. In this study, aqueous synthesis of CdSe and PbSe QDs in a size range of 2-10 nm was described. Synthesized QDs were characterized using SEM and TEM, DLS, zeta potential, FTIR, EDX and XRD. Highest accumulation (72.5 ± 5.8 mg L-1) of PbSe QDs occurred at 10 ppm suspensions. In general accumulation increased up to 48 h exposure then fluctuate tended to decline. For CdSe QDs, accumulation tended to decrease for 72 h exposure except that for 5 ppm groups. For the elimination period, in general, the elimination levels of PbSe and CdSe QDs from exposed individuals decreased (p < 0.05) even it has some fluctuate.

Comparative effects of Cu (60-80 nm) and CuO (40 nm) nanoparticles in Artemia salina: Accumulation, elimination and oxidative stress.

In this study, nanotoxicity tests were made by exposure of Artemia salina to copper (Cu 60-80 nm) and copper oxide (CuO 40 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations (0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/l) during some exposure duration. Characterization of Cu and CuO NPs were performed using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transformation Infrared (FT-IR) analyzes. In organisms, the accumulation and elimination rates of NPs was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis and the oxidative stress effects on A. salina were determined by Glutathione (GSH) and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis methods. Both NPs were found to differ in accumulation and elimination rates at each application time and in parallel with the increase in concentration. In each group, it was determined that ion release increased with application time. The results showed that the accumulation rates in Cu NPs had a tendency to increase at 48 h and to decrease at 72 h in concentrations of 0, 2 and 1 mg/l, respectively. And in the all other concentrations have been seen an increasing trend within the time. In the CuO NPs (40 nm), accumulation rates were a decrease trend at 48th hour and an increase trend at 72nd hour except 10 mg/l concentration. In the 10 mg/l group was an increase trend with the application period. Cu NP, TBARS value increased with increasing concentrations and the highest increase was observed at 24 h of 5 ppm group. The groups showed a tendency to increase-decrease-increase-decrease in TBARS levels in terms of elapsed time (24th, 48th, 72nd hour and elimination) (5 ppm and 10 ppm groups tended to decrease in TBARS level at 72nd hour). TBARS increased with increasing concentration ratios in CuO NPs (40 nm).

Temporal and seasonal variations in phytoplankton community structure in Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey).

Seasonal variations in species composition and growth dynamics of phytoplankton in Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey) were studied in relation to ecological factors by collecting horizontal water and phytoplankton samples for over a year. A total of 46 phytoplankton taxa were recorded, where Bacillariophyta was the most abundant in species number representing 24 taxa. Diatoms were the most conspicuous phytoplankton in terms of abundance as well as occurrence frequency. Charophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanobacteria, Ochrophyta, Miozoa, and Euglenozoa were the least abundant. However, some Diatoms (Gyrosigma attenuatum, Hippodonta hungarica, Meridion circulare, Nitzschia clausii, Nitzschia frustulum, Pantocsekiella ocellata, Rhoicosphenia abbreviata), Charophytes (Cosmarium granatum, Mougeotiopsis calospora), Cyanobacteria (Leiblenia epiphytica, Planktothrix agardhii); Dinoflagellates (Ceratium hirundinella, Parvodinium africanum, Parvodinium inconspicuum, Peridinium cinctum), and Ochrophyta (Dinobryon pediforme) were also noticeable, with their occurrence in all seasons. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to analyze the relationship between occurrence and abundance of phytoplankton species as well as the ecological factors. The results showed that pH and the concentrations of NH4, NO3, and PO4 influenced seasonal occurrence and abundance of phytoplankton species in the lake. Uzuncayir Dam Lake may be classified as an oligotrophic lake with the mean value of nitrate 2.62 mg L-1 and phosphate 0.23 mg L-1 as supported by the occurrence of various phytoplankton groups. Findings related to pollution indices yielded that Uzuncayir Dam Lake is on the edge of the moderate state of organic pollution.

Effects of Zn and ZnO Nanoparticles on Artemia salina and Daphnia magna Organisms: Toxicity, Accumulation and Elimination.

In the study, Zn in the size of 40-60 nm and 80-100 nm and ZnO in the size of 10-30 nm were applied to A. salina and D. magna individuals in 7 groups with 3 repetitions. Measurements were made at 24th, 48th and 72nd hours and elimination values were examined at +24 h. LC50 values of NPs were determined and chemical analysis (metal accumulation and elimination), ion quantities which were given to the environment and the survival rates of organisms were determined after the exposure. According to the results of phase contrast microscopy, it was found that both experimental organisms absorbed the NPs in the medium level. In the toxicity results of D. magna, it can be said that Zn NP (40-60 nm) has a highly toxic effect only at 50 ppm concentration for 48 h and lethal dose can be accepted as of 5 ppm at the end of 72 h. In A. salina individuals, it is clearly seen that there is an increase in mortality in organisms parallel to the dose increase. Although all NPs were applied to organisms in low doses corresponding to environmental values, it was observed that toxic effect was in parallel with the increase in time. It is clearly known that there is the inverse proportion between the size of NPs and the toxic effect. The smaller the size of NPs is, the higher the toxic effect becomes When the results of Zn accumulation and elimination of A. salina and D. magna individuals exposed to the Zn and ZnO NPs were examined; it was found that accumulation and elimination occurred in parallel with the increase in concentration at each application hour and elimination. Intensive and possible misuse of nanoscale materials is one of the biggest threats to the environment and all living things worldwide.

Assessment of impact of α-Fe2 O3 and γ-Fe2 O3 nanoparticles on phytoplankton species Selenastrum capricornutum and Nannochloropsis oculata.

In this study, the impact of alpha-iron oxide (α-Fe2 O3 , 20-40 nm) and gamma iron oxide (γ-Fe2 O3 , 20-40 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) on phytoplankton species Selenastrum capricornutum and Nannochloropsis oculata was investigated Characterizations of the NPs were systematically carried out by TEM, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. Acute toxicity was tested between 0.2 and 50 mg/L for each NP for a period of 72 hours exposure. γ-Fe2 O3 NP inhibited development of N oculata at the rate of 54% in 0.2 mg/L group with a high mortality rate of up to 82%. α-Fe2 O3 NPs were less toxic that induced 97% mortality on N oculata at 10 mg/L suspensions. In contrast, α-Fe2 O3 NP inhibited growth of S capricornutum strongly (73%) in 0.2 mg/L group. γ-Fe2 O3 NPs showed similar growth inhibition (72%) on S capricornutum in 10 mg/L suspensions. Despite the differential effects, the results indicated acute toxicity of α-Fe2 O3 and γ-Fe2 O3 NPs on N oculata and S capricornutum.

Assessment of Oxidative Stress on Artemia salina and Daphnia magna After Exposure to Zn and ZnO Nanoparticles.

In this study, the effect of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on Artemia salina and Daphnia magna, the primary consumer organisms were investigated. In this sense, investigation of trophic transfer and ecological sustainability potentials among living things, such as fish and crustaceans that are at the top of the food chain were also aimed. Zn NPs in the size of 40-60 nm and 80-100 nm and ZnO NPs (10-30 nm) were administered to A. salina and D. manga (respectively in total 105000 and 14000 individuals) in seven groups (Control, 0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25 ve 50 ppm) with three repetitions for a period of 72 h. Intensive and possible misuse of nanoscale materials is one of the biggest threats to the environment and all living things worldwide. Therefore, the control mechanisms for the use of NPs need to be established.

The effects of common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis Linnaeus) hydrosols on the some immunological and hematological parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758).

In this study, the effects of some plant hydrosols (distilled plant waters) based upon some hematological parameters and Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) activities in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) infected with Yersinia ruckeri were investigated. In the trial, it was utilized totally 200 common carps with 54.3±6.7 g mean live weight and 15.7±1.8 cm mean total lenght. The 10% rate of the common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus) hydrosol; 0.5% rate of the cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) hydrosol; and 5% rate of the rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis Linnaeus) hydrosol were applied to fish as a bath treatment. The erythrocyte (RBC), leukocyte count (WBC), hematocrit value (HCT), haemoglobin amount (Hg), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and activities of NBT in the blood samples taken from the caudal vena of the control and experimental fish groups were analyzed in the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of the exposure treatment. At the end of the research, HCT, Hg, RBC, WBC, MCH and MCV values decreased in the C-2 Group (the control group contain pathogen) compared to the C-1 Group (the control group no contain pathogen), except MCHC value. The NBT activities in the C-1 Groups increased at the 14th day, but decreased quite a few at the 21st day. It has been consequently reached the conclusion that the bath treatments of the some plant hydrosols might be beneficial in increasing of antibacterial properties and in strengthening of defense mechanisms of common carp against Y. ruckeri pathogen.

Cytokine Responses in Gills of Capoeta umbla as Biomarkers of Environmental Pollution.

Immunological biomarkers reflect the effects of exposure to environmental contaminants. In this study, the suitability and sensitivity of cytokine responses, interleukin1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in gill tissues of Capoeta umbla (Heckel, 1843), collected from different regions, as early warning indices of environmental pollution and ecosystem health was evaluated. Fish and water samples were taken from ten stations in March and September 2011 and 2012. Tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were determined in samples of the gill tissues by using an ELISA kit. Significant variations of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 levels observed between stations and seasons. The results of this study show that seasonal variations of cytokine responses in gills of Capoeta umbla are sensitive to the contaminants present in Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey) water and are valuable biomarkers for environmental pollution and ecosystem health.

Biochemical response of crayfish Astacus leptodactylus exposed to textile wastewater treated by indigenous white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor.

The discharge of textile effluents into the environment without appropriate treatment poses a serious threat for the aquatic organisms. The present study was undertaken to investigate biochemical response of crayfish Astacus leptodactylus exposed to textile wastewater (TW) treated by indigenous white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) levels in hepatopancreas and abdomen tissues of crayfish exposed to untreated, treated, and diluted rates (1/10) in both TW during 24 and 96 h were tested. Physiochemical parameters (electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and total dissolved solid (TDS)) of TW were determined before and after treatment. Physiochemical parameters of TW decreased after treatment. The GST activity and AchE were generally increased, but CYP1A1 activity was decreased in hepatopancreas tissue of crayfish exposed to different kinds of untreated TW. After treatment by indigenous white rot fungus (C. versicolor), GST and CYP1A1 activities were returned to control values, while AchE activities were increasing further. In this study, only GST and CYP1A1 activities of A. leptodactylus confirmed the efficiency of TW treatment with C. versicolor.

Use of acetylcholinesterase, glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 1A1 in Capoeta umbla as biomarkers for monitoring of pollution in Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey).

Uzuncayir Dam Lake is one of the most important water bodies in Tunceli. It is polluted by domestic wastewaters together with natural contamination and pesticides, which have had cumulatively negative effects. This study analyzes the effects of pollution by using the fish species, Capoeta umbla as a sentinel species, with a biomarker approach. The approach comprehends a general biomarker of individual fish health, the condition factor and specific biomarkers of contaminant exposure such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The general water physico-chemical parameters were measured at each sampling sites during each fish-sampling period. Strong seasonal and locational variations were observed among selected markers. In conclusion, the multibiomarker approach used in the present study clearly revealed differences in the fish health among reference and potentially contaminated sites. The study shows that changes of biomarkers such as acetylcholinesterase, glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 1A1 might be useful for the assessment of environmental contamination in the Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey).

Temporal Changes in Concentrations of Some Trace Elements in Muscle Tissue of Crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823), from Keban Dam Lake.

Crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) is the native crayfish species in Turkey. It was exported regularly to Western Europe. In this study, bioaccumulation and temporal trends of some trace elements (arsenic: As, cadmium: Cd, copper: Cu, mercury: Hg, lead: Pb, and zinc: Zn) in edible abdomen muscle of crayfish from Keban Dam Lake (Elazig, Turkey) were investigated for the 2006-2012 period. Sequence of metal concentration levels was Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd > As in muscle tissues. The highest concentration of Zn (21.69 mg kg(-1)) was detected in 2006, while the lowest (4.35 mg kg(-1)) in 2009. In general, it was found that the concentrations of trace elements investigated were lower than the maximum permissible limits of the food regulations of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (MFAL), the Turkish Food Codex and Commission Regulation (EC). If the crayfish selected for the study are recognized as bioindicators of environmental pollution, then it is possible to conclude that the changes in studied trace elements concentrations in the Keban Dam Lake are being steady.

Determination of metal (Cu, Zn, Se, Cr and Cd) levels in tissues of the cyprinid fish, Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) from different regions of Keban Dam Lake (Euphrates-Turkey).

The aim of this study was to evaluate Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in liver, muscle, gills and kidney tissues of Capoeta trutta collected from four sites of Keban Dam Lake, Turkey. The highest heavy metal level in all tissues was for Zn, while Cd was the lowest. The lowest heavy metal levels were generally found at Station 4 (Agin) for all tissues (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences among stations for Cu, Zn, Cr and Se in gills; for Cu, Zn, Se and Cr in liver and kidney; and Cu, Zn and Cr in muscle (p < 0.05). Cadmium concentrations did not differ between sites for any of the tissues. Turkish Food Codex sets the maximum limits of Zn, Cu and Cd as, 50, 20 and 0.05 mg kg(-1) dry weight, respectively, in the muscle of fish used for human consumption. In our study, the level of Zn was higher than Turkish permissible limits only at Station 3 (Guluskur). Cadmium levels were much higher than permissible limits at three stations [S1 (Pertek), S2 (Kockale) and S3], whereas Cu levels were within permissible limits in all stations.

Some heavy metals accumulation in tissues in Capoeta umbla (Heckel, 1843) from Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey).

Concentrations of metals were determined in the gills, liver, kidney, heart and muscle in Capoeta umbla caught from six stations from the Munzur River system. Metal concentrations in the tissues tended to vary significantly among stations (p < 0.05). Liver (Cu, 10.10 ± 0.23-23.03 ± 9.37 ppm; Zn, 14.67 ± 3.01-21.82 ± 2.39 ppm; Cd, 18.04 ± 4.56-52.69 ± 10.65 ppb and Fe, 28.87 ± 6.78-115.11 ± 34.87 ppm) and kidney (Cu, 1.80 ± 0.25-3.70 ± 0.62 ppm; Zn, 20.81 ± 0.37-29.36 ± 0.70 ppm; Cd, 132.06 ± 5.29-639.51 ± 20.14 ppb and Fe, 24.40 ± 1.98-59.39 ± 1.97 ppm) tissues showed higher metal concentrations than other tissues. It seems that metal contamination in the river is too high for the health of fish and the people who eat them. The geographical locations of catch, season, nature of diet, and the size of fish used for analyses might lead to different metal concentration in the same fish species.