Northeast Turkey Research Articles

Influence of slope position, stand type and rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link

Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and Oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link] are the two most common tree species in northeast Turkey. Their distribution, stand type and understorey species are known to be influenced by topographical landforms. However, little information is available as to how these changes affect litter decomposition rates of these two species. Here, we investigated the effects of slope positions (top 1,800 m, middle 1,500 m and bottom 1,200 m), stand type (pure and mixed stands) and purple-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech and spruce for 4 years using the litterbag technique in the field. Among these three factors, stand type had the strongest influence on litter decomposition (P < 0.001, F = 58.8), followed by rhododendron (P < 0.001, F = 46.8) and slope position (P < 0.05, F = 11.6). Litter decomposition was highest under mixed beech/spruce forest, followed by pure beech and spruce forest. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much faster in mixed bags (beech–spruce) than they did separately under each stand type. Purple-flowered rhododendron significantly reduced litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much slower at top slope position than at either bottom or middle position. Differential litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce was mainly due to adverse conditions in spruce forest and the presence of rhododendron on the ground which was associated with lower soil pH. Higher elevations (top slope position) slowed down litter decomposition by changing environmental conditions, most probably by decreasing temperature as also other factors are different (pH, precipitation) and no detailed investigations were made to differentiate these factors. The adverse conditions for litter decomposition in spruce forest can be effectively counteracted by admixture of beech to spruce monoculture and by using the clear-cutting method for controlling rhododendron.

First Record ofMycterodus(Aconosimus)Goricus(Dlabola, 1958) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae) from Turkey, with the Redescription of the Species

The species Mycterodus (Aconosimus) goricus (Dlabola, 1958) is currently known only from the Transcaucasus. For the first time this species is recorded from northeast Turkey. This species is redescribed and figured by examination of the specimens from northeast Turkey.

First Record of Mycterodus (Comporodus) mutuus Logvinenko, 1968 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Issidae) from Turkey, with Redescription of the Species

The species Mycterodus (Comporodus) mutuus Logvinenko, 1968 is recorded for the first time from Turkey. This species is redescribed and figured by examination of specimens from northeast Turkey.

Kuzeydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi Sınır İllerinde Bulunan Sığırlarda Viral Solunum Sistemi Enfeksiyonlarının Seroprevalansı

Kuzeydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi Sınır İllerinde Bulunan Sığırlarda Viral Solunum Sistemi Enfeksiyonlarının Seroprevalansı

A geophysical investigation of the Late Roman underground settlement at Aydintepe, Northeast Turkey

AbstractThe Aydintepe underground settlement in northeastern Turkey is a series of subsurface galleries carved in Eocene‐aged volcanic tuff. Rescue excavations conducted by the Local Archaeological Museum of Erzurum in 1996 and 1997 uncovered a large settlement with several underground rooms linked by passages. According to the excavators, it may have been built as a hideout and shelter by the first Christians who were banished by the Romans during the 3rd century A.D. Despite its historical and touristic value, parts of the underground settlement at Aydintepe have been destroyed to make room for the construction of new buildings in the modern town. As part of a conservation strategy for this important archaeological resource, a series of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity measurements were conducted along eight profiles between 2003 and 2005. GPR soundings with a 100‐MHz unshielded antenna yielded reflected hyperbolic signals with high amplitude from tunnel structures. These highamplitude signals corresponded to areas of high electrical resistivity. These anomalies allow us to determine the probable locations of tunnels within the underground settlement and they provide important data that can be used to prevent future damage from modern construction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analyzing Land Use/Land Cover Changes Using Remote Sensing and GIS in Rize, North-East Turkey.

Mapping land use/land cover (LULC) changes at regional scales is essential for a wide range of applications, including landslide, erosion, land planning, global warming etc. LULC alterations (based especially on human activities), negatively effect the patterns of climate, the patterns of natural hazard and socio-economic dynamics in global and local scale. In this study, LULC changes are investigated by using of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Rize, North-East Turkey. For this purpose, firstly supervised classification technique is applied to Landsat images acquired in 1976 and 2000. Image Classification of six reflective bands of two Landsat images is carried out by using maximum likelihood method with the aid of ground truth data obtained from aerial images dated 1973 and 2002. The second part focused on land use land cover changes by using change detection comparison (pixel by pixel). In third part of the study, the land cover changes are analyzed according to the topographic structure (slope and altitude) by using GIS functions. The results indicate that severe land cover changes have occurred in agricultural (36.2%) (especially in tea gardens), urban (117%), pasture (-72.8%) and forestry (-12.8%) areas has been experienced in the region between 1976 and 2000. It was seen that the LULC changes were mostly occurred in coastal areas and in areas having low slope values.

Effects of Gap-Size Classes on Long-Term Litter Decomposition Rates of Beech, Oak and Chestnut Species at High Elevations in Northeast Turkey

Effects of gap-size classes on litter decomposition rates were investigated in a high-elevation forest for 4 years by placing leaf litter of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.), oak (Quercus robur L.), and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in (1) a closed canopy, (2) small gaps with a diameter of less than 15 m, (3) intermediate gaps with a diameter of 15–30 m, and (4) large gaps with a diameter of more than 30 m. The leaf litter placed under the closed canopy or within the small gaps decayed more rapidly than those in the intermediate or the large gaps for all three deciduous species. Among the microclimatic and soil factors, soil temperature was most strongly positively correlated with litter decomposition rates, and among the three species, initial lignin concentration was the best predictor of litter decomposition rates. Differences in litter decomposition rates among the four gap-size classes were generally significant, but varied among the three species. Litter with low lignin concentrations tended to be more responsive to canopy openings. Large forest gaps significantly reduced litter decomposition rates in this study by changing environmental conditions, especially by decreasing soil temperature and soil pH which reduced soil respiration rates. These changes may result in reduced nutrient cycling, carbon cycling, and organic matter turnover rates in these forest ecosystems.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Sebinkarahisar Granitoids in the Eastern Pontides, Northeast Turkey: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

A series of Cretaceous to Eocene granitoids are present in the Eastern Pontides of northeastern Turkey. The Asarcik (Saplica, Catakhan), Eskine, and Saydere (Sebinkarahisar-Giresun) are the least-studied, thus least-understood plutons in the orogen. Rock assemblages range from monzonite to granite. They contain mainly K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, hornblende, biotite, and Fe-Ti oxides. They are high-K, calc-alkaline, and I-type granites. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are fractionated and have small negative Eu anomalies. They show enrichment in LILE and LREE relative to HFSE, displaying features of arc-related granitoids. Low molar Al2O3/(FeO+MgO+TiO2) in combination with variable molar (Na2O+K2O)/(FeO+MgO+TiO2) ratios indicate that the magmas were derived from mafic lower-crustal source rocks. The Eu and Sr anomalies and unfractionated HREE suggest the presence of plagioclase and absence of garnet in the source.

Testate amoebae as palaeohydrological proxies in sürmene ağaçbaşi yaylasi peatland (northeast Turkey)

Testate amoebae are unicellular micro-organisms whose hydrological sensitivity and good preservation in peats make them valuable proxies for past peatland surface wetness, and therefore climate. Previous testate amoebae transfer functions have been spatially restricted with no studies from Asia. To derive a transfer function, a sequence of samples was extracted from an ombrotrophic peatland in Turkey and amoebae counted. The internal structure of the data was explored using principal components analysis and relationships with the environmental data tested by redundancy analyses. Transfer function models were developed using a variety of techniques. As in other regions, depth to water table is the most important control on amoebae community composition. Transfer function performance was initially poor, primarily due to the inclusion of samples from areas of the site that had been heavily affected by peat cutting and had distinctly different amoebae communities. Model performance is improved by selective sample exclusion, reducing jack-knifed root mean square error of prediction to 7.1 cm. The model was tested using an initial palaeoecological data-set. Overlap with the training set was limited, although a hydrological reconstruction using this model produces similar results to a transfer function derived from northern European peatlands. This study provides the first testate amoebae transfer function from Asia and demonstrates that hydrological preferences of many of the key taxa are consistent across a large area of the Northern Hemisphere. The transfer function will allow detailed palaeoclimate reconstruction from this peatland, adding to our knowledge of Holocene climatic change in southwest Asia.

Association between factor V Leiden mutation and coronary artery disease in the northeast region of Turkey

Factor V Leiden (FVL) has recently been described as a genetic factor with a propensity towards venous thromboembolism; however, it is thought to have a doubtful role in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate whether FVL is one of the risk factors for CAD in north-east Turkey. Seventy-five patients with angiographically documented CAD and 78 individuals without angiographically documented CAD were studied to examine the association of the frequency of the FVL mutation with CAD and control individuals. Blood samples from the patients and controls were analyzed for the FVL mutation by DNA analysis, using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers method. FVL mutation was found in eight of 75 (10%) patients with CAD and was totally absent in control individuals (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in terms of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, plasma fibrinogen level, smoking, gender and family history of CAD with and without the FVL mutation in the patient group. The results of this study suggest that FVL mutation may be one of the important risk factors in developing CAD in northeast Turkey.

Ranunculusanatolicus sp. nov. (Ranunculaceae) from northeast Turkey

Ranunculus anatolicusÜ. Akkemik, E. Akalin &amp; N. Özhatay sp. nov. from northeast Turkey is described and illustrated. The new species is related to R. fenzlii Boiss., R. caucasicus Bieb. subsp. subleiocarpus (Som. &amp; Lev.) P. H. Davis, and R. dissectus Bieb. subsp. huetii (Boiss.) Davis, from which it mainly differs by its broadly cuneate leaflobes and multiplex petals (8–12).

Mid-Cretaceous Olistostromal Ophiolitic Mélange Developed in the Back-arc Basin of the Eastern Pontide Magmatic Arc, Northeast Turkey

Geological and geochemical characteristics of the Mid-Cretaceous olistostromal ophiolitic mélange exposed in the southern part of the eastern Pontide magmatic arc indicates that it originally formed during the drifting stage of a back-arc basin (Neotethys). This view conflicts with the popular idea that this ophiolitic mélange represents a typical tectonic mélange or an accretionary prism developed in the fore-arc of the eastern Pontide magmatic arc by northward subduction of Neotethys or Paleotethys during the Cretaceous. This Mid-Cretaceous ophiolitic mélange is composed of the three distinct lithological facies that may reflect a strike-slip cycle—from transtensional to transpressive tectonic regimes—in the deep spreading troughs of pull-apart basins. The lower part of the mélange is represented by redeposited carbonate rocks that occur as an upward thinning and fining sequence. The middle level of the mélange comprises basaltic pillow lavas, hyaloclastics, and intercalated pelagic sediments such as radiolarite, mudstone, and red pelagic limestone. The upper part of the mélange is represented by an olistolith-olistostromal facies that includes sandstone, siltstone, marl, and intervening olistoliths and olistostromes—mainly limestone, peridotite-gabbro, and metamorphic blocks derived from the continental shelf and a nearby peridotitic-metamorphic ridge. Trace-element and REE contents of the basaltic rocks belonging to the Mid-Cretaceous ophiolitic mélange show distinct geotectonic settings (IA, WP, MOR) with various enrichment and depletion trends with respect to MORB and chondrite. Moreover, this ophiolitic mélange is overlain by analcime-bearing Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene(?) shoshonitic basalts in the Bayburt-Maden area. These geological and geochemical data imply that mélange formed in the back-arc basin of the eastern Pontide magmatic arc.

Engineering geological investigations and the preliminary support design for the proposed Ordu Peripheral Highway Tunnel, Ordu, Turkey

This paper presents engineering geological investigations and the tunnel support design for the Boztepe tunnel of the Ordu Peripheral Highway located in northeast Turkey. In order to characterize the rock masses in Boztepe Tunnel which mainly consist of flysch (mostly alternation of sandstone, marl and siltstone) and pyroclastics (agglomerate and tuff), engineering geological investigations have been carried out in three stages as surface, subsurface and laboratory investigations. Rock mass classification systems (Geomechanics Classification System, RMR; Norwegian Geotechnical Institution Q-system and Geological Strength Index, GSI) have been utilized through information obtained from engineering geological investigations. Sixteen boreholes with a total length of 1497 m have been drilled to assist and verify rock mass classifications. Approximately seventy five rock samples have been obtained for rock mechanics tests. The information provided from all the engineering geological investigation stages has been handled in the characterization of the rock masses at the tunnel elevation. In an attempt to check the validity of empirical tunnel supports of the various rock mass classification systems, stress analysis around the tunnel opening has been executed by the 2D finite element analysis program, Phase 2 where rock mass data obtained through the rock mass classification systems have been utilized as input data. In these analyses, the empirically proposed support systems have been found to be successful to prevent further deformations around the tunnel openings.

The cave crickets of northeast Turkey and transCaucasian regions, with descriptions of two new species of the genera Dolichopoda and Troglophilus (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae)

Until now, of the total 53 or so species of cave crickets in the genera Troglophilus Krauss 1879 and Dolichopoda Bolivar 1899, seven are known from Turkey. Collecting journeys in 2000 and 2001 allowed us to obtain samples from the Pontic Mountains (northeastern Turkey). Based on this material, we now describe two new species, one for each of the above genera. Dolichopoda noctivaga sp. n. is very closely related to the transCaucasian species D. euxina and D. hyrcana, but can be distinguished from them by the shape of the epiphallus, rounded not truncate apically, by the occurrence of styli on the male subgenital plate, and by the unemarginate apex of the female subgenital plate. The second newly discovered species, Troglophilus tatyanae sp. n., differs from all other Turkish species in the uniformly brown coloration of its body, and by its small size — the smallest species known for the genus Troglophilus. Both T. tatyanae and D. noctivaga are apparently limited to the Black Sea region of northeast Turkey. D. noctivaga has been found in four localities scattered across the Pontic Mountains. By contrast, T. tatyanae occurs only in one locality, that in the Artvin district where it is syntopic with D. noctivaga. Both species have only a slight degree of adaptation to cave habitats, which seem to be used only as seasonal shelter.

Characterization and chemical treatment of a medium–large scale mixed-organized industrial estate (OIE)

Organized industrial estates (OIEs) have been supposed to an alternative to industrial pollution control, in particular, in developing countries. However, a wastewater management strategy should be well established in the planning phase of them to save investment and operational costs of the central wastewater treatment plant in the estate. In this study, a medium-large scale OIE established in Sivas (SOIE), in the north east Turkey where a great number of OIEs settled or under construction is handled to characterize and chemical treatment of its effluent. The wastewater characterization was carried out by taking eleven 2-h composite samples from the end-pipe and five samples from the priority industries localized in the estate during 2002. The measured characteristics were also compared with those obtained based on literature studies to emphasize the importance of the in-situ characterization. Furthermore, those measurements were compared with the values measured during 2005 at the end-pipe. Due to varied wastewater flow and characteristics, coagulation process using aluminium sulphate, ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate salts was evaluated as pretreatment to comply with the discharge limits. All types of coagulants were effective to achieve high removal efficiency of COD (>70%) whereas none of the coagulant assured required TSS (<50%) removal. According to required removals of COD and TSS the use of FeSO 4 (being the cheapest one) was assessed the optimum coagulation for the present loads as a pretreatment. Recent COD and TSS values measured also were fluctuating in a wide range, however, not increased significantly, therefore, a pretreatment control for metal industries should be considered.

Helminth Parasites of the Common Toad, Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Northeast Turkey

Abstract The common toad, Bufo bufo, from Trabzon Province, Turkey, was found to harbor 5 species of Nematoda: Aplectana acuminata, Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca ornata, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, and Rhabdias bufonis, and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Acanthocephalus ranae. With the exception of Rhabdias bufonis, all represent new host records for Bufo bufo in Turkey.

The Hemshin: History, Society and Identity in the Highlands of Northeast Turkey

Part 1: History 1. Morale, Cohesion and Power in the First Centuries of Amatuni Hamshen Anne Elizabeth Redgate 2. Hamshen before Hemshin: The Prelude to Islamicization Hovann H. Simonian 3. The Manuscript Painting of Hamshen Christina Maranci 4. Hemshin from Islamicization to the End of the Nineteenth Century Hovann H. Simonian 5. Ottoman Political and Religious Elites among the Hemshin: The Mid-Nineteenth Century to 1926 Alexandre Toumarkine 6. Interactions and Mutual Perceptions during the 1878-1923 Period: Muslims of Armenian Background and Armenians in the Pontos Hovann H. Simonian Part 2: Geography, Economy and Architecture 7. Notes on the Historical Geography and Present Territorial Distribution of the Hemshinli Hagop Hachikian 8. Social and Economic Structures of the Hemshin People in Camlihemsin Erhan Gursel Ersoy 9. Hemshin Folk Architecture in the Akbucak, Ortayol and Ugrak Villages of the County of Pazar in Rize Gulsen Balikci Part 3: Language 10. Homshetsma: The Language of the Armenians of Hamshen Bert Vaux 11. Armenian in the Vocabulary and Culture of the Turkish Hemshinli Uwe Blasing Part 4: Identity, State and Relations with Neighbours 12. Some Particulars of Hemshin Identity Hagop Hachikian 13. The Hemshin People: Ethnic Identity, Beliefs and Yayla Festivals in Camlihemsin Erhan Gursel Ersoy 14. Hemshinli-Lazi Relations in Northeast Turkey Ildiko Beller-Hann 15. Turks and Hemshinli: Manipulating Ethnic Origins and Identity Rudiger Benninghaus

Trace element concentrations of soils, plants and waters caused by a copper smelting plant and other industries, Northeast Turkey

The study area is situated in a large agricultural field which produces tobacco, maize, and other yearly cultivated vegetables in Tekkekoy, Samsun (NE-Turkey). In addition, a significant part of this area to the north along the Black Sea coast is occupied by several industrial plants such as a copper smelting plant (KBI), a fertilizer plant (Tugsas) and industrial park facilities (IPF). In order to reveal their environmental impacts, heavy metal analyses were conducted on soil, plant leaves and water samples collected within an area of approximately 30 km2 around these plants. Soil samples within an area of 10 km2 around these facilities are found to be highly polluted with Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn. Pollution occurs at surface and sharply dies out at 20 cm downwards in soil profile. Since the region is polluted mostly with base metals, the copper smelting factory appears to be the main source of pollution as it processes the massive sulfidic ores of the Black Sea area. Plants show Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe pollution around KBI and Tugsas and Cu and Pb around IPF. Pollutants observed in tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) are Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and S; in maize (Zea mays) Cu, Zn and Fe; and in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Cu, Pb, Fe and S. The analyses of water samples collected from the study area reveal that Pb and, to a lesser degree, Cu and Fe pollution stem from KBI; Cu, Fe and Mn pollution from Tugsas; Pb and minor amounts of Fe and Mn pollution from IPF. Factor analyses from analyzed metals and anionic complexes in water show three distinct groups: (a) an association of heavy metals with Na, K and Mg referring to pollution and acid leaching of soil, (b) an association of NH4, Fe, SO4, Cl and Br indicating agricultural pollution and sea-water invasion in land near the shore line, and (c) HCO3 behaving in a different manner in heavy metal precipitation.

Liquefaction assessments by field-based methodologies: foundation soils at a dam site in Northeast Turkey

Recent examples show that strong earthquakes can cause damage to dams, notably tailings or hydraulic fill dams or relatively small earth fill embankments. Liquefaction is known to be one of the most dangerous consequences of the dynamic loading of an embankment dam and hence must be considered during the dam site selection and construction stages. This paper presents the liquefaction analyses undertaken for the Demirozu dam site in Northeast Turkey. The liquefaction assessments are mainly based on field-performance data using SPT- and CPT-based methods in conjunction with the results of the available cyclic triaxial tests. The presence of a very shallow groundwater table, loose sandy layers and the seismic features of the region result in a high susceptibility to liquefaction. The results obtained from the SPT- and CPT-based criteria for evaluating the liquefaction potential are generally consistent and show that the thickness of the liquefiable layers increases in the area between the left bank and the central part of the proposed dam. Further studies are required to evaluate the suitability and efficiency of measures which could be taken to avoid liquefaction-induced problems at the dam site.

A Comparative Study on the Chemical Composition of the Oriental Spruce Woods Picea orientalis from Planted and Natural Forests

The main constituents and cyclohexane extractives of wood obtained from planted and native oriental spruce, P. orientalis, were comparatively investigated. The plantation stand in Belgrad Forest near the city Istanbul is about 1000 km west to the original provenance in northeast Turkey with somewhat different environmental factors. The distribution of the main components and the total extractive contents in the woods were affected insignificantly. Only few differences were notable in the amount of sugar monomers of the main polyoses, mannan and xylan, when the native and planted woods were subject to total hydrolyses. The yield of lipophilic extractives in native and planted woods was almost the same. The composition of lipophilic extractives of the woods, determined after proper derivatization by GC-MS, were also not different qualitatively, but some constituents exhibited quantitative changes. Although the planted wood contained significantly more resin acids, sterols, and alcohols, the natural samples had more unsaturated fatty acids.