Southwestern Part Of Turkey Research Articles

A new example of polyphase basin formation in western Anatolia: Plio-Quaternary Tavşanlı Graben, Kütahya

ABSTRACT The southwestern part of Turkey is called the ‘western Anatolia Extensional Province‘. Today, there is an approximately N-S-oriented extension in this area. The seismically active region is characterized by E-W and N-S-trending grabens. The tectonism and evolution of Tavşanlı Graben, one of these grabens, during the Plio-Quaternary period are the main subjects of this study. The Tavşanlı Graben, about which there is no information in the literature, has been defined for the first time in this study, and the geometrical and kinematic properties, relative ages, and interrelationships of some Neogene-aged faults, especially Quaternary-aged faults, have been presented in the manuscript. The data obtained indicate strike-slip faulting in the late Pliocene in the region. These E-W striking faults and the basin they formed are the first in western Anatolia with these features. In the Quaternary, E-W-oriented normal faults were formed in the region. The asymmetric topography of the graben area is consistent with the other E-W-oriented grabens in western Anatolia. Late Cretaceous basement rocks and Miocene-aged units are observed at the margins of the graben, which are fragmented by faults. The fill of the graben is Quaternary-aged fan deposits and alluvium. In this study, it was determined that the Tavşanlı Basin, which started to form with a transtensional mechanism at the end of the Pliocene, was transformed into the Tavşanlı Graben in the Pleistocene. The basin formation, which started with directional faulting in the late Pliocene, evolved into a graben in the Quaternary, and reached its present form by completing its development in two phases, supports the views that adopt the multi-stage deformation of western Anatolia in the late Cenozoic. In addition to contributing to the literature on this subject, the article will also serve as a basis for future paleoseismological studies.

Su Kalitesi Durum Değerlendirmesi- Salda Gölü, Türkiye

Inland water bodies, either flowing or non-flowing all around the world, are under the adverse effect of both the climate change and anthropogenic activities. The water surface areas of lakes and wetlands diminish over time and thus, this global reality brings together the deterioration of water quality especially if such water bodies confront with a variety of human activities exerting pollutants. An example of such a vulnerable ecosystem is the Lake Salda located in the southwestern part of Turkey. This lake has gained the attention of international public due to its similarities with Mars. Over a long period of time, many researches have been conducted in this lake by different disciplines and scientists to better understand its unique features. In this study, water samples from the three selected stations on the lake at three different depths were collected and analyzed on physico-chemical parameters, organic matter content, nutrients, metals and semi metals according to national legislation and Water Framework Directive (WFD) of EU. The results are tabulated and analyzed in detail considering the potential pollution sources arising from the lake’s basin. The pollutants are linked with the experimental measurements, and those parameters that exceeded the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) are underlined. It is for sure that the lake necessitates utmost care and attention according to the results achieved.

Indigenous entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents of rose sawfly, Arge rosae L. (Hymenoptera: Argidae)

The rose sawfly, Arge rosae L. (Hymenoptera: Argidae), is one of the most destructive pests of roses grown both indoors and outdoors in Antalya province (south-western part of Turkey). Especially in greenhouse rose cultivation, growers depend heavily on synthetic pesticides to control this pest along with other arthropod pests in their crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate biocontrol potential of some indigenous soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) against the pest. In pathogenicity assays, a total of 17 EPF isolates, belonging to three species [Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. - 14, Clonostachys rosea (Link) Schroers - 2 and Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr. - 1] were tested against the 4th instar larvae of A. rosae under laboratory conditions. All the isolates were applied at a conidial suspension of 1 × 107 conidia/mL, using the spray method. The results from the assays showed that bio-efficacy of tested isolates increased significantly with elapsed time up to 9 days after inoculation. Of the 17 isolates tested, 5 isolates of B. bassiana (BbDm- 1, BbKp-1, BbMp-1, BbSr-1 and BbMg-2) and 1 isolate of I. farinosa (IfGp-1) appeared to be most promising, causing mortalities between 76.7 and 86.7% 3 days post treatment. Probit analysis of mortality data showed that there were significant differences in the susceptibility of 4th instar larvae of A. rosae to tested EPF isolates. The above-mentioned six isolates had the lowest LT$_{50}$ and LT$_{95}$ values (ranged from 1.66 to 7.50 and 4.81 to 8.49 days, respectively), implying their high virulence and their biocontrol potential against the pest. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS region sequence revealed that all tested isolates showed high similarities (ranged from 99 to 100%) with other isolates of their respective fungal species in GenBank. Overall results suggested that the most virulent abovementioned six isolates had significant potential as biological control agents against A. rosae.

In defense of play: children’s play preferences and thoughts about play prohibition

ABSTRACT In this qualitative study, a story-based interview method was applied to examine children's play-related preferences and their thoughts about the reasons for and feelings about play prohibition and ways of defending play as a phenomenon. The study group comprised 197 children, who were enrolled in preschools in a city in the southwestern part of Turkey. A story game was designed to use during the interviews. The thematic content analyzing method was used. The results showed that most of the children chose physical play and socio-dramatic play types. Their playmate choices were friends, family members, and toys. They preferred to play outside and at home. Their views about reasons for play prohibition mostly arose from themselves like ‘making a noise' and ‘making a mess’. Sadness and badness were the most common feelings about the prohibition of play. The majority of children chose persuasion as a way of defending play.

A research on rejuvenation pruning of lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel.)

Objective: The main purpose of the research was investigate whether to be renewed or not without the need for re-planting by rejuvenation pruning to the aged plantations of lavandin. In the study was also compare effects on fresh stem, dry stem flower and dried flower yield and essential oil content of the Super A lavandin cultivar of pruning methods (semi-pruning and full pruning) in three different seasons (March/Spring, August/Summer and December/Autumn). Material and Methods: The experiment was arranged according to a randomized block design with factorial treatments with three replications using 10-year-old Super-A lavandin cultivar (Lavandula x intermedia var. Super A) between 2014 and 2017 in Isparta-a city in the south-western part of Turkey. Results: Pruning season, pruning method and pruning season x pruning method interaction (except for the essential oil content of dried flower) were found to be significant according to the analysis of variance. The highest values in terms of fresh stem, dry stem and dried flower yield were obtained as semi pruning (8936 kg ha-1, 4763 kg ha-1 and 1931 kg ha-1, respectively) in March. The highest essential oil content (2.66%) fresh stem flower was determined to semi-pruning in August, while the highest volatile oil content (5.07%) was obtained in dried flower to full pruning in December. Generally, control (non-pruned) plants showed the lowest values in terms of the characteristics examined. Conclusion: The results obtained from the research showed that the aging plantations can be renewed without re-planting by rejuvenation pruning in lavandin.

Yerli entomopatojenik fungus izolatları ile üç ticari entomopatojenik fungus ürününün Sitophilus oryzae L. ve Tribolium confusum du Val üzerindeki etkinlikleri

In the present study, a total of 17 indigenous entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) isolates (Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. – 14, Clonostachys rosea (Link) Schroers – 2, Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr. – 1) obtained from soil samples collected from Antalya province (southwestern part of Turkey) and three commercial EPF products [i.e. Priority® (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus), Nibortem® (Verticillium lecanii) and Nostalgist® (Beauveria bassiana)] were evaluated for their efficacy against the 7–10-day-old adults of Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium confusum du Val. (Col.: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory conditions. All the isolates and products were tested at 1 × 107 conidia/ml suspensions against the both insect species. The results from the single-dose pathogenicity assays showed that three B. bassiana isolates (BbDm-1, BbKp-1 and BbMp-1) caused mortalities 96.7%, 100% and 93.3% in S. oryzae, and 100%, 100% and 96.7% in T. confusum, respectively, 14 days after inoculation whereas all three commercial products achieved mortalities ranging from 56.7% and 63.3% in S. oryzae and from 56.7% and 66.7% in T. confurusum. In addition, the results from molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS region sequence indicated that the three effective B. bassiana isolates (BbDm-1, BbKp-1 and BbMp-1) showed a high similarity (99%) with other B. bassiana isolates in GenBank. Overall results suggest that these three B. bassiana isolates have potential for management of S. oryzae and T. confusum.

THE FLORAL AND SCENT CHARACTERISTICS OF LAVANDIN FROM THE MICROPROPAGATION AND CUTTING PROPAGATION

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel.) is one of the most valuable species for the fragrance industries due to its extraordinary scent. This research was carried out to compare the floral and scent characteristics from the micropropagation and cutting propagation in field conditions for four years between 2014 and 2017 in Isparta-a city in the south-western part of Turkey, which is called “The Lavender Valley of Turkey”. The experiment was arranged according to a randomized complete-block design with three replications. In comparison with the propagation methods, the yield and floral characteristics of the micropropagation were higher than the cutting propagation. The fresh stem flower yield, the dried flower yield, and the examined characteristics of the lavandin were higher in the subsequent years compared to the previous years. While the highest plant height (90.10 cm), the spike length (10.16 cm), the leaf length (56.16 mm), the spike number per plant (479.0 spike plant-1), the cluster number per spike (10.70 cluster spike-1), the fresh stem flower yield (7791.0 kg ha-1), and the dried flower yield (2054.6 kg ha-1) were obtained from the micropropagation method in the year 2017, the lowest values of these characteristics were determined from the cutting propagation in 2014. The essential oil contents of the lavandin were not significantly different in both propagation methods. The essential oil contents of fresh stem flower and the dried flower of lavandin were decreased in the subsequent years, and the highest essential oil content (1.27 and 7.36%, respectively) was determined from 2014, and the lowest essential oil content (1.21 and 6.92%, respectively) from 2017. The linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, α-terpineol, and borneol L were close to each other in both propagation methods, while the eucalyptol content of the micropropagation was higher than the cutting propagation.

Litterfall production, carbon and nutrient return to the forest floor in Pinus brutia forests in Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed at investigating carbon and nutrient concentration in litterfall components and calculating the weighted concentrations. Then, we estimated the annual carbon and nutrient return to the forest floor through litterfall. The study was carried out in even-aged stands of Pinus brutia in Antalya, in the South-Western part of Turkey. The litterfall samples were separated into five components, namely needles, bark, branches, cones, and “miscellaneous” which included flowers, buds, resins, etc. The amount of carbon and nutrients including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Na were determined for each component. Carbon and nutrient concentrations differed significantly among litterfall components. The mean annual carbon returned to the forest floor was found to be 1515.9 (kg ha−1yr−1), which corresponds to 51.62 % in total annual litterfall. The annual amounts of nutrients of N, Ca, K, Mg and P returned to the forest floor were calculated as 149.7, 36.9, 7.2, 6.6, and 2.1 (kg ha−1yr−1), respectively. The weighted C concentration calculated in this study can be used for more accurate national carbon sink reporting. In addition, information on nutrients returned to the forest floor via litterfall could be useful in various forest and watershed management activities.

Investigation of Orthohantavirus Seroprevalence in Northern Rural Areas of Denizli Province, Turkey.

Orthohantaviruses infect humans via inhalation of the viral particles in the excreta of infected rodents or direct contact with infected rodents. The infections caused by Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) and Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus (DOBV) have been reported in Turkey. Serum samples of 346 healthy volunteers who are in the high-risk group of Orthohantavirus infections among the residents of Çal, Baklan, Çivril, and Bekilli counties, located in the northeast part of Denizli province, were used in this study. The samples were screened and confirmed using commercial ELISA and immunoblot tests, which detect IgG antibodies against DOBV, PUUV, and Hantaan orthohantavirus. IgG antibodies against PUUV were detected in the samples of 2 volunteers (2/346, 0.6%). One was a veterinarian and the other a farmer and they live in the Baklan and Çal counties, respectively. Both of them have a high probability of exposure to the virus, based on their occupation and living conditions. However, no symptoms were found in the clinical findings of both cases. This study is the first publication of reported PUUV seropositivities from the southwestern part of Turkey.

Associations Between Emotional States, Self-Efficacy For and Attitude Towards Using Educational Technology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between alternative certification preservice teachers’ levels of depression, stress, educational technology anxiety, self-efficacy for educational technology, and attitude towards using technology in education to provide insight into the interplay between intrinsic factors affecting technology integration. Participants were 451 preservice teachers enrolled in the alternative certification program at a public university in the southwestern part of Turkey (N=451). Data were collected using the Educational Technology Standards Self-Efficacy Scale, Attitude towards Using Technology in Education Scale, Educational Technology Anxiety Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Beck’s Depression Inventory. In addition to descriptive techniques, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that preservice teachers suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety, even more so than other undergraduate students. Age did not correlate with any of the parameters. Stress and depression did not differ according to gender; however, females were more anxious about using educational technology. Additionally, findings indicated bidirectional and cyclical relationships between emotional states, self-efficacy, and attitude. Finally, using educational technology for instructional purposes and for secondary purposes such as classroom management were associated with different sets of self-efficacy beliefs, and attitudes. Findings of the research were discussed and suggestions were made.

Association of Career Satisfaction with Stress and Depression: The Case of Preservice Music Teachers

In order to investigate the relationships between preservice music teachers’ levels of career satisfaction, severity of depression, and perceived stress, ninety-four students enrolled in the music education BSc program of the faculty of education at a public university in southwestern part of Turkey were survey. Data were collected by Beck’s Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and Career Satisfaction Scale. Associations were analyzed by ANOVA, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. It was found that preservice music teachers’ stress and depression levels were significantly higher compared to previously reported means while career satisfaction levels were lower. Preservice music teachers’ career satisfaction scores significantly differed according to the grade level. There was a strong positive relationship between severity of depression and perceived stress level while career satisfaction was weakly and negatively associated with both severity of depression and perceived stress. Finally, career satisfaction neither was a predictor of nor predicted by stress or depression.

Investigation of pesticide ruins by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS chromatography in sweet fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of the pesticide residues on the seeds of sweet fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Mill. cv. Dulce, grown by good agricultural practices. The sweet fennel was grown in Tefenni town of Burdur provience in South Western Part of Turkey. The residue analyses were done by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS chromatographies. Total 186 active substances in used pesticides during the cultivation period were analyzed by LC-MS/MS chromatography meanwhile 116 active substances of pesticides by GC-MS/MS chromatography device were analyzed in sweet fennel seed. This study was conducted in years of 2012 and 2013 consecutively. Detectable pesticide residues have not been measured in the samples.

Heavy metal contamination in the muscle of Aegean chub (Squalius fellowesii) and potential risk assessment.

Especially after the industrial revolution, the amount of contaminants released in aquatic ecosystems has considerably increased. For this reason, the necessity to carry on research on the existence of contaminants, specifically heavy metals, has emerged. In this study, heavy metal concentrations in muscle tissues of Aegean chub, which was an endemic species of south western part of Turkey, gathered from Tersakan River were examined. Heavy metal concentrations of the samples were analyzed with ICP-MS. Estimated daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) of elements were calculated. The heavy metals detected in muscle tissues were Zn > Cu > Cr > Mn > Pb > Cd, consecutively. According to the results of the applied health risk assessment (EDI, THQ and CR) for heavy metal exposure from fish consumption in children and adults, it was determined that there was no any significant threat to human health.

Seasonal and spatial changes in water and sediment quality variables in Bafa Lake

The brackish Bafa Lake located in the southwestern part of Turkey is under stress because of both natural and untreated wastewater effluents. The purpose of this research is to determine spatiotemporal distributions of some physicochemical variables in water column (temperature, salinity, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, NH4–N, NO2–N, NO3–N, oPO4–P, TPO4–P, chlorophyll-a, total suspended solids) and sediment (TN, TC, TOC, TP) and their relationships at coastal stations. In the water column, nitrate and phosphate concentrations showed seasonal variations with high values recorded in winter period. Ammonium was determined as a main source of TIN component. During summer period, a large amount of total phosphorus was found as dissolved organic form. However, in the winter period, inorganic phosphate levels increased at sampling stations. N limitation was a common feature throughout the lake where P-limitation was only observed in summer period. The total phosphorus levels which showed hypereutrophic condition at the western part of the lake changed between 1.55 and 4.99 μM and did not remain in the range for uncontaminated condition. In the lake sediment, a strong relationship was found between TOC and TC levels. Generally, the mean TOC concentrations constitute small amount of TC values in the sampling stations. The results also indicated that a strong correlation exists between TOC and TN values, and TN was greatly regulated by organic sources. In the lake, TOC:TN ratios changed between 5 and 13; the ratio greater than 10 could be an indicator of algal and land plant sources mixing as an organic matter.

Analysis of Species, Subgroups, and Endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) From Southwestern Cotton Fields in Turkey.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests worldwide including Turkey. Although there are substantial data regarding species composition of Turkish B. tabaci populations, the situation is still not clear and further investigations are needed. Therefore, in this study, species and subgroups of B. tabaci collected from cotton fields in southwestern part of Turkey (Antalya, Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla) were determined using microsatellite analysis, AluI-based mtCOI polymerase chain reaction-random length polymorphism, and sequencing. Secondary endosymbionts were also determined using diagnostic species-specific PCR. Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), Mediterranean (MED) Q1, and MED Q2 were the species and subgroups found in this study. The MED species (85.3%) were found to be more dominant than MEAM1. Species status of B. tabaci varied depending on the location. Although all samples collected from Aydın were found to be Q1, three species and subgroups were found in Muğla. Secondary endosymbionts varied according to species and subgroups. Arsenophonus was found only from Q2, while Hamiltonella was detected in MEAM1 and Q1. In addition, high Rickettsia and low Wolbachia infections were detected in MEAM1 and Q1 populations, respectively. In conclusion, for the first time, we report the presence and symbiotic communities of Q1 from Turkey. We also found that the symbiont complement of the Q1 is more congruent with Q1 from Greece than other regions of the world, which may have some interesting implications for movement of this invasive subgroup.

Crustal thickness variations in the Eastern Mediterranean and southern Aegean region

In this paper, regional analog gravity anomaly map obtained from the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) was digitized and used for the calculation of the crustal thickness (Moho depth) variations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the southern part of the Aegean Region. In the gravity anomaly map, there are mainly E–W trending apparent gravity anomalies represented by the contours up to 150 mGal. They are generally parallel to the shorelines of Africa, Turkey and Crete. Crustal thickness variations were calculated from the gravity anomalies, using an empirical equation in this study. Obtained thicknesses (Moho depths) were mapped and correlated with the previous investigations and seismological findings. According to the estimations, crustal thicknesses are about 25–30 km along the coastal regions and more than 30 km on the onshore part of Turkey increasing up to 42 km through the eastern Anatolia. However, there are thin crustal zones around 17 km in the offshore Egypt, to the NW part of Cyprus and about 19 km to the north of Crete. They may be related with the main tectonic trends in this region except the circular thinning to the south of Kas (southwestern part of Turkey). In order to determine the locations and boundaries of prominent tectonic elements, Analytic Signal (AS) and maxspots maps of the gravity anomalies were also prepared in this study. All produced maps are generally consistent to each other and the boundaries of main tectonic units were apparently illustrated in the maxspots map from the horizontal gradient of Bouguer anomalies.

Evaluation of groundwater quality and contamination in drinking water basins: a case study of the Senirkent-Uluborlu basin (Isparta-Turkey)

Egirdir Lake is an important water resource protected by special regulations. The lake is located in the southwestern part of Turkey. The water quality of the lake is affected by the surface and groundwater sources coming from the basin. The quality of water in the study area is threatened by agricultural activities, anthropogenic effects and industrial areas. As an important water resource, both water quality and protection from contamination are serious issues. The present study aimed at examining the quality and contamination of surface and groundwaters in Senirkent-Uluborlu basin which is located in the surface discharging area of Egirdir Lake. It is concluded that there is a water recharge from the basin to Egirdir Lake with meanly 25,680,000 m3/year surface water and meanly 33,220,000 m3/year groundwater flows. Hydrogeological structure of the basin has been explained in the study. The hydraulic relation of aquifers with lake has been proven and the water quality has been evaluated by investigating the hydrogeochemical properties of groundwaters in the basin. Groundwater samples have been taken from 17 separate locations chosen representatively by taking into consideration the type of land usage in the basin. The hydrogeochemical analysis results of the water samples have been evaluated according to different kinds of diagrams and statistical methods and it has been seen that the waters in the basin are of CaMgHCO3 water type. According to the Stuyfzand Hydrogeochemical Classification Systems, the water of the basin is of G2-3-CaHCO3 + water type. The results of chemical analyses showed high concentrations of NO2 and NH4 which must be nil. In the study area, agricultural activities are probably the most significant anthropogenic sources of NO2 and NH4 contamination in groundwater. The high concentration values of NO3, Zn, Mn and Fe which were found in some water samples exceeding the safe limits of drinking purposes resulted from anthropogenic pollutions. It is recommended that more precautions have to be considered to protect the basin water from contamination.

Evidence of zoonotic pseudocowpox virus infection from a cattle in Turkey.

Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) infects cattle throughout the world and has zoonotic potential. However, it is not known to infect cattle in Turkey. In August 2013, we observed ulcerative nodular swelling and pustules on udder and teats of a cow in a small village nearly Lake of Bafa, Milas, Mugla locate in southwestern part of Turkey. Interestingly, the similar lesions were also observed on skin of milkier women's hand at the same time. A PCPV strain was characterized based on the major envelop gene sequence. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated strain was closely related to the members of other parapoxvirus genus. This study provides the first description of PCPV infection in Turkey.

Hydroporus emergens sp. n. from south-western Turkey (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Hydroporus emergens sp. n. is described from Tekirova (south of Antalya) in the south-western part of Turkey. The species is provisionally attributed to the H. normandi-complex which is part of the H. memnonius-group of Hydroporus Clairville, 1806. With the new species the known distribution of that complex – which so far was considered strictly western Mediterranean – is considerably expanded to the eastern Mediterranean. The species is compared with its western relatives as well as described and illustrated in detail.

Daily pan evaporation estimation using gene expression programming and adaptive neural-based fuzzy inference system

This study was conducted using gene expression programming (GEP) and an adaptive neural-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) as an alternative approach to estimate daily pan evaporation, which is an important parameter in hydrological and meteorological studies. The input parameters used to estimate daily pan evaporation from Lake Egirdir in the southwestern part of Turkey are the daily pan evaporation data of Lake Kovada (Kot) and Lake Karacaoren Dam (Kat) and the previous 1-, 2-, and 3-day pan evaporation values of Lake Egirdir. The various input combinations were tried by using pan evaporation data for the years 1998–2005. The GEP model with the highest Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and the lowest mean square error have the daily pan evaporation data of Lake Kovada (Kot) and Lake Karacaoren Dam (Kat) and the previous 1-day pan evaporation values of Lake Egirdir. The NSE of the best GEP model was obtained as 0.729, 0.722, and 0.701 for training, testing, and validation sets, respectively. Furthermore, the ANFIS models were developed using the same input combinations. It was seen that the GEP model was more superior to the ANFIS model.