The Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Whiting Fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840), a Local and Economic Species of the Central Black Sea Region

The present study aimed to determine the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) accumulations in muscle tissues, gills, gonads, liver, and other visceral organs (liver) of whiting fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840) samples obtained by hunting from the Sinop (Black Sea) coasts. The mean cadmium value in muscle tissue, which concerns public health, was found to be 1.07±0.02 µg.kg-1, the chromium value was found to be 1.48±0.07 µg.kg-1, the nickel value was found to be 1.77±0.14 µg.kg-1, the lead value was found to be 5.38±0.29 µg.kg-1 while the mercury value was determined only in the gill and could not be determined in organs, and since it was below the limit values declared by international organizations for all metals, it was determined that it would not create adverse effects for human consumption. Also, examining the order of accumulation of heavy metals in tissues and organs from highest to lowest, it was sorted as liver> visceral organ> gill> muscle> gonad for cadmium; visceral organ> gill> muscle> liver> gonad for chromium; visceral organ> gill> liver> muscle> gonad for nickel; gill> visceral organ> liver> muscle> gonad for lead, while the mercury accumulation was detected only in the gill. Also, the data obtained as a result of the analyses made in the gonad is an important determination in terms of the effects of heavy metals on the reproduction of the species, as well as on the continuity of the population. Since the values determined in the other analyzed tissues were below the limit values reported by international organizations, the results showed that they do not pose any threat to human health in terms of workplace and time, type, and determined heavy metals.

Grime's CSR Strategies of Aquatic Macrophytes in Different Lagoon Lakes in Northern Turkey

In this study, CSR strategies, biological diversity and water traits were evaluated in three lagoon lakes (Liman, Cernek and Balık) which had different nutrient status in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. The most productive lake was Balık lake, while the lowest productive lake is Liman lake in the study area. Secondary strategies were found to be dominant in studied lakes. No species exhibit pure S-strategy in the present study. pH, electrical conductivity, P and NH4 concentrations were found to be significant. However, total of nitrite-N and nitrate-N concentrations were not significant. EC and pH were associated with the species in Liman and Cernek lakes, respectively. However, P and NH4 concentrations were associated with the species in Balık lake according to canonical correspondence analysis. Significant correlations were found among chemical traits and biological diversity. pH was positively correlated with Shannon-Wiener index, while negatively correlated with Simpson and Berger-Parker indexes. No significant correlations were found between water P concentrations and evenness. Our data supported intermediate disturbance hypothesis in the studied lakes.

Neo-Liberal and Neo-Realist Theories Fail to Explain Regional Events; An Example of the Refugees Living in the Middle Black Sea Region within Scope of International Critical Theory

Contrary to traditional theories that accept states as rational and claim that identities are independent of the effects of social relations, international critical theory deals with how individuals, institutions and states are shaped in the historical process. When we examine the current situation in the region from the perspective international of critical theory, we see that international critical theory brings direct, systematic and social explanations of the situation in the region. International critical theory has drawn attention to the dangers of uncontrolled particularism, which can easily deprive 'strangers' from certain rights. Linklater claims that this would be overcome by the establishment of a system based on more cosmopolitan, negotiating, dialogue and rationality, beyond the borders of the sovereign states. If we evaluate the situation in terms of the refugees living in the Central Black Sea region, the universalization and centralization of justice can triggers social transformation in the long run and it can eliminate differences between citizen and people

Impacts of Adapted Altitude on Yield and Some Others Characteristics of Bituminaria bituminosa

This study was carried out with 86 Bituminaria bituminosa (Bitbit) genotypes collected from Central Black Sea Region of Northern Anatolia in Samsun in 2012. After cleaning, seeds scarifying with sandpaper and sown in small pots. In November of 2012, the seedlings were transplanted to experimental field. No fertilizer and water applied throughout the study and spring and autumn elongation, hay yield and harvesting number in the second year of the plants (2014) were observed during the study. According to correlation analysis, there was a negative and statistically significant linear correlation between altitude and spring elongation, autumn elongation, harvest number. There was also a negative statistically insignificant correlation between altitude and hay yield. A positive and significant correlation was found between hay yield and spring and autumn elongations, harvest number; between spring and autumn elongations and number of harvest. Some genotypes taken from high altitudes stayed dormant in winter period, furthermore they started elongation later than the others and a slight growth was recorded in autumn. In the light of these results, it is possible to improve cultivars for different ecological conditions.

Mineral composition and nutritional properties of Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don populations in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the mineral contents and some nutritional properties of Trachystemon orientalis L. growing in the Central Black Sea Region, Turkey, and that is consumed as vegetable. Surveys and field studies were started during the spring semester of 2011 (April–May) and they were collected from Samsun and Ordu, where they are intense. In the study, it is was observed that pH, dry matter, content of ash, N, protein, vitamin C, macro- and microelements examined in Trachystemon orientalis varied considerably. The pH, dry matter, ash, N, protein and C content of the plants ranged from 6.61 to 6.88, 13.0 to 22.1%, 9.2 to 17.0%, 2.3 to 3.3%, 14.1 to 20.3% and 0.12 to 39.03 mg/100g, respectively. Mineral analysis showed that Trachystemon orientalis contained considerably high amounts of potassium (3883.8 to 5791.4 mg/100g), phosphorus (339.7 to 540.9 mg/100 g), calcium (159.4 to 432.4 mg/100g), magnesium (108.0 to 176.4 mg/100 g), iron (10.7 to 63.1 mg/100 g), sodium (22.1 to 66.3 mg/100g), copper (0.6 to 1.5 mg/100 g), manganese (1.5 to 3.6 mg/100g) and zinc (2.3 to 7.6 mg/100g). Mineral compositions of the plants varied significantly depending on the genotypes. T. orientalis was determined as abundant in contents of vitamin C, minerals and protein.

Depression, Need for Social Approval and Loneliness in University Students

The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between need for approval and loneliness and depression in university students. The second purpose of the current study is to examine depression, need for social approval and loneliness in relation to some demographic variables. The study was conducted on a total of 249 students (175 females and 74 males) attending the Education Faculty of a university located in the Central Black Sea Region. The current study employed a personal information form, the Beck Depression Inventory, the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Need for Social Approval Scale to collect data. In order to determine the correlations between depression, loneliness and need for social approval “multiple regression analysis”; in order to determine between-groups differences, “t-test” and “variance analysis” were used. The findings of the study have revealed that loneliness and need for social approval explains 22% of the total variance in depression. In terms of contribution to the model, loneliness was found to be a better predictor of depression than the need for social approval. Depression, loneliness and the need for approval were found to be not varying significantly depending on gender. Only need for social approval was found to be varying significantly depending on both the mother’s and the father’s education level. The findings are discussed focusing on the relationship between loneliness and the need for social approval and depression in university students.