We evaluated the effect of zinc treatment on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the levels of zinc (Zn), natrium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in the brain tissue during epileptic seizures. The Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each as follows: (1) control group, (2) pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group: rats treated with PTZ to induce seizures, (3) Zn group: rats treated with ZnCl₂ added to drinking water for 2 months, and (4) Zn + PTZ group. The brains were divided into left, right hemispheres, and cerebellum + brain stem regions. Evans blue was used as BBB tracer. Element concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The BBB permeability has been found to be increased in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Zn concentrations in all brain regions in Zn-supplemented groups (p < 0.05) showed an increase. BBB permeability and Zn level in cerebellum + brain stem region were significantly high compared to cerebral hemispheres (p < 0.05). In all experimental groups, Cu concentration decreased, whereas Na concentrations showed an increase (p < 0.05). Mg content in all the brain regions decreased in the Zn group and Zn + PTZ groups compared to other groups (p < 0.001). We also found that all elements’ levels showed hemispheric differences in all groups. During convulsions, Zn treatment did not show any protective effect on BBB permeability. Chronic Zn treatment decreased Mg and Cu concentration and increased Na levels in the brain tissue. Our results indicated that Zn treatment showed proconvulsant activity and increased BBB permeability, possibly changing prooxidant/antioxidant balance and neuronal excitability during seizures.

In this study, to determine whether having potential to be used as hyperaccumulator for Cd and Ni, numerous experiments were designed for conducting assessments for physiological and genotoxic changes along with defining possible alterations on mineral nutrient status of Lemna minor L. by applying Cd-Ni binary treatments (0, 100, 200 and 400 µM). Our study revealed that there were increases in the concentrations of B, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, and Mn whereas decreases were noticed in the concentrations of Na and Zn and the levels of Ca were inversely proportional to Cd-Ni applications showing tendency to increase at the low concentration and to decrease at the high concentration. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) analyses revealed that rather than band losses and new band formations, mostly intensity changes in the band profiles, and low polymorphism and high genomic template stability (GTS) were observed. Although, to date, L. minor was defined as an efficient hyperaccumulator/potential accumulator or competent phytoremedial agent by researchers. Our research revealed that L. minor showing high accumulation capability for Cd and having low polymorphism rate and high genomic template stability is a versatile hyperaccumulator, especially for Cd; therefore, highly recommended by us for decontamination of water polluted with Cd. NOVELTY STATEMENT Many studies have been focused on the effects of individual metal ions. However, heavy metal contaminants usually exist as their mixtures in natural aquatic environments. Especially, Cd and Ni coexist in industrial wastes. In this study, the accumulation properties of Lemna minor for both Cd and Ni were investigated and the effects of Cd and Ni on the bioaccumulation of B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn in L. minor were also determined. This study furthermore aimed to assess the genotoxic effects of Cd and Ni found in being extended concentrations on DNA using the Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) method.

Heavy metal pollution in coastal regions has become a serious problem due to significant environmental degradations. In the present study, an algal species, U. lactuca, was investigated to assess the impact of heavy metal pollution on the six different locations along the coastal line of the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. Heavy metal and mineral nutrient elements such as Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were determined using ICP-OES. The following lowest and highest concentrations (mg/kg; dw) were measured in Ulva samples: 1,751.66-2,465.68 for Ca, 0.45-3.22 for Cd, 6.67-18.32 for Cu, 553.32-989.33 for Fe, 3,264.48-4,301.68 for K, 961.50-1,614.53 for Mg, 8.27-25.32 for Mn, 4.93-19.32 for Pb, and 15.16-41.30 for Zn. The data revealed that U. lactuca is capable of accumulating considerable amounts of metals. Besides, metal deposition in the plant did not alter the mineral nutrient uptake pattern extensively, indicating relatively less contamination risk in the area. Overall, the comparison of heavy metal contents with seawater and sediment samples in the Ulva species showed that U. lactuca is a suitable plant for biomonitoring studies.

Turkish red pine is an evergreen tree species widely distributed in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions in Turkey. In the present work, the heavy metal pollution level in Istanbul was investigated using Turkish red pine as a biomonitor. For determining heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb) in leaf (unwashed and washed) and bark samples of Turkish red pine and its co-located soil samples we used ICP-OES. Additionally, particulate matter profiles of the research areas were investigated. The samples were collected from 5 different localities: 4 from the Bosporus region (Yildiz Grove, Fethi Pasha Grove, Baltalimani Grove and Mihrabad Grove) and one from Prince Island, also known as Buyukada (as control). According to our measurements, the highest heavy metal accumulations (in mg kg-1 DW) in plant part samples were measured between 1.526±0.012 and 1.639±0.015 for Cd, 0.543±0.007 and 0.600±0.009 for Co, 5.110±0.064 and 5.648±0.072 for Cr, 9.347±0.105 and 10.331±0.111 for Mn, 7.483±0.091 and 8.271±0.096 for Ni, and 13.848±0.159 and 14.950±0.167 for Pb, while the highest heavy metal accumulations (in mg kg-1 DW) in soil samples were measured between 1.813±0.021 and 1.974±0.029 for Cd, 6.326±0.082 and 6.992±0.091 for Co, 22.017±0.284 and 23.685±0.301 for Cr, 268.333±3.153 and 297.361±3.529 for Mn, 15.194±0.176 and 16.792±0.193 for Ni, and 68.778±0.715 and 74.514±0.883 for Pb. The highest outdoor particulate matter levels (in μg/m3) in research areas were also determined as 27.103 for fine (PM2.5) and 67.792 for coarse (PM10) aerosols. The findings revealed that Turkish red pine could accumulate noteworthy amounts of heavy metals.