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This study was carried out to determine the ethnobotanical characteristics of some plants distributed in Ceylanlı village (Kırıkhan/Hatay) on the slopes of Amanos Mountain. As a result of the field studies carried out between 2019 and 2021 and the interviews with the local people, it was determined that 75 taxa belonging to 41 families were used by the local people in the research area. The local names of the plants, the harvest season, the parts used, the usage purposes, and forms were determined by face-to-face interviews with different local people in their houses, farms, gardens or natural areas. The families having the highest number of using taxa in the area were determined to be Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (8 taxa each), Rosaceae (6 taxa), Amaryllidaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae (4 taxa each). In total 116 different uses belonging to the plants in the study area were determined, including uses for medical purposes such as wounds, respiratory tract, and stomachic diseases (47 taxa), food (20 taxa), daily items (6 taxa), spice (4 taxa), firewood (3 taxa), and for other different purposes (14 taxa). The obtained results were discussed by comparing them with the relevant literature. Our results show that most of the plants identified were collected by local people from their natural habitats. The local community in our study area was informed to reduce the collection of natural medicinal plants unconsciously and about the importance of cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. It is believed that this study will contribute to all relevant studies at national and international scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the energy resources specific to the Eastern Mediterranean region in the context of regional energy policies. Although natural gas is already an important energy source, its importance is increasing day by day in our world. This situation showed itself with new regional developments and was felt especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region. With the recent developments, the importance of natural gas has also increased for Turkey. In this context, the reserve status of natural gas in the world as an energy source has been considered, and it has also been interpreted together with data such as its production, import and export in the world. Then, the Eastern Mediterranean issue was examined and in this context, historical developments that have taken place so far have been discussed. In the light of historical developments, energy competition in the Eastern Mediterranean region has also been analyzed. In particular, the interest and needs of the countries in the region in this field were also evaluated. However, also assessed other chronic particularly concerned with reflections on the problems of energy competition between Turkey and Greece. Finally, implications were made about how the potential gas in the region could be used. The proper utilization of this potential will protect the environment of peace that will increase regional prosperity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tectonic structures in the Black Sea and the Levantine Sea were mapped using satellite gravity data. The relationship between Antalya and Cyprus arcs is revealed by the deformation traces of the arc formation. The Cyprus arc which over the slice that disappears from the South of the Anaximander seamounts to the Northeast, can traceable at the western end of the Antalya Bay. The distinction of western and eastern basins in the Black Sea is also mapped. Due to the low spatial resolution, additional studies with higher resolution are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravity data is processed and the problems of the earth are examined. The density of the data can be arranged to solve detail, semi-detail and regional problems. Here, the gravitational data obtained by processing the linearity of the 2D and 3D visuals in terms of plate size large wavelength structures are examined. 2D linearities determine important stress areas but they are affected at different rates with respect to the spatial distribution of source effect. Due to grid formation, these boundaries are affected at different rates from less dense and very dense structures. Different wavelengths in structure boundary analysis; derivative and phase elements and filters. Vertical change in 3D analysis can be made at the approach level with the analytical examination of 2D change. At this stage, the distribution of source effect and depth model structure parameters are calculated. When examining large wavelength structures, some of the buried structures appear due to cover removal. In search of solutions for tectonic structures that we may miss; The tectonic components that need to be confirmed in the Eastern Mediterranean have been tried to be elucidated in this study. 3D building solutions are important in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite an acknowledged dearth of data on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations from Southern European countries, inter-country comparison is hampered by inconsistent data reporting. The purpose of the current study was to conduct a systematic literature review of available data on serum 25(OH)D concentrations and estimate vitamin D status in Southern European and Eastern Mediterranean countries, both at a population level and within key population subgroups, stratified by age, sex, season and country.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify and retrieve scientific articles reporting data on serum 25(OH)D concentration and/or vitamin D status following standard procedures.Results: Data were extracted from 107 studies, stratified by sex and age group, representing 630,093 individuals. More than one-third of the studies reported mean 25(OH)D concentrations below 50 nmol/L and ~ 10% reported mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 25 nmol/L. Overall, females, neonates/ infants and adolescents had the higher prevalence of poor vitamin D status. As expected, there was considerable variability between studies. Specifically, mean 25(OH)D ranged from 6.0 (in Italian centenarians) to 158 nmol/L (in elderly Turkish men); the prevalence of serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L ranged from 6.8 to 97.9% (in Italian neonates).Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, there was a high prevalence of low vitamin D status in the Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, despite abundant sunshine. These data further emphasize the need for strategies, such as fortification of foods with vitamin D and/or vitamin D supplementation, which will be tailored to the needs of specific population groups with higher risk of insufficiency or deficiency, to efficiently tackle the pandemic of hypovitaminosis D in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper covers studies on the molecular and ecological aspects of G. glabra var. glandulifera, G. flavescens ssp. flavescens and G. echinata collected from Hatay (Turkey); with the aim to better understand their genetic variation and ecological requirements for possible conservation programs. The material including total genomic DNA was extracted by the CTAB, and for PCR reaction, a total of 14 SSR primers developed for Medicago truncatula were used. PCR amplifications were performed in a Multigen Thermal Cycler. Soil samples were analysed for their texture, pH, total soluble salts, calcium carbonate, total N content, total phosphorus and organic matter content. In order to see the association between genetic, ecological and geographical data, a similarity matrix was generated. Genetic similarity distances between genotypes were correlated with those of Eucledian distances obtained from ecological and geographical data. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was performed using GenAlEx 6.5 software to determine variation among and within genetic variations. The genetic analysis showed that the highest expected heterozygosity values were obtained from G. glabra while the lowest were obtained from G. echinata. In general heterozygosity values were low, especially for G. echinata. Therefore, variation appears to be lower within each species than among three species. The physical and chemical analysis of soil and plant samples indicates that mineral accumulation in plants is substantially affected by the soil characteristics. There is a need for identification of better strategies for the improvement of varieties, especially for small farmers managing marginal soils. More studies should be conducted in order to safeguard these taxa, especially G. glabra var. glandulifera which is collected intensively due to its economic value, the same is true for endemic taxon G. flavescens ssp. flavescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 25 surface sediment samples from five sites located at Oludeniz Lagoon of the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The total concentration of the PAHs (1.85 ± 1.39 mg/kg) was lower than the sediments from highly urbanized areas, while it was comparable with the sediments from similar locations. Acenaphthene and chrysene were dominant ones with the concentrations of 0.620 and 0.515 mg/kg, respectively. The isomeric ratios indicated that combustion is the predominant source of PAHs in the sediments. Factor analysis solution supports the same finding with three major factors accounting for 71.7 % of the variability in the data. Factor 1 with 43.4 % of the total variance identified as a pyrogenic source (coal combustion; 4 rings PAH and traffic related pollution; 5-6 rings PAHs). Factor 2 (explains 39 % of the total variance) represents PAHs originating from traffic, and factor 3 (explains 12 % of the total variance) represents petrogenic source. Our results suggest that combustion of fossil fuels affects most of the points, followed by combustion of biomass and human activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the actual knowledge on the atmospheric pollution sources, transport, transformation and levels in the East Mediterranean. It focuses both on the background atmosphere and on the similarities and differences between the urban areas that exhibited important urbanization the past years: the two megacities Istanbul, Cairo and the Athens extended area. Ground-based observations are combined with satellite data and atmospheric modeling. The overall evaluation pointed out that long and regional range transport of natural and anthropogenic pollution sources have about similar importance with local sources for the background air pollution levels in the area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The metamorphic sole rocks at the base of mantle peridotites from the Mersin ophiolite consist of amphibolites and metasedimentary lithologies. Mineral parageneses in the metamorphic sole rocks exhibit amphibolite and greenschist facies assemblages. Geothermobarometric studies based on mineral assemblages and chemical compositions of minerals indicate that average metamorphic temperature during the metamorphism was 522 ± 15 °C and the pressure was less than 5 kb. Amphibolites from the metamorphic sole rocks exhibit geochemical characteristics of a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) type ophiolite, based on their major, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions. The Th/Nb ratios of the amphibolites are higher than the average mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and ocean island basalt (OIB) values. This may suggest that they were probably derived from an enriched mantle source modified by the addition of subduction component. Island arc tholeiite (IAT), OIB and MORB-like geochemistry of the amphibolites suggest that protoliths of these rocks were formed in a SSZ environment similar to the South Sandwich arc-basin system from South Atlantic ocean and the Mariana Trough from the Western Pacific. Isolated dolerite dykes intrude both the metamorphic sole rocks and the ophiolitic units at different structural levels. Dolerite dykes cutting the metamorphic sole rocks exhibit IAT-like geochemistry. They are enriched in large-ion-lithophile elements (LILE), depleted in high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and have relatively flat REE patterns, which also confirm their subduction-related origin. Double subduction is inferred here to explain the generation of the metamorphic sole rocks and dykes in the Neotethyan ocean, since the metamorphic sole rocks exhibit SSZ characteristics and were intruded by unmetamorphosed IAT-like dolerite dykes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tauride Belt Ophiolites in southern Turkey are located on both sides of the E--W-trending, Mesozoic Tauride carbonate platform. They comprise the Lycian, Antalya, Beyşehir, Mersin, Alihoca and Pozanti-Karsanti ophiolites from west to east. Each ophiolite has a metamorphic rock unit either at the base of the peridotites or in the mélange units. The metamorphic sole rocks generally consist of amphibolite at the top and near the contact with the overlying tectonized harzburgite of the ophiolites, and mica schists mostly at the base, near the tectonic contact with the underlying ophiolitic mélange. 40Ar-39Ar measurements from the metamorphic sole rocks of the Lycian, Antalya and Beyşehir ophiolites are the first precise ages dating intra-oceanic thrusting and the cooling age history during the closure of the Neotethyan Ocean. Amphiboles and white micas from the metamorphic sole rocks of the ophiolites yielded 40A--39Ar ages between 90.7 ± 5:0.5 Ma and 93.8 ± 1.7 Ma and between 91.2 ± 2.3 Ma and 93.6 ± 0.8 Ma, respectively. Hornblende plateau ages from the ampbibolites of the Lycian ophiolites (near Köyceğiz) agree with those of Antalya, indicating that they were metamorphosed simultaneously in the Neotethyan Ocean. The white micas display plateau ages concordant with the amphiboles from the same units in Köyceğiz and Yeşilova (Lycian ophiolites) and from the Pozanti-Karsanti ophiolite, suggesting that the metamorphic sole rocks were rapidly cooled after their generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mersin Melange underlies the intact Mersin Ophiolite and its metamorphic sole to the south of the Mesozoic Tauride Carbonate Platform in southern Turkey. The Melange varies from chaotic melange to broken formation, in which some stratigraphic continuity can be recognized. Based on study of the broken formation, four lithological associations are recognized: (1) shallow-water platform association, dominated by Upper Palaeozoic-Lower Cretaceous neritic carbonates; (2) rift-related volcanogenic-terrigenous-pelagic association, mainly Upper Triassic andesitic-acidic volcanogenic rocks, siliciclastic gravity flows, basinal carbonates and radiolarites; (3) within-plate-type basalt-radiolarite-pelagic limestone association, interpreted as Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous seamounts with associated radiolarian sediments and Upper Cretaceous pelagic carbonates; (4) ophiolite-derived association, including fragments of the Upper Cretaceous Mersin Ophiolite and its metamorphic sole. Locally, the ophiolitic melange includes granite that yielded a K/Ar radiometric age of 375.7 ± 10.5 Ma (Late Devonian). This granite appears to be subduction influenced based on 'immobile' element composition. The Mersin Melange documents the following history: (1) Triassic rifling of the Tauride continent; (2) Jurassic-Cretaceous passive margin subsidence; (3) oceanic seamount genesis; (4) Cretaceous supra-subduction zone ophiolite genesis; (5) Late Cretaceous intra-oceanic convergence/metamorphic sole formation, and (6) latest Cretaceous emplacement onto the Tauride microcontinent and related backthrusting. Regional comparisons show that the restored Mersin Melange is similar to the Beysehir-Hoyran Nappes further northwest and a northerly origin best fits the regional geological picture. These remnants of a North-Neotethys (Inner Tauride Ocean) were formed and emplaced to the north of the Tauride Carbonate Platform. They are dissimilar to melanges and related units in northern Syri... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microcontinent, the Alanya massif, existed between the Tauride continent and the S Neotethys. • Partial subduction/exhumation caused late Cretaceous blueschist/greenschist facies metamorphism. • Blueschists occur within melange related to oceanic subduction prior to microcontinental collision; • The protoliths of metabasalts formed in subduction-related and within-plate settings. • Triassic basalts in the non-metamorphic Antalya Complex to the N represent a marginal rift. The Alanya Massif represents a microcontinent that underwent subduction/exhumation related to collision with the larger Tauride microcontinent to the north during latest Cretaceous-Palaeocene. Intermediate-structural-level blueschist melange in the northwest (Gündoğmuş area) encompasses ductile-deformed meta-basaltic rocks, meta-cherts and minor serpentinite in a lower-grade meta-mudrock matrix. The meta-basaltic protoliths mainly formed in a subduction-influenced setting, together with less common OIB and E-MORB. Late Permian platform/slope carbonates were intersliced during late-stage brittle thrusting and directly over-ridden by a lower-grade (greenschist facies) Late Permian-Early Triassic-aged platform unit. The blueschist melange is interpreted as an oceanic subduction complex that was obducted southwards related to microcontinental collision. Intermediate-structural-level HP/LT blueschist-ecologites farther south (Alanya area) indicate that the Alanya Massif represents variably subducted/exhumed continental crust. Both subduction and exhumation took place during the latest Cretaceous, prior to Late Palaeocene-Early Eocene marine transgression. Late Precambrian protoliths of eclogitic HP/LT rocks, and also similar-aged amphibolite facies meta-basic intrusions farther southeast (Anamur area) are interpreted to have formed in a Panafrican (Cadomian) late-stage back-arc setting. Late Triassic basaltic rocks in the Antalya Complex (structurally beneath and to the north) erupted in a rift setting. We restore the Mesozoic palaeogeography from north to south as: Tauride microcontinent-Antalya rift basin-Alanya micrcontinent-S Neotethys. The subduction/exhumation history may serve as a model for similar active margin/collisional settings elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been used for treatment of many diseases since the ancient times with traditional knowledge being transferred from generation to generation. However, in recent years, many natural habitats have been contaminated due to increased anthropogenic activities. Plants which are exposed to heavy metal toxicity may experience several serious problems. Furthermore, the inclusion of these plants into the food chain poses a threat to human health as well. Additionally, presence of heavy metals directly effect mineral nutrition and consequently the food quality. The aim of this study herewith is to determine the heavy metal content and mineral nutrient status of some medicinal plants to have insight on their health repercussions on plants and humans. The concentrations of Al, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn in commonly used parts (root, rhizome, seed, resin, gall, fruit) especially for remedial purposes of 17 medicinal plants collected from Turkey were analyzed by ICP-OES. The measured values for concentrations from lowest to highest were (in mg kg -1 ) 30.983-368.877 for Al, 13.845-186.015 for B, 1335.699-11213.951 for Ca, 0.016-0.653 for Cd, 0.379-30.708 for Cr, 23.838-90.444 for Cu, 78.960-1228.845 for Fe, 1035.948-6393.491 for K, 83.193-2252.031 for Mg, 12.111-362.570 for Mn, 278.464-1968.775 for Na, 1.945-35.732 for Ni, 0.796-17.162 for Pb and 166.910-395.252 for Zn. Overall, heavy metal concentrations in medicinal plants collected nearby industrial regions, mining and farming sites, were found to be in slightly higher levels. This shows us that it is of crucial importance that the areas where medicinal plants are collected are clean especially by means of heavy metals for the reason that these plants can cause more harm than the benefits they may provide if they are contaminated.