Biomonitoring of air pollution by using antioxidant parameters in plants collected from different regions in Diyarbakir province

Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental concerns in both developed and developing cities. In this study, it was aimed to monitor air pollution using antioxidant parameters in Pinus nigra plants collected from different regions in Diyarbakır province. For this purpose, Pinus sp. Leaf samples of the species were collected from three different location (Eğil (control), Koşuyolu (city centre) and Industrial Area in the centre of Diyarbakır province in Agust and December. . Enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) levels were determined in the leaf of the Pinus nigra. Biochemical biomarkers were measured in a microplate reader using the ELISA method. In agust, SOD enzyme activities were decreased in Koşuyolu and industrial areas When compared to control (control), but increased at other stations compared to the control at December. CAT enzyme activity is decreased in Koşuyolu and industrial areas when compared to control. In August GPX levels increased in the organized industrial zone compared to Eğil. There was no statistically significant change in GST enzyme activity in both seasons. MDA levels generally increased in Koşuyolu and industrial area when compared to Eğil. According to the results, biomonitoring air pollution in Diyarbakır province, changes in SOD, CAT, GPX enzymes with MDA levels of Pinus nigra could be used as biomarkers but GST was not suitable as a biomarker. In addition, Pinus sp. has also proved to be an effective bioindicator that reflects the quality of the surrounding air in contaminated areas. The different results of biochemical biomarkers can be evaluated as an indication of possible metabolic processes responsible for the adverse effects of air pollution in plants and the biochemical response of the plant can reveal to some extent the environmental consequences of inadequately controlled urban air pollution in Diyarbakir.