Investigation of genotoxic effects of the total pollution in gulluk (Asin) gulf

In this study, Gulluk (Asin) Gulf which is located in the boundaries of the Mugla City, Milas District; Saricay River and Akyol Stream feeding the gulf were selected as the study area. Gulluk (Asin) Gulf is surrounded by Kiyikislacik Neighbourhood and Asin Bay in the north, Saricay Lagoon and Port of Gulluk in the east, Gulluk Town in the southeast, Bogazici Neighbourhood in the southwest and Zeytinlikuyu Neighbourhood, Karaburun Lighthouse and Aegean Sea in the west. Gulluk (Asin) Gulf is located in a region concerning ecological culture fishery besides being one of the best tourism areas. Gulluk (Asin) Gulf is under the influence of agricultural and microbial originated pollution arising from the residential areas surrounding the gulf, Saricay River andAkyol Stream. Gulluk (Asin) Gulf becomes more of an issue as having the most important second biggest port after Izmir in the Aegean Sea. The organisms that live in gulfs and bays are under the influence of environmental factors. There are many sources of pollution, which is known and unidentified, forming the total pollution. The presence of a heavy maritime traffic and the observation of uncontrolled applications in terms of bilge, ballast and the other wastewater can cause increase in the pollution over time. The basin of Saricay River and Akyol Stream compose the most important agricultural areas in the region. Mixing the residues of pesticides in significant amounts as a result of insensible usage to the gulf by the way of Saricay River andAkyol Stream is high probable. Otherwise, olive mill wastewater of olive factories located intensely around the Saricay River compose an important sourceof pollution. The gulf is also the ultimate receiving environment of the untreated or treated wastewater arising from the residential areas. Nowadays, living in an healthy environment is the most popular issue which has to be emphasized importantly. Food safety constitutes the base of healthy life. The fish produced in the Off-shore fish cultivating plants, are exported abroad especially to European countries (Italy, France, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece) in significant quantities besides internal consumption. The existing studies related with the sea water in the Off-shore fish cultivating areas in Gulluk (Asin) Gulfare intended for defining the bacteriological, physical and oceanographic situation; not for the genotoxic situation. In the scope of this research, considering the probability of high total pollutant loads, a total of 17 stations including 13 sampling points in Gulluk (Asin) Gulfand 4 points in Saricay River and Delta were selected. Sampling stations in Gulluk (Asin) Gulf were chosen around Saricay River and Akyol Stream which carry important pollutant loads to the gulf, the mouth of Tuzla Lagoon, the wastewater discharge pointsarising from the residential areas at the shore, Port of Gulluk and the Off-shore fish cultivating plants. Samples representing the spring and the summer seasons of the years, 2013 and 2014 were taken from the determined sampling points and potential genotoxicity of these samples were analyzed.Enzyme activation results were determined quantitatively by using SOS Chromotest micro-plate test method based on Escherichia coli PQ37 life activity and corrected induction factors (CIF), numerical indicators of the genotoxic activity, were calculated. The calculated CIF values were found below the threshold value (1.5) and it was concluded that no potential genotoxicity constituting damage to the DNA was detected by the SOS Chromotest at the determinated stations in Gulluk (Asin) Gulf. Out of a total of 136 raw samples taken from the determinated 17 stations in the spring and the summer seasons of the years, 2013 and 2014, 22 samples were close to the threshold value (1.5). In other words, approximately 16% of the samples approached the threshold level. This study shows that the sea water of Gulluk (Asin) Gulf do not carry any potential genotoxic risks in terms of the organisms in marine ecosystem, the Off-shore fishery and usage for swimming water as the potential genotoxic agents are under the limiting values according to the SOS Chromotest. The outputs obtained from the thesis will guide not only the tourism areas and the Off-shore fish cultivating plants, but also the activities in the other gulfs having the same properties. Furthermore, these outputs will enable to revise the present politics utilization of the gulf or take measures against the pollution due to the fact that they will compose scientific data base in terms of the potential genotoxic situation of the total pollution. Keywords:Off-shore fish cultivation, genotoxicity, SOS Chromotest, corrected induction factor (CIF), Escherichia coli PQ37, Gulluk (Asin) Gulf, Saricay, total pollution