Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Effects of Heavy Metals (Copper, Cobalt and Lead) on the Growth and Photosynthetic pigments of the Green Alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa H. Chick11018297ENSoadMohy El-DinDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, EgyptJournal Article20181104The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations (0.05, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L) of Copper Cu2+, Cobalt Co2+ and Lead Pb2+ on growth, pigment contents, protein and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The data show that the lower doses of Co2+ had stimulatory effect on biomass of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, whereas the higher doses were inhibitory depending on the type of the metals. The inhibitory effect of copper to growth parameters of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was more pronounced than other two tested metals. The total protein content of the tested green alga gradually decreased in a manner dependent on the metal concentration in the medium. Our results showed reduction in the antioxidant enzymes (SOD) and (CAT) in Chlorella pyrenoidosa after exposure when compared with activities in the control. The inhibitory effects of either of the used heavy metals depend on concentration and time of exposure. These results provide some additional information that can lead to better understand consequences of heavy metal poisoning in microalgae.Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Ecological Prominence of Juniperus phoenicea L. Growing in Gebel Halal, North Sinai, Egypt112318330ENAbdelraufMoustafaFaculty of science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia0000-0001-6378-1949MohamedZaghloulBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, EgyptRaafatAbd El-WahabBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Science Department, Faculty of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Adailiya 73251, KuwaitDinaAlsharkawyBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, EgyptMonaIsmailBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, EgyptAshrafSalmanBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
Biology Department, Preparatory Year Deanship, Jazan University, Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20181105Identifying diversity, distribution, and habitats of interest species is an important task for developing conservation and restoration programs. Juniperus phoenicea has suffered immense destruction and degradation over the last few decades on the anticlines of North Sinai. Therefore, this study evaluated the ecological status of J. phoenicea assemblages in Gebel Halal, and analyzed floristic composition, distribution and species diversity in different habitats. Germination treatments Juniper seeds were also considered. The results showed that the surveyed area of Gebel Halal harbors 73 plant species including 50 medicinal plant species representing 69% of the recorded species, of which 17 species were found only in the mountainous area. Soils of gorge habitats are the richest soil in organic matter (2.22%), and silt and clay content (17.19%). These conditions support dense vegetation of J. phoenicea assemblages associated with many sub-shrubs, shrubs and annuals. Mean canopy cover of J. phoenicea at gorge habitats is 14.21% (±6.45 SD, ±3.73 SE), and mean diameter is 3.53 m (±1.29 SD, ±0.74 SE). The study area showed also assemblages of Acacia pachyceras at wadi habitats; Anabasis articulata, Ballota undulata and Lycium shawii at slope habitats. Associated species include Zygophyllum dumosum, Chiliadenus montanus and Globularia arabica. Ecological characterization and floristic composition were most influenced by climatic and edaphic factors. Isolated patches of the remnant assemblages of Juniperus phoenicea persist in gorges (220-400m altitude) growing on fractures of smooth-faced limestone outcrops of Gebel Halal. Assemblages of J. phoenicea are considered local threatened endemic Mediterranean type mainly due to human disturbances. The results of the preliminary germination experiments showed low germination percentages when seeds were shaken with gravel and coarse sand for 15 minutes (20%), and when seeds were soaked in concentrated acids for 5 or 10 minutes (10%). In conclusion, the ecological conditions for J. phoenicea indicated that it is an endangered species. Immediate protection of the remaining J. phoenicea trees and future restoration programs should be the priority for conservation strategies of this endemic assemblage type. The anticlines of North Sinai that harbor J. phoenicea assemblages should be listed as a priority habitat in the national conservation plan.Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Ions Relationships between Plant and Soil under Hot Desert Conditions253618333ENKFarghaliBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, EgyptAbeerEl-AidarousBiology Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, K.S.A.Journal Article20181105This study was carried out on eight wild species inhabited the tributaries of Wadi Noman, in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The results were indicated that, the correlations between soil texture and water soluble ions of soil extract were positive in case of clay and silt soils and negative in case of sandy soil, while the correlation with gravel was variable. A correlation between the water content of plant, fine soil and gravel was negative, while a positive correlation was existed with sandy soil. Generally, the investigated species accumulated more potassium followed by sodium. Meanwhile, calcium and magnesium were moderately accumulated in plants; the accumulation of chlorides and sulphates was minor. The high K+/Na+ ratio was observed in both Heliotropium. arbainense and low ratio in Caralluma russeliana (succulent species). Apparently, there were significant correlations between ions of the soil and analogous ions in plant. Also, the interaction between Wadi and species had a major role on the elemental constituents of plants, while single factors alternate the secondary roleEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Ecological Study on Wild Vegetation of Palm Fields across some Oases in Western Desert, Egypt374918334ENMahaAlshamyBotany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt.Journal Article20181105Vegetation composition and its relation to environmental variables in the palm groves along Kharga, Dakhla and Paris Oases in the Western Desert of Egypt, were examined. The oases are the most prominent features of the Western Desert of Egypt. They are green patches amidst the surrounding sterile desert. The aridity index used by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, 1997), indicates that this district lies in a hyper-arid region, with annual rainfall close to 0.0 mm. analysis of vegetation along environmental gradients that prevail in the study area using the relative importance values of 25 perennials in 62 quadrates, followed by multivariate data analysis was presented. Al together, 74 species (25 perennials, 41 annuals, 5 short-lived perennials and 3 biennials) belonging to 70 genera and 25 families of the flowering plants were recorded and one related to pteridophyta. Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Brassicaceae were the largest families, and constitute more than 56.76% of the total number of recorded species. Therophytes and chamaephytes were the most frequent, denoting a typical desert life-form spectrum. Phytochorological analysis revealed that 64 % of the studied species were Pluri-regional elements, of which 19 % being Cosmopolitan chorotype. It also showed the percentages of the Mediterranean species were 47.29% and 31.07%of the Saharo-Sindian species. Classification of the vegetation was analysed using TWINSPAN technique resulted in the recognition of six vegetation groups, each of definite floristic composition. Antimicrobial and acaricidal activities of methanolic extract for some wild taxa of the study area were screened. There were similarity for some species which found in northern coastal regions and other related to wild vegetation of the southern part of eastern desert of Egypt.Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Identification of Bacillus Thuringiensis Isolated from Different Sources by Biolog GEN III System and Scanning Electron Microscopy515718336ENHendHamedoFaculty of Science, El Arish University, El Arish, EgyptJournal Article20181105The present study aims to isolate and characterize Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains isolated from different sources. These strains were subjected to morphological and biochemical characterization. The most active five isolates were presumptively confirmed as Bt strains. They were resistant to 8% NaCl, unable to survive at 50oC, motile and had haemolytic activity. The 5 isolates showed positive reaction to catalase test, methyl red test, arginine decarboxylation, citrate utilization and gave negative reactions to the oxidase test and indole test. All of them were also able to ferment glucose, sucrose, maltose, fructose, raffinose, dextrin, glycerol, pectin and gelatine whereas they could not ferment mannitol, arabitol, rhamnose, lactose, mannose or sorbitol. All isolates were Gram-positive and sensitive to Penicillin, Tobramycin, Bacitarcin and Amoxycillin/Clavulinic acid whereas they were resistant to Clindamycin, Nitrofuratoin, Candicidin and Chlramphenicol. The surface features of Bt spores were more clearly revealed with the scanning electron microscope. Bt spores have been described as cylindrical to ellipsoids in shape, surface smooth to very slightly ribbed and were covered with exosporium.Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101Relationship between Vegetation and Soil Seed Bank at Protected Versus Unprotected Sites at Coastal Habitats in Libya596818337ENElsayedNafeaAquatic Environment Department, Faculty of Fish Resources, Suez University, EgyptJournal Article20181105The present study conducted to assess the relationship between vegetation and soil seed bank at protected versus unprotected sites at coastal habitats in Libya, where two sites (protected and non-protected) were selected and soil seeds estimated manually by sieving and flotation method. The results revealed that 190 species recorded in the protected site for both vegetation and soil seed bank, among them 87 perennials, 2 biennials and 101 annual and included 126 genera belonging to 34 families. While the non-protected site vegetation attained 104 species, among them 51 perennials, 2 biennials and 51 annuals and 82 species in soil seed bank, from which 12 species were found only as seeds and 77 species were found as seeds and as vegetation, but 22 species were found only as vegetative forms. The life form spectrum was dominated by therophytes which represented by 106 species, (55.78%) of the total number of recorded species, hemicryptophytes 32 species, (16.84%), cryptophytes 23 species, (12.1%), Chamaephytes 16 species, (8.4%) and phanerophytes 12 species, (6.3%). Soil seed bank increased with the increases of soil salinity, soil organic matter content, calcium carbonates and sandy textured soil. The higher similarity index between the vegetation and soil seed bank recorded in the protected site (100 %), while the lower one detected in non-protected site (75.26%). Vegetation protection may lead to formation of a huge storage of seeds in soil more than in the non-protected vegetation. Accordingly, soil seed banks can provide a clear picture about the present , as well as the past vegetation and could be play a vital role in conservation and restoration of rare and endangered species after the disturbance processes in the coastal habitatsEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101New probe of lanthanide complex for detection some of nucleobase, nucleosides and nucleotides, by the luminescent Tb (III) - 8-allyl-2-oxo-2 H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde probes697618362ENHassanAzabChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.GasserKhairyChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aljouf University, P.O. Box # 2014, Skaka-41421, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.N.Abd El-GhanyMarwaAhmedChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, El-Arish, EgypJournal Article20181105The luminescence arising from lanthanide cations offers several advantages over organic fluorescent molecules sharp, distinctive emission bands allow for easy resolution between multiple lanthanide signals; long emission lifetimes (μs–ms) make them excellent candidates for time resolved measurements and high resistance to photo bleaching allow for long or repeated experiments. A developed method is presented for determination of nucleobase, nucleosides and nucleotides using the effect of quenching of fluorescence of the easily accessible terbium (III) - 8-allyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde (AOCC) complex in 1:2 metals: ligand ratio. The interaction of terbium (III) - 8-allyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde (AOCC) complex with nucleosides (NS) (cytidine, inosine), nucleobase (NB) (adenine), nucleotides (NT) (5′-GMP), (5′-IMP), (5′- ATP), (5′-CMP) and (5′-ADP) has been studied using normal luminescence techniques. The linear ranges for determination of the selected biomolecules are 1.6–36.6 μ mol.dm-3, and with limit of detection were in the range of 0.906- 8.28μ mol.dm-3.Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505215120161101In Vitro Screening of Different Potato Genotypes for Heat Stress Tolerance779318363ENF.MohamedDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptK.Abd El-HamedDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptM.ElwanDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptN.El-MagawryAgricutural Research Center, Giza, EgyptM.Abd El-SalamAgricutural Research Center, Giza, EgyptJournal Article20181105In vitro screening of 30 potato genotypes for heat stress was conducted. In vitro potato plants were evaluated on the basis of their growth, microtuberization and biochemical analysis under different temperature treatments (12ºC, 24ºC and 30ºC). Both in vitro high (30ºC) or less than normal (12ºC) temperature degrees significantly affected plantlet length, number of nodes/plantlet and root number. Plantlet height at high temperature (heat stress) was significantly reduced (ave. 2.9 cm) while, less than normal temperature did not decrease plant height and was comparable to the control treatment (24ºC) (ave. 5.7 vs. 5.5 cm). In addition, microplants grown under 30ºC had significantly less both number of nodes and root number per plantlet in contrast to control condition, supporting the idea of the unfavorable effect of heat stress on potato growth. As an average over all tested genotypes, the number of microtuber/jar was significantly affected by temperature treatment. The lowest recorded number (ave. 1.44 microtubers) was observed when in vitro potato plants were grown under high temperature as a heat stress treatment. Potato genotypes were found to be significantly different in their microtuberization potential. Our results indicated profound significant interaction between in vitro temperature degrees and genotypes concerning microtuber formation and development. All genotypes produced microtubers at 24ºC and at 12ºC, while some genotypes were not able to form microtubers due to the heat stress exposure. On the other hand, the cvs. Fridor, Lady Rosetta, Agria and Picasso had higher microtuber number/ jar at 30ºC compared to the control or low temperature and may be considered as tolerant to high temperature stress. Under high temperature stress, all photosynthetic pigments were significantly lower than the control. At this high temperature, chl. a, b, total chl. and carotenoids represented 82.4%, 69.3%, 76.3% and 70.5% of the control, respectively. These results indicated that heat stress adversely affecting photosynthetic pigment contents compared with growth under normal or less than normal temperature degrees. Heat stresses significantly decreased total amino acids and proline contents; however it activates SOD and CAT enzymes. In current investigation, results showed heat stress significantly reduced tuberization in the majority of genotypes. However, few genotypes showed superior growth and microtuberization under heat stress condition and may be used as stock genetic material in breeding programs for producing elite potato genotypes adapted to heat stress.