The Industrial Fluorosis Caused by a Coal-Burning Power Station and its Effects on Sheep

Authors: ULVİ REHA FİDANCI, TEVHİDE SEL

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to examine the industrial fluorosis caused by the coal burning power station in Muğla-Yatağan. Blood and urine samples of sheep, and water, plant and soil samples from around the power station were collected four times throughout the year to cover all four seasons. Fluoride ion concentrations in the water, urine, plant and soil samples were detected potentiometrically using an ion selective electrode. Serum Alkaline phosphatase (ALP-EC 3.1.3.1), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT-EC 2.6.1.2), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST-EC 2.6.1.1) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-EC 1.1.1.27) enzyme activities were analysed spectrophotometrically using Sigma commercial kits. Significantly higher fluoride ion concentration levels (p<0.001) were observed in the urine, water and plant samples from the surroundings of Yatağan power station with respect to the control areas. However, the fluoride ion concentrations of the water, plant and soil samples did not cause fluorosis. The fluoride ion concentrations of the urine samples (7.86±0.77 ppm) indicated the presence of chronic industrial fluorosis in the sheep. ALP, ALT and AST enzyme activities were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) in sheep serum samples collected from the surroundings of Yatağan power station, but there was no significant change in LDH enzyme activities (p?0.05). Positive correlations were found between the fluoride ion levels of urine and plants (r=0.48, p<0.01) and between the fluoride ion levels of urine and soil (r=0.28, p<0.01). Seasonal effects on the fluoride ion concentrations of urine, water and plant samples were found to be significant (p<0.01). The same effects on the serum enzyme activities were also observed (p<0.01). Chronic fluorosis caused by industrial pollution from Yatağan power station was observed in the sheep. The release of the particulate and gaseous forms of F- into the air in Yatağan-Muğla is the cause of the chronic fluorosis.

Keywords: Industrial pollution, fluorosis, sheep, blood, urine, water, plant, soil

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