A study on the Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions by steel wool

The reduction of Cr(VI) by steel wool and the precipitation of reduced chromium by CaCO(3) powder and NaOH solution were investigated in continuous and batch systems, respectively. The effects of acid and initial Cr(VI) concentrations, volumetric rate and temperature of solution on Cr(VI) reduction were studied. The results showed that the reduction of Cr(VI), to a large extent, depended on, and increased with, acid concentration. The Cr(III) and iron ions in the reduced solution were completely precipitated by using NaOH solution at appropriate alkaline conditions. It was concluded that CaCO(3) powder could be used as a cheap precipitant for Cr(III) ions. But the iron ions in the reduced solution could not be fully removed by using this precipitant.     

Cytogenetic biomonitoring of primary school children exposed to air pollutants: micronuclei analysis of buccal epithelial cells

There is an increasing attempt in the world to determine the exposures of children to environmental chemicals. To analyze the genotoxic effect of air pollution, micronucleus (MN) assay was carried out in buccal epithelial cells (BECs) of children living in an urban city of Turkey. Children from two schools at urban-traffic and suburban sites were investigated in summer and winter seasons for the determination of BEC-MN frequency (per mille) and frequency of BEC with MN (per mille). The same children were also recruited for lung function measurements within a MATRA project (“Together Towards Clean Air in Eskisehir and Iskenderun”) Measured NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations did not exceed the European Union (EU) limit levels either in urban-traffic or suburban regions. Higher O₃ concentrations were measured in the suburban site especially in the summer period. Particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) levels which did not differ statistically between two regions were above the EU limits in general. Although BEC-MN frequencies of children living in the suburban sites were higher in general, the difference between two regions was not significant either in the summer or winter periods. BEC-MN frequencies of the urban-traffic children were found to be significantly higher in summer period (mean ± SD, 2.68?±?1.99) when compared to winter period (1.64?±?1.59; p?=?0.004). On the other hand, no seasonality was observed for the suburban children. Similar results have been obtained in the BEC frequency with MN in our study. In summer, BEC-MN frequencies were significantly increased with the decrease in pulmonary function levels based on forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 % of vital capacity (FEF_25–75 %) levels (p?<?0.05). As a conclusion, children living in urban-traffic and suburban areas in the city of Eski?ehir exhibited similar genotoxicity. Seasonal variation in genotoxicity may be interpreted as relatively high ozone levels and increasing time spent at outdoors in the summer.     

Determination of potential allergenic fungal flora and its clinical reflection in suburban elementary schools in Izmir

In this research, in order to determine mean fungus counts, indoor and outdoor air samples were taken in five elementary school buildings located in the city center of Seferihisar, Izmir (45 km from Izmir) within a 1-year period between March and April 2004, and between January and February 2005 representing similar climatic characteristics. Five samples, three from three classes where 5–8, 10–12, and 12–15 age group students attended, one from the corridors, and one from outside the buildings in all the schools, were taken for each period. Within the period of the study, in indoor and outdoor air samples, 7,122 microfungus colonies were counted. Sixty-four species were identified that belong to 17 genera as a result of the identification of isolates obtained. Skin prick tests were applied to 55 out of a total of 117 teachers by the clinicians. According to these test results, 24 teachers were sensitive to at least one agent. Results revealed that, in terms of mold counts, the difference between the schools and the difference between the times (periods) were statistically significant (p?< 0.05).     

Performance evaluation of using evacuated tubes solar collector,perforated fins,and pebbles in a solar still – experimental study and CO2 mitigation analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The combination of various methods of increasing evaporation rate can highly impact the performance of solar desalination. This investigation aims to...     

Modeling wastewater discharge at the planning stage of a marine outfall system

The possibility of marine discharge of a negatively buoyant industrial waste was evaluated by a modeling study using Killworth 3-D, which is the first version of the Modular Ocean Model (MOM). The Model was run with the recorded wind direction and speed on the cruise dates and the circulation patterns for surface and subsurface were found to be similar with the current meter measurements. Model scenarios have been set-up in order to estimate the intensity and direction of the currents in the Nemrut Bay under the condition of wind blowing from a definite direction for a long time. MOM model has been run for four major wind directions, each having duration of 10 days and the behavior of the discharge plume in the worst case has been traced. Also, the behavior of the discharge plume in the real case has been estimated by using the wind data of the region. According to the model results, impact of trace elements that compose the discharge effluent is limited both in time and space. It is concluded that trace elements will leave the Bay in a short time due to the short residence times.     

Profiling of environmental Legionella pneumophila strains by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method isolated from geographically nearby buildings

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) which is also known as etiologic agent Legionnaires Disease lives in natural water and man made water systems. These bacteria belonging to Legionellaceae family are divided 15 serogroups. Phenotypical methods used for the identification of Legionella isolates are not very discriminatory. In this study we investigated genotypic features of eight L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and 18 L. pneumophila serogroup 2-14 strains isolated from different buildings in Istanbul by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Eight L. pneumophila serogroup 1 strains (37.5%) were similar RAPD profile and they were isolated from buildings located in a short distance (about 500 m). Four L. pneumophila serogroup 2-14 strains (22%) were identical genotypically. Three of these strains were isolated from buildings located in a short distance.