Removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin modified poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate-ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) microbeads

Poly(Hydroxyethylmethacrylate-Ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate), poly(HEMA-EGDMA), microbeads with 150-200 microm in size, was prepared by suspension polymerization. Beta-cyclodextrin was modified onto the polymeric microbeads using glutaraldahyde activation in an acidic medium at pH=2.5. FT-IR and TGA were used for the characterization of modified polymers and the determination of the nature of the interaction between phenolic compounds and the modified polymeric microbeads. Plain and beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads were used in adsorption-desorption studies of phenolic species in single solution. Adsorption capacities of the phenolic species onto the plain microbeads were found to be 28.2, 17.0, 14.3, 9.8, and 1.92 mg/g polymer for o-chloro phenol, p-nitro phenol, p-chloro phenol, o-nitro phenol, and phenol, respectively. However, for beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads, adsorption capacity of phenolic species was determined as 274, 365, 128, 182, and 87 mg/g for phenol, o-nitro phenol, p-nitro phenol, o-chloro phenol, and p-chloro phenol, respectively. Desorption ratio for the phenolic species was more than 90%, except for o-nitro phenol. Detection limits of the phenolic species were improved at least 500-fold for UV-Vis spectrophotometric detection, after the pre-concentration of all phenolic species used in this study. Adsorption time for the phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin-modified poly(HEMA-EGDMA) microbeads was found to be reasonable short (10-60 min) and suitable for the applications. Also, synthesized microbeads were useful for the repeated use for the removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species.     

Nitrogen mineralization in a high altitude ecosystem in the mediterranean phytogeographical region of Turkey

Interrelations exist in the terrestrial ecosystems between the plant type and characteristics of nutrient uptake. Annual net nitrogen mineralization in soils of different plant communities in the high altitude zone of Spil mountain located in the Mediterranean phytogeographical region of Turkey was investigated throughout one year by field incubation method. Seasonal fluctuations resulting from field incubation were markedly higher in autumn and spring than summer. These are mainly associated with the changes in soil moisture being at minimum in the Mediterranean summer. A significant correlation was developed between the net Nitrate (kg NO3(-)-N ha week(-1)) production and soil water content (p<0.05; r = 0.316 in soil of 0-5 cm; r = 0.312 in soil of 5-15 cm). The results showed that the annual productivity of nitrogen mineralization shows different values depending on communities. Annual net ammonium (NH4(+)-N) production in the soils of each community was negatively estimated. However annual net nitrate (NO3(-)-N) production (0-15 cm) was higher in grassland (27.8 kg ha y(-1)) and shrub (25.0 kg ha y(-1)) than forest (12.4 kg ha y(-1)) community. While annual net N(min) values were close to each other in grassland (14.5 kg ha y(-1)) and shrub (14.1 kg ha y(-1)), but negative in forest community (-3.6 kg ha y(-1)). The reasons for these differences are discussed.     

Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Nicosia (Cyprus)

Airborne pollen distribution in the city of Nicosia (Cyprus) was measured volumetrically during two consecutive years 2007–2008 on weekly basis using Lanzoni trap (Lanzoni VPPS 2000). A total of 7,880 pollen grains/m³ belonging to 44 taxa, in 2007 were 3,593 pollen grains/m³ and in 2008 it was 4,287 pollen grains/m³, were determined. Out of these, 25 belonged to the arboreal and 19 to the non-arboreal taxa. At the end of 2 years, total pollen counts were 78.76% arboreal, 19.32% non-arboreal, and 1.92% unidentified taxa. The number of pollen in the arboreal plants followed the trend as Pinaceae (29.96%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (18.33%), Olea europaea L. (6.92%), and Quercus spp. (4.92%), and for non-arboreal representatives, these were Poaceae (8.46%), Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (2.61%), Plantago spp. (1.69%), and Parietaria spp. (1.51%). The distribution of pollen in the atmosphere of Nicosia followed the trend as March, April, May, and June.     

Interactions between energy consumption,international trade,and real income in Canada: An empirical investigation from a new version of the Solow growth model

This study investigates the empirical relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in Canada which has an important role in global energy and trade. It employs bound tests to level relationships and conditional error correction models through ARDL specification to a new version of the Solow Growth model. Using annual data of the 1960–2010 period, results reveal a long-term relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in Canada. It is also found that energy exporting activity is the determinant (driver) of energy consumption through the channel of real income and energy consumption is the determinant (driver) of exports through the channel of real income in the long term of the Canadian economy. Exports and energy use are the determinants (drivers) of real income in the long term of the Canadian economy; therefore, as conditional Granger causality tests suggest there is feedback relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in the long term of the Canadian economy. The present study suggests that any energy conservation policies are likely to have negative influence on output and international trade in Canada.     

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Laccase Catalyzed Poly(Catechol)

Enzymatic polymerization of catechol was conducted batch-wise using laccase enzyme produced by the culture Trametes versicolor (ATCC 200801). The polymerization reaction was carried out in 1:1 (v/v) aqueous-acetone solution, buffered at pH 5.0 with sodium acetate (50 mM) in a sealed, temperature-controlled reactor at 25°C. The molecular weight of the produced polymer was determined with GPC. FT-IR, DSC, and TGA were employed to investigate the structure and thermal behavior of synthesized poly(catechol). It was found that catechol units were linked together with ether bonds and thermal stability of the catechol increased in the poly(catechol) polymeric structure effectively. The number average molecular weight of poly(catechol) was found as 813 ± 3 Da with a very narrow polydispersity value of 1.17 showing selective polymerization of catechol by the enzyme.     

Developing and Implementing Multiple-Use Forest Management Planning in Turkey

This paper explains briefly the conceptual framework of an ecosystem-based multiple-use forest management planning focusing on biodiversity conservation and participation. Some results from a case study were documented to realize the implementation of the concept. A strong liaison between the related institutions and major stakeholders and the effective use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) are necessary. Effective participation is evident only with the involvement of enthusiastic and skillful stakeholders. A case study of ??neada, Turkey, supported the idea that participation as communication has better possibilities to promote multiple-use forest management than participation as information gathering. Primary challenges relate to the effectiveness of conservation program, availability of coherent biodiversity data, capacity building; awareness, training, and common understanding of biodiversity and protected area concept; coordination among the related institutions and stakeholders; and willingness and enthusiasm of authorities to accept and implement the concept.     

Assessment of sulfurous springs in the west of Iraq for balneotherapy,drinking, irrigation and aquaculture purposes

This research deals with the sulfurous spring waters flow along the course of the Euphrates River in western Iraq in the area extended between Haqlaniya and Hit within the Al-Anbar governorate. Eleven springs (3 in Haqlanya, 4 in Kubaysa and 4 in Hit) have been addressed for the purpose of water evaluation for balneology, drinking, irrigation and aquaculture (fish farming). In order to meet the objectives of this research, all springs were sampled and analyzed for the total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), major anions (SO₄ ^2?, Cl^?, HCO₃ ^? and CO₃ ^2?), minor anions (PO₄ ^3?and NO₃ ^?) as well as the trace elements that included Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Br, F, Ba, B, Sr, Al, As, Cr, Hg and Se. The International Standards of World Health Organization are used for assessing the water quality. The results revealed that the springs belong to the tepid springs of 27–30 °C and classified as hypothermal to the thermal springs. Lithochemistry and geochemical processes clearly affected the water chemistry. The hydrogeochemical processes are responsible for the element enrichment in water by the chemical dissolution of carbonate and gypsum and evaporation as well. The results of the study indicate the possibility of using spring water for therapeutic purposes, but not allowed for drinking and aquaculture (fish farming), except those free of H₂S gas. On the other hand, it can be used for irrigation with risk. However, soil type as well as proper selection of plants should be taken into consideration.     

Monitoring forest structure at landscape level: a case study of Scots pine forest in NE Turkey

This study aims to investigate the change in spatial-temporal configuration of secondary forest succession and generate measurements for monitoring the changes in structural plant diversity in Yaln?zçam Scots pine forest in NE Turkey from 1972 to 2005. The successional stages were mapped using the combination of Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), aerial photos and high resolution satellite images (IKONOS). Forest structure and its relationship with structural plant diversity along with its changes over time were characterized using FRAGSTATS. In terms of spatial configuration of seral stages, the total number of fragments increased from 572 to 735, and mean size of patch (MPS) decreased from 154.97 ha to 120.60 ha over 33 years. The situation resulted in forestation serving appropriate conditions for plant diversity in the area. As an overall change in study area, there was a net increase of 1823.3 ha forest during the period with an average annual forestation rate of 55.25 ha year^?1(0.4% per year). In conclusion, the study revealed that stand type maps of forest management plans in Turkey provide a great chance to monitor the changes in structural plant diversity over time. The study further contributes to the development of a framework for effective integration of biodiversity conservation into Multiple Use Forest Management (MUFM) plans using the successional stages as a critical mechanism.