Equilibrium and kinetic studies on biosorption of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions onto microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was used for the biosorption of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. The maximum adsorption of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii biomass was observed at pH 6.0 and the corresponding value for Pb(II) ions was 5.0. The biosorption of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions by microalgae biomass increased as the initial concentration of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions increased in the biosorption medium. The maximum biosorption capacities of microalgae for Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions were 72.2+/-0.67, 42.6+/-0.54 and 96.3+/-0.86 mg/g dry biomass, respectively. The affinity order for algal biomass was Pb(II)>Hg(II)>Cd(II). FT-IR analysis of algal biomass revealed the presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which were responsible for biosorption of metal ions. Biosorption equilibrium was established in about 60 min and the equilibrium was well described by the Freundlich biosorption isotherms. Temperature change in the range of 5-35 degrees C did not affect the biosorption capacity. The microalgae could be regenerated using 0.1 M HCl, with up to 98% recovery, which allowed the reuse of the biomass in six biosorption-desorption cycles without any considerable loss of biosorption capacity.     

Enhancement of occupational health and safety requirements in chemical tanker operations: The case of cargo explosion

Operational precautions for chemical tankers are vitally important in reducing the potential threat to shipboard crew by products carried. This paper enhances the International Safety Management (ISM) code in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001:2007) requirements in respect to operational constraints related to chemical tankers. As research methodology, Fuzzy Axiomatic Design (FAD) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) are referred to redesign the extended ISM code procedure, which identifies key points for occupational accident prevention on board chemical tankers. To illustrate the expected benefits of an extended ISM code procedure, the principle root causes of chemical tanker explosion are also discussed. In particular, the main results of the case study highlight the urgent need to ensure the competency of shipboard personnel and their familiarization with the characteristics of chemical cargos under differing circumstances. The outcomes set out in this paper contribute to regulatory compliance and to the management of occupational health and safety requirements on board chemical tankers.     

Amygdalin in bitter and sweet seeds of apricots

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) poisoning due to amygdalin (AMY) in apricot seeds is one of the public health issues in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the AMY content of 13 different apricot seeds including bitter and sweet ones, and which are either sulfurized or roasted. The AMY content was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography. Release of HCN was predicted and total amount of seeds which can cause poisoning was calculated. The mean AMY content of bitter seeds was 26 ± 14 mg g^?1 and that of sweet seeds was 0.16 ± 0.09 mg g^?1. The consumption of small amounts of bitter seeds may cause cyanide poisoning.     

The comparison of heavy metal accumulation ratios of some fish species in Enne Dame Lake (Kütahya/Turkey)

The metal accumulation levels for muscle, skin, gill, liver and intestine tissues of some Cyprinidae species (Carassius carassius, Condrostoma nasus, Leuciscus cephalus and Alburnus alburnus) in Enne Dame Lake (Kütahya/Turkey), which is mostly fed by hot spring waters, were investigated. Analyses were performed for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr) and boron (B) using inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and cadmium (Cd) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) utilizing microwave digestion techniques. The concentrations of the heavy metals found in the fish varied in the follow ing ranges: Cu: < DL-7.04, Zn: 6.96-357.25, Mn: < DL-20.70, Ni: < DL-6.21, Fe: 9.62-2500.33, Cr: < DL-1.74, Co: < DL-0.54, Cd: 0.01-0.27 and Mg: 197.44-904.90 mg/kg wet weight. While B had the second highest concentration in the water of the lake, it was not encountered in any tissue of the investigated species. In all tissues and the species, While the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu were remarkably high, the BAFs of Mg, Cr, Co, and B were also fairly low or none. Although the heavy metal accumulation levels for the muscle were generally lower than other tissues, there were some exceptions. Cd level in the muscle of C. carassius was higher than the permissible limit stated by Turkish legislation, FAO and WHO. The mean metal amounts for all the investigated tissues and species are statistically compared and discussed in this study.     

Assessment of natural radiation exposure levels and mass attenuation coefficients of lime and gypsum samples used in Turkey

The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in lime and gypsum samples used as building materials in Turkey were measured using gamma spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were found to be 38 ± 16, 20 ± 9, and 156 ± 54 Bq kg^???1 for lime and found to be 17 ± 6, 13 ± 5, and 429 ± 24 Bq kg^???1 for gypsum, respectively. The radiological hazards due to the natural radioactivity in the samples were inferred from calculations of radium equivalent activities (Ra_eq), indoor absorbed dose rate in the air, the annual effective dose, and gamma and alpha indices. These radiological parameters were evaluated and compared with the internationally recommended limits. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of the samples were determined in the energy range 81–1,332 keV. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients were compared with theoretical values obtained using XCOM. It is found that the calculated values and the experimental results are in good agreement.     

Solid waste management practices and review of recovery and recycling operations in Turkey

This paper provides a general overview of solid waste data and management practices employed in Turkey during the last decade. Municipal solid waste statistics and management practices including waste recovery and recycling initiatives have been evaluated. Detailed data on solid waste management practices including collection, recovery and disposal, together with the results of cost analyses, have been presented. Based on these evaluations basic cost estimations on collection and sorting of recyclable solid waste in Turkey have been provided. The results indicate that the household solid waste generation in Turkey, per capita, is around 0.6 kg/year, whereas municipal solid waste generation is close to 1 kg/year. The major constituents of municipal solid waste are organic in nature and approximately 1/4 of municipal solid waste is recyclable. Separate collection programmes for recyclable household waste by more than 60 municipalities, continuing in excess of 3 years, demonstrate solid evidence for public acceptance and continuing support from the citizens. Opinion polls indicate that more than 80% of the population in the project regions is ready and willing to participate in separate collection programmes. The analysis of output data of the Material Recovery Facilities shows that, although paper, including cardboard, is the main constituent, the composition of recyclable waste varies strongly by the source or the type of collection point.     

How vital is the "lack of funding" in effective environmental management in Turkey?

The conflict experienced in Turkey between adequate legal and legislative arrangements with weak capabilities of policy implementation and enforcement is a typical scenario experienced in developing countries. The difficulties faced in environmental management is increased by funding issues. Although environmental management is directly influenced by problems associated with the distribution of public funds, lack of funding is not the sole reason responsible for the mismanagement of resources. The paper seeks to answer whether the lack of funding allocated to ameliorate environmental degradation and pollution is the main reason for an environmental crisis situation in Turkey. Turkey needs to ensure implementation of the basic obligations stated in its environmental policy with respect to national and international issues. Specific obstacles Turkey needs to overcome for more effective environmental management will be examined within this context.     

Designing of integrated quality and safety management system (IQSMS) for shipping operations

This paper proposes a systematic approach for exploring the compliance level of the international safety management (ISM) code with the ISO 9001:2000 in order to structure an integrated quality and safety management system (IQSMS) for shipping operations. Multi-attribute fuzzy axiomatic design (MA-FAD) is determined as a suitable research methodology for the focused problem. To illustrate the proposed approach, a casualty onboard oil tanker ship is analysed; moreover, the potential advantages of the IQSMS in operational level are underlined. The outcomes of this research originally ensure decision aid for the relevant executives in ship management companies who eagerly insist to implement quality integrated ISM code.     

Indoor and outdoor radon measurements at lung cancer patients’ homes in the dwellings of Rize Province in Turkey

In this study, indoor and outdoor radon (²²²Rn) surveys were carried out in the summer and winter seasons in homes of one hundred lung cancer patients in the year 2013–2014. The aim was to investigate the relationship between radon and cancer patients. Lung cancer patients completed a questionnaire concerning their living environment, various physical parameters and living habits. Pearson correlation and t tests revealed no meaningful results between radon concentrations, on one hand, and environmental and personal living habits, on the other hand. Consequently, the BEIR VI model was adapted and ²²²Rn exposure was estimated to be responsible for about 12% of the lung cancer incidences in the winter season and around 5% in the summer season in the Rize Province. However, due to the limited number of data and numerous parameters that could lead to lung cancer, the estimations done with the model should be taken very lightly. The annual effective doses due to inhalation of indoor and outdoor ²²²Rn were estimated to be, respectively, 1.43 and 0.94 mSv y^?1. The indoor and outdoor annual effective doses were, respectively, close and below the world annual effective dose (1.3 mSv y^?1). At the district level, the indoor annual effective dose equivalent in the ?yidere district was 4.52 mSv y^?1, which was 3.5 times greater than the world average. The number of patients in the majority of the houses in this district was more than one.     

The comparison of three cyprinid species in terms of heavy metals accumulation in some tissues.

In this study, three cyprinids species (Acanthobrama marmid, Cyprinus carpio, and Chondrostoma regium) from Keban Dam Lake, Elazi?, Turkey, were compared in terms of the levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in muscle, skin, liver, gonad, and gill tissues. The Co, Cr, Cd, Mn, and Pb were not found in detectable levels in any organs and tissues of any species, according to results obtained by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Only Fe, Cu, and Zn were detected in all tissues examined. The results obtained from different cyprinid species were compared to each other and to tolerable values for heavy metals provided from the Food and Agriculture Organization (Rome, Italy) to determine whether these fish species have any risk for human consumption.