Mapping of Noise by Using Gis in ŞAnliurfa

Traffic noise results from highways where the most important source of noise in cities. This noise has the properties of linear source. Constitution of noise maps has become compulsory to see the regions that are influenced from the noise, and to put forward the future environmental approaches. During the mapping of the noise, generally two fundamental problems are encountered, excessive time requirement for the measurement of noise and determining the method for the constitution of maps.This study was conducted in Sanliurfa city of Turkey, in 3×4 km area. Continuous weekly data were obtained in 11 measurement points. By using these data in (GIS) environment, preparation of the most reliable map in the shortest time is achieved by the interpolation method.     

Effect of temperature on seawater desalination-water quality analyses for desalinated seawater for its use as drinking and irrigation water

The effect of feed seawater temperature on the quality of product water in a reverse osmosis process was investigated using typical seawater at Urla Bay, Izmir region, Turkey. The tests were carried out at different feed seawater temperatures (11–23°C) using two RO modules with one membrane element each. A number of variables, including pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, rejection percentage of a number of ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, and SO₄ ²⁻), and the levels of boron and turbidities in collected permeates, were measured. The suitability of these permeates as irrigation and drinking water was checked by comparison with water quality standards.     

Experimental investigation of biodynamic human body models subjected to whole-body vibration during a vehicle ride

In this study, responses of biodynamic human body models to whole-body vibration during a vehicle ride were investigated. Accelerations were acquired from three different body parts, such as the head, upper torso and lower torso, of 10 seated passengers during a car ride while two different road conditions were considered. The same multipurpose vehicle was used during all experiments. Additionally, by two widely used biodynamic models in the literature, a set of simulations were run to obtain theoretical accelerations of the models and were compared with those obtained experimentally. To sustain a quantified comparison between experimental and theoretical approaches, the root mean square acceleration and acceleration spectral density were calculated. Time and frequency responses of the models demonstrated that neither of the models showed the best prediction performance of the human body behaviour in all cases, indicating that further models are required for better prediction of the human body responses.     

Determination of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance profiles of some bacteria isolated from aquatic amphibian and reptile species

The aim of the present study was to determine the level of antibiotic resistance patterns and distribution of heavy metal resistance of bacterial isolates from aquatic animals (Lissotriton vulgaris, Pelophylax ridibundus, Emys orbicularis, Mauremys rivulata, and Natrix natrix) in Turkey (Kavak Delta). A total of 153 bacteria have been successfully isolated from cloaca and oral samples of the aquatic amphibians and reptilians which were found, namely, Aeromonas sp. (n?=?29), Plesiomonas sp. (n?=?7), Vibrio sp. (n?=?12), Citrobacter sp. (n?=?12), Enterobacter sp. (n?=?11), Escherichia sp. (n?=?22), Klebsiella sp. (n?=?22), Edwardsiella sp. (n?=?6), Hafnia sp. (n?=?1), Proteus sp. (n?=?19), Providencia sp. (n?=?8), and Pseudomonas sp. (n?=?4). In terms of antibiotic and heavy metal susceptibility testing, each isolate was tested against 12 antibiotics and 4 metals. There was a high incidence of resistance to cefoxitin (46.40 %), ampicillin (44.44 %), erythromycin (35.29 %), and a low incidence of resistance to gentamicin (6.53 %), kanamycin (8.49 %), chloramphenicol (9.15 %), and cefotaxime (10.45 %). The multiple antibiotic resistance index of each bacterial species indicated that bacteria from raised amphibians and reptiles have been exposed to tested antibiotics, with results ranging from 0 to 0.58. Most isolates showed tolerance to different concentrations of heavy metals, and minimal inhibition concentrations ranged from100 to >3,200 μg/mL. According to these results, a significant occurrence of bacteria in the internal organs of reptiles and amphibians, with a high incidence of resistance against antibiotics and heavy metals, may risk aquatic animals and the public health. These data appoint the importance of epidemiological surveillance and microbiological monitoring and reinforce the need to implement environment protection programs for amphibian and reptile species.     

Conversion of leather wastes to useful products

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the production of useful materials from different kinds of leather waste. Three different types of tannery wastes (chromium- and vegetable-tanned shavings, and buffing dust) were pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor at temperatures of 450 and 600 °C under N₂ atmosphere. Gas, oil, ammonium carbonate and carboneous residue were obtained by pyrolysis. The effect of temperature and type of leather waste on product distribution of pyrolysis was investigated. Buffing dust gave the highest yield of oil (ca. 23%), while other wastes recorded yields of ca. 9%. Results of elemental analysis and column chromatography showed that pyrolysis oils could be used as fuel or chemical feedstock after re-treatment. The yields of carboneous residue (chars) were between 37.5% and 48.5% and their calorific value was between 4300 and 6000 kcal kg⁻¹, suitable for use as solid fuel. In addition, these chars were activated by CO₂ to obtain the activated carbon. The activated carbon having highest surface area (799.5 m² g⁻¹) was obtained from chromium-tanned shavings. Activated carbons prepared from chromium-tanned leather were presented as an adsorbant for the adsorption of dyes from aqueous solution.