Successes and failures of compulsory risk mitigation: re‐evaluating the Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool

The Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP) is one of the best practices of public–private partnerships in an emerging market designed to reduce economic losses from disasters. This paper reviews the application of this compulsory mechanism along with data relating to the performance of the scheme following recent earthquakes in Turkey. We also consider the current perceptions of Turkish society towards the TCIP and how they can be enhanced. Our conclusions aim to assist stakeholders in government, homeowners, insurance companies, media, banks and civil society to appreciate the value of the system and key actions necessary to improve it.     

Characterization of SDS-degrading Delftia acidovorans and in situ monitoring of its temporal succession in SDS-contaminated surface waters

Incomplete removal of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in wastewater treatment plants may result in SDS residues escaping and finding their way into receiving water bodies like rivers, lakes, and sea. Introduction of effective microorganisms into the aerobic treatment facilities can reduce unpleasant by-products and SDS residues. Selecting effective microorganisms for SDS treatment is a big challenge. Current study reports the isolation, identification, and in situ monitoring of an effective SDS-degrading isolate from detergent-polluted river waters. Screening was carried out by the conventional enrichment culture technique and the isolate was tentatively identified by using fatty acid methyl ester and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence analyses. Fatty acids produced by the isolate investigated were assumed as typical for the genus Comamonas. 16S rRNA sequence analysis also confirmed that the isolate had 95 % homology with Delftia acidovorans known as Comamonas or Pseudomonas acidovorans previously. D. acidovorans exhibited optimum growth at SDS concentration of 1 g l^-1 but tolerated up to 10 g l^-1 SDS. 87 % of 1.0 g l^-1 pure SDS was degraded after 11 days of incubation. The temporal succession of D. acidovorans in detergent-polluted river water was also monitored in situ by using Comamonas-specific fluorescein-labeled Cte probe. Being able to degrade SDS and populate in SDS-polluted surface waters, D. acidovorans isolates seem to be very helpful in elimination of SDS.     

A mathematical modeling of sulphur dioxide pollution in Erzurum City

A non-linear simple air-quality model was developed by applying the continuity equation for the air control volume over Erzurum city center and tested using daily average values of SO2 and meteorological data obtained during the winter seasons in Erzurum, Turkey from 1994 to 1998. Model parameters are estimated by non-linear regression analysis. Agreement between model predictions and measured data was found very satisfactory with standard deviations less than 20 microg/m3.     

Evaluating the seasonal changes of water quality of the Değirmendere and Galyan Rivers (Trabzon, Turkey)

The De?irmendere and Galyan (De?irmendere tributary) Rivers that discharge their water into the Black Sea are important watersheds in the northeastern part of Turkey. Water quality parameters were sampled from 1997 through 2001 for each year at five sites (three for Galyan, two for Degirmendere) along 29 and 42 km gradients, respectively covering all seasons. Surface water was collected from the sites and analyzed for temperature, total alkaline (MAAL), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity (EC), nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), total hardness (TH), phenolphthalein alkalinities (PAL) and organic matter (PV). Seasonal changes of water quality were analyzed statistically for both Rivers and evaluated according to the TS 266, EU and WHO standards. The analysis of variance results showed that Ca, Mg, MAL, NO3, pH, TDS and TH parameters of the De?irmendere River and Ca, DO, EC, MAL, NO3, pH and TH parameters of the Galyan River showed seasonal differences (p<0.05). The maximum values of the water pollution parameters for the two Rivers were below the threshold values throughout the study period. When both Rivers were compared, the mean values of the pollution parameters of the Degirmendere River were higher than those of the Galyan River and very close the limits. The results indicate that both Rivers can be used for the production of potable water during all seasons but only with an advanced treatment in the De?irmendere and a moderate treatment in the Galyan River, and for indirect and non-contact recreational activities.     

Influence of Carbon Sources on The Production and Characterization of The Exopolysaccharide (EPS) by Bacillus sphaericus 7055 Strain

In this study, EPS produced by five Bacillus spp. strains was determined. The only one strain (B. sphaericus 7055) was selected due to its high EPS production and it was investigated by growing this strain in LB broth medium containing various carbon sources. The highest EPS production of this strain was found in medium containing fructose. However, the effect of different concentrations of fructose and molasses on EPS production by the strain was studied. The maximum EPS yield of the strain 7055 was recorded with 2.5% (w/v) fructose, also the highest EPS production was found in 2.5% (w/v) molasses. The strain 7055 was found to contain (98.6%) galactose and (1.4%) glucuronic acid in control medium whereas the composition of the strain 7055 (2.5% (w/v) fructose) was found to be (99.9%) neutral sugar and (0.1%) Glucuronic acid while the strain 7055 (2.5% (w/v) molasses) was found to contain (65.9%), neutral sugars and (34.1%) glucuronic acid.     

Coupled effects of solution chemistry and hydrodynamics on the mobility and transport of quantum dot nanomaterials in the vadose zone

To investigate the coupled effects of solution chemistry and hydrodynamics on the mobility of quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in the vadose zone, laboratory scale transport experiments involving single and/or sequential infiltrations of QDs in unsaturated and saturated porous media, and computations of total interaction and capillary potential energies were performed. As ionic strength increased, QD retention in the unsaturated porous media increased; however, this retention was significantly suppressed in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant in the infiltration suspensions as indicated by surfactant enhanced transport of QDs. In the vadose zone, the non-ionic surfactant limited the formation of QD aggregates, enhanced QD mobility and transport, and lowered the solution surface tension, which resulted in a decrease in capillary forces that not only led to a reduction in the removal of QDs, but also impacted the vadose zone flow processes. When chemical transport conditions were favorable (ionic strength of 5 × 10(-4)M and 5 × 10(-3)M, or ionic strengths of 5 × 10(-2)M and 0.5M with surfactant), the dominating phenomena controlling the mobility and transport of QDs in the vadose zone were meso-scale processes, where infiltration by preferential flow results in the rapid transport of QDs. When chemical transport conditions were unfavorable (ionic strength of 5 × 10(-2)M and 0.5M) the dominating phenomena controlling the mobility and transport of QDs in the vadose zone were pore-scale processes governed by gas-water interfaces (GWI) that impact the mobility of QDs. The addition of surfactant enhanced the transport of QDs both in favorable and unfavorable chemical transport conditions. The mobility and retention of QDs was controlled by interaction and capillary forces, with the latter being the most influential. GWI were found to be the dominant mechanism and site for QD removal compared with solid-water interfaces (SWI) and pore straining. Additionally, ripening phenomena were demonstrated to enhance QDs removal or retention in porous media and to be attenuated by the presence of surfactant.     

Sources and distribution of trace metals in the saricay stream basin of southwestern turkey

Seasonal variation of the concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured by ICP-AES in the water and sediment from the Saricay Stream, Geyik Dam and Ortakoy Well in the same basin. Comparisons between trace metal concentrations in water and sediment in three sources (Stream, Dam and Well) were made. The concentrations of a large number of trace metals in the water and sediment were generally higher in the Stream than in the Well and Dam, particularly in summer. Trace metal concentration ranges in sediments of the Saricay Stream and its sources showed very wide ranges (as mass ratio): Co: 5–476 μg g⁻¹, Cr: 15–1308 μg g⁻¹, Cu: 7–128 μg g⁻¹, Fe: 1120–13210 μg g⁻¹, Mn: 150–2613 μg g⁻¹, Ni: 102–390 μg g⁻¹, Pb: 0.7–31.3 μg g⁻¹ and Zn: 18–304 μg g⁻¹, whereas Cd was not detected. Trace metal concentration ranges found in waters were: Co: 9.5–20.7 μg L⁻¹, Cr: 20.3–284 μg L⁻¹, Cu: 170–840 μg L⁻¹, Fe: 176–1830 μg L⁻¹, Mn: 29.3–387 μg L⁻¹, and Ni: 4.3–21.9 μg L⁻¹. Among the trace metals studied, Cd and Zn in two seasons and Pb in winter were usually not detected or in the recommended levels. In addition, Cd was not detected in the sediment during the winter season. The analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and correlation matrix was employed for the sediment and water samples of the two field surveys (summer and winter) comparison. The three sources showed differences in metal contents. The metal levels in sediments displayed marked seasonal and regional variations, which were attributed to anthropogenic influences and natural processes. In the Saricay Stream, high values of metals during the dry season showed an anthropological effect from small industry firms, e.g.: an olive mill and a dairy farm or water dilution during summer seasons. Finally, the pollution in this basin probably originated from small industrial, low quality coal-burned thermal power plants, and particularly agricultural and domestic waste discharges.     

Seasonal variation of some heavy metal pollution with environmental and microbiological parameters in sub-basin of Kocabas Stream (Biga, Canakkale, Turkey) by ICP-AES

Waste water pollution in industrial areas is one of the most important environmental problems. Heavy metal pollution, especially chromium species in waste water sources from tannery affects our lives. Kocabas Stream is located in south-west Marmara region and Biga town is positioned in the sub basin on the stream. This water source functions as the water for irrigation in agriculture, drinking water for animals and for human use. Thus, this study is of great importance. Waste water pollution can affect all ecosystems and human health by directly or indirectly as in food chain. The concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Cr) were pre-analysed by ICP-AES method in water samples taken from sub-basin of Kocabas stream. In the results of these analyses, concentrations of the metals except chromium were founded at the limit value. But the total concentration of the Cr was found at high levels of between 0.0082 +/- 0.0001 and 5.7231 +/- 0.0921 mg l(-1) over the limit value (0.05 mg l(-1); WHO, EPA, TSE 266 and inland water quality classification) at sampling points very close to tannery factories. Also physicochemical and microbiological parameters of Kocabas Stream were determined. The effects of the experimental results on environment were investigated.     

Determination of landscape beauties through visual quality assessment method: a case study for Kemaliye (Erzincan/Turkey)

Kemaliye (Erzincan/Turkey) is the member of European Association of Historic Towns and Regions. The aim of this study was to reveal the visual richness of the town; to identify the relationship between landscape spatial pattern and visual quality of the landscape and to offer some suggestions for the future planning in regarding to these visual beauties. The visual quality assessment method was used in this study. The results of the study revealed three landscape types that have the highest visual quality. Among those, the highest one is urban scenery 3 (US3; VQP = 5.9400), the second is geological structure scenery 5 (GSS 5; VQP = 5.9200) and the third natural scenery 3 (NS3; VQP = 5.9133). Visual quality assessment showed that urban pattern, geological structure and natural resources of the region also have visual value. The relationships between landscape spatial pattern and visual quality of landscape indicated that certain characteristics of landscape affected the quality. For instance, as the texture level decreased in natural landscapes and as the green areas increased in geological structure, visual preferences ratio increased. Some suggestions were also made regarding the visual resources use in the region.     

Evaluation of trace element contents of some herbal plants and spices retailed in Kayseri,Turkey

The trace element contents of seven kinds of herbal plants and spice samples retailed in local markets in Kayseri-Turkey were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with HNO₃/H₂O₂ mixture. The concentration ranges for the studied elements were found as 6.0–15.2, 0–32.2, 80.0–324.8, 8.1–386.3, and 13.1–36.2 μg/g for copper, nickel, iron, manganese, and zinc, respectively. The levels of cobalt, lead, and chromium ions in all the investigated samples were found to be below the detection limit of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results found in the present work were compared with values in the literature.