Analysis of insecticide “Toxaphene”; in fish products

The gaschromatographic determination of Toxaphene in the presence of other chlorinated hydrocarbons with similar retention times is often difficult. The practibility of a new method, based on photodehalogenation of the interfering substances, is shown during the analytical determination of Toxaphene residues in selected environmental samples, especially in fish and fish products. Irradiation of the extracts after clean‐up procedures with wavelengths at 254 nm lead directly to photodechlorination products of interfering substances with shorter retention times and makes it possible to determine the Toxaphene components quantitatively, which are mostly stable under the same experimental conditions.     

Indoor air pollution: A review∗

Relationships between toxicities of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows or Photobacterium phosphoreum were studied based on structure‐activity equations we established. Good relationships between toxicities of chemicals to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows, Photobacterium phosphoreum were found for a wide range of chemicals. The toxicity data of fish can be predicted by the toxicity data of Daphnia magna or Photobacterium phosphoreum. It is probable that the toxicities of chemicals to the three organisms are similar.     

Databanks of data sources for environmental chemicals

There exist a vast variety of data sources, either manual sources or computerized databases in the field of environmental chemicals. To facilitate the access and to retrieve the information wanted efficiently, we built up two “databanks of data sources”, one called “Databank of Manual Sources (DMAS)” and the other named “Databank of Databases (DADB)”. The set‐up of these databanks is explained and the load status statistics are shown. DMAS has 164 and DADB 106 hits.     

Pollutants from land‐based sources in Izmit Bay

Izmit Bay is located at the eastern end of the Sea of Marmara. The Sea of Marmara is an important adjacent area to the Mediterranean Sea. The extent of pollution in the Bay is increased beyond tolerable levels mainly due to substantial and unplanned growth of a large spectrum of industrial activities. A comprehensive project for the prevention and elimination of pollution in Izmit Bay is realised. The assessment of pollution from land‐based sources was the most significant step in this project. The study revealed that the Bay receives a total municipal wastewater flow of 70 000 cu m/day and a total industrial waste discharge of 120 000 cu m/day. The total BOD load was noted to be subdivided as 30 000 kg/day and 75 000 kg/day between municipal and industrial sources respectively. Similar figures were also computed for all the other parameters including nutrients and heavy metals. The evaluation showed that the eastern part of the Bay receives more than 70% of the total pollution load.     

Potentiometric studies of mixed complexes of cobalt(II) and copper(II) with l‐Asparagine and adenine

A potentiometric titration technique has been used to determine the stability constants for the various complexes of Co(II) and Cu(II) with L‐asparagine and from DNA base, e.g. adenine. Stability constants of ternary systems have been evaluated by the method suggested by Irwing‐Rossotti. In addition, the conditional constants were calculated as a function of pH. The maximum values of the conditional formation constants were found to be in accordance with the mixed‐ligand complex formation constants in a determined pH region. Furthermore, the molar fractions of different species from mixed complexes were calculated by means of formation constants. The values of stability constants of mixed‐ligand complexes at 25°C are as follows: log K= 5.25 for Co(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine; log K= 9.30 for Cu(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine. The ionic strength was kept constant at I = 0.20 with NaClO₄.     

Modeling of adsorption kinetics and equilibria of acid dyes onto activated carbon in single- and binary-component systems

Adsorptive removal of Acid Blue 127 and Acid Yellow 17 from their single and binary solutions has been studied using powdered activated carbon (PAC). The dyes used extensively for dying of nylon fiber in textile industry are known as Nylomine Blue P-B (NB) and Nylomine Yellow P-4G (NY), respectively. Time-dependent results obtained from single-component system have been better predicted by two resistance diffusion model rather than homogeneous surface diffusion. The magnitudes of film- and intraparticle diffusion coefficients calculated from McKay equation are ～10^?9 and ～10^?15 m² s^?1, whereas surface diffusion coefficients have been estimated as ～10^?13 m² s^?1 using Vermeulen approximation. Experimental equilibrium isotherms have been evaluated by changing initial dye concentrations in the range of 0.02–1.00 of mmol L^?1. Freundlich isotherm parameters for individual solutions of the dyes have been used to predict their equilibrium behaviors in binary solutions by applying extended Freundlich model. Langmuir isotherm model and its extended form have also been fitted to the data for single- and binary-dye solutions, respectively. Thermodynamic functions derived from the temperature dependence of adsorption equilibrium constants in 298–318 K range show that adsorption processes are endothermic but spontaneous.     

Eutrophication alters social preferences in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Algae blooms, which can be caused by eutrophication, drastically influence the ecology and behaviour of aquatic organisms. Such impact is often demonstrated in the context of mate choice and predator–prey interactions. In contrast, the influence of increased turbidity on social behaviour is less well understood, although it may have strong influence, at both the level of the individual and the population. We aimed to address this gap in our knowledge by using the well-described preference of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to shoal with the larger of two shoals as model behaviour. In our experiments focal fish had the choice between two shoals of different sizes, either in clear or in turbid water containing green algae. Fish in clear water spent significantly more time near the larger shoal, while fish in algae water showed no significant preferences. Furthermore, fish tested in clear water changed more often between the shoals than fish tested in algae water. These results indicate that eutrophication-induced algae blooms have the potential to alter social decisions of sticklebacks. Such changes of social decisions do not only influence the behaviour of individuals, furthermore it might influence entire populations. This might eventually lead to changes of the structure of the social system.     

Prices vs quantities with multiple pollutants

We examine the choice of policy instruments (price, quantity or a mix of the two) when two pollutants are regulated and firms' abatement costs are private information. Whether abatement efforts are complements or substitutes is key determining the choice of policies. When pollutants are complements, a mixed policy instrument with a tax on one pollutant and a quota on another is sometimes preferable even if the pollutants are identical in terms of benefits and costs of abatement. Yet, if they are substitutes, the mixed policy is dominated by taxes or quotas.     

Ecoregions and ecosystem management in China

Ecological regionalization is a base for rational management and sustainable utilization of ecosystems and natural resources. It can provide a scientific basis for constructing healthy ecological environments and making policies of environmental management. In this paper, based on synthetic analysis of the characteristics of the ecology and environments of China, the principles of ecological regionalization are discussed, and indices and nomenclature of ecological regionalization are proposed. The ecoregions on a national scale are divided. The results show that there are 3 domains, 13 ecoregions and 57 ecodistricts. The present scheme can be used as a framework for ecosystem assessment and management. Based on the ecoregions, measurements of management for forest, grassland, agriculture and wetland ecosystems are recommended. The experience and information can be used within and beyond the national scale for land-use planning, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.     

Public space networks as a guide to sustainable urban development and social life: A case study of Muğla,Turkey

This study examines the possibility of designating and implementing a citywide public space network, constituted of randomly dispersed and not interrelated public spaces and greenways across the city of Mu?la. Although Mu?la is a major coastal province, with worldwide tourism districts, the city centre falls behind other settlements in terms of quality of social life, physical layout, economic investment and tourism revenue. In 2001, the local government commissioned the Department of Landscape Architecture of Ege University to prepare a comprehensive master plan towards achieving a corporate public space network, as well as development strategies to ameliorate the previous failures. The master plan developed a blueprint for the citywide network and addressed each existing or potential public space and greenway as integrated components of the network. The process involved short-, medium- and long-term action from the local government to achieve the physical layout and efficiently implement phases of the network. As a guide for other small or medium urban settlements in Turkey, a model proposal was derived from the study to address formulation, implementation, and management of the network in order to create a sustainable urban development.