Gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentration in water, soil and sediment of the Bendimahi River and Van Lake (Turkey)

The concentrations of the natural radioactivity in water, soil and sediment samples collected from Bendimahi River which originates near the Tendürek Mountain (Van, Turkey), its tributaries and Van Lake (Turkey) were measured. The gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity concentrations were investigated in May and August in 2005. Determination of the gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity of river water, soil and sediment samples was obtained by using gas-flow proportional counter, PIC-MPC 9604-alpha/beta counter. In water samples, the obtained results show that in May; gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations varied between 0.063-0.782 and 0.021-0.816 Bq l(-1) and in August the values were 0.009-0.037 and 0.081-3.116 Bq l(-1), respectively. The gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations in soil samples ranged from 0.800 to 4.277 Bq g(-1) and 0.951 to 11.773 Bq g(-1) in May and 0.686 to 4.713 Bq g(-1) and 0.073 to 9.524 Bq g(-1) in August, respectively. Concentrations ranging from 0.782 to 4.596 Bq g(-1) and from 0.482 to 10.372 Bq g(-1) in May and from 0.580 to 5.824 Bq g(-1) and from 0.303 to 9.702 Bq g(-1) in August for gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity were observed in sediments, respectively.     

Physicochemical properties of seeds of Capparis species growing wild in Turkey

While Capparis spinosa var. herbaceace (2009) seeds collected from the Mardin-midyat region contains the highest protein (22.25 %), C. spinosa var. spinosa seeds (2009) collected from the Mu?la-Milas region contained the lowest protein (18.25 %). In addition, oil contents of C. spinosa and Capparis ovata seeds changed between 27.74 to 31.09 and 28.66 to 31.40 %, respectively. Crude cellulose contents of C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds were found as 28.24 and 29.67 %, respectively. It was found that ash content of C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds were found between 2.13 and 2.23 %, respectively. Phenolic matter content of C. spinosa and C. ovata were found between 1.98 mg (GAE) and 1.76 mg (GAE), respectively. Radical activity values of C. spinosa and C. ovata were determined as 83.432 and 83.718 %, respectively.     

Transforming Pinus pinaster forest to recreation site: preliminary effects on LAI,some forest floor,and soil properties

This study investigates the effects of forest transformation into recreation site. A fragment of a Pinus pinaster plantation forest was transferred to a recreation site in the city of Bart?n located close to the Black Sea coast of northwestern Turkey. During the transformation, some of the trees were selectively removed from the forest to generate more open spaces for the recreationists. As a result, Leaf Area Index (LAI) decreased by 0.20 (about 11 %). Additionally, roads and pathways were introduced into the site together with some recreational equipment sealing parts of the soil surface. Consequently, forest environment was altered with a semi-natural landscape within the recreation site. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of forest transformation into recreation site particularly in terms of the LAI parameter, forest floor, and soil properties. Preliminary monitoring results indicate that forest floor biomass is reduced by 26 % in the recreation site compared to the control site. Soil temperature is increased by 15 % in the recreation site where selective removal of trees expanded the gaps allowing more light transmission. On the other hand, the soil bulk density which is an indicator of soil compaction is unexpectedly slightly lower in the recreation site. Organic carbon (C_org) and total nitrogen (N_total) together with the other physical and chemical parameter values indicate that forest floor and soil have not been exposed to much disturbance. However, subsequent removal of trees that would threaten the vegetation, forest floor, and soil should not be allowed. The activities of the recreationists are to be concentrated on the paved spaces rather than soil surfaces. Furthermore, long-term monitoring and management is necessary for both the observation and conservation of the site.     

C5–C12 volatile organic compounds at roadside,residential, and background locations in Ankara,Turkey: Temporal and spatial variations and sources

Abstract

Particle emissions of modern diesel engines are of a particular interest because of their negative health effects. The special interest is in nanosized solid particles. The effect of an open channel filter on particle emissions of a modern heavy-duty diesel engine (MAN D2066 LF31, model year 2006) was studied. Here, the authors show that the open channel filter made from metal screen efficiently reduced the number of the smallest particles and, notably, the number and mass concentration of soot particles. The filter used in this study reached 78% particle mass reduction over the European Steady Cycle. Considering the size-segregated number concentration reduction, the collection efficiency was over 95% for particles smaller than 10 nm. The diffusion is the dominant collection mechanism in small particle sizes, thus the collection efficiency decreased as particle size increased, attaining 50% at 100 nm. The overall particle number reduction was 66–99%, and for accumulation-mode particles the number concentration reduction was 62–69%, both depending on the engine load.     

Particulate and Nicotine Sampling in Public Facilities and Offices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize and measure indoor air quality in public facilities and office buildings. The pollutants of interest were particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter, PM-2.5, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Integrated PM- 2.5 samples were taken on Teflon membrane filters using Harvard Aerosol Impactors as a pre-size selector. Filters were analyzed by gravimetric analysis. Nicotine, which was used as a marker for ETS, was collected on sodium-bisulfate-impregnated, glass-fiber filters and was analyzed by gas chromatography. Twenty-one structures were monitored in Metropolitan Boston. Measured particle concentrations ranged from 6.0 μg/m³ to about 550 μg/m³. Nicotine concentrations were as high as 26 μg/m³ in a designated smoking room. Real-time measurements were also taken using two types of nephelometers; a Handheld Aerosol Monitor (HAM) and a Miniature Real-Time Aerosol Monitor (MINIRAM). Short-term field measurements with these instruments correlated better with the integrated PM-2.5 concentrations in smoking locations than with concentrations in non-smoking areas.     

Ambient air quality and asthma cases in Niğde, Turkey

Urban air quality is one of the key factors affecting human health. Turkey has transformed itself into an urban society over the last 30 years. At the same time, air pollution has become a serious impairment to health in many urban areas in the country. This is due to many reasons. In this study, a nonparametric evaluation was conducted of health effects that are triggered by urban air pollution. Ni?de, the city which is the administrative centre of Nigde province was chosen of the effects of air pollution since, like many central Turkish cities, it is situated on a valley where atmospheric inversion occurs. In this paper, the relationship between ambient urban air quality, namely PM₁₀ and sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and human health, specifically asthma, during the winter season is examined. Air pollution data and asthma cases from 2006 to 2010 are covered in this study. The results of our study indicate that total asthma cases reported in Nigde between 2008 and 2010 were highly dependent on ambient SO₂ concentration. More asthma cases were recorded when 30 μg?m^?3 or higher SO₂ was present in the ambient air than those recorded under cleaner ambient air conditions. Moreover, it was determined that in Nigde in 2010, asthma cases reported in males aged between 45 and 64 were closely correlated with ambient SO₂ (α?=?0.05).     

Removal of 2, 4‐D from aqueous solution by the adsorbents from spent bleaching earth

Abstract

The removal of 2, 4‐D (2, 4‐ dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) from aqueous solutions by activated spent bleaching earths (SBE) was studied at 20 °C. Experiments were performed as a function of time, initial concentration, dose and particle size of the adsorbent. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption equations were fitted by the adsorption data obtained. The values of Langmuir and Freundlich constants were determined. The adsorption kinetic was found to follow Lagergren equation. Both the boundary layer and intraparticle diffusion played important roles in the adsorption rate of 2, 4‐D. As the size of the adsorbent increased, the time to reach equilibrium increased but adsorption capacity decreased.     

Nickel and Cadmium Concentrations in Plasma and Na+/K+ATPase Activities in Erythrocyte Membranes of the People Exposed to Cement Dust Emissions

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of nickel and cadmium in blood plasma of the people exposed to cement dust emissions and to investigate the effects of exposure period on the activities of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase enzymes in their erythrocyte membranes. The study was carried out on people living in Eskiehir Çukurhisar rural area, located near a cement factory. Blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 80subjects (30 for control) following a physical examination. The analysis of plasma samples showed that nickel concentrations in subject group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001). Cadmium concentrations were found to be within the reference values for both group and no difference was found between the subjects and controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no correlation was observed between the levels of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity in erythrocyte membranes of the subject group and the ages of people living in the region (p > 0.05, r = 0.133). It was also observed that nickel concentrations increased by age (p < 0.001, r = 0.646) while no effect was observed in means of cadmium. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activities in the erythrocyte membranes were not affected.In conclusion although there was no difference between the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity in means of age, there was an environmental pollution and may be it was due to the industrial plant.