Selection of appropriate sampling stations in a lake through mapping

Much valuable information is obtained from water quality measurements and monitoring of lakes around the world. A powerful tool is the use of mapping techniques, as it offers potential use in water quality research. Both remote sensing techniques and traditional water quality monitoring are required to collect data at sampling stations. This study suggests another approach to determine the most appropriate distribution of sampling stations in water reservoirs that will be mapped for water quality parameters. Tests were conducted for the proposed approach for Secchi disc depth (SDD), chlorophyll-a, turbidity and suspended solids parameters in Lake Beysehir, Turkey. Results of analysis are available for a total of 30 sampling stations in August 2006. Ten sampling stations were used to model Lake Beysehir while the others were used for validation of the model. Sampling stations that offered the best representation of the lake for each parameter were determined. Then, the best representative sampling stations for all parameters in the study were determined. Moreover, in order to confirm the accuracy of these re-determined sampling stations, modelling was performed on the results of the analysis of June 2006, and it was found that the values obtained from the re-determined sampling stations were acceptable.     

Assessment of spatial variability in some soil properties as related to soil salinity and alkalinity in Bafra plain in northern Turkey

The objectives of this study were to assess the variability in soil properties affecting salinity and alkalinity, and to analyze spatial distribution patterns of salinity (EC) and alkalinity (ESP) in the plain, which was used irrigation agriculture with low quality waters. Soil samples were collected from 0–30cm, 30–60cm, 60–90cm and 90–120cm soil depths at 60 sampling sites. Soil pH had the minimum variability, and hydraulic conductivity (Ks) had the maximum variability at all depths. The mean values of pH, EC, ESP and Ks increased while the mean values of CEC decreased with soil depth. Values pH, EC and ESP were generally high in the east and northeastern sides. Soil properties indicated moderate to strong spatial dependence. ESP and pH were moderately spatially dependent for three of the four depths, EC exhibited moderate spatial dependence for one of the four depths, CEC had a moderate spatial dependence at all depths, and Ks exhibited a strong spatial dependence. EC, CEC, and ESP were considerably variable in small distances. The spatial variability in small distances of EC, CEC, pH and ESP generally increased with depth. All geostatistical range values were greater than 1230m. It was inferred that the strong spatial dependency of soil properties would be resulted in extrinsic factors such as ground water level, drainage, irrigation systems and microtopography.     

Application of artificial neural networks to predict the heavy metal contamination in the Bartin River

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) analyses were performed, and the results were modelled by...     

Demolition of high-rise public housing increases particulate matter air pollution in communities of high-risk asthmatics

Public housing developments across the United States are being demolished, potentially increasing local concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in communities with high burdens of severe asthma. Little is known about the impact of demolition on local air quality. At three public housing developments in Chicago, IL, PM with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 microm (PM10) and < 2.5 microm were measured before and during high-rise demolition. Additionally, size-selective sampling and real-time monitoring were concurrently performed upwind and downwind of one demolition site. The concentration of particulates attributable to demolition was estimated after accounting for background urban air pollution. Particle microscopy was performed on a small number of samples. Substantial increases of PM10 occurred during demolition, with the magnitude of that increase varying based on sampler distance, wind direction, and averaging time. During structural demolition, local concentrations of PM10 42 m downwind of a demolition site increased 4- to 9-fold above upwind concentrations (6-hr averaging time). After adjusting for background PM10, the presence of dusty conditions was associated with a 74% increase in PM10 100 m downwind of demolition sites (24-hr averaging times). During structural demolition, short-term peaks in real-time PM10 (30-sec averaging time) occasionally exceeded 500 microg/m(3). The median particle size downwind of a demolition site (17.3 microm) was significantly larger than background (3 microm). Specific activities are associated with realtime particulate measures. Microscopy did not identify asbestos or high concentrations of mold spores. In conclusion, individuals living near sites of public housing demolition are at risk for exposure to high particulate concentrations. This increase is characterized by relatively large particles and high short-term peaks in PM concentration.     

Total cobalt determination in human blood and synovial fluid using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: method validation and evaluation of performance variables affecting metal hip implant patient samples

Inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) has been used for clinical analysis of cobalt (Co) due to its sensitivity and specificity; however, media-specific validation studies are lacking. This study provides data on performance variables affecting differences between selected analytical platforms (Perkin Elmer and Agilent), tissue sample preparation, storage, and interferences affecting measurements in whole blood, serum, and synovial fluid. The limits of detection (LOD) range from 0.2–0.5 µg/L in serum and synovial fluid, and 0.6–1.7 µg Co/L in whole blood. The Agilent platform with collision reaction cell is more sensitive, while the Perkin Elmer platform with dynamic reaction cell demonstrates more polyatomic interferences near the LOD for serum and whole blood. Split sample analysis showed good accuracy, precision, and reproducibility between serum Co measurements using acid digestion or detergent dilution preparations for persons with metal hip implants or following supplement intake. The results demonstrated reliability of the ICP-MS methodology across the two analytical platforms and between two commercial laboratories for Co concentrations above 5 µg Co/L, but digestion procedures and polyatomic interferences may affect measurements in some media at lower concentrations. These studies validate the described ICP-MS methodology for clinical purposes with precautions at low cobalt concentrations (<5 µg Co/L).     

Polychlorinated biphenyl levels in adipose tissue of primiparous women in Turkey

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a mixture of 209 possible congeners with different chlorine substitutions and they are potentially hazardous compounds in the environment for human beings. The high lipophilicity and the resistance to biodegradation of PCBs allow the bioaccumulation of these chemicals in the fatty tissues of organisms. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of PCBs in the adipose tissue of women living in Ankara, Turkey. For this purpose, levels of seven major persistent PCB congeners (IUPAC Numbers: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were measured in 29 primiparous mothers' adipose tissue samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). PCB IUPAC numbers 138, 153 and 180 were the most abundant congeners, each accounting for > 20% of the total PCB content of adipose tissue. PCB 153 was the dominant congener in all the samples (141.7 +/- 132.3 ng/g lipid wt. basis). The results are compared with the similar studies from other countries. The concentrations of PCB 28, PCB 52 and PCB 101 were found to be higher than those found in industrialized countries. This study is important in terms of being the first study of determination of PCB levels in adipose tissue samples in Turkey.     

支持西印度洋地区海洋和海岸带资源可持续管理的海洋研究

西印度洋(WIO)地区以其迷人的海岸带、丰富的海洋生物多样性以及富饶的海洋和海岸带资源而著称.但是地处WIO地区的许多国家像肯尼亚、莫桑比克、索马里、南非、坦桑尼亚、科摩罗、马达加斯加、毛里求斯、留尼旺、塞舌尔等却极度贫困,特别是近二三十年以来,该地区的环境退化现象以及自然资源和生物多样性的下降越来越明显.     

Concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like PCBs in human adipose tissue from Turkish men

There is no previous report from Turkey on chemically determined polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human tissues expressed as World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalents (TEQs). The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of PCDDs/Fs, and dioxin-like PCBs in the general adult Turkish population. For this reason we measured adipose tissue concentrations of PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in 23 Turkish men living in Ankara,Turkey in 2004. PCDD/F concentrations ranged between 3.2 and 19.7 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat (5.34 and 42.7 WHO-TEQ/g fat, respectively, including dioxin-like PCBs). The mean concentrations of WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ and WHO(PCB)-TEQ were 9.2 and 6.67 pg/g on a lipid basis , respectively. Samples were analyzed for PCDD/F and twelve dioxin-like PCB congeners using high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). This study is very important since it is the first report on PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCB contamination in human adipose tissue from Turkey.     

Temporal analysis of coastal erosion in Turkey: a case study Karasu coastal region

Coastal erosion may be caused by natural causes as well as human factors. Karasu town of the city of Sakarya in Turkey which is a touristic region on the Black Sea coast has been experienced a drastic coastal erosion. In recent years, this erosion reached the threatening dimensions for the structures in the settlement. According to the temporal analyses of Landsat satellite images, the maximum erosion on the coastline was detected 100 m between 1987–2013. The results of the study show that the harbour construct on the Karasu coast has the major impact on this event. The secondary factor is that the amount of the sediment carried by the Sakarya River was decreased in time due to different reasons. To prevent the coastal erosion, a series of offshore breakwaters were planned after the failed application of groins on the coastline. In this study, temporal changes of the coastline are investigated by the Landsat satellite data and land surveys, possible reasons of the erosion are discussed and the solutions are proposed regarding the coastal structures.