Current velocity forecasting in straits with artificial neural networks,a case study: Strait of Istanbul

Owing to their complex character, modeling flow patterns of narrow straits has always been a challenge, even with the numerical techniques of today. This study was aimed at predicting vertical current profiles of a given point in a narrow strait, the Strait of Istanbul. On account of the speed and simplicity it offers, and of its remarkable success in solving complex problems, the feed forward back propagation (FFBP) artificial neural network (ANN) technique was chosen for this study. The model was built on 7039 hours of concurrent measurements of current profiles, meteorological conditions, and surface elevations. The model predicted 12 outputs of East and North velocity components at different depths in a given location. Various alternative models with different inputs and neuron numbers were evaluated attaining the best model by trial and error. Predictions from proposed ANN model were in accordance with the observations with average root mean square error of 0.16 m/s. The same input parameters were then used to build models that predicted current velocities 1–12 h into the future. Results of these predictions show good overall agreement with observations and that FFBP ANN can be used as a reliable tool for forecasting current profiles in straits.     

Is KR Cygni a triple star system?

New multi-colour UBVR light curves of the eclipsing binary KR Cyg were obtained in 2005. Photometric solutions were derived using the Wilson-Devinney method. The result shows that KR Cyg is a near-contact binary system with a large effective temperature difference between the components, approximately 5230 K. All the times of minimum light were collected and combined with our observations obtained in 2010 and 2011. Analysing all the times of mid-eclipse, we found for the first time a possible periodic oscillation with an amplitude of 0.001 days and a period of ∼76 years. The periodic oscillation could be explained by the light-time effect due to a presumed third component.     

GeoReM: A New Geochemical Database for Reference Materials and Isotopic Standards

We have developed a new database named GeoReM ( http://georem.mpch-mainz.gwdg.de ) for reference materials and isotopic standards of geochemical and mineralogical interest. Reference samples include rock powders originating from the USGS, GSJ, GIT-IWG, synthetic and natural reference glasses originating from NIST, USGS, MPI-DING, as well as mineral (e.g., 91500 zircon), isotopic (e.g., La Jolla, E&A, NIST SRM 981), river water and seawater reference materials. GeoReM is a relational database, which strongly follows the concept of the three EARTHCHEM databases. It contains published analytical and compilation values (major and trace element concentrations, radiogenic and stable isotope ratios), important metadata about the analytical values, such as uncertainty, uncertainty type, method and laboratory. Sample information and references are also included. Three different ways of interrogating the database are possible: (1) sample names or material types, (2) chemical criteria and (3) bibliography. Some typical applications are described. GeoReM currently (October 2005) contains more than 750 geological reference materials, 6000 individual sets of results and references to 650 publications.     

Polycyclic aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons pollution at the coast of Aliağa (Turkey) ship recycling zone

Alia?a Bay is one of the most important maritime zones of Turkey where shipping activity, shipbreaking industry, steel works and petrochemical complexes exist together. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment of the Alia?a Bay were investigated to evaluate an environmental risk assessment from PAHs contamination in 2009-2010. Aliphatic and PAHs diagnostic ratios were showed to be mainly petroleum-originated and pyrolitic contaminations, respectively. The TEL/PEL analysis suggests that Alia?a sediments were likely to be contaminated by acutely toxic PAH compounds.     

Sediment concentrations of heavy metals in the Homa Lagoon (Eastern Aegean Sea): Assessment of contamination and ecological risks

The concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon in sediment of the Homa Lagoon which is one of the most productive lagoons and commercial important active fish trap in the Eastern Aegean Sea, were investigated in order to describe the temporal and spatial distributions of metals. These results were used to evaluate possible ecological risks that could be a problem for the environment of the lagoon in the future. Sediments were enriched with Cr, Ni and considered as heavily polluted per the SQG. The C_f of Ni and Cr were presented moderate level of contamination in this area. The C_d levels indicated moderate degree of contamination at station B, C, D and E due to agricultural drainage water, industrial and domestic wastewater, are transported by the Gediz River. Sediments from Homa Lagoon were most toxic for Ni due to exceedances of the TEL and PEL values.     

Responses of the stratified flows to their driving conditions—A field study

The Bosphorus is oceanographically very complicated two-layer stratified strait where denser water from the Marmara Sea flows towards North under the lighter water which is frequently flowing from the Black Sea towards South. The water level difference between both ends of the Bosphorus varies seasonally within the range of ?0.2 and 0.6 m. The seasonal variability depends mainly on the water level changes in the adjacent basins related to the hydrological cycle, short-term changes in the atmospheric pressure and the wind characteristics. These variations together with the depth and alignment of the cross section along the strait dominate the spatial and temporal variations and sometimes sharp changes in the flow pattern in three dimensions. Although these hydrodynamic conditions are critical for all marine and hydraulic works along the Bosphorus, there was not continuous long-term measurement for a sufficient time span in the strait for detailed evaluation of the current climate. An extensive site surveying work including current, wind, pressure and water level measurements was carried out between September 2004 and January 2006 in relation to the design and construction requirements of the Bosphorus Tube Crossing Project. In this study, the characteristics of stratified flow in the Bosphorus Strait and their relation to local and regional, short- and long-term changes in the meteorological parameters are studied by using the measurement data and the results are discussed comparatively.     

The response of benthic foraminifera and ostracoda to heavy metal pollution in Gulf of Izmir (Eastern Aegean Sea)

Benthic foraminifera can be used as environmental bioindicators, especially in polluted environments where their sensitivity to pollutants may be expressed by a modification in the assemblage. Nineteen sediment samples were collected in November 2002 from surficial sediments of the Gulf of Izmir (Turkey). The Gulf of Izmir is located in Western Turkey and surrounded by a densely populated community. The gulf has been contaminated by numerous heavy metals, but geochemical analyses have shown that metals are significant pollutants only in the inner part of the gulf. Outer and Middle Sections showed low levels of heavy metals, except the estuary of Gediz River. Eight heavy metals have been analyzed in all the sampling points. Sixty-seven foraminifer and 22 ostracod species were identified in 16 sediment samples. Statistical analysis shows that there is a significant correlation between foraminifera species and heavy metals. The most polluted Inner Sections are dominated by the tolerant species Ammonia tepida that may be used as pollution indicator. The gradient observed in heavy metal concentrations between the Outer and Inner Sections has a prevalent influence on the foraminiferal distribution. There is a gradient of the number of species, increasing from the Inner Section toward the Outer Section. The occurrence of test abnormalities among foraminifera may represent a useful biomarker for evaluating long-term environmental impacts in a coastal region.     

Behavior of homogenous rubble mound breakwaters materials under cyclic loads

Rubble-mound breakwaters are subjected not only to water wave action but also to other types of environmental loading, such as earthquakes. The design of coastal structures should take into account the most relevant factors in each case, including seismic loading. The purpose of this study is to understand the dynamic response of breakwater materials in dry and water conditions. Hence, an experimental study was carried out for homogeneous breakwater structures subjected to different dynamic loadings with variable frequencies and amplitudes in a shaking tank. A shaking tank with a single degree of freedom was developed. The experiments were performed with rigid bottom conditions. The model scale was 1/50. The cyclic responses of the breakwater made of entirely armor material and another of entirely core material were examined separately, and their behaviors were then compared. The experimental results are also discussed with a numerical study, and the material properties and failure modes were thus defined. It is found that the settlement of the armor and core materials under cyclic loads increased with increasing base acceleration level. The cyclic deformation of the rubble mound breakwater in water was larger than that under dry conditions. The cyclic deformation of the rubble materials resulted in crest lowering and slumping. Dominant mode of the seismic failure was associated with the settlement of the crown of the structure accompanied by densification of the core material.