Magnetic susceptibility and heavy-metal contamination in topsoils along the Izmit Gulf coastal area and IZAYTAS (Turkey)

The study on topsoil contamination due to heavy metals was carried out by using the Magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements in Izmit industrial city, northern Turkey. We attempted to investigate correlations between the concentration of selected heavy metals and the MS from 41 sample sites around Izmit Gulf. These investigations let us quantify and standardize the MS method, which may have consequences for long term monitoring of anthropogenic pollution, especially in urban areas. The MS surfer contour map based on the topsoil measurements was compiled with a randomly ranged distance density. The soil samples collected throughout the industrial areas, the parks, road sides and residential areas were also analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Heavy metals Cu, Ni, Cr and Pb show strong correlations with MS, while Zn and Co show a weak correlation with MS. Moreover, the Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI) shows insignificant correlation with the MS.The MS was examined vertically (0–30 cm) with respect to anthropogenic and/or lithogenic influences at the fourteen sample sites. The maximum values were mostly observed in depths of 2–5 cm and the MS values on the depth profiles vary between 10 × 10^? 8 m³ kg^? 1 and 203 × 10^? 8 m³ kg^? 1. The study revealed that MS is an inexpensive, fast and non-destructive method for the detection and mapping of contaminated soils.     

Comprehensive study on automation of toxic gas measurement

The condition of the ambient air must be continuously checked to detect hazardous gas leakage and ensure the safety of employees in hazardous gas production and storage areas. Detection and elimination of hazardous gas leaks can be done with various complex measurement, safety, and disposal systems. These measurement systems consist of different types of sensor and require control and monitoring system. This leads to high investment and operating costs. In this study, semi-continuous measurement system automation with a single set of sensors working by taking air samples from different points over specific periods has been designed to reduce investment, operation, and maintenance repair costs. In the design, the measurement points are divided into zones and codes in the automation system. Thus, it is aimed to keep a constant record of what the air sample is coming from and what its content is. As a result, it has been determined that it is possible to establish a measurement and automation system similar to existing hazardous gas measurement systems with less investment and operating costs. The proposed automation system has been applied in the industrial storage area. In addition, a cost analysis has been performed and compared with conventional systems.     

Early Paleozoic Evolution of the NW Gondwanaland: Data from Southern Turkey and Surrounding Regions

The Lower Paleozoic rock-units in the Eastern Mediterranean can be separated into two distinct zones: the Northern Zone (Carpathian-Balkan, Istanbul, Zonguldak and Main Range terranes) and the Southern Zone (Tauride-Anatolide, SE Anatolian-Arabian, and Central Iranian terranes). A Gondwanan /Perigondwanan origin can only be properly indicated for the Southern Zone, whereas the Early Paleozoic paleogeographic positions of smaller terranes (e.g. Istanbul Terrane) of the Northern Zone remains questionable.During the Infracambrian-Early Cambrian time in the Southern Zone, the Pan-African consolidated NW Gondwanan pericratonic margin was rifted by back-arc extension or transtension, which is represented by the deposition of fault-controlled continental sediments.The late Early Cambrian-Late Cambrian period in the Southern Zone is designated by a regional transgression from northeast suggesting a rapid subsidence in the area to the northwest of Arabian-Tauride platform and hence opening of a relatively deep basin to the north.The Lower Ordovician in the Southern Zone comprising the Tremadoc and Arenig Series is characterized by a monotonous siliciclastic deposition. Towards the end of Early Ordovician shallowing upward sequences and formation of NW-SE trending highs were noticed. The stratigraphic hiatuses, unconformities and irregular distribution of the Caradoc-Ashgill deposits in the Southern Zone has been ascribed to glacio-eustatic sea-level changes.The Early Silurian (Aeronian-Telychian) deepening and deposition of black shales that follows the regression around the Ordovician-Silurian boundary in the Southern Zone is also very probably related to the relatively rapid global sea-level rise. To the north of the Tauride-Anatolide Platform, Wenlock and Late Silurian are represented by deep marine (basinal) sediments with oceanic basalts.The generation of an accretionary complex in the northern margin of the Taurides together with the regional regression in the southern Taurides and SE Anatolia at the uppermost Silurian-Lower Devonian boundary and the regional unconformity at Lower Devonian (Middle Lochkovian) is very probably related to the closure of a “Paleotethyan” oceanic basin to the north of the Perigondwanan terranes.     

Experimental and numerical studies on buckling restrained braces with posttensioned carbon fiber composite cables

There has been an increasing interest in using residual deformation as a seismic performance indicator for earthquake resistant building design. Self-centering braced structural systems are viable candidates for minimizing residual deformations following a major earthquake. Hence, this study proposes an alternative type of buckling restrained brace (BRB) with externally attached posttensioned (PT-BRB) carbon fiber composite cables (CFCCs). The steel core of the brace is used as an energy dissipator, whereas the CFCCs provide the self-centering force for minimizing residual story drifts. Three proof-of-concept specimens are designed, fabricated, and cyclically tested at different posttensioning force levels. The CFCC behavior to obtain cyclic response, including the anchorage system, is examined closely. A parametric study is also conducted to show the effect of the different configurations of PT-BRBs on the inelastic response. Furthermore, optimal brace parameters are discussed to realize design recommendations. The results indicated that the implementation of partially self-centering BRBs in building frames can lead to the target residual displacements. A stable behavior is obtained for the proposed PT-BRBs when subjected to the loading protocol specified in the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 2016 Seismic Provisions.     

Characteristics,genesis and classification of a basin peat soil under negative human impact in Turkey

The objective of this research was to investigate the morphology, genesis and classification of organic soils formed on depression and flat land around Lake Yenicaga, west-central Turkey. Formation of the area has been influenced by tectonic and karst processes. This peatland is important in this area due to its extensive use as a horticultural plant growth medium resulting from positive physical and chemical properties. Organic soils in the study area were formed in nutrient-rich conditions and it is classified as typical basin peat. Four representative pedons were excavated in the study area based on extensive observations performed with random grid method using an auger. Samples were taken from horizons in each profile for laboratory analyses. Organic matter contents ranged from 12.5 to 91.5% across all four pedons. Fiber contents were between 4.3 and 91.5%, and N ranged from 0.56 to 2.19%. Cation exchange capacity ranged from 37 to 222 cmol kg⁻¹, bulk density from 0.09 to 0.78 g cm⁻³, lime from 0.15 to 2.62%. The pH and EC_e values ranged from 5.38 to 7.92 and 0.50 to 3.80 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Sand, silt and clay contents of the organic soils ranged between 0.75–3.92, 40.70–74.77 and 24.15–57.30%, respectively. Differences in organic soils were found to depend on the environment, botanical origins, decomposition degrees, and groundwater composition. The organic soils of the research area were classified in the typic, hemic and hydric subgroups of Medifibrists (Soil Taxonomy 1999).     

A view of tectonic structure and gravity anomalies of Hatay Region Southern Turkey using wavelet analysis

In this study, we demonstrate wavelet analysis as a method of delineating the boundaries of subsurface geological structures. We applied wavelet transform to Bouguer anomaly data of the Cilicia Region and adjacent areas. The residual anomalies are the results of various depth and other properties of buried structures on the gravity anomaly map. The superposition of anomaly of the underground structures with different properties such as depth, density and size, increases the complexity of the overall system. Thus the extraction of the desired properties from the anomaly map becomes difficult. Different separation techniques are used to solve this problem. Wavelet transform is one of these modern approaches. Here, we tested various types of wavelet transform modeling on synthetic examples and then applied them to the gravity anomaly map of the Cilicia Region in Turkey. We have detected the borders of the Hatay Region in southern Turkey and proposed the tectonic model of this real complex structure using the wavelet transformation. The most important result we have found is the presence of a triple junction near the Hatay region.     

Investigation on the Levels of Heavy Metals,Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sewage Sludge Samples and Ecotoxicological Testing

This article reports the levels of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sewage sludges taken from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Konya (Turkey) as well as their toxicity. The concentrations of heavy metals, including Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn in sludge samples from plant #2 did not exceed the limits described in both Turkish and European Union (EU) regulations. The similar result was observed in samples obtained from plant #1, except for sludge taken in May 2010. The ΣPAHs concentration ranging from 960 to 7680 µg/kg dry matter shows that sewage sludges from plant #1 could be used for agricultural purpose. However, sewage sludges from plant #2 (ΣPAHs: 1077–17 509 µg/kg dry matter) was not suitable for using in agriculture. The concentrations of ΣPCBs in all investigated sludges from plant #1 (7.46–709.36 µg/kg dry matter) and plant #2 (14.12–788.47 µg/kg dry matter) were lower than the limits reported in Turkish and EU regulations. The probable sources of PAHs and PCBs in sludges were also determined. The ecotoxicological tests examined on Vibrio fischeri and Lepidium sativum organisms showed that sludges from plant #1 had no significant toxic effect, while sludges from plant #2 had acute toxic property. Finally, all the results showed that sewage sludges from plant #1 had potential for being used in agriculture.     

Development of New Electrochemical Surfaces for the Detection of Metals in Waste Water

In this study, electrochemical experiments were performed in non‐aqueous media in order to determine electrochemical behavior of some of the glyoxime derivatives (GDs). Phenylglyoxime (PG), p‐chloro‐phenylglyoxime (p‐CPG), and 1,2‐phenylendiamino‐p‐chlorophenylglyoxime (PACPG) were chosen as GDs. Pt wire, Ag/Ag⁺ (in 0.01 M AgNO₃) and glassy carbon (GC) electrode were used as counter, reference, and working electrode, respectively. The multiscan cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of these compounds were registered in acetonitrile (MeCN) containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborat (TBATFB) at scan rate of 100 mV/s. The potential was swept from 0 to +2.0 V versus Ag/Ag⁺ (0.01 M). The CVs of GDs were compared with each other and the electrochemical behaviors of the compounds were investigated depending on the functional groups in their structures. The electrochemical characterization of these modified surfaces was performed and characterizations were compared with the chatacterization results of bare GC surfaces. The application areas for new surfaces were investigated. These results will be active in the disciplines of electrochemistry and industrial physical chemistry, and in related industrial fields at the dissemination of new information for scientific area.     

A synthesis: Late Cenozoic stress field distribution at northeastern corner of the Eastern Mediterranean,SE Turkey

Fault kinematic analysis and inversion of focal mechanisms of shallow earthquakes reveal significant evolution of the regional stress regime in the northeastern most corner of the Eastern Mediterranean region since the Mio-Pliocene to the present time. This study was carried out in the interaction area between the Arabian/African plates and the Anatolian block. The evolution of stress regimes consists of a change from older transpression to younger transtension. Both strike-slip stress regimes having a NNW- to northwest-trending σ_Hmax (σ₁) and ENE- to northeast-trending σ_Hmin (σ₃) axes induce a sinistral component of displacement on the major intra-continental Karatas–Osmaniye and Misis–Ceyhan faults elongated with the northeast-trending Misis Range between Adana and Osmaniye provinces (sub-area i) and by a NNE-trending plate boundary Amanos fault running along Amanos Range between Antakya and Kahramanmaras provinces (sub-area ii). The inversion results show that the transtensional stress regime is dominantly strike-slip to extension, with an ENE- to northeast-trending σ_Hmin (σ₃) axis for sub-areas (i) and (ii), respectively. The inversions of earthquake focal mechanisms indicate that the transtensional stress regime is still active in the whole study area since probably recent Quaternary time. To cite this article: S. Over et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).