Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Production from Wastewater through Box–Behnken Design and Its Effect on Nutrient Element Uptake in Plants

This study examined ${\rm NH}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm + }} $ , ${\rm PO}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm 3}- } $ recovery and the concentration of residual ions from anaerobic effluent of the potato processing industry through magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation using a Box–Behnken design. The regression model was statistically significant in terms of ${\rm NH}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm + }} $ and ${\rm PO}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm 3}- } $ removal efficiency and residual ion concentrations. Optimum ${\rm NH}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm + }} $ and ${\rm PO}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm 3}- } $ removal was obtained at pH 9.50 and at Mg²⁺/${\rm NH}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm + }} $ /${\rm PO}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm 3}- } $ molar ratio of 1.8:1:1.8. Under these conditions, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, and Cl concentrations required for plant growth significantly decreased with MAP precipitation, which was supported by EDX analysis of dry MAP precipitate. The fertilizer effect of MAP on the growth of corn and tomato plants was compared with chemical fertilizers through pot trials. Nutrient element uptake levels of plants were examined in different fertilizer sources. While Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn nutrient element uptake levels were sufficient in MAP pots, Ca uptake exceeded sufficient level. Average levels of N, P, K, Mg, Cu, and Mn of corn plant were higher in MAP than other pots. The average N, P, and Mg levels of tomato plant in MAP pots were higher than other pots. N/K ratio, which is important in tomato plants, was better optimized in MAP pots. Only Ni, Cr, and Pb heavy metals were found in plants.     

Woodleigh,Southern Carnarvon Basin,Western Australia: history of discovery,Late Devonian age,and geophysical and morphometric evidence for a 120 km-diameter impact structure

The discovery of the Woodleigh impact structure, first identified by R. P. Iasky, bears a number of parallels with that of the Chicxulub impact structure of K?–?T boundary age, underpinning complications inherent in the study of buried impact structures by geophysical techniques and drilling. Questions raised in connection with the diameter of the Woodleigh impact structure reflect uncertainties in criteria used to define original crater sizes in eroded and buried impact structures as well as limits on the geological controls at Woodleigh. The truncation of the regional Ajana?–?Wandagee gravity ridges by the outer aureole of the Woodleigh structure, a superposed arcuate magnetic anomaly along the eastern part of the structure, seismic-reflection data indicating a central >?37 km-diameter dome, correlation of fault patterns between Woodleigh and less-deeply eroded impact structures (Ries crater, Chesapeake Bay), and morphometric estimates all indicate a final diameter of 120 km. At Woodleigh, pre-hydrothermal shock-induced melting and diaplectic transformations are heavily masked by pervasive alteration of the shocked gneisses to montmorillonite-dominated clays, accounting for the high MgO and low K₂O of cryptocrystalline components. The possible contamination of sub-crater levels of the Woodleigh impact structure by meteoritic components, suggested by high Ni, Co, Cr, Ni/Co and Ni/Cr ratios, requires further siderophile element analyses of vein materials. Although stratigraphic age constraints on the impact event are broad (post-Middle Devonian to pre-Early Jurassic) high-temperature (200?–?250°C) pervasive hydrothermal activity dated by K?–?Ar isotopes of illite?–?smectite indicates an age of 359?±?4 Ma. To date neither Late Devonian crater fill, nor impact ejecta fallout units have been identified, although metallic meteoritic ablation spherules of a similar age have been found in the Canning Basin.     

Multi-disciplinary earthquake researches in Western Turkey: Hints to select sites to study geochemical transients associated to seismicity

Warm and hot spring water as well as soil gas radon release patterns have been monitored in the Aegean Extensional Province of Western Turkey, alongside regional seismic events, providing a multi-disciplinary approach. In the study period of 20 months, seven moderate earthquakes with M _L between 4.0 and 4.7 occurred in this seismically very active region; two earthquakes with magnitude 5.0 also occurred near the study area. Seismic monitoring showed no foreshock activity. By contrast, hydro-geochemical anomalies were found prior to these seismic events, each lasting for weeks. The anomalies occurred foremost in conjunction with dip-slip events and seem to support the dilatancy and water diffusion hypothesis. Increased soil gas radon release was recorded before earthquakes associated with strike-slip faults, but no soil radon anomalies were seen before earthquakes associated with dip-slip faults. Geochemical anomalies were also noticeably absent at some springs throughout the postulated deformation zones of impending earthquakes. The reason for this discrepancy might be due to stress/strain anisotropies.     

Column densities of interstellar matter in the direction of the starκ Cas (B1 Ia)

We have studied the interstellar column densities in the direction of the star Cas with the IUE high resolution SWP spectrum so as to see the relations of element depletions with condensation temperature and compare our results with the interstellar column densities in the directions of the other B-type stars obtained with the COPERNICUS satellite.Based on the observations made by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUEO, and collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of European Space Agency.     

Investigation of Biosorption Behavior of Methylene Blue on Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.

The effect of varying parameters such as dye concentration, adsorbent dose, pH and temperature on the adsorption capacity of Pleurotus ostreatus is investigated. The commonly available white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus is investigated as a viable biomaterial for the biological treatment of synthetic basic methylene blue effluents. The results obtained from the batch experiments reveal the ability of the fungus to remove methylene blue. The performance is dependent on the dye concentration, pH, and fungal biomass. The equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption are investigated and the Langmuir equation is used to fit the equilibrium isotherm. The adsorption isotherm of methylene blue follows only the Langmuir model with a correlation coefficient of ca. 0.96–0.99. The maximum adsorption capacity is ca. 70 mg of dye per g of dry fungus at pH 11, 70 mg L^–1 dye, and 0.1 g L^–1 fungus concentration, respectively. This study demonstrates that the fungus could be used as an effective biosorbent for the treatment of dye‐containing wastewater streams.     

ESR and Th/U dating of speleothems from Aladağlar Mountain Range (AMR) in Turkey

Electron spin resonance (ESR) and ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ages of speleothem samples collected from karstic caves located around 3000 m elevation in the Alada?lar Mountain Range (AMR), south-central Turkey, were determined in order to provide new insight and information regarding late Pleistocene climate. ESR ages were validated with the ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ages of test samples. The ESR ages of 21 different layers of six speleothem samples were found to range mostly between about 59 and 4 ka, which cover the Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages (MIS) MIS 3 to MIS 1. Among all, only six layers appear to have deposited during MIS 8 and 5. Most of the samples dated were deposited during the late glacial stage (MIS 2). It appears that a cooler climate with a perennial and steady recharge was more conducive to speleothem development rather than a warmer climate with seasonal recharge in the AMR during the late Quaternary. This argument supports previous findings that suggest a two -fold increase in last glacial maximum mean precipitation in Turkey with respect to the present value.     

Reciprocal influence of Kürtün Dam and wastewaters from the settlements on water quality in the stream Harşit,NE Turkey

This paper aims to reveal the reciprocal influence of Kürtün Dam and wastewaters from the settlements on the water quality in the stream Har?it, NE Turkey. Several key water-quality indicators were measured: water temperature (T), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, water hardness, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺–N), nitrite nitrogen (NO₂ ^?–N), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^?–N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphate phosphorus (PO₄ ^3?–P), and methylene blue active substances (MBAS). The monitoring and sampling studies were conducted every 15 days from March 2009 to February 2010 at two stations selected in the upstream and downstream of the Kürtün Dam. It was concluded that the Kürtün Dam Lake had a high-quality water in terms of T, pH, DO, COD, NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₂ ^?–N and NO₃ ^?–N values, but slightly polluted water with respect to TKN, PO₄ ^3?–P, and MBAS according to the Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation. The dam improved the stream water quality by increasing the DO concentration, and decreasing the NO₂ ^?–N and PO₄ ^3?–P concentrations thanks to its hydraulic residence time despite the wastewater discharge by the nearby settlements. However, the wastewater discharge deteriorated the stream water quality increasing the COD, NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₃ ^––N, and TN concentrations.     

Geochemical constraints on the genesis of the Sarıcakaya intrusive rocks,Turkey: Late Paleozoic crustal melting in the central Sakarya Zone

The Sakarya Zone is intruded by several Late Paleozoic granitoids, of which the Sar?cakaya intrusive rocks in the central Sakarya (Eski?ehir) region, is the least-studied. The Sar?cakaya intrusive rocks consist mainly of quartz diorite-granodiorite, granodiorite and granite. They are, geochemically, divided into two groups: diorites and granites. The former is medium-K and calc-alkaline (mainly I-type), whereas the latter is high-K to shoshonite and calcic (I-type). Typical minerals for both rock types are plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz, biotite, hornblende and Fe–Ti oxides. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for the Sar?cakaya intrusive rocks are moderately fractionated and have small negative Eu anomalies. They are enriched in LILE and LREE relative to HFSE showing characteristics of arc-related granitoids. Geochemical characteristics of the Sar?cakaya intrusive rocks indicate a hybrid origin through partial melting of lower crustal source rocks.     

Natural radioactivity of bricks and brick material in the Salihli-Turgutlu area of Turkey

Some of the rocks and soil-originated materials used in building construction are the serious natural radiation sources. Soil-originated bricks and roof-tiles and their raw material in the Salihli-Turgutlu area were tested in situ for natural radiation levels using a gamma-ray spectrometer. The concentrations of the radioelements ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th and air-absorbed radiation rates were measured for soil, raw material heaps, brick and roof-tile stacks and waste brick heaps. The radium-equivalent activity Ra_eq of the raw material varied between 187.9 and 216.4 Bq kg^?1. The external radiation hazard index H_ex values ranged between 0.51 and 0.58. For building material and its products, recommended Ra_eq and H_ex levels are 370 Bq kg^-1 and 1.0, respectively. On the other hand, both Ra_eq and H_ex values for waste brick heaps, containing broken brick pieces, coal pieces and ash, were higher than the recommended levels, i.e. Ra_eq values varied from 473.8 to 651.0 Bq kg^-1 and H_ex values were within the range 1.15–1.76. The annual dose rate and radium-equivalent activity values of the brick and roof-tiles were below the level of criteria. Annual dose rate ranged between 0.42 and 0.62 mSv y^?1 and radium equivalent activity was in the range 172.9–245.2 Bq kg^?1. The external and internal radiation hazard indices were all below the value of 1.0 for the Salihli-Turgutlu area bricks and roof-tiles. Results of this study were compared with results of previous studies. Natural radiation levels of construction raw material of study area are generally higher than of those of previous studies.