Determination of Cu,Fe, and Ni in Spices after Preconcentration on Diaion‐HP 20 Resin as Their Zincon Complexes

In this work, a new separation–preconcentration method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Fe(III) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Analytes were complexed by using zincon (2‐[2‐[alpha(2‐hydroxy‐5‐sulfophenylazo) benzylidene] hydrazino] benzoic acid sodium salt). The analyte ions were quantitatively adsorbed on a Diaion HP‐20 resin at pH 5. The retained metal ions on the resin were eluted by acetone. The analytical parameters such as pH of the sample, eluent type and volume, sample volume, and flow rates of the solution and the eluent were investigated. The influences of concomitant ions on the recoveries of the analytes were also examined. The instrumental detection limits for the analytes after application of the presented solid‐phase extraction procedure were in the range of 0.72–1.41 µg/L. The validation of the presented procedure was checked by analyzing certified reference material of SRM1515 Apple Leaves. The procedure was performed by analyzing some spice samples.     

Geohazards rooted from the northern margin of the Sea of Marmara since the late Pleistocene: a review of recent results

Natural Hazards - Owing to its special geodynamic setting on the western extension of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and oceanographic setting between Mediterranean and the Black Seas, the Sea of...     

Stochastically simulated blast-induced ground motion effects on nonlinear response of an industrial masonry chimney

This paper presents the dynamic response analysis of industrial masonry chimney subjected to artificially generated surface blast induced ground shock by using a three-dimensional finite element model. The effects of surface blast-induced ground shocks on nearby structures depend on the distance between the explosion centre and the structure, and charge weight. Blast-induced ground motions can be represented by power spectral density function and applied to each support point of the 3D finite element model of the industrial masonry system. In this study, a parametric study is mainly conducted to estimate the effect of the blast-induced ground motions on the nonlinear response of a chimney type masonry structure. Therefore, the analysis was carried out for different values of the charge weights and distances from the charge center. The initial crack and propagation of the crack pattern at the base of the chimney were evaluated. Moreover, the maximum stresses and displacements through the height of the chimney were investigated. The results of the study underline that blast-induced ground motions effects should be considered to perform the non-linear dynamic analysis of masonry type chimney structures more accurately.     

October 23, 2011 Turkey/Van–Ercis earthquake: structural damages in the residential buildings

On October 23, 2011, a magnitude of Mw 7.2 earthquake struck the Van province in eastern Turkey which caused approximately 600 life loss and 4,000 injured people. Although the recorded peak ground accelerations were relatively low (0.15–0.2 g) compared with that of other recent destructive Turkish earthquakes and the code-based design response spectrum, a large number of reinforced concrete buildings with 4–6 stories and non-engineered masonry buildings were either heavily damaged or collapsed in the region. Based on the post-earthquake technical inspections, the goal of this paper is to introduce major reasons for structural damages in the disaster area and to discuss these failures along with the approaches given in the design code which is renewed after August 17, 1999 Marmara Earthquake. Some remarkable lessons learned from earthquake-induced failures and damages specific to building construction techniques are presented in this paper.     

Integrated seismic hazard evaluation and disaster management approach for Turkey

A significant proportion of the urban areas in Turkey is subject to high seismic risk. An important step for seismic risk mitigation is to define the hazard and damage after an earthquake. This paper proposes an integrated seismic hazard assessment and disaster management processes for Turkey. The proposed methodology utilizes information technologies in its seismic assessment component that provides fast results for assessment. First, image process methodology by using satellite images was implemented in the seismic assessment process for fast evaluation right after an earthquake. Second, the seismic assessment process was integrated with disaster management process. As a result, through integrated seismic hazard evaluation and disaster management procedure, an effective, fast and dependable estimation of loss for Turkey was planned.     

Coexistence of abyssal and ultra-depleted SSZ type mantle peridotites in a Neo-Tethyan Ophiolite in SW Turkey: Constraints from mineral composition,whole-rock geochemistry (major–trace–REE–PGE), and Re–Os isotope systematics

We present new, whole-rock major and trace element chemistry, including rare earth elements (REE), platinum-group elements (PGE), and Re–Os isotope data from the upper mantle peridotites of a Cretaceous Neo-Tethyan ophiolite in the Mu?la area in SW Turkey. We also report extensive mineral chemistry data for these peridotites in order to better constrain their petrogenesis and tectonic environment of formation. The Mu?la peridotites consist mainly of cpx-harzburgite, depleted harzburgite, and dunite. Cpx-harzburgites are characterized by their higher average CaO (2.27 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (2.07 wt.%), REE (53 ppb), and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os_(i) ratios varying between 0.12497 and 0.12858. They contain Al-rich pyroxene with lower Cr content of coexisting spinel (Cr# = 13–22). In contrast, the depleted harzburgites and dunites are characterized by their lower average CaO (0.58 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (0.42 wt.%), and REE (1.24 ppb) values. Their clinopyroxenes are Al-poor and coexist with high-Cr spinel (Cr# = 33–83). The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os_(i) ratios are in the range of 0.12078–0.12588 and are more unradiogenic compared to those of the cpx-harzburgites.Mineral chemistry and whole rock trace and PGE data indicate that formation of the Mu?la peridotites cannot be explained by a single stage melting event; at least two-stages of melting and refertilization processes are needed to explain their geochemical characteristics. Trace element compositions of the cpx-harzburgites can be modeled by up to ~ 10–16% closed-system dynamic melting of a primitive mantle source, whereas those of the depleted harzburgites and dunites can be reproduced by ~ 10–16% open-system melting of an already depleted (~ 16%) mantle. These models indicate that the cpx-harzburgites are the products of first-stage melting and low-degrees of melt–rock interaction that occurred in a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) environment. However, the depleted harzburgites and dunites are the product of second-stage melting and related refertilization which took place in a supra subduction zone (SSZ) environment. The Re–Os isotope systematics of the Mu?la peridotites gives model age clusters of ~ 250 Ma, ~ 400 Ma and ~ 750 Ma that may record major tectonic events associated with the geodynamic evolution of the Neo-Tethyan, Rheic, and Proto-Tethyan oceans, respectively. Furthermore, > 1000 Ma model ages can be interpreted as a result of an ancient melting event before the Proto-Tethys evolution.     

New paleomagnetic constraints on the late Cretaceous and early Cenozoic tectonic history of the Eastern Pontides

The Pontides are characterized by a series of Mesozoic-Cenozoic fold belts comprising a N-vergent foreland fold and thrust belt in the Western Pontides and a concave, upward-shaped fold belt in the Eastern Pontides. The curvature of the fold belt follows the Caucasus which may imply a phase of oroclinal bending. In order to test whether the fold curvature represents a phase of oroclinal bending, a paleomagnetic study has been carried out in the Eastern Pontides on late Cretaceous and middle Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks from 29 sites. Rock magnetic studies reveal medium-temperature components with an unblocking temperature of 400–580 °C, indicating pseudo-single domain titanomagnetite as the most abundant carrier of magnetic remanence in the middle Eocene rocks studied here. In the upper Cretaceous rocks, a high-temperature component with an unblocking range of 580–650 °C was isolated. Stepwise thermal and alternating field demagnetization isolated two components of remanent magnetization in middle Eocene rocks comprising a low unblocking temperature/coercivity component near the present field direction and a characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) component of D_s = 332.3°, I_s = 49.9° (k = 33.3, α₉₅ = 9.2°, N = 15 sites). A positive fold test at a 95% confidence level and a reversal test indicate a primary magnetization. Component analysis of the upper Cretaceous rocks identifies a stable ChRM D_s = 160.3°, I_s = −45.0°, (k =  85.6, α₉₅ = 6.0°, N =  8 sites) following removal of secondary remanence. Their ChRM direction passes fold and reversal tests at a 95% confidence level. Both the upper Cretaceous and middle Eocene paleomagnetic data from the Eastern Pontides and the Lesser Caucasus clearly demonstrate evidence of oroclinal bending that occurred contemporaneouslywith the convergence between Arabia and Eurasia in the Paleocene.     

Electrical imaging of the geoenvironment around water infrastructures in Istanbul city

Subsurface structures from two different districts of Istanbul, hosting waste and freshwater transmission lines, were imaged by geoelectrical method. The environmental impact on Ka??thane-Terkos freshwater transmission line is one of the issues. That waterline underwent a substantial landslide damage. The previous site selection of Ka??thane-Terkos line was only based on surface geological observations. Even though the pipeline was positioned away from the surface scarps of landslides, the pipes were damaged. To find out the reason, we made some vertical electrical sounding measurements using Schlumberger array in the region. We inverted the electrical sounding data using 2D inversion technique. The final geoelectrical images show main landslide failures, at about 10–30 m depth, which are overlain by debris with a resistivity value of with <6 Ω m. The geoelectrical findings reveal that a buried major failure surrounds the surface landslides behind. Consequently, the water infrastructure remains under the influence of landslide. Our second application site was the area of the Sazl?dere tunnel, which will transfer wastewater, polluting Sazl?dere dam, to the treatment plant. The geoelectrical images along Sazl?dere tunnel route show resistive (<100 Ω m) and moderately conductive (≤50 Ω m) structures along the tunnel axis, representing unaltered to highly weathered rocks, respectively. Furthermore, consecutive hidden fault zones which severely affect the construction process of the tunnel are detected and located.     

Toxic Effects of Copper‐Based and Synthetic Organic Pesticides on Activated Sludge

Toxic effects of five commonly used pesticides on the biomass of a municipal activated sludge system were determined on the basis of the reduction in the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR). Toxicity levels of the selected pesticides were determined by employing a modified OECD 209 (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) method which was performed as batch experiments using a respirometer. Copper sulphate (CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O), copper oxychloride (Cu₂Cl(OH)₃), copper calcium oxychloride (CaCu₃Cl₂(OH)₆) as copper‐based pesticides and chlorsulphuron (C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S), 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) (C₈H₆Cl₂O₃) as synthetic organic pesticides were selected for the experiments. The EC₅₀ values were determined to be 78, 249 and 281 mg/L for CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O, Cu₂Cl(OH)₃ and CaCu₃Cl₂(OH)₆, respectively. Corresponding values for C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S and 2,4‐D were 860 and 3664 mg/L, respectively. Results indicated that toxicity effects of copper‐based pesticides were higher than that of synthetic organic pesticides. CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O was found to exert the highest toxicity among the copper‐based pesticides, whereas, C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S was determined to be the most toxic among the organic pesticides on activated sludge biomass.