Empirical ground-motion models for point- and extended-source crustal earthquake scenarios in Europe and the Middle East

This article presents the latest generation of ground-motion models for the prediction of elastic response (pseudo-) spectral accelerations, as well as peak ground acceleration and velocity, derived using pan-European databases. The models present a number of novelties with respect to previous generations of models (Ambraseys et al. in Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 25:371–400, 1996, Bull Earthq Eng 3:1–53, 2005; Bommer et al. in Bull Earthq Eng 1:171–203, 2003; Akkar and Bommer in Seismol Res Lett 81:195–206, 2010), namely: inclusion of a nonlinear site amplification function that is a function of $\text{ V }_\mathrm{S30}$ and reference peak ground acceleration on rock; extension of the magnitude range of applicability of the model down to $\text{ M }_\mathrm{w}$ 4; extension of the distance range of applicability out to 200 km; extension to shorter and longer periods (down to 0.01 s and up to 4 s); and consistent models for both point-source (epicentral, $\text{ R }_\mathrm{epi}$ , and hypocentral distance, $\text{ R }_\mathrm{hyp}$ ) and finite-fault (distance to the surface projection of the rupture, $\text{ R }_\mathrm{JB}$ ) distance metrics. In addition, data from more than 1.5 times as many earthquakes, compared to previous pan-European models, have been used, leading to regressions based on approximately twice as many records in total. The metadata of these records have been carefully compiled and reappraised in recent European projects. These improvements lead to more robust ground-motion prediction equations than have previously been published for shallow (focal depths less than 30 km) crustal earthquakes in Europe and the Middle East. We conclude with suggestions for the application of the equations to seismic hazard assessments in Europe and the Middle East within a logic-tree framework to capture epistemic uncertainty.     

Comments on Rebuttal of M. Sagir

This rebuttal was written in response to the rebuttal of the paper “choosing a municipal landfill site by analytic network process” published in 2007 by M. Sagir. This study was conducted as an application for the landfill site selection in the environmental engineering discipline. Since ANP was only the “instrument” used in our study, the details of this existing methodology were referenced, and not presented, due to page limitations and to match the content of the journal. Responses to M. Sagir’s comments are discussed within the body of this rebuttal.     

Toxic metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) levels in the nearshore surface sediments from the European and Anotolian Shores of Bosphorus, Turkey

In this study, some toxic metal such as Pb, Cd and Hg analyzes have been done in the nearshore surface sediments. Sediment samples have been collected from five parts from the European and Anotolian Shores of the Bosphorus during 2003-2004. Total Pb, Cd and Hg contents vary between <0.01μgg(-1) and 238μgg(-1); <0.01μgg(-1) and 0.92μgg(-1); 0.001μgg(-1) and 0.45μgg(-1), respectively. Contamination Factor (CF) values of Pb and Cd range between 1 and 3 whilst CF values of Hg are lower than 1 in all the stations. It means that there are no Hg metal enrichment by natural or anthropogenic inputs contrary to moderately contamination for Pb and Cd metals throughout the Bosphorus sediments.     

Speciation and Determination of Inorganic Mercury and Methylmercury by Headspace Single Drop Microextraction and Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Water and Fish

In this study, headspace single drop microextraction (HS‐SDME) method in combination with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) method was developed and validated for the speciation and determination of inorganic mercury (iHg) and methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg and iHg species were reduced to volatile methylmercury hydride (CH₃HgH) and elemental mercury, respectively, in the presence of NaBH₄ and trapped onto a drop of acceptor phase in the tip of a microsyringe. Thiourea and ammonium pyrrolydinedithiocarbamate (APDC) were tested as the acceptor phase. The experimental parameters of the method such as microextraction time, temperature, NaBH₄ concentration, acceptor phase concentration, and pH of the medium were investigated to obtain distinctive conditions for mercury species. Possible interference effects have also been investigated. In order to validation of the method, analytical figures of merits such as accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), and linear working range have been evaluated. Accuracy of the method has been verified by analyzing certified reference materials (BCR 453 Tuna fish) and spiked samples. The proposed method was applied for the speciation and determination of mercury species in water and fish samples. Mercury species (MeHg and iHg) have been determined in the real samples with a relative error less than 10%.     

Lentil Straw: A Novel Adsorbent for Removing of Hazardous Dye – Sorption Behavior Studies

Sorption behavior of Lanaset Red (LR) G on lentil straw (LS) was studied as a function of particle size, adsorbent dose, initial pH value, initial dye concentration, and contact time. Sorption kinetics data was well described by logistic model. Modified logistic equation can be used to explain effects of initial dye concentrations and contact time on the sorption of LR G with high R² value. Freundlich model was found to be excellent in representing the equilibrium data. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰), and entropy (ΔS⁰) were calculated by the use of Langmuir constant. Thermodynamic data showed that the sorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Desorption process suggested that strong binding and weak interactions could be formed between adsorbent surface and dye molecules. Results revealed that LS has a remarkable potential for the sorption of LR G.