PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / PubMed Indexed Publications Collection
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Browsing PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / PubMed Indexed Publications Collection by Author "03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering"
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Article Citation - WoS: 64Citation - Scopus: 74Air and Seawater Pollution and Air–sea Gas Exchange of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Aegean Sea: Spatial Trends of Pahs, Pcbs, Ocps and Pbdes(Springer Verlag, 2015-08) Lammel, Gerhard; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Audy, Ondrej; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Besis, Athanasios; Efstathiou, Christos; Eleftheriadis, Kostas; Kohoutek, Jiri; Kukucka, Petr; Mulder, Marie D.; Pribylova, Petra; Prokes, Roman; Rusina, Tatsiana P.; Samara, Constantini; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Taşdemir, Yücel; Vassilatou, Vassiliki; Voutsa, Dimitra; Vrana, Branislav; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyNear-ground air (26 substances) and surface seawater (55 substances) concentrations of persistent toxic substances (PTS) were determined in July 2012 in a coordinated and coherent way around the Aegean Sea based on passive air (10 sites in 5 areas) and water (4 sites in 2 areas) sampling. The direction of air–sea exchange was determined for 18 PTS. Identical samplers were deployed at all sites and were analysed at one laboratory. hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) as well as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradation products are evenly distributed in the air of the whole region. Air concentrations of p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and o,p′-DDT and seawater concentrations of p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD were elevated in Thermaikos Gulf, northwestern Aegean Sea. The polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener pattern in air is identical throughout the region, while polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE)patterns are obviously dissimilar between Greece and Turkey. Various pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCBs, DDE, and penta- and hexachlorobenzene are found close to phase equilibrium or net-volatilisational (upward flux), similarly at a remote site (on Crete) and in the more polluted Thermaikos Gulf. The results suggest that effective passive air sampling volumes may not be representative across sites when PAHs significantly partitioning to the particulate phase are included.Article Citation - Scopus: 1Analysis of Microplastic Flux From the Gediz River To the Aegean Sea: a Modeling Study for Environmental Management(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2025) Kazanci, Yigithan; Gündüz, Orhan; Alyuruk, Nefise; Alpergun, Cumana; Kara, Nursena; Baycan, Neval; Gunduz, Orhan; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyIt is critical to determine the abundance of microplastics in terrestrial inland waters, understand their fate and transport mechanisms, and reveal their status in aquatic environments. This study aimed to develop and calibrate a mathematical model to simulate microplastic (MP) pollution in the Gediz River Basin, T & uuml;rkiye, which focused on MP fate and transport under existing conditions and various management scenarios. The baseline scenario revealed that, despite a ninefold difference in flow rates, the midstream and upstream parts of the basin also exhibited significant contamination, with an average concentration of 25 n/L compared to the downstream average of 29 n/L. The model was later simulated to test the effects of various mitigation scenarios including but not limited to reducing MP discharges from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and implementing vegetative barriers in tributaries. Scenario 4, which involves reducing MP concentrations in upstream tributaries with vegetative barriers, achieved the highest average reduction across all segments (32 %) and specifically in the downstream area (47 %). In contrast, Scenario 1, aimed at reducing wastewater discharges from urban and industrial WWTPs through water reclamation, and Scenario 2, which focused on eliminating MP in Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) discharges by changing industrial inputs, achieved the most effective MP reductions in the upper basin, with reductions of 20 % and 17 %, respectively. Scenario 3, targeting flow reduction and accumulation through constructed wetlands, had minimal impact, with reductions close to 0 % in most areas. These results highlight the need for comprehensive approaches to effectively reduce MP pollution, particularly in managing upstream and tributary sources.Article Citation - WoS: 43Citation - Scopus: 54Arsenic Removal From Groundwater Using an Aerated Electrocoagulation Reactor With 3d Al Electrodes in the Presence of Anions(Elsevier, 2021) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Kobya, Mehmet; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyCo-occurrence of arsenic and anions in groundwater causes a severe health problems and combine effects of these pollutants significantly affect performance of treatment process. Thus, this study has been conducted to examine the combine effects of anions on arsenic removal using aerated electrocoagulation (EC) reactor with 3D Al electrodes in groundwater. A 3-level, six factors Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) was applied to investigate the individual and combine effect of anions and operating time: phosphate (x1: 1–10 mg L?1), silica (x2: 20–80 mg L?1), bicarbonate (x3: 130–670 mg L?1), fluoride (x4: 2–10 mg L?1), boron (x5: 5–10 mg L?1), and operating time (x6: 8–22 min) on desired responses. The specified responses were effluent arsenic concentration (Cf,As), removal efficiency of arsenic (Re), consumptions of energy and electrode (ENC and ELC), operational cost (OC), and adsorption capacity (qe). The optimum operating parameters predicted using BBD were found to be x1: 1.0 mg L?1, x2: 26.0 mg L?1, x3: 651.5 mg L?1, x4: 2.0 mg L?1, x5: 9.9 mg L?1, and x6: 10.5 min considering highest removal efficiency of arsenic and lowest operational cost. Under these operating conditions, the experimental values of Cf,As, Re, ENC, ELC, OC, and qe were found to be 2.82 ?g L?1, 98.6%, 0.411 kWh m?3, 0.0124 kg m?3, 0.098 $ m?3, and 17.65 ?g As (mg Al)?1, respectively. Furthermore, mathematical modelling was conducted using quadratic regression model and response surface analysis was performed to understand the relationship between independent parameters and responses. © 2020 Elsevier LtdArticle Citation - WoS: 34Citation - Scopus: 38Arsenite Removal From Groundwater by Aerated Electrocoagulation Reactor With Al Ball Electrodes: Human Health Risk Assessment(Elsevier, 2020) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Kobya, Mehmet; Öncel, Mehmet Salim; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThe application of conventional electrocoagulation (EC) process for removal of As(III) from groundwater suffers from the need of external oxidation agent for oxidation of As(III) to As(V). To tackle this limitation, an aerated EC reactor for the removal of As(III) from groundwater was evaluated in this study. The effect of initial pH(i), air flow rate, applied current, and electrode height in the EC reactor was examined. The experimental results showed that removal of arsenic mostly dependent on the applied current, electrode height in EC reactor, and air flow rate. The As(III) removal efficiency (99.2%) was maximum at pH(i) of 7.5, air flow rate of 6 L min(-1), applied current of 0.30 A, and electrode height in EC reactor of 5 cm, with an total operating cost of 0.583 $ m(-3). Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk of arsenic (As) was in the range of tolerable limits at all operating conditions except applied current of 0.075 A at the end of the aerated EC process to remove As from groundwater. The present EC reactor process is able to remove As(III) from groundwater to below 10 mu g L-1, which is maximum contaminant level of arsenic in drinking water according to the World Health Organization (WHO). (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Article Citation - WoS: 163An Assessment of Indoor Air Concentrations and Health Risks of Volatile Organic Compounds in Three Primary Schools(Elsevier Ltd., 2011-01) Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; İnal, Fikret; Aslan, Güler; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; İnal, Fikret; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyConcentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, in classrooms, kindergartens, and outdoor playgrounds of three primary schools were measured in spring, winter, and fall terms in Izmir, Turkey. A health-risk assessment was conducted for odor detection, sensory irritation, chronic toxic effects, and cancer. Active sampling was applied for VOCs and formaldehyde on Tenax TA and DNPH tubes, respectively. VOCs were analyzed in a thermal desorption-GC-MS system. Formaldehyde analysis was performed using an HPLC instrument. Benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde were the most abundant compounds with 95th percentile indoor air concentrations of 29, 87, and 106μg/m3, respectively. Naphthalene and xylenes followed them with an order of magnitude lower concentrations. Two isomers of dichlorobenzene (1,3 and 1,4) were the other notable compounds. The concentrations were utilized to classify the indoor air pollutants with respect to potential health effects. In addition, carcinogenic and chronic toxic risks were estimated using Monte-Carlo simulation. Formaldehyde appears to be the most concerning pollutant with high chronic toxic and carcinogenic risk levels according to the health assessment followed by naphthalene, benzene, and toluene due to their chronic effects.Article Citation - WoS: 15Citation - Scopus: 15Atmospheric Concentrations and Potential Sources of Pcbs, Pbdes, and Pesticides To Acadia National Park(Elsevier Ltd., 2013-06) Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Holsen, Thomas M.; Alexander, Colleen M.; Pagano, James J.; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThis study assessed concentrations and investigated potential source regions for PCBs, PBDEs, and organochlorine pesticides in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. Back-trajectories and potential source contribution function (PSCF) values were used to map potential source areas for total-PCBs, BDE-47, and 10 organochlorine pesticides. The constructed PSCF maps showed that ANP receives high pollutant concentrations in air masses that travel along four main pathways: (1) from the SW along the eastern Atlantic seaboard, (2) from the WSW over St. Louis, and Columbus regions, (3) from the west over Chicago, and Toronto regions, and (4) from WNW to NNW over the Great Lakes, and Quebec regions. Transport of all studied pollutants were equally distributed between the first three pathways, with only minor contributions from the last pathway. This study concludes that the high-pollutant concentrations arriving at ANP do not exclusively originate from the major urban centers along the eastern Atlantic seaboard.Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 18Brominated Flame Retardants in a Computer Technical Service: Indoor Air Gas Phase, Submicron (pm1) and Coarse (pm10) Particles, Associated Inhalation Exposure, and Settled Dust(Elsevier Ltd., 2019-09) Genişoğlu, Mesut; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Kurt Karakuş, Perihan Binnur; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Birgül, Aşkın; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyBrominated flame retardants (BFRs) are found in multi-media indoors, therefore, may pose serious risks to human health. This study investigated the occurrence of BFRs in particulate matter (PM1 and PM10) and gas phase by active and passive sampling, and settled dust to estimate potential exposure in a computer technical service. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their alternatives (novel BFRs, NBFRs) were studied. PM and gas phase were collected on glass fiber filters and polyurethane foam plugs, respectively, and analyzed with a GC/MS after extraction, clean-up, and concentration. Inhalation exposure of the staff was estimated based on the measured concentrations using Monte Carlo simulation. BDE-209 was the dominating PBDE congener in all media while bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane were those of NBFRs. Submicron particulate matter (PM1) BFR levels constituted about one half of the PM10-associated concentrations, while average PM10 mass concentration (69.9 μg m−3) was nine times that of PM1 (7.73 μg m−3). Calculated log10 dust-gas and PM-gas partitioning coefficients ranged from −5.03 to −2.10, −2.21 to −0.55, and −2.26 to −1.04 for settled dust, PM10, and PM1, respectively. The indoor/outdoor concentration ratios were >1 for all compounds indicating the strength of indoor sources in the service. The estimated potential inhalation exposures, for future chronic-toxic and carcinogenic risk assessments, indicated that the levels of gas-phase and PM1-associated exposures were similar at approximately one half of PM10-associated levels. Results of this study indicate that the occurrence of BFRs in all studied media should be taken into consideration for occupational health mitigation efforts.Article Citation - WoS: 50Citation - Scopus: 60Carbonaceous Materials for Removal and Recovery of Phosphate Species: Limitations, Successes and Future Improvement(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2022) Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Orooji, Yasin; Khataee, Alireza; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThe carbonaceous materials have gained significant interest for the phosphorus species remediation and recovery in the last decade. Carbonaceous materials present many unique features, such as cost effective, availability, environmentally friendly, and high removal efficiency that make them a promising adsorbent. In this review, the recent application of carbonaceous materials including activated carbon (AC), graphene and graphene oxide (GO), lignin, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and gC(3)N(4) for phosphate removal and recovery were comprehensively summarized. The kinetics and isotherm models, removal mechanisms, and effects of operating parameters are reported. The reusability, lifetime of carbonaceous materials, and impact of modification were also considered. The modified carbonaceous materials have significantly high phosphate adsorption capacity compared to unmodified adsorbents. Namely, MgO-functionalized lignin-based bio-charcoal exhibited a 906.8 mg g(-1) of capacity as the highest one among other reviewed materials. The modification of carbonaceous materials with various elements has been presented to improve the surface functional groups, surface area and charge, and pore volume and size. Among these loaded elements, iron has been effectively used to provide a prospect for magnetic recovery of the adsorbent as well as increase phosphate adsorption. Furthermore, the phosphate recovery methods, phosphate removal efficiency of carbonaceous materials, the limitations, important gaps in the literature, and future studies to enhance applicability of carbonaceous materials in real scale are also discussed.Article Citation - WoS: 38Citation - Scopus: 41Chloride or Sulfate? Consequences for Ozonation of Textile Wastewater(Academic Press Inc., 2019-10) Öktem, Yalçın Aşkın; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Yüzer, Burak; Aydın, Muhammed Iberia; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Meriç, Süreyya; Selçuk, Hüseyin; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyOzonation of chloride-rich textile wastewater is a common pretreatment practice in order to increase biodegradability and therefore meet the discharge limits. This study is the first to investigate ozone-chloride/bromide interactions and formation of hazardous adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) in real textile wastewater. Initially effect of ozonation on chloride-rich real textile wastewater samples were investigated for adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) formation, biodegradability and toxicity. After 15 min of ozonation, maximum levels of chlorine/bromine generation (0.3 mg/l) and AOX formation (399 mg/l) were reached. OUR and SOUR levels both increased by approximately 58%. Daphnia magna toxicity peaked at 100% for 10 min ozonated sample. Considering adverse effects of ozonation on chloride-rich textile industry effluents, we proposed replacement of NaCl with Na2SO4. Comparative ozonation experiments were carried out for both chloride and sulfate containing synthetic dyeing wastewater samples. Results showed that use of sulfate in reactive dyeing increased biodegradability and decreased acute toxicity. Although sulfate is preferred over chloride for more effective dyeing performance, the switch has been hampered due to sodium sulfate's higher unit cost. However, consideration of indirect costs such as contributions to biodegradability, toxicity, water and salt recovery shall facilitate textile industry's switch from chloride to sulfate.Review Citation - WoS: 15Citation - Scopus: 23Comparative Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Biohydrogen Production Methods(Elsevier, 2023) Goren, A. Yagmur; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Dincer, Ibrahim; Khalvati, Ali; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Dinçer, İbrahim; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyAs energy crisis is recognized as an increasingly serious concern, the topic on biohydrogen (bioH(2)) production, which is renewable and eco-friendly, appears to be a highly-demanding subject. Although bioH(2) production technologies are still at the developmental stage, there are many reported works available on lab- and pilot-scale systems with a promising future. This paper presents various potential methods of bioH(2) production using biomass resources and comparatively assesses them for environmental impacts with a special emphasis on the specific biological processes. The environmental impact factors are then normalized with the feature scaling and normalization methods to evaluate the environmental sustainability dimensions of each bioH(2) production method. The results reveals that the photofermentation (PF) process is more environmentally sustainable than the other investigated biological and thermochemical processes, in terms of emissions, water-fossil-mineral uses, and health issues. The global warming potential (GWP) and acidification potential (AP) for the PF process are then found to be 1.88 kg-CO2 eq. and 3.61 g-SO2 eq., which become the lowest among all processes, including renewable energy-based H-2 production processes. However, the dark fermentation-microbial electrolysis cell (DF-MEC) hybrid process is considered the most environmentally harmful technique, with the highest GWP value of 14.6 kg-CO2 eq. due to their superior electricity and heat requirements. The water conception potential (WCP) of 84.5 m(3) and water scarcity footprint (WSF) of 3632.9 m(3) for the DF-MEC process is also the highest compared to all other processes due to the huge amount of wastewater formation potential of the system. Finally, the overall rankings confirm that biological processes are primarily promising candidates to produce bioH(2) from an environmentally friendly point of view.Review Citation - WoS: 64Citation - Scopus: 78Comprehensive Review and Assessment of Carbon Capturing Methods and Technologies: an Environmental Research(Academic Press inc Elsevier Science, 2024) Goren, Aysegul Yagmur; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Erdemir, Dogan; Dincer, Ibrahim; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyA majority of the primary contributors of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the environment have really been out of human-made activities. The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have increased substantially since the time of the industrial revolution. This has been linked to the use of fossil fuels for energy production, as well as the widespread production of some industrial components like cement and the encroaching destruction of forests. An extreme approach is now necessary to develop the right policies and address the local and global environmental issues in the right way. In this regard, CO2 capturing, utilization, and storage are reliable options that industrial facilities can initiate to overcome this problem. Therefore, we have evaluated the two leading technologies that are used for carbon capture: direct (pre-combustion, post-combustion, and oxy-combustion) and indirect carbon (reforestation, enhanced weathering, bioenergy with carbon capture, and agricultural practices) capturing to provide their current status and progresses. Among the considered processes, the post-combustion techniques are widely utilized on a commercial scale, especially in industrial applications. Technology readiness level (TRL) results have showed that amine solvents, pressure-vacuum swing adsorption, and gas separation membranes have the highest TRL value of 9. In addition, the environmental impact assessment methods have been ranked to evaluate their sustainability levels. The highest global warming potential of 219.53 kgCO(2) eq./MWh has been obtained for the post-combustion process. Overall, through this comprehensive review, we have identified some critical research gaps in the open literature in the field of CO2-capturing methods where there are strong needs for future research and technology development studies, for instance, developing stable and cost-effective liquid solvents and improving the adsorption capacity of commercialized sorbents. Furthermore, some research areas, like novel process design, environmental and economic impact assessment of capturing methods with different chemicals and modeling and simulation studies, will require further effort to demonstrate the developed technologies for pilot and commercial-scale applications.Article Citation - WoS: 11Citation - Scopus: 12Countrywide Spatial Variation of Potentially Toxic Element Contamination in Soils of Turkey and Assessment of Population Health Risks for Nondietary Ingestion(American Chemical Society, 2022-10) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Kazancı, Yiğithan; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Kazancı, Yiğithan; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of Technology; 03. Faculty of EngineeringCountrywide surface soil concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Turkey were reviewed in the Web of Science database. A total of 93 papers were investigated to compose a PTE dataset for determining spatial variations and estimating exposure and health risks. Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were selected as PTEs in surface soil. A compiled PTE concentration dataset was used to estimate chronic toxic risks (CTRs) and carcinogenic risks (CRs) according to the deterministic and probabilistic approaches. While the CTR and CR levels of age and sex groups were estimated using a deterministic approach, population risks were estimated using a probabilistic approach. CTR and CR levels in lower age groups and female sex groups were estimated to be higher than those in higher age groups and associated male sex groups. The average CTR levels of the nondietary ingestion of As-containing soil in <11 year age groups were near/just above the threshold level, while As-associated average CR levels of adults and other age groups were estimated to be in the acceptable risk range (10-6 < CR < 10-5) and low priority risk range (10-5 < CR < 10-4), respectively. As-, Cr(VI)-, and Pb-associated upper-bound CR levels of the Turkish population were simulated to be 5.14 × 10-4, 6.23 × 10-5, and 2.34 × 10-6, respectively. Health risk models show the significance of As in both chronic toxic and carcinogenic effects.Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 14Desalination and Detoxification of Textile Wastewater by Novel Photocatalytic Electrolysis Membrane Reactor for Ecosafe Hydroponic Farming(MDPI, 2022-01) Aydın, Muhammed Iberia; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Özaktaç, Damla; Yüzer, Burak; Doğu, Mustafa; İnan, Hatice; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Coşkun, Serdar; Selçuk, Hüseyin; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyIn this study, a novel photoelectrocatalytic membrane (PECM) reactor was tested as an option for the desalination, disinfection, and detoxification of biologically treated textile wastewater (BTTWW), with the aim to reuse it in hydroponic farming. The anionic ion exchange (IEX) process was used before PECM treatment to remove toxic residual dyes. The toxicity evaluation for every effluent was carried out using the Vibrio fischeri, Microtox® test protocol. The disinfection effect of the PECM reactor was studied against E. coli. After PECM treatment, the 78.7% toxicity level of the BTTWW was reduced to 14.6%. However, photocatalytic desalination during treatment was found to be slow (2.5 mg L-1 min-1 at 1 V potential). The reactor demonstrated approximately 52% COD and 63% TOC removal efficiency. The effects of wastewater reuse on hydroponic production were comparatively investigated by following the growth of the lettuce plant. A detrimental effect was observed on the lettuce plant by the reuse of BTTWW, while no negative impact was reported using the PECM treated textile wastewater. In addition, all macro/micronutrient elements in the PECM treated textile wastewater were recovered by hydroponic farming, and the PECM treatment may be an eco-safe wastewater reuse method for crop irrigation.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2A Deterministic and Stochastic Assessment for Exposure and Risk of Arsenic Via Ingestion of Edible Crops(Springer Verlag, 2019-09) Can Terzi, Begüm; Gündüz, Orhan; Gündüz, Orhan; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyNatural arsenic contamination is a critical problem for various places around the world. Simav Plain (Kutahya, Turkey) is one such area that was shown to have natural arsenic contamination in its waters and soils. Arsenic exposure through ingestion of edible crops cultivated in Simav Plain and associated health risks were assessed in this study. To achieve this objective, arsenic levels in 18 crop species were estimated based on measured soil arsenic concentrations. Individual and aggregate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with ingestion of arsenic-contaminated crops were then assessed with scenario-based deterministic point estimates and stochastic population estimates. Monte Carlo simulation was used for the estimation of population health risks. Accordingly, wheat was found as the highest-ranked crop specie for the both types of health risks, followed by tomato and potato, which are three of the most consumed crops in the region. The risk levels estimated in this study were relatively high, indicating consumption of crops grown in the plain may be posing significant health risks even at lower-bound estimates. Consuming wheat, tomato, potato, and their products from uncontaminated sources was found to reduce the aggregate risks up to 88% implicating the importance of proposing suitable management measures for similar risk-prone areas.Article Citation - WoS: 40Citation - Scopus: 42Development and Validation of a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopic Method for Ultra-Trace Determination of Cu, Mn, Cd and Pb Metals in Aqueous Droplets After Drying(Elsevier Ltd., 2016-03-01) Aras, Nadir; Aras, Nadir; Yalçın, Şerife; Yalçın, Şerife; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 04.01. Department of Chemistry; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 04. Faculty of Science; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThe present study reports a fast and accurate methodology for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic, LIBS, analysis of aqueous samples for environmental monitoring purposes. This methodology has two important attributes: one is the use of a 300 nm oxide coated silicon wafer substrate (Si+SiO2) for the first time for manual injection of 0.5 microliter aqueous metal solutions, and two is the use of high energy laser pulses focused outside the minimum focus position of a plano convex lens at which relatively large laser beam spot covers the entire droplet area for plasma formation. Optimization of instrumental LIBS parameters like detector delay time, gate width and laser energy has been performed to maximize atomic emission signal of target analytes; Cu, Mn, Cd and Pb. Under the optimal conditions, calibration curves were constructed and enhancements in the LIBS emission signal were obtained compared to the results of similar studies given in the literature. The analytical capability of the LIBS technique in liquid analysis has been improved. Absolute detection limits of 1.3 pg Cu, 3.3 pg Mn, 79 pg Cd and 48 pg Pb in 0.5 microliter volume of droplets were obtained from single shot analysis of five sequential droplets. The applicability of the proposed methodology to real water samples was tested on the Certified Reference Material, Trace Metals in Drinking Water, CRM-TMDW and on ICP multi-element standard samples. The accuracy of the method was found at a level of minimum 92% with relative standard deviations of at most 20%. Results suggest that 300 nm oxide coated silicon wafer has an excellent potential to be used as a substrate for direct analysis of contaminants in water supplies by LIBS and further research, development and engineering will increase the performance and applicability of the methodology.Article Citation - WoS: 23Citation - Scopus: 28Effect of Alteration Zones on Water Quality: a Case Study From Biga Peninsula, Turkey(Springer Verlag, 2010-04) Baba, Alper; Gündüz, Orhan; Gündüz, Orhan; Baba, Alper; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03.03. Department of Civil Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyWidespread and intense zones of silicified, propylitic, and argillic alteration can be found in the Çan volcanics of Biga Peninsula, northwest Turkey. Most of the springs in the study area surface out from the boundary between fractured aquifer (silicified zone) and impervious boundary (argillic zone). This study focuses on two such springs in KirazlI area (KirazlI and Balaban springs) with a distinct quality pattern. Accordingly, field parameters (temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity), major anion and cation (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfate), heavy metals (aluminum, arsenic, barium, chromium, cobalt, cupper, iron, lithium, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc), and isotopes (oxygen-18, deuterium, and tritium) were determined in water samples taken from these springs during 2005 through 2007. The chemical analyses showed that aluminum concentrations were found to be two orders of magnitude greater in KirazlI waters (mean value 13813.25 μg/L). The levels of this element exceeded the maximum allowable limits given in national and international standards for drinking-water quality. In addition, Balaban and KirazlI springs are >55 years old according to their tritium levels; KirazlI spring is older than Balaban spring. KirazlI spring is also more enriched than Balaban spring based in oxygen-18 and deuterium values. Furthermore, KirazlI spring water has been in contact with altered rocks longer than Balaban spring water, according to its relatively high chloride and electrical conductivity values.Article Citation - WoS: 4Citation - Scopus: 9The Effect of Military Conflict Zone in the Middle East on Atmospheric Persistent Organic Pollutant Contamination in Its North(Elsevier, 2023-06) Ayrı, İlknur; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Kurt Karakuş, Perihan B.; Birgül, Askın; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThis study aimed to investigate long-range atmospheric transport of selected POPs released due to the effects of mili-tary conflicts in regions to the south of Turkey's borders. Ten locations were selected to deploy passive air samplers at varying distances to the border on a southeast-west transect of the country, proximity-grouped as close, middle, and far. Sampling campaign included winter and transition months when desert dust transport events occur. Hypothesis of the study was that a decreasing trend would be observed with increasing distance to the border. Group comparisons based on statistical testing showed that PBDE-183, E45PCB, and dieldrin in winter; PBDE-28, PBDE-99, PBDE-154, p,p '-DDE, E14PBDE, and E25OCP in the transition period; and PBDE-28, PBDE-85, PBDE-99, PBDE-154, PBDE-190, PCB-52, E45PCB, p,p '-DDE, and E25OCP over the whole campaign had a decreasing trend on the transect. An analysis of concen-tration ratio to the background showed that long-range atmospheric transport impacted the study sites, especially those of close group in comparison to the local sources. Back-trajectory analyses indicated that there was transport from the conflict areas to sites in the close-proximity group, while farther sampling locations mostly received air masses from Europe, Russia, and former Soviet Union countries, followed by North Africa, rather than the military con-flict areas. In consequence, decrease in concentrations with distance and its relation to molecular weight through pro-portions, diagnostic ratios, analysis of concentration ratio to the background, and back-trajectory analyses support the effect of transport from the military-conflict area to its north.Article Citation - WoS: 26Citation - Scopus: 32Electrochemical Degradation of Methylene Blue by a Flexible Graphite Electrode: Techno-Economic Evaluation(American Chemical Society, 2022-09) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Edebali, Özge; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Şahin, Çağrı; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Ökten, Hatice Eser; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyIn this study, electrochemical removal of methylene blue (MB) from water using commercially available and low-cost flexible graphite was investigated. The operating conditions such as initial dye concentration, initial solution pH, electrolyte dose, electrical potential, and operating time were investigated. The Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) was used to optimize the system's performance with the minimum number of tests possible, as well as to examine the independent variables' impact on the removal efficiency, energy consumption, operating cost, and effluent MB concentration. The electrical potential and electrolyte dosage both improved the MB removal efficiency, since increased electrical potential facilitated production of oxidizing agents and increase in electrolyte dosage translated into an increase in electrical current transfer. As expected, MB removal efficiency increased with longer operational periods. The combined effects of operating time-electrical potential and electrical potential-electrolyte concentration improved the MB removal efficiency. The maximum removal efficiency (99.9%) and lowest operating cost (0.012 $/m3) were obtained for initial pH 4, initial MB concentration 26.5 mg/L, electrolyte concentration 0.6 g/L, electrical potential 3 V, and operating time 30 min. The reaction kinetics was maximum for pH 5, and as the pH increased the reaction rates decreased. Consequent techno-economic assessment showed that electrochemical removal of MB using low-cost and versatile flexible graphite had a competitive advantage.Article Citation - WoS: 31Citation - Scopus: 35Energy Production From Treatment of Industrial Wastewater and Boron Removal in Aqueous Solutions Using Microbial Desalination Cell(Elsevier, 2021) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Ökten, Hatice Eser; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyAs a result of a much needed paradigm shift worldwide, treated saline water is being considered as a viable option for replacing freshwater resources in agricultural irrigation. Vastly produced geothermal brine in Turkey may pose a significant environmental risk due to its high ionic strength, specifically due to boron. Boron species, which are generally found uncharged in natural waters, are costly to remove using high-throughput membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis. Recent advances in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) has facilitated development of energetically self-sufficient wastewater treatment and desalination. In this study, removal of boron from synthetic solutions and real geothermal waters, along with simultaneous energy production, using the microbial desalination cell (MDC) were investigated. Optimization studies were conducted by varying boron concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg L-1), air flow rates (0, 1, and 2 L min(-1)), electrode areas (18, 24, 36, and 72 cm(2)), catholyte solutions, and operating modes. Even though the highest concentration decrease was observed for 20 mg-B L-1, 5 mg-B L-1 concentration experiment gave the closest result to the 2.4 mg-B L-1 limit value asserted by WHO. Effect of electrode surface area was proven to be significant on boron removal efficiency. Employing the optimum conditions acquired with synthetic solutions, boron and COD removal efficiencies from real geothermal brine were 44.3% and 90.6%, respectively. MDC, being in its early levels of technology readiness, produced promising desalination and energy production results in removal of boron from geothermal brine.Article Citation - WoS: 45Citation - Scopus: 47Evaluation of a Conceptual Model for Gas-Particle Partitioning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Polyparameter Linear Free Energy Relationships(American Chemical Society, 2016-11-15) Shahpoury, Pourya; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Lammel, Gerhard; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Albinet, Alexandre; Sofuoglu, Aysun; Dumanoğlu, Yetkin; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Wagner, Zdenek; Zdimal, Vladimír; 03.02. Department of Chemical Engineering; 03.07. Department of Environmental Engineering; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyA model for gas-particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated using polyparameter linear free energy relationships (ppLFERs) following a multiphase aerosol scenario. The model differentiates between various organic (i.e., liquid water-soluble (WS)/organic soluble (OS) organic matter (OM), and solid/semisolid organic polymers) and inorganic phases of the particulate matter (PM). Dimethyl sulfoxide and polyurethane were assigned as surrogates to simulate absorption into the above-mentioned organic phases, respectively, whereas soot, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium chloride simulated adsorption processes onto PM. The model was tested for gas and PM samples collected from urban and nonurban sites in Europe and the Mediterranean, and the output was compared with those calculated using single-parameter linear free energy relationship (spLFER) models, namely Junge-Pankow, Finizio, and Dachs-Eisenreich. The ppLFER model on average predicted 96 ± 3% of the observed partitioning constants for semivolatile PAHs, fluoranthene, and pyrene, within 1 order of magnitude accuracy with root-mean-square errors (RMSE) of 0.35-0.59 across the sites. This was a substantial improvement compared to Finizio and Dachs-Eisenreich models (37 ± 17 and 46 ± 18% and RMSE of 1.03-1.40 and 0.94-1.36, respectively). The Junge-Pankow model performed better among spLFERs but at the same time showed an overall tendency for overestimating the partitioning constants. The ppLFER model demonstrated the best overall performance without indicating a substantial intersite variability. The ppLFER analysis with the parametrization applied in this study suggests that the absorption into WSOSOM could dominate the overall partitioning process, while adsorption onto salts could be neglected. (Figure Presented).
