Browsing by Author "Kurnaz A."

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Assessment of internal radiation exposure caused by radon in commercially bottled spring waters consumed in Turkey
(2023-01-01) Turhan Ş.; Kurnaz A.; Aydın E.
The variation of dissolved radon levels in water supplies remains of interest since radon ingested through drinking water can give considerable radiation to the lining of the stomach. This study aims to determine the radon concentration levels in bottled spring drinking water (BSW) brands commercially sold in Turkey using a radon gas monitor and to assess the internal radiation exposure caused by the ingestion and inhalation of radon. The activity concentrations of radon analyzed in 77 BSW brands varied from 7.1±0.8 to 28.7±2.7 mBq/L with an average of 15.7±5.1 mBq/L. The total annual effective dose was estimated to assess the radiological risk for three age groups in four different scenarios based on annual drinking water intake. All estimated dose values are well below the recommended reference dose of 100 µSv for drinking water. Therefore, radon gas in the investigated BSW samples poses no significant radiological risk to the public.
Assessment of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal pollution in Çeltek Pond water
(2018-06-01) Mutlu E.; Kurnaz A.
Present study consists the measurement results of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations for Çeltek Pond, Sivas-Turkey. Temperature, pH, salinity and electrical conductivity parameters were obtained from the field using a multiparameter. The analyses of nitrite, nitrate, ammoniac, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+), chloride, phosphate, sulphate, sulphite, potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium were conducted by using HACH LANGE brand DR 6000 laboratory type spectrophotometer, and the analyses of the heavy metals were conducted by using a gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The water quality in Çeltek Pond was found to be Class I according to the Surface Water Quality Management Regulation (SWQMR).
Assessment of the Enrichment of Heavy Metals in Coal and Its Combustion Residues
(2022-06-21) Altlkulaç A.; Turhan Ş.; Kurnaz A.; Gören E.; Duran C.; Hançerlioǧullarl A.; Uǧur F.A.
Coal-fired thermal power plants remain one of the main sources of electricity generation in Turkey. Combustion of coal creates coal ash and slag, which are often stored in landfills located near residential and agricultural fields, increasing the potential for high environmental contamination and health risks. This study investigates the content and enrichment factor (EF) of heavy metals in pulverized lignite coal and its combustion residues from the Kangal lignite coal-fired thermal power plant situated in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. The concentration of heavy metals (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Zr, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in lignite coal, slag, and fly ash samples were analyzed using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. The concentration of Fe is highest while Hg concentration is lowest in the samples. The concentrations of heavy metals are higher in slag and fly ash samples than in lignite coal. Average values of EF (related to Earth's crust average) revealed that extreme enrichment has been shown by arsenic and mercury in lignite coal and fly ash samples while very high enrichment has been shown in slag samples.
Background radiation measurements and cancer risk estimates for for sebinkarahisar, TURKEY
(2023-08-01) Kurnaz A.
Determination of concentration levels of toxic elements and radon in drinking waters consumed in Kastamonu province, Turkey
(2022-01-01) Alzaridi F.M.N.S.; Kurnaz A.
In this study, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb, and As) and radon (222Rn) in forty-five drinking water (tap and bottled water) samples consumed in Kastamonu (Turkey) were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and radon gas analyser, respectively. Also, the total annual effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation of 222Rn in drinking water samples was estimated for infants, children, and adults to assess the radiological risk caused by hazards by considering three different annual water intake scenarios. While the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb analysed in tap water samples were below the detection limit, the As concentration analysed in two tap water samples was higher than the maximum concentration recommended by national and international organisations. The concentration of Cd and Pb analysed in one bottled water sample was higher than the recommended maximum concentration values. The average activity concentration of 222Rn analysed in tap and bottled water samples was found as 35.7 mBq L−1 and 16.1 mBq L−1, respectively. The average total annual effective dose was found as 0.28, 0.18 and 0.24 µSv for infants, children and adults, respectively. These radiological values are lower than the recommended limits for drinking water by the WHO. The results of the study revealed that tap water is of better chemical quality than bottled water in terms of some toxic elements analysed and the radiological risk caused by radon in drinking water samples studied is at a negligible level.
Determination of concentrations of non-volatile elements in fly ash released from coal combustion using EDXRF
(2022-01-01) Altıkulaç A.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Hançerlioğulları A.
In this study, the concentration of thirteen non-volatile elements in coal fly ash samples obtained from the Kangal coal-fired thermal power plant located in Sivas province of Turkey was determined using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. Non-volatile elements in coal fly ash samples were analysed in three groups: major (Al, Si, and Ca), rare earth (Y, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd), and other trace elements (Ga, Rb, Mo, Ba, and Hf). The average concentrations of Ca, Si and Al were found as 22.8, 10.9 and 5.4%, respectively. The average concentrations of Pr, Y and, Nd were found as 23.9, 19.1 and 78.2, respectively. La and Ce were observed below the detection limit of 2 mg/kg, except for two samples. The average concentrations of Ga, Rb, Mo, Ba and Hf were found as 18.6, 51.1, 177.3, 993.5 and 3.9 mg/kg, respectively. According to the average values of enrichment factor estimated for elements analysed in fly ash samples, Mo is found extremely enriched while Ca and Hf are significantly enriched.
Determination of elemental concentrations of radionuclides in Turkish bentonite and calculation of radiogenic heat generation
(2022-01-01) Turhan; Metin O.; Hançerlioğulları A.; Kurnaz A.; Duran C.
Bentonite containing smectite group clay minerals is an industrial raw material with a wide range of uses. In this study, the concentration of uranium, thorium, and radioactive potassium in ninety bentonite samples collected from quarries in Turkey was determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium varied from 0.4 to 18.2 with an average of 4.3 mg/kg, 5.4 to 53.4 with an average of 22.7 mg/kg and 0.3 to 3.4 with an average of 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. The radiogenic heat generation caused by the ionising radiation emitted from these radioactive elements in bentonite samples was calculated in the range of 0.9 to 6.6 µW/m3 with an average of 2.8 µW/m3.
Determination of essential and toxic elements content of Turkish peanut and assessment of health risk
(2020-01-01) Abugoufa A.H.A.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Karataşlı M.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), which is one of the most important members of the legumes family, contains appreciable amounts of high-quality dietary oil and vegetable protein. It can be added to many foods to enhance their levels of high-quality protein in diets lacking in nutrition. In this study, 18 essential elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Cl, Br and I) and 4 non-essential potentially toxic elements (Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in 42 peanut samples from Mediterranean region of Turkey were analysed by using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The most abundant essential elements of K, P, S, Ca, Mg and Cl were determined with average concentrations of 13437, 5058, 3451, 1786, 1759 and 209 mg kg−1, respectively. The daily intake of potentially toxic elements for an adult person due to the consumption of peanuts was estimated based on the measured concentrations of the potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Cd, Pb, and Hg). The results revealed that peanut samples contain health-enhancing nutritional elements and consumption of peanut samples as food does not pose any health risk for toxic metals.
Determination of radioactivity levels in different mushroom species from Turkey
(2021-01-01) Pekşen A.; Kurnaz A.; Turfan N.; Kıbar B.
Radioactivity in the environment occurs due to natural, terrestrial, extra-terrestrial factors or caused by human activity. Foodstuffs such as plants and mushrooms that grown in the soil which containing radioactive elements can absorb radioactive elements from the soil. Wild mushrooms can accumulate many types of toxicological, nutritional, and radioactive elements. Knowing the levels of radioactivity in the foodstuffs is of great importance for the protection of human health. In this study, the activity concentrations of the naturally occurring 238U, 232Th, 40K nuclides and artificially occurring 137Cs nuclide were determined and annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk values were calculated in mushrooms commonly consumed by the Turkish people. Fifteen types of mushroom samples were collected from different locations of Turkey. The results showed that the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs varied from 9.2±1.6 to 75.4±8.8 Bq kg-1, 10.9±1.6 to 76.3±8.9 Bq kg-1, 925.9±29.0 to 3848.0±73.2 Bq kg-1 and 6.1±1.1 to 2824.8±79.8 Bq kg-1, respectively. The mean total annual effective dose was found to be 11.5 µSv y-1. 40K radionuclide was the highest contributor to the mean total annual effective dose as 5.35 µSv y-1. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) caused by consumption of mushrooms in the study was determined as 4.6 × 10-5.
Determination of tritium activity concentration in natural water samples
(2017-04-03) Karataşlı M.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Varinlioğlu A.; Gören E.; Yeğingil Z.
This study aims to measure tritium activity concentrations in tap, well, and spring water samples from Mersin province in Turkey using a liquid scintillation counting (LSC) system and to evaluate the corresponding radiological hazards due to the ingestion of water samples. The tritium activity concentrations measured in the water samples varied from < 1.9 (detection limit) to 14.1 ± 1.0 Bq L−1 (119.5 ± 8.5 TU) with an average of 6.2 ± 0.6 Bq L−1 (52.5 ± 5.4 TU). The tritium activities in the water samples were significantly lower than the limit of 100 Bq L−1 for water intended for human consumption. The annual effective doses estimated for different age groups of the members of the public due to the intake of the tritium varied from 0.009 to 0.185 μSv y−1.
Distribution of elemental compositions of zeolite quarries and calculation of radiogenic heat generation
(2022-01-01) Turhan; Tokat S.; Kurnaz A.; Altıkulaç A.
The effectiveness ofthe use of zeolites in different industrial processes depends on their physical-chemical properties that are distinctly connected to their geological deposits. In this study, major oxides, eco-toxic metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd and Pb), and rare earth (Y, La, Ce, Pr and Nd), radioactive (Th and U) and other trace elements contents of eighty-one zeolite samples collected from four different zeolite quarries in Gördes in Turkey were analysed by using energy dispersed X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Also, pH values and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios were determined for zeolite samples. In addition, radiogenic heat generation (RHG) caused by radiations emitted from uranium (U), thorium (Th) and radioactive potassium (40K) in zeolite samples wereestimated.Gördes zeolite contains major oxides, on average, 75.1% SiO2, 14.1% Al2O3, 3.2% K2O, 2.4% CaO, 1.7% Fe2O3, 1.4% MgO, 1.3% Na2O. The average concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Th and U analysed in zeolite samples were found as 24.8, 2.1, 47.830.1 and 6.0 mgkg−1, respectively. According to average SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, the ZO1 quarry contains middle silica zeolites while ZO2, ZO3 and ZO4 quarries contain high silica group zeolites. RHG values estimated for zeolite samples varied from 2.3 µWm−3to 4.1 µWm−3.
Distribution of natural radionuclides in soils and beach sands of Abana-Çatalzeytin (Kastamonu)
(2016-03-25) Kurnaz A.; Özcan M.; Çetiner M.
A gamma spectrometric study of distribution of natural radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples collected from the terrestrial and coastal environment of Abana and Çatalzeytin counties of Kastamonu Province in Turkey was performed with the aim of estimating the radiation hazard of the tourist area and the concentrations of238U,232Th and40K were determined. The activity concentrations of238U,232Th and40K were determined in the ranges 14.95-56.0, 46.5-99.4 and 357.5-871.3 Bqkg-1 for soil samples and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 42.34, 71.24 and 624.18 Bqkg-1, respectively. In sand samples,238U,232Th and40K contents were varied in the ranges of 13.35-41.6, 30.9-53.4 and 275.5-601.3 Bqkg-1 and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 20.57, 45.05 and 411.71 Bqkg-1, respectively. The mean annual effective doses were calculated as 113.08 and 69.16 μSvy-1 for the soil and sand samples, respectively.
Ecological assessment of heavy metals in soil around a coal-fired thermal power plant in Turkey
(2020-03-01) Turhan; Garad A.M.K.; Hançerlioğulları A.; Kurnaz A.; Gören E.; Duran C.; Karataşlı M.; Altıkulaç A.; Savacı G.; Aydın A.
In this study, heavy metal concentrations in agricultural surface soil (0–5 cm) samples collected from the area around the Kangal lignite-fired thermal power plant were determined using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Also, the pH values of agricultural soil samples were measured to assess the level of acidification. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (CD), modified contamination degree (mCD), and pollution load index (IPL) were estimated to assess the heavy metals pollution in soil samples. The average concentration of Fe, Ti, Mn, Cr, Ni, Zn, Zr, Co, Cu, Pb, As, Sn and Hg was found as 39,065 ± 5096, 2262 ± 738, 721 ± 119, 713 ± 236, 610 ± 199, 82 ± 37, 65 ± 26, 64 ± 19, 29 ± 3, 17 ± 7, 9 ± 7, 3 ± 1 and 2 ± 1 mg kg−1, respectively. The values of pH varied from 7.5 to 8.2 with an average value of 8.0 (moderately alkaline). The Igeo, EF and CF results reveal that the study area is heavily or very highly contaminated with Cr, Ni, and Hg. On the basis of the IPL value, the soil samples are polluted with heavy metals. However, the mCD indicates moderate heavy-metal contamination of the soil samples.
Environmental evaluation of natural radioactivity in soil near a lignite-burning power plant in Turkey
(2017-11-01) Gören E.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Garad A.; Duran C.; Uğur F.; Yeğingil Z.
Natural radionuclides are released into the environment together with fly ash from the coal-burning power plant and cause an increase in the natural radioactivity in environmental samples. The study concerns to the evaluation the influence of Kangal lignite-burning power plant (LBPP) with a power of 457 MWe, which has been in operation since 1989, on natural radionuclide a concentration in surface soil samples around it. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 222Rn) in the soil samples, and emanation coefficient (EC) and mass (ERM) and surface (ERS) exhalation rate of radon were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with an HPGe detector. The average values of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 222Rn, EC, ERM and ERS were found as 37±5, 17±3, 222±30 Bq kg−1 and 9±1 kBq m−3, 12%, 12.1 µBq kg−1 s−1 and 7.1 mBq m−2 s−1, respectively. Absorbed gamma dose rate in outdoor air and the corresponding effective dose rate from external exposure and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated to evaluate radiological hazards for human population. The results revealed that the Kangal LBPP has caused a small increment in 226Ra concentration in the studied area. No influence was observed for 232Th and 40K.
Evaluation of natural radioactivity levels and potential radiological hazards of common building materials utilized in Mediterranean region, Turkey
(2022-02-01) Turhan Ş.; Kurnaz A.; Karataşlı M.
Radiometric measurement of building materials is very important to assess the internal and external exposure caused by the ionizing radiation emitted from terrestrial radionuclides in building materials. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in fifty-eight samples of fifteen different structural and covering building materials commonly used in Osmaniye province located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey were measured by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 2.5 ± 0.1 (marble) to 145.7 ± 4.4 (clay brick), 1.3 ± 0.1 (marble) to 154.3 ± 4.1 (marble), and 8.6 ± 0.2 (sand) to 1044.1 ± 70.3 (granite), respectively. Radiological parameters (activity concentration index, alpha index, indoor absorbed gamma dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk) were estimated to evaluate the health hazards associated with these building materials. Since the estimated values of these parameters are within the recommended safety limits or criteria values, the use of the studied building materials in the construction of dwellings can be considered to be safe for the residents of the region.
Evaluation of terrestrial radionuclide levels and concomitant radiological risks of bentonites used in many industries
(2022-01-01) Kurnaz A.; Turhan Ş.; Metin O.; Altıkulaç A.; Duran C.
Bentonite is a soft, porous, easily shaped, and absorbent material rich in aluminum, sodium, and potassium. Bentonite is a mineral widely utilized as drilling mud, ore pelletizing, absorbent/adsorbent, bleaching agent, water impedance, coating, and raw material in various industries. In this study, radiometric measurements of 90 bentonite samples collected from 21 quarries in Turkey were performed using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiological hazards caused by indoor exposure to adults due to the utilization of bentonites as raw materials in the construction industry and outdoor external exposures to quarry workers were evaluated by estimating the activity concentration index, annual effective doses, and lifetime cancer risk. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K measured in bentonite samples were found as (50 ± 5) Bq/kg, (76 ± 4) Bq/kg and (373 ± 19) Bq/kg, respectively. The evaluation results reveal that the bentonites examined could be safely utilized as raw materials.
Exposure assessment of the radon in residential tap water in Kastamonu
(2016-07-01) Kurnaz A.; Çetiner M.
Background: It is considered that if radon gas is inhaled and ingested, it is the primary health risks for lung and stomach cancers. This paper presents the measurement results of radon activity concentrations both residential tap water and dam water for Kastamonu city Centre-Turkey. Materials and Methods: The radon activity concentrations of water samples collected from 60 tap waters at four locations and 12 dam water of study area were determined. Radon concentrations were measured using the professional radon monitor AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO (Genitron Instruments). Results: The mean value for all residential tap water samples and dam water samples were ascertained as 0.050 Bq l-1 and 0.741 Bq l-1, respectively. The annual effective doses were calculated for the inhalation of radon released to air when water is used and the ingestion of drinking water. The mean values for inhalation and ingestion were found to be 0.1266 μSv y-1 and 0.0105 μSv y-1, respectively. For the radon exposure from ingestion, the annual effective doses were calculated for infants, children, and adults, separately. Conclusion: When the results compared with the internationally recommended safe limits, the tap waters of Kastamonu city Centre is safe for drinking purposes in terms of radon activity concentrations.
Health hazards due to the exposure to radon in schools of the cappadocia region
(2017-01-01) Turhan S.; Akyurek S.; Erdogan M.; Kurnaz A.; Altikulac A.
This study presents the results of a survey of radon concentrations in schools (kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, colleges, and one faculty) located in the province of Nevsehir which is the center of the Cappadocia region. Radon measurements covered two consecutive 6-month periods in the ground floor classrooms inside the school buildings and they were performed using a continuous active radon detector (AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO). Data distribution is well fitted by a log-normal curve. The arithmetic average value of the radon concentrations measured in summer and winter was found as 75 ×12 Bqm–3 and 67 × 10 Bqm–3, respectively. From the measured results, the effective doses from radon exposures in summer and winter were estimated as 0.27 and 0.40 mSv and 0.24 and 0.36 mSv for students and teachers, respectively. The results showed that radon concentration measured in schools does not pose significant health hazards for students and teachers.
Heavy metal contamination and health risk evaluation of chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) consumed in Turkey
(2022-01-01) Turhan Ş.; Turfan N.; Kurnaz A.
This study was performed to determine heavy metals and metalloids in twenty-eight chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) samples consumed in Turkey by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and evaluate health risks for humans through the consumption of chestnut samples. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn analyzed in chestnut samples varied from 537 to 635, 608 to 5333, 347 to 972, 207 to 8619, 12,739 to 86,310, 278 to 7549, 8676 to 67,622, 1068 to 18,661 and 3625 to 12,876 µg/kg (dry weight), respectively. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were above the maximum limits determined by the Turkish Food Codex. Healthy risks caused by the heavy metals in the consumed chestnut samples were evaluated by estimating the average daily intake of metal, health risk index (HRI), and total HRI. These results revealed that there is no possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of chestnut samples studied under the current consumption rate.
Impact of toxic metal pollution on surface water pollution: a case study of Tohma stream in Sivas, Turkey
(2021-01-01) Turhan; Duran C.; Kurnaz A.; Hançerlioğulları A.; Metin O.; Altıkulaç A.
This study was executed to investigate the acidification and heavy metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) pollution of Tohma stream flowing near Kangal lignite-fired thermal power plant located in Kangal district of Sivas province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. All water samples were screened for pH to evaluate the acidification of the Tohma stream. Water samples were found in moderately alkaline according to pH values (8.1–8.7). The average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in water samples from the Tohma stream were determined as 0.94, 2.27, 13.78, 1.24, 1.98, 0.32 and 0.54 mg L−1 using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. Metal pollution index (MPI) and metal evaluation index (MEI) were estimated to evaluate the pollution of Tohma water samples with heavy metals. The values of MPI and MEI varied from 312 (medium pollution) to 9715 (high pollution) with an average of 4713 (high pollution) and 181(medium pollution) to 317 (high pollution) with an average of 226 (medium pollution), respectively. The results of MPI and MEI revealed that investigated water samples are seriously polluted with toxic heavy metals and inadequate for drinking and irrigation water utilisation.