Browsing by Author "Turhan"

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Assessment of concentrations of anions in bottled natural mineral waters from the Turkish market in accordance with national and international standards
(2021-01-01) Gümüş G.; Destanoğlu O.; Şimşek M.G.; Bakır T.K.; Turhan
In this study, the concentrations of anions (fluoride, nitrite, nitrate, sulphite, sulphate, oxalate, and phosphate) in bottlednatural plain and fruit-flavoured mineral waters of twenty-one commerciallybrandssold in Turkish markets were determined by using an ion chromatography (IC) system to assessthe suitability of their chemical quality according to national and international regulations.The phosphate concentrationsanalysed in all bottled natural mineral water samples are below the detection limit. Results revealed that the nitrite and sulphite concentrations analysed in most bottled natural mineral water samples were higher than the maximum permissibleconcentrations of 0.1 and 0.05 mg L−1, respectively, and other anion concentrations are within the maximum permissible limits.
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 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.
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.
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.
Natural and fallout radioactivity levels and radiation hazard evaluation in soil samples
(2016-03-01) Karataşlı M.; Turhan; Varinlioğlu A.; Yeğingil Z.
The present study aims to obtain the baseline data on natural and fallout radioactivity and to evaluate radiation hazards caused by ionizing radiation emitted from 226Ra, 232Th, 222Rn, 40K and 137Cs in surface soil samples collected from Mersin province and Akkuyu nuclear power plant region. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were measured using a gamma spectrometer with HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs varied from 14.1 ± 0.7 to 65.4 ± 2.9, 12.0 ± 0.8–51.7 ± 2.1, 172.2 ± 15.8–511.1 ± 37.8 and
Radiochemical analysis of bottled drinking waters consumed in Turkey and a risk assessment study
(2019-09-01) Turhan; Zriba N.A.E.M.; Taşkın H.; Yılmaz Z.; Bayülken S.; Hançerlioğulları A.; Kurnaz A.
Water is of vital importance for human life and health. Therefore, drinking water must be safe and quality enough to be consumed by humans. In this study, 19 commercially available Turkish brands of bottled drinking water (BDW) were analyzed to assess the radiological and chemical quality of these waters. The radioactivity concentrations of gross alpha and beta in BDW samples were determined by using a gas proportional α/β counter. The average gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations were 21 ± 5 mBq/L and 59 ± 12 mBq/L, respectively. The average annual effective radiation doses due to consumption of BDW samples were estimated as 8, 12 and 24 μSv/y for infant, children and adult, respectively. The concentrations of anions (fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate and phosphate) and cations (Mg, Sr, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd and Mn) in BDW samples were determined using an ion chromatography system and inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectrometry, respectively. The average concentrations of fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulfate were determined as 32.1, 1882.5, 2050.7 and 4776.9 μg/L, respectively. The average concentrations of Mg, Sr, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd and Mn were found as 2899.0, 62.9, 3.45, 3.18, 2.0, 2.0, 1.9, 1.7, 1.7, 1.2 and 1.0 μg/L, respectively. The results reveal that all radiological and chemical values measured in BDW samples, except for Hg, are lower than the limit values set by national regulations and World Health Organization. The average Hg concentration is higher than the limit values set by national regulations.
Radiological evaluation of the use of clay brick and pumice brick as a structural building material
(2018-11-01) Turhan; Demir K.; Karataşlı M.
In this study, clay brick (CBRICK) and pumice brick (PBRICK) samples used as structural material in the construction of dwellings, schools, workplaces and factories in Turkey were compared with each other from a radiological viewpoint. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K naturally occurring in CBRICK and PBRICK samples collected from different regions of Turkey were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in CBRICK and PBRICK samples were found as 35.4 ± 3.3, 37.5 ± 2.4 and 593.7 ± 42.7 Bq kg−1 and 81.9 ± 2.5, 65.8 ± 6.0 and 1066.0 ± 46.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon surface exhalation rate (EXS) and radon mass exhalation rate (EXM) of CBRICK and PBRICK samples were measured by using an active radon gas analyzer with an accumulation container. The average value of EXS and EXM of CBRICK and PBRICK samples found as 45.9 ± 2.9 mBq m−2 h−1 and 3.7 ± 2.9 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 100.9 ± 4.7 mBq m−2 h−1 and 9.9 ± 0.5 mBq kg−1 h−1, respectively. Radiological parameters related to external and internal exposure to members of the public such as the radiation protection index, alpha index, and indoor absorbed gamma radiation dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose from external exposure, annual effective dose from inhalation of radon, and the lifetime cancer risk were estimated for CBRICK and PBRICK samples. The results were compared with each other and with the international recommended limits or criteria. The results reveal that the average values measured and estimated for CBRICK samples are approximately two times lower than those measured and estimated for PBRICK samples. Thus, from the radiological viewpoint, clay brick is preferable to pumice brick as a structural material in the building sector.
Radiological impact assessment of nuclear weapon depots in Valley Rwagh, Libya
(2017-07-03) Elnimr M.A.; Turhan; Khalid M.M.; Ali Madee Y.G.; Gala H.; Kurnaz A.; Hançerlioğulları A.
Activity levels of the natural (238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in surface soil samples collected from different areas of Libya, especially the southern and central provinces, including Valley Rwagh, which is in a mountainous region in Al-Jufra Oasis amid the Libyan desert, 600 km southeast of Tripoli, and in which there are stores of various weapons, were determined using a gamma-ray spectrometer with a HPGe detector. The average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were measured as 87 ± 11, 202 ± 36, 121 ± 19, and 73 ± 3 Bq kg–1, respectively. The activity levels of artificial radionuclide 137Cs measured in soil samples were below the detection limit. The average concentrations of radon in soil and air were estimated as 103 kBq m–3 and 327 Bq m–3, respectively. The average values of outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose rate from external exposure, annual effective dose rate from inhalation of radon, and lifetime cancer risk estimated for assessing the radiological impacts caused by ionizing radiation emitted from these radionuclides on the population in the region were found to be 165 nGy h–1, 203 μSv y–1, 3096 μSv y–1, and 7 × 10–4, respectively.
Radiometric analysis of volcanic tuff stones used as ornamental and structural building materials in Turkey and evaluation of radiological risk
(2015-10-01) Turhan; Atici E.; Varinlioʇlu A.
Volcanic tuff stones are widely used to coat the interior and exterior surfaces of buildings for ornamental purposes in the construction industry in Turkey, and are also used as structural material in the construction of masonry buildings, especially in the Cappadocia region, which is a popular tourist destination. In this study, seventy-six volcanic tuff stone samples collected from different quarries located in different geographical regions in Turkey were surveyed for radiometric analysis, and the radiological risk to human health caused by ionizing radiation from natural radionuclides in the volcanic tuff stone samples was evaluated. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K analyzed in volcanic tuff stone samples were very variable, ranging from 3 to 389, 8 to 401, 2 to 263 and 99 to 2107 Bq kg-1, respectively. The emanation coefficient and mass exhalation rate of 222Rn measured for the volcanic tuff samples ranged from 2 to 68% with an average of 34%, and 1 to 194 μBq kg-1 s-1 with an average of 43 μBq kg-1 s-1, respectively. The external (gamma) and internal (alpha) hazard indices, indoor absorbed gamma dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose were estimated to evaluate the potential radiological risk to human health. The results showed that all of the surveyed volcanic tuff stone samples can be used as covering building materials for ornamental or insulating covering purposes. However, the use of some volcanic tuff stone samples as structural building materials should be restricted.
Radiometric characterization of zeolite minerals used in many industries and assessment of radiological risks
(2019-10-01) Gezer F.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Ufuktepe Y.
Zeolites are important additives materials which are widely used in different industries such as construction, paper, paint, agriculture, textile, and fertilizer. In this study, radiometric characterization of natural zeolite samples collected from four zeolite open quarries in Western Anatolia in Turkey were determined using a gamma-ray spectrometry with high purity germanium detector. The radiological risks due to the use of zeolite samples as raw materials in cement and concrete production was assessed for adult people by estimating activity concentration index and annual effective dose due to external exposure in indoor. Also, annual effective radiation dose in outdoor and the corresponding lifetime cancer risk were estimated for quarry workers. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K measured in seventy-seven zeolite samples were found as 85 ± 4, 129 ± 2 and 1030 ± 24 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon emanation factor and radon mass exhalation rate of zeolite samples varied from 1 to 9% with an average of 4% and 1.8–15.1 μBq kg−1 s−1 with an average of 7.2 ± 0.3 μBq kg−1 s−1, respectively. The data were compared with criteria or limit values. The results revealed that usage of the examined zeolite samples as building raw materials would not cause any significant radiological risk.
Radon concentration of different brands of bottled natural mineral water commercially sold in Turkey and radiological risk assessment
(2022-01-01) Seid A.M.A.; Turhan; Kurnaz A.; Bakır T.K.; Hançerlioğulları A.
The consumption of bottled natural mineral water has become more popular in Turkey due to the faith about the helpful medicinal and therapeutic impacts of mineral waters including various dissolved minerals. However, mineral water derived from groundwater contains natural radioactive radon gas which is one of the important sources of natural radiation. In this study, the activity levels of radon in forty-nine bottled natural plain and fruit-flavoured mineral water samples of twenty-two commercially brands sold in Turkish markets were determined using an active radon gas monitoring system. The pH, conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids of mineral water samples were also measured using standard laboratory methods. The total annual effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in mineral water samples was estimated for infants, children, and adults to assess the health risk caused by internal exposure. The activity concentrations of radon measured in mineral water samples varied from 30.6 to 57.6 mBq L−1 with an average of 43.1 ± 6.1 mBq L−1. The average total annual effective dose was found as 0.42, 0.26 and 0.36 µSv for infants, children and adults, respectively. All measured radon concentrations and estimated annual effective dose values are within the within recommended limits by the WHO and European Union for drinking water. It can be concluded that the effective radiation dose from the radon in bottled natural mineral water samples investigated is very low and creates a negligible health risk for the public.