Environmental Engineering / Çevre Mühendisliği
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Review Citation - WoS: 88Citation - Scopus: 102Comprehensive Review and Assessment of Carbon Capturing Methods and Technologies: an Environmental Research(Academic Press inc Elsevier Science, 2024) Goren, Aysegul Yagmur; Erdemir, Dogan; Dincer, IbrahimA 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.Review Citation - WoS: 22Citation - Scopus: 30Comparative Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Biohydrogen Production Methods(Elsevier, 2023) Goren, A. Yagmur; Dincer, Ibrahim; Khalvati, Ali; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Dinçer, İbrahimAs 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.Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 6Microbial Desalination Cell Treated Spent Geothermal Brine as a Nutrient Medium in Hydroponic Lettuce Cultivation: Health Risk Assessment(Elsevier, 2024) Goren, A. Y.; Eskisoy, D. N.; Genisoglu, S.; Okten, H. E.The scarcity and contamination of freshwater resources are extremely critical issues today, and the expansion of water reuse has been considered as an option to decrease its impact. Therefore, the reuse of microbial desalination (MDC)-treated spent geothermal brine for agricultural purposes arises as a good solution to prevent water contamination and provide sustainable water usage. In this study, the potential of treated spent geothermal water from MDC system as a nutrient solution for the hydroponic cultivation of lettuce was evaluated. The effects of different water samples (Hoagland solution (R1) as a control, MDC-treated water (R2), 1:1, v/v mixture of MDCtreated water and Hoagland solution (R3), 4:1, v/v mixture of MDC-treated water and Hoagland solution (R4), and tap water (R5)) on lettuce growth were considered. The application of R3 and R4 samples for hydroponic lettuce cultivation was promising since the lettuce plants uptake sufficient nutrients for their growth and productivity with low toxic metal concentrations. In addition, the chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotene contents of lettuce were in the range of 1.045-2.391 mg/g, 0.761-1.986 mg/g, and 0.296-0.423 mg/g in different water samples, respectively. The content of chlorophyll-a was highest in R1 (2.391 mg/g), followed by R3 (2.371 mg/g). Furthermore, the health risk assessment of heavy metal accumulations in the lettuce plants cultivated in the various water samples was determined. Results showed that heavy metal exposure via lettuce consumption is unlikely to suffer noticeable adverse health problems with values below the permissible limit value.Article Citation - WoS: 21Citation - Scopus: 21Remote Sensing-Based Monitoring and Evaluation of the Basin-Wise Dynamics of Terrestrial Water and Groundwater Storage Fluctuations(Springer, 2023) Khorrami, Behnam; Gündüz, OrhanThe recent dynamics of terrestrial water storage (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS) fluctuations were investigated based on the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) observations over 25 basins of Türkiye. Coarse-resolution GRACE estimates were downscaled based on the Random Forest algorithm. The impacts of precipitation (P) and evapotranspiration (ET) on the variations of water storage were also assessed. The findings demonstrated good performance for the RF model in simulating finer resolution estimates of TWS. The results indicated a diminishing trend of TWS and its hydrologic components over all the basins from 2003 to 2020. The Doğu Akdeniz Basin with the annually decreasing TWS and GWS of 1.15cm/yr and 1.10cm/yr was the most critical basin of Türkiye. The least storage loss was observed in the Batı Karadeniz Basin with the annual TWS and GWS loss of 0.38cm/yr and 0.45cm/yr , respectively. Based on the results, Türkiye has lost, on average, an estimated 5.16km3/yr and 4.09km3/yr of its TWS and GWS, respectively, which are equivalent to the total storage loss of 92.88km3 and 73.62km3 of TWS and GWS during the last 18 years. The results also indicated that P and ET interact differently with the variations of TWS and GWS. The net water flux was revealed to be partially correlated with the total water storage fluctuations, suggesting the governing role of other deriving forces particularly the anthropogenic factors in the spatiotemporal variations of Türkiye’s water storage; therefore, a sector-specific analysis of the water storage variations is crucial for the country, particularly by concentrating more on the dynamics of GWS. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 9The Effect of Military Conflict Zone in the Middle East on Atmospheric Persistent Organic Pollutant Contamination in Its North(Elsevier, 2023) Ayrı, İlknur; Genişoğlu, Mesut; Sofuoğlu, Aysun; Kurt Karakuş, Perihan B.; Birgül, Askın; Sofuoğlu, Sait CemilThis 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: 5Citation - Scopus: 10Removal of Pesticide Residues From Apple and Tomato Cuticle(Springer, 2023) Tari, Vinaya; Yalçın, Melis; Turgut, Nalan; Gökbulut, Cengiz; Mermer, Serhan; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Turgut, CaferPesticide residues are always an unsolved problem in the world despite all kinds of prevention measures. The present research work is based on a scientific hypothesis, i.e., The removal of average pesticide residue is inversely proportional to the thickness of cuticle. The effects of boron-containing products and plant-based surfactants were tested for the removal of five pesticides (lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, diflubenzuron, metaflumizone, acetamiprid) on tomatoes and apples. Boron-containing products were able to remove the pesticide residues on average between 58.0 and 72.6% in tomatoes and 33.2-58.8% in an apple. While plant-based surfactants removed residues on average between 58.5 and 66.6% in tomatoes and 41.0-53.2% in an apple. The highest removal rate was 72% with etidot at 1%. The solution of 1% C8-C10 provided 66.6% average removal for tomatoes. Less removal was achieved in apples. For an apple, Log K-ow and molecular mass (independent variables) were significant with p < 0.01, and the coefficient of determination (R-2) was > 0.87. However, the multiple linear regression analysis for ground colemanite was significant with R-2 of 0.96. In tomatoes, neither Log K-ow nor molecular mass as significant. The correlation was found between the physical and chemical properties of pesticides, but it is estimated that the thickness of the cuticle is effective in removing pesticides.Article Citation - WoS: 25Citation - Scopus: 27Targeted and Suspect Screening of Plasticizers in House Dust To Assess Cumulative Human Exposure Risk(Elsevier, 2021) Demirtepe, Hale; Melymuk, Lisa; Codling, Garry; Murinova, Lubica Palkovicova; Richterova, Denisa; Rasplova, Vladimira; Trnovec, TomasIndoor dust is an important exposure route to anthropogenic chemicals used in consumer products. Plasticizers are common product additives and can easily leach out of the product and partition to dust. Investigations of plasticizers typically focus on a subset of phthalate esters (PEs), but there are many more PEs in use, and alternative plasticizers (APs) are seeing greater use after recognition of adverse health effects of PEs. In this study we use full scan high resolution mass spectrometry for targeted and suspect screening of PEs and APs in house dust and to assess the potential risk of human exposure. House dust samples from Eastern Slovakia were investigated and concentrations of Sigma 12PEs and Sigma(5)APs ranged 12-2765 mu g/g and 45-13,260 mu g/g, respectively. APs were at similar levels to PEs, indicating common usage of these compounds in products in homes. Evaluation of individual compound toxicity combined with human intake via dust ingestion suggested PEs are of lower priority compared to semivolatile organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls due to their lower toxicity. However, cumulative risk assessment (CRA) is a more appropriate evaluation of risk, considering the presences of many PEs in dust and their similar toxic mode of action. CRA based on median toxicity reference values (TRVs) suggested acceptable risks for dust ingestion, however, the wide range of literature-derived TRVs is a large uncertainty, especially for the APs. Use of newer TRVs suggest risk from dust ingestion alone, i.e. not even considering diet, inhalation, and dermal contact. Additionally, screening of full-scan instrumental spectra identified a further 40 suspect PE compounds, suggesting the CRA based on the 12 target PEs underestimates the risk. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Article Citation - WoS: 56Citation - Scopus: 64Carbonaceous Materials for Removal and Recovery of Phosphate Species: Limitations, Successes and Future Improvement(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2022) Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Orooji, Yasin; Khataee, AlirezaThe 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: 47Citation - Scopus: 57Arsenic Removal From Groundwater Using an Aerated Electrocoagulation Reactor With 3d Al Electrodes in the Presence of Anions(Elsevier, 2021) Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Kobya, MehmetCo-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: 58Citation - Scopus: 59Assessment of Different Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis Membranes for Simultaneous Removal of Arsenic and Boron From Spent Geothermal Water(Elsevier, 2021) Jarma, Yakubu A.; Karaoğlu, Aslı; Tekin, Özge; Baba, Alper; Ökten, H.Eser; Tomaszewska, Barbara; Kabay, NalanOne of the factors that determine agricultural crops’ yield is the quality of water used during irrigation. In this study, we assessed the usability of spent geothermal water for agricultural irrigation after membrane treatment. Preliminary membrane tests were conducted on a laboratory-scale set up followed by mini-pilot scale tests in a geothermal heating center. In part I, three commercially available membranes (XLE BWRO, NF90, and Osmonics CK- NF) were tested using a cross-flow flat-sheet membrane testing unit (Sepa CF II, GE-Osmonics) under constant applied pressure of 20 bar. In part II, different spiral wound membranes (TR-NE90-NF, TR-BE-BW, and BW30) other than the ones used in laboratory tests were employed for the mini-pilot scale studies in a continuous mode. Water recovery and applied pressure were maintained constant at 60% and 12 bar, respectively. Performances of the membranes were assessed in terms of the permeate flux, boron and arsenic removals. In laboratory tests, the permeate fluxes were measured as 94.3, 87.9, and 64.3 L m?2 h?1 for XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes, respectively. The arsenic removals were found as 99.0%, 87.5% and 83.6% while the boron removals were 56.8%, 54.2%, and 26.1% for XLE BWRO, NF90 and CK-NF membranes, respectively. In field tests, permeate fluxes were 49.9, 26.8 and 24.0 L m?2 h?1 for TR-NE90-NF, BW30-RO and TR-BE-BW membranes, respectively. Boron removals were calculated as 49.9%, 44.1% and 40.7% for TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes, respectively. Removal efficiencies of arsenic in mini-pilot scale membrane tests were all over 90%. Quality of the permeate water produced was suitable for irrigation in terms of the electrical conductivity (EC) and the total dissolved solids (TDS) for all tested membranes with respect to guidelines set by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation (TMEU). However, XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes failed to meet the required limits for irrigation in terms of boron and arsenic concentrations in the product water. The permeate streams of TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes complied with the irrigation water standards in terms of EC, TDS and arsenic concentration while boron concentration remained above the allowable limit. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.