Environmental Engineering / Çevre Mühendisliği
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Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 6A Novel Land Surface Temperature Reconstruction Method and Its Application for Downscaling Surface Soil Moisture With Machine Learning(Elsevier, 2024) Güngör, Şahin; Gündüz, OrhanDownscaling of soil moisture data is important for high resolution hydrological modeling. Most downscaling studies in the literature have used spatially discontinuous land surface temperature (LST) maps as the main auxiliary parameter, which limits the creation of continuous soil moisture maps. The number of studies on soil moisture downscaling with machine learning that use gapless LST maps is limited. With this motivation, a hybrid reconstruction method has been proposed in this study to practically obtain continuous LST maps, which are then used to produce high resolution surface soil moisture (SSM) datasets. The proposed method is shown to have high mean performance with R2 and RMSE values of 0.94 and 1.84°K, respectively, for the period between 2019 and 2022. The developed reconstructed LST maps were then used to downscale original 9 km spatial resolution soil moisture datasets of SMAP L3 and SMAP L4 with Random Forest (RF) machine learning algorithm. The RF model were run with four different rainfall datasets, and the MSWEP rainfall dataset was found to produce the best results. The use of antecedent rainfall values as input variables in machine learning models has been shown to improve the performance of the models R2 0.76 to 0.93. The accuracy of the downscaled data was later evaluated for Western Anatolia Basins (WAB) in Türkiye with 31 in-situ stations. The downscaled SMAP L4 had good average statistical indicators R (0.815 ± 0.1), RMSE (0.09 ± 0.047 cm3/cm3), and ubRMSE (0.058 ± 0.025 cm3/cm3). Downscaled SMAP L3 was also validated with in-situ observations with satisfactory R (0.79 ± 0.074), RMSE (0.09 ± 0.043 cm3/cm3), and ubRMSE (0.06 ± 0.026 cm3/cm3) statistics. Furthermore, the performance of the downscaled SMAP L3 was also cross validated with SMAP + Sentinel 1 (L2) dataset between 2019 and 2022. The mean statistics of R (0.761 ± 0.11) and Root Mean Squared Difference (RMSD) (0.05 ± 0.014 cm3/cm3) between downscaled SMAP L3 and L2 data revealed that the new reconstruction method of LST used in the RF model for downscaling of soil moisture performed well to obtain high resolution soil moisture datasets. The proposed technique also overcame the difficulties associated with coastal regions where data was masked for quality considerations, by not only enhancing overall spatial resolution but also filling these data gaps and giving a complete SSM coverage. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.Article Citation - WoS: 20Citation - Scopus: 24Lime-Activated One-Part Geopolymer Mortars From Construction, Demolition and Industrial Wastes(Elsevier, 2024) Kogbara, Reginald B.; Al-Zubi, Abdelrahman; Mortada, Youssef; Hammoud, Ahmad; Masad, Eyad A.; Khraisheh, Marwan K.This work focused on the production of one-part geopolymer mortars from construction and demolition wastes (CDW) blended with steel slag. Previous related studies on geopolymer production from CDW utilized conventional two-part geopolymers comprised of highly alkaline activator solutions and CDW materials. Thus, the study's significance consists in producing high-strength (≥35 MPa) ambient-cured mortars from CDW with predominantly concrete waste by replacing conventional highly alkaline activator solutions with an environmentally-friendly alkaline activator, Ca(OH)2 powder. Four mortar mixtures were produced with CDW contents ranging from 50 to 65 % dry weight, varying the brick waste content from 3 to 18 %. The effect of elevated temperature (40 °C) curing was also considered. The results showed that 55 % CDW content had optimum performance across all parameters studied such as compressive and flexural strengths, setting time, as well as changes in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-determined pore structure (porosity and mean pore size) and x-ray diffraction (XRD)-determined degree of crystallinity over time. It had 28-day compressive and flexural strengths of 42 and 5.8 MPa, respectively, and initial and final setting times of 25 and 50 min. The importance of sufficient brick waste content in the geopolymer mixtures for effective mechanical performance is highlighted. The inclusion of concrete waste in powder form reduced compressive strength under ambient curing but improved performance at 40 °C curing. It is concluded that sustainable structural mortars can be produced by ‘just adding water’ to an optimized CDW mixture with predominantly concrete waste blended with brick waste and slag and activated by powdered Ca(OH)2. © 2023 The AuthorsArticle Citation - WoS: 19Citation - Scopus: 18An Appraisal of the Local-Scale Spatio-Temporal Variations of Drought Based on the Integrated Grace/Grace-fo Observations and Fine-Resolution Fldas Model(Wiley, 2023) Khorrami, Behnam; Ali, Shoaib; Gündüz, OrhanThe gravity recovery and climate experiment (GRACE) observations have so far been utilized to detect and trace the variations of hydrological extremes worldwide. However, applying the coarse resolution GRACE estimates for local-scale analysis remains a big challenge. In this study, a new version of the fine resolution (1 km) Famine early warning systems network Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) model data was integrated into a machine learning model along with the GRACE data to evaluate the subbasin-scale variations of water storage, and drought. With a correlation of 0.99 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.93mm of its results, the downscaling model turned out to be very successful in modelling the finer resolution variations of TWSA. The water storage deficit (WSD) and Water Storage Deficit Index (WSDI) were used to determine the episodes and severity of drought events. Accordingly, two severe droughts (January 2008 to March 2009 and September 2019 to December 2020) were discerned in the Kizilirmak Basin (KB) located in Central Turkiye. The characterization of droughts was evaluated based on WSDI, scPDSI, and model-based drought indices of the soil moisture storage percentile (SMSP) and groundwater storage percentile (GWSP). The results indicated discrepancies in the drought classes based on different indices. However, the WSDI turned out to be more correlated with GWSP, suggesting its high ability to monitor groundwater droughts as well.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Exposure To Fumes of a Vegetable Margarine for Frying: Respiratory Effects in an Experimental Model(American Chemical Society, 2023) Cimrin, Arif H.; Alpaydin, Aylin Ozgen; Ozbal, Seda; Toprak, Melis; Yılmaz, Osman; Uluorman, Funda; Ergur, Bekir Uğur; Gürel, Duygu; Sofuoğlu, Sait CemilDeep frying is one of the strongest emission sources into indoor air. A vegetable margarine has recently been used in commercial kitchens. This study investigated the respiratory effects of exposure to its fumes in an experimental model. A setup with glass chambers was constructed. A chamber housed a fryer. The fumes were transported to the other chamber where 24 Wistar albino rats were placed in four randomized groups: acute, subacute, chronic, and control for the exposure durations. PM10 concentration in the exposure chamber was monitored to ensure occupational levels were obtained. Sacrification was performed 24 h after exposure. Lung, trachea, and nasal concha specimens were evaluated by two blinded histologists under a light microscope with hematoxylin–eosin. Mild mononuclear cell infiltration, alveolar capillary membrane thickening, alveolar edema, and diffuse alveolar damage, along with diffuse hemorrhage, edema, and vascular congestion in the interstitium were observed in the acute and subacute groups, and were overexpressed in the chronic group, whereas normal lung histology was observed in the control group. The results indicate that exposure to fumes of vegetable margarine for frying in commercial kitchens may cause pulmonary inflammation that becomes severe as the duration of the exposure increases.Article Citation - WoS: 17Citation - Scopus: 19Development of Ca(oh)2-Based Geopolymer for Additive Manufacturing Using Construction Wastes and Nanomaterials(Elsevier, 2023) Mortada, Youssef; Masad, Eyad; Kogbara, Reginald B.; Mansoor, Bilal; Seers, Thomas; Hammoud, Ahmad; Karaki, AymanRecent growth in additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing in the construction field has motivated the development of various materials that vary in its composition and properties. This paper introduces, characterizes, and evaluates the performance of a sustainable and environmentally friendly geopolymer mixture composed of construction wastes. The geopolymer mixture has calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as the main alkaline activator and incorporates nanomaterials such as nano-silica and nano-clay to enhance its suitability for AM. The combined use of Ca(OH)2 for alkali activation, and nanomaterials for tailoring the behavior of construction wastes for 3D printing, is novel and addresses the shortcomings of conventional alkaline activators. The paper includes the outcomes of the analysis of the mechanical properties, printability, and microstructure of the geopolymer mixture. The 28-day compressive strength of the mixture reached 42 MPa with ambient temperature curing, which is comparable to traditional geopolymers. The inclusion of 1 wt % of nano-silica accelerated the geopolymerization process and led to the largest (35 %) reduction in the setting time. Similarly, incorporating 1 wt % of nano-clay led to reduction of the thermal conductivity from 0.709 W/mK to 0.505 W/mK, due to the introduction of thermal barriers. The printability of the studied waste-based geopolymer mixture was validated through the successful fabrication of a 3D-printed model. © 2023 The AuthorsReview Citation - WoS: 41Citation - Scopus: 42Review on the Parameters of Recycling Ndfeb Magnets Via a Hydrogenation Process(American Chemical Society, 2023) Habibzadeh, Alireza; Küçüker, Mehmet Ali; Gökelma, MertolRegarding the restrictions recently imposed by China on the export of rare-earth elements (REEs), the world may face a serious challenge in supplying some REEs such as neodymium and dysprosium soon. Recycling secondary sources is strongly recommended to mitigate the supply risk of REEs. Hydrogen processing of magnetic scrap (HPMS) as one of the best approaches for magnet-to-magnet recycling is thoroughly reviewed in this study in terms of parameters and properties. The processes of hydrogen decrepitation (HD) and hydrogenation-disproportio-nation-desorption-recombination (HDDR) are two common methods for HPMS. Employing a hydrogenation process can shorten the production route of new magnets from the discarded magnets compared to other recycling routes such as the hydrometallurgical route. However, determining the optimal pressure and temperature for the process is challenging due to the sensitivity to the initial chemical composition and the interaction of temperature and pressure. Pressure, temperature, initial chemical composition, gas flow rate, particle size distribution, grain size, and oxygen content are the effective parameters for the final magnetic properties. All these influencing parameters are discussed in detail in this review. The recovery rate of magnetic properties has been the concern of most research in this field and can be achieved up to 90% by employing a low hydrogenation temperature and pressure and using additives such as REE hydrides after hydrogenation and before sintering.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: 17Citation - Scopus: 20Polyoxometalate-Based Hybrid Composites in Multi-Functional Wastewater Treatment Applications(Elsevier, 2023) Recepoğlu, Yaşar Kemal; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Orooji, Yasin; Vatanpour, Vahid; Kudaibergenov, Nurbolat; Khataee, AlirezaThe inorganic polyanionic clusters known as polyoxometalates (POMs) have several structural variations at the nanoscale scale. They have many uses in chemistry, materials science, medicine, and other fields. This review considers the developments in treating hazardous contaminants from wastewater using POMs-based compounds. Four main treatment methods using POM-based compounds to remove water pollutants have been developed: adsorption, photocatalytic treatment, Fenton-like treatment, and membrane separation. Moreover, we report the types of POMs, synthesis procedures, strategies performed to modify POM-based compounds, and their appli-cations in wastewater treatment. To promote the development of these compounds for large-scale production and real-scale applications, gaps in knowledge and recent research obstacles are also pointed out. Most research on metal organic complexes (MOCs) based on POM has focused on using these compounds as catalysts, with little focus on their additional uses. The adsorption and photocatalytic efficiency of modified POM-based compounds are attributed to their enhanced contaminant removal efficiency, and recovery of certain POM-based compounds by magnetic separation is presented as a promising option for their recyclability. Among the reviewed studies, the highest adsorption capacity was 1108.9 mg/g, with a removal efficiency of 100 % for acid red dye using poly-[N,N-dimethyl-dodecyl-(4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride] (PIL)-POM. The studies also indicate that the POM-based adsorbents could be effectively reused to remove pollutants and sustain their activity in 3-10 cycles. This review is believed to provide an overview of recent advancements in POM-based compounds for water and wastewater treatment, offers thorough research to anyone interested in learning more about this topic, and acts as a manual for researchers working in this area.Article Citation - WoS: 15Citation - Scopus: 19Immobilization of Esterase From Bacillus Subtilis on Halloysite Nanotubes and Applications on Dibutyl Phthalate Degradation(Elsevier, 2023) Rosales, Emilio; Pazos, Marta; Sanroman, Maria Angeles; Balcı, Esin; Sofuoğlu, AysunDibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the listed phthalic acid esters (PAEs) known as the priority toxicants which exhibit carcinogenic and teratogenic properties and is responsible for endocrine disruption. Therefore, its removal has become a matter to tackle with. In this work, the feasibility of DBP degradation by esterase and lipase enzymes obtained from various microorganisms and the immobilization of the most effective in a clayey material were investigated. Esterase from Bacillus subtilis exhibited the highest degradation efficiency reaching a complete degradation. Its immobilization onto halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by adsorption method was studied by response surface methodology using a central composite design face-centered. The four selected factors that affect the HNT-enzyme composite generation were: pH, adsorption time, enzyme/HNT (E/H) ratio, and adsorption temperature, and the optimal conditions were determined (pH 7, time 360 min, E/H ratio 0.2, temperature 30oC). Consequently, the activity did not significantly decrease by immobilization, and the adsorption efficiency and relative activity were determined to be 73.15% and 82.7%, respectively. Besides, the immobilization enhanced thermal and storage stability. As for enzyme reusability, after 7 continuous cycles, the composite maintained almost 75% of its initial activity. Both the free enzyme (1 mg/mL) and the composite degraded 100 mg/L DBP with 100% efficiency and several byproducts were detected. Moreover, the composite could be reused for 7 cycles keeping a remarkable catalytic activity. Overall, this study indicated that the HNT-enzyme composite may be used as an effective candidate for remediation of the environmental media contaminated with DBP and other PAEs.(c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Article Citation - WoS: 16Citation - Scopus: 20Development of an Emission Estimation Method With Satellite Observations for Significant Forest Fires and Comparison With Global Fire Emission Inventories: Application To Catastrophic Fires of Summer 2021 Over the Eastern Mediterranean(Elsevier, 2023) Bilgiç, Efem; Tuna Tuygun, Gizem; Gündüz, OrhanIn the past few decades, forest fires have increased in number and severity, especially in the Mediterranean regions of Turkiye and Greece, where significant fires caused damage to thousands of hectares of land as well as wildlife. The main objective of the present study is to develop an emission estimation method with satellite-based burned area data from significant forest fire events in the Eastern Mediterranean in July-August 2021. In the first stage of this study, pre-fire and post-fire images of the study area acquired by the Sentinel-2 satellite were processed to calculate the normalized burn rate difference index (dNBR). Then, CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data were used for detecting land cover classes in the burned areas. Atmospheric emissions of NOx, CO, SO2, total suspended particulate matter (TSP), particulate matter with diameters that are equal to or smaller than 2.5 & mu;m (PM2.5), and black carbon (BC) were estimated using the EMEP/EEA Tier 2 -technology-specific approach method, in which burned area maps were retrieved using Sentinel-2 imageries and later combined with land cover type and burning efficiency to estimate the quantity of burning biomass emissions. Emission factors were then used to estimate the fires' trace gas and aerosol emissions. The results showed that the highest burned areas were found in the western Mediterranean region in Turkiye and Central Greece (⁓50,000 ha). The atmospheric emissions from these fires were calculated to be similar in both countries. Furthermore, emission amounts were compared with three different global fire emission inventories including GFAS, GFED, and FINN. The emissions obtained from the GFAS database were the highest emissions of the four emission estimation approaches and our estimated emissions were close to the GFAS. Emissions calculated from the other two databases (FINN and GFED) mostly provided underestimated emissions. The emission uncertainties in this study mainly originated from assumptions regarding the inclusion of burned area efficiency in emission calculations, the landcover dataset, and the emission factors used. Overall, this study is considered a new approach to emission calculations using Sentinel-2 data. This research provides further insight into the use of Sentinel-2 data in emission calculation applications at the local to regional scales.