Civil Engineering / İnşaat Mühendisliği
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/13
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Article Citation - Scopus: 1Anomalous Crustal Structure Beneath the Örenli-Eğiller Depression Zone, Inferred From Magnetotelluric Studies, Western Anatolia, Türkiye(TÜBİTAK - Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, 2024) Chandrasekharam, Dornadula; Raju, K.; Subba Rao, P.B.V.; Baba, AlperIn Türkiye, the prevalence of high radiogenic granites makes them ideal locations for initiating enhanced geothermal system (EGS) projects. One such occurrence of these granites is observed in the Kozak area of the Bergama region. To assess the energy potential of this site, a magnetotelluric (MT) survey was conducted, focusing on determining the depth distribution of the intrusive granite. The survey employed dimensionality analysis, utilizing Bahr skew and phase tensor analyses that denote a 2D subsurface nature up to 100 s and beyond that a 3D nature. In the present study, we interpreted MT data up to 100 s. The data collected, including rotated impedance tensors and tippers, were inverted using a nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm integrated into the MT interpretation software of the WinG Link 2D inversion data modeling package. Multiple homogeneous half-space initial models were tested during the 2D inversion process. The findings indicate the existence of a midcrustal conductor associated with graphites and iron sulfides in the source region. This conductivity may be attributed to processes such as exsolution of metamorphic fluids, influx of mantle sources, or the entry of magmatic fluids through transcrustal fault zones. The findings indicate that the intrusive granite was emplaced along a NE–SW major fault, penetrating shallow crustal levels. The depth of this granite intrusion is determined to be 15 km, covering an outcrop area of 60 km². This detailed geological information allows a comprehensive assessment of the power-generating capacity of the intrusive granite. The results of this investigation contribute valuable insights for the development and optimization of Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) projects in the region. © 2024, TUBITAK. All rights reserved.Article Citation - Scopus: 3A Brief Overview on Geothermal Scaling(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), 2023) Isık, Tuğba; Baba, Alper; Chandrasekharam, Dornadula; Demir, Mustafa M.; Isık, Tuğba; Baba, Alper; Demir, Mustafa MuammerHot spring waters are rich in terms of minerals. Since there are dramatic changes in thermodynamic parameters in geothermal power plants, such as a decrease in temperature and pressure, severe precipitation occurs throughout the system components in an uncontrolled manner. There are three main chemistries in deposits: carbonates (mainly calcium carbonates), silicates (metal silicates), and sulphides (antimony sulphide-stibnite). Energy harvesting is remarkably reduced out of the insulating nature of the deposit. Various actions need to be taken to mitigate this undesirable issue of scaling in geothermal systems. Geothermal systems are in fact quite complex, and the composition of brine and, accordingly, the chemistry of the deposit are not identical. Therefore, each system should be studied individually, and a tailor-made remedy should be developed. In this overview, the types of deposits in terms of chemistry and the actions (pH modification or antiscalant dosing) that should be taken to reduce scaling are mentioned, and potential chemistries of antiscalants are given.Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 15High Heat Generating Granites of Kestanbol: Future Enhanced Geothermal System (egs) Province in Western Anatolia(TÜBİTAK - Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, 2021) Chandrasekharam, Dornadula; Baba, AlperAlthough the western Anatolian region is a foci for hydrothermal systems, this region has several high heat-generating granitic intrusive bodies that qualify to be candidates for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Considering the future energy requirement, carbon dioxide emissions reduction strategies, food, and water security issues, these granites appear to be the future clean energy source for the country. One such granite intrusive is located in the Kestanbol area in the western Anatolian region. The radioactive heat generation of this 28 Ma old granite varies from 5.25 to 10.38 µW/m3 with a heat flow of 92.47 to 128.61 mW/m2 . These values concur with the measured geothermal gradients and heat flow values measured from exploratory bore wells. High radon content in the thermal waters in these areas indicates interaction between the circulating fluids and the Kestanbol granite. This is for the first time evaluation of the EGS potential of granite intrusive in Turkey has been made. The Kestanbol intrusive is placed under a compressive stress regime within the Anatolian-Aegean regional tectonic framework.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 5Use of Geothermal Fluid for Agricultural Irrigation: Preliminary Studies in Balçova-Narlıdere Geothermal Field (turkey)(2021) Meriç, M. Kamil; Kukul, Yasemin Senem; Özçakal, Emrah; Barlas, N. Tuba; Çakıcı, Hakan; Jarma, Yakubu Abdullahi; Kabay, Nalan; Baba, AlperBalçova-Narlıdere Geothermal Field (BNGF) hosts the largest geothermal district heating system of Turkey and several geothermal wells used for district heating and thermal tourism activities. This study assesses the use of BNGF geothermal fluid for agricultural activities. The spent geothermal brine was treated using nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes on a pilot-scale membrane test system. The qualities of the product were evaluated in terms of agricultural irrigation integrated with the implemented innovative wireless sensor network. It is important to use geothermal fluid, which is consists of valuable minerals, for irrigation. But when using geothermal fluid in irrigation, the chemical composition of the water must be carefully monitored to prevent damage to the plants. Nevertheless, the first result shows that the use of geothermal fluid to irrigate is proving to be a promising and economically viable option in BNGF.Article Citation - WoS: 8Citation - Scopus: 8Structural Controls and Hydrogeochemical Properties of Geothermal Fields in the Varto(TÜBİTAK Scientific & Technological Research Council Turkey, 2021) Uzelli, Taygun; Sener, Mehmet Furkan; Dolek, Iskender; Baba, Alper; Sozbilir, Hasan; Dirik, Ramazan KadirVarto and the surrounding region have important geothermal fields, developing in strike-slip tectonic setting in East Anatolia, which resulted from the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. The main structural elements in the area are the NE-trending sinistral and NW-trending dextral strike-slip fault segments and N-S trending extension zones. In order to determine fault-controlled geothermal circulation, it is very important to fully characterize the structural elements in these complex environments. The widely distributed volcanic rocks have fracture and crack systems that play an important role in surface infiltration, geothermal fluid, and groundwater circulation. Especially in areas where the fault segments intersect, hot springs outlets and natural resources easily come to the surface. In order to understand the flow paths of geothermal fluid along the faults in these geothermal systems, it is necessary to determine the stress state of the faults and to map the distribution of the structural elements. For this reason, we conducted a detailed study on the Varto Fault Zone, which has important geothermal fields in Eastern Anatolia. We present conceptual models of the geothermal fields in the Varto region that show favorable geothermal activity on the intersecting fault segments, fault bends, step-overs, and accompanying fracture-crack sets. As a result, we emphasize that the planes of strike-slip faults in transtensional areas are more favorable for secondary permeability and enhances the geothermal fluid circulation, and this can be supported by hydrogeochemical data.Article Citation - WoS: 4Citation - Scopus: 15Effects of Seismic Activity on Groundwater Level and Geothermal Systems in İzmir, Western Anatolia, Turkey: the Case Study From October 30, 2020 Samos Earthquake(TÜBİTAK - Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, 2021) Uzelli, Taygun; Bilgiç, Esra; Öztürk, Bahadır; Baba, Alper; Sözbilir, Hasan; Tatar, OrhanThe October 30, 2020 Samos earthquake (Mw 6.6) affected the Aegean Sea and environs, caused destruction and loss of life in the city of İzmir located 70 km away from the earthquake epicenter. Before this earthquake, water resources were monitored in the areas of Bayraklı, Gülbahçe, and Seferihisar. For this purpose, 10 groundwater monitoring wells were drilled in the Bayraklı area, where groundwater level, temperature, and electrical conductivity changes were monitored at 1-h intervals in 5 wells. Besides physical parameters such as groundwater levels, temperatures and electrical conductivities, hydrogeochemical cations, and anions measured in the study area. Change in the groundwater levels was observed before, during, and after the Samos earthquake. A trend of rising groundwater level was observed two days before the mainshock, to a height of 10 cm, and the level was maintained till the end of the earthquake. The water levels returned to its original height after about 7 to 10 days of the earthquake. Moreover, electrical conductivity (EC) values were changed because of the interaction with the surrounding rocks and well walls, mixing with different waters during the earthquake shaking. The essential anomalies were observed in the geothermal fields of Gülbahçe and Seferihisar. Due to this earthquake, new geothermal springs emerged along the NE-SW trending Gülbahçe and Tuzla faults, located about 50 to 20 km from the Samos earthquake epicenter, respectively. The new geothermal waters are in Na-Cl composition and similar to other geothermal springs in the region. While the recorded water temperatures in the new geothermal springs vary from 40 to 45 °C in Seferihisar, it was measured between 35 and 40 °C in Gülbahçe. Due to these anomalies, it is found essential to monitor the effect of the earthquake on the physical and chemical characteristics of the groundwater and its usefulness in earthquake predictions.Article Citation - WoS: 7Citation - Scopus: 8Enrichment of Trace Element Concentrations in Coal and Its Combustion Residues and Their Potential Environmental and Human Health Impact: Can Coal Basin, Nw Turkey as a Case Study(Inderscience Enterprises, 2016) Baba, Alper; Gürdal, Gülbin; Şanlıyüksel Yücel, DenizIn this study, the variation of trace element concentrations ( total of 48 trace elements including rare earth elements) in coal, coal ash and fly ash were examined and compared with coal Clarke values. Results showed that the average concentrations of trace elements including As, B, Cu, Ce, Co, Cs, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Mo, Nd, Nb, Pr, Pb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr in the Can Basin coals are higher than their respective Clarke values for world low-rank coals. The elements As, Cu, Co, Cs, Mo, Nb, Sc, Pb, Pr, Th, U, V, Zn and Zr are enriched in coal ashes, whereas As, Co, Nb, Sc, U and V are enriched in fly ashes. Among the elements, maximum enrichment in coal was observed for As, with the average concentration of 253.5 ppm As in the Can Basin coals, while the coal Clarke value is 14 ppm and world average value is 8.3 ppm. From the ecotoxicological point of view, combustion residues formed by indoor combustion of coal and/or in thermal power plants may be a hazard to the environment and to aquatic and terrestrial life including human beings, particularly As, trace elements and released radioactive elements.Article Citation - WoS: 1Hydrogeochemical and Hydrogeological Investigation of the Can Geothermal Field(TMMOB Jeoloji Mühendisleri Odası, 2010) Deniz, Ozan; Baba, Alper; Tarcan, GultekinThe Can Geothermal Field is located on a central part of the Biga Peninsula in northwest Turkey. Volcanics are the dominant rock type in this region. Alteration zones and clay minerals are very common in these rocks. Sedimentary rocks, low-grade metamorphics and alluvium are other geological units observed around Can. These units include common fracture zones because of the tectonic activity in the region. Thermal waters have reached the surface via these fracture zones. Alluvium is the most productive aquifer in all geological units. Wells drilled in this unit yield between 5-30 L/s. The transmissibility and permeability coefficients of this unit are of 50-421 m(2)/day and of 1.01-16.8 m/day, respectively. In this aquifer, groundwater depth changes between 0.1 and 8.3m. According to the IAH (1979) water classification, these thermal waters are of the Na-Ca-SO4 type, the cold waters are of the Ca-Mg-HCO3 type and the snow samples are of a mixed water type. Geothermal waters have a meteoric origin. The mean temperature, electrical conductivity and pH of the thermal waters have values of 44.4 degrees C, 2941 mu S/cm and 6.9, respectively. Geothermometer equations were used for prediction of reservoir fluid temperatures of the geothermal system and temperature values were obtained between 46 and 203 degrees C. delta D, delta T and delta O-18 isotope analysis showes that thermal waters in the Can region have a meteoric origin and are a minimum of 45-50 years old.Article The Relation of Geogenic and Antrophogenic Factors With Blood and Hair Lead and Arsenic Levels in Women Living in Çan and Bayramiç Districts of Çanakkale Province(Nobelmedicus, 2019) Baba, Alper; Gündüz, Orhan; Bakar, Çoşkun; Sülün, Serdar; Save, DilşadObjective: Mining areas and associated industrial activities carry considerable risks for human health due to multi-pathway exposure of heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. The objective of this study was to compare arsenic and lead levels in human blood and hair samples in an industrial mining area in northwestern Turkey with that of a non-exposed group demonstrating similar sociocultural characteristics. Material and Method: The population of the study consisted of 674 nonsmoker women over the age of 40 who were selected on a random basis from mine region and control area. Venous blood samples were taken and analyzed for blood lead and arsenic levels in all participants. Hair samples were later collected from 108 women with high levels in blood samples. Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence of occurrences was found in district centers whereas relatively lower values were observed in the villages. Hair arsenic and lead levels were comparably higher in the industrialized area (Çan Region) where low-quality coal combustion used in power generation and residential heating were dominant. Conclusion: Although high correlations were not found, blood and hair arsenic and lead levels in individuals living in industrial and agricultural areas were found to be high at levels influencing the human health. On the other hand, these results should be further supported and verified with advanced and long duration monitoring activities.Article Citation - WoS: 4Citation - Scopus: 4Determining Water and Sediment Quality Related To Lead-Zinc Mining Activity(Polish Academy of Sciences, 2018) Şanlıyüksel Yücel, Deniz; Baba, AlperThis study focuses on the Koru and Tesbihdere Pb-Zn mining districts, located at the upstream areas of the Umurbey dam basin. Mining activities in Koru, one of the longest operated mines in NW Turkey, date back to the beginning of the 1900s. The purpose of the study is to (1) determine the hydrochemical properties of the water resources and to assess the potential environmental consequences of mining activities in the Koru and Tesbihdere mining districts, and (2) investigate the effects caused by mining activities on the water resources and sediment quality in the Umurbey dam basin. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in river sediments downstream of the Tesbihdere and Koru mining district, and in the Umurbey dam sediments were higher than the world average for river sediments. The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor revealed that sediments were strongly polluted with Pb and Zn, moderately to strongly polluted with Cd and moderately polluted with Cu. The chemical analyses of water resources revealed that the maximum Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Cu concentrations reached 2890 μg/l, 1785 μg/l, 1180 μg/l, 984 μg/l, and 419 μg/l, respectively. The Koru River is classified as polluted water according to Turkish inland water quality regulations. The environmental contamination problems in the local drainage system are caused by leakage from past and current tailing ponds into the Koru River.