Abdullah Zararsız

Investigation of the sediment pollution in Izmir Bay: trace elements

Abstract The pollution of Izmir Bay was investigated by measuring the trace elements of the surface sediments. The sediment samples were collected from 100 locations in Izmir Bay, five rivers and five sewer outfalls. The collected samples were acid digested and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), flame atomic emission spectrometry (FAES), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for a total of 16 trace elements. Selected samples were also analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for 39 additional elements. The AAS, XRF and INAA techniques agreed fairly well for most of the elements studied. The concentrations of elements showed significant differences between inner, middle and outer bays with higher concentrations in the inner bay. The distributions of the crustal enrichment factors were also prepared and investigated.

Indoor/outdoor concentrations and elemental composition of PM10/PM2.5 in urban/industrial areas of Kocaeli City, Turkey.

This study presents indoor/outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations measured during winter and summer in 15 homes in Kocaeli, which is one of the most industrialized areas in Turkey. Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations and elemental composition were determined using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Quantitative information was obtained on mass concentrations and other characteristics such as seasonal variation, indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio, PM2.5/PM10 ratio, correlations and sources. Average indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were 29.8 and 23.5 microg/m(3) for the summer period, and 24.4 and 21.8 microg/m(3) for the winter period, respectively. Average indoor and outdoor PM10 concentrations were 45.5 and 59.9 microg/m(3) for the summer period, and 56.9 and 102.3 microg/m(3) for the winter period, respectively. A varimax rotated factor analysis (FA) was performed separately on indoor and outdoor datasets in an effort to identify possible heavy metal sources of PM2.5 and PM10 particle fractions. FA of outdoor data produced source categories comprising polluted soil, industry, motor vehicles, and fossil fuel combustion for both PM fractions, while source categories determined for indoor data for both PM2.5 and PM10 comprised industry, polluted soil, motor vehicles, and smoking, with an additional source category of cooking activities detected for the PM2.5 fraction. Practical Implications In buildings close to industrial areas or traffic arteries, outdoor sources may have an important effect on indoor air pollution. Therefore, indoor and outdoor investigations should be conducted simultaneously to assess the relationship between indoor and outdoor pollution. This study presents the simultaneous measurement of PM fractions (PM2.5 and PM10) and their elemental compositions to determine the sources of respirable PM and the heavy metals bound to these particles in indoor air. Factor analysis of indoor data indicated that the contribution of outdoor pollutant sources to indoor pollution was about 70%, making these sources the most significant for indoor heavy metal pollution, wheras other sources of indoor pollution included smoking and cooking activities.

An approach to measure trace elements in particles collected on fiber filters using EDXRF

A method developed for analyzes of large number of aerosol samples using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and its performance were discussed in this manuscript. Atmospheric aerosol samples evaluated in this study were collected on cellulose fiber (Whatman-41) filters, employing a Hi-Vol sampler, at a monitoring station located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, between 1993 and 2001. Approximately 1700 samples were collected in this period. Six-hundred of these samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation (INAA), and the rest were archived. EDXRF was selected as an analytical technique to analyze 1700 aerosol samples because of its speed and non-destructive nature. However, analysis of aerosol samples collected on fiber filters with a surface technique such as EDXRF was a challenge. Penetration depth calculation performed in this study revealed that EDXRF can obtain information from top 150μm of our fiber filter material. Calibration of the instrument with currently available thin film standards caused unsatisfactory results since the actual penetration depth of particles into fiber filters were much deeper than 150μm. A method was developed in this manuscript to analyze fiber filter samples quickly with XRF. Two hundred samples that were analyzed by INAA were divided into two equal batches. One of these batches was used to calibrate the XRF and the second batch was used for verification. The results showed that developed method can be reliably used for routine analysis of fiber samples loaded with ambient aerosol.

Determination of wear metals in used lubricating oils by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract Application of an X-ray fluorescence analytical procedure for the determination of wear metals in used lubricating oils is described. Oil saoples were collected from UH-IH type helicopter engines at regular intervals and subjected to chemical peatreatment in order to remove the high viscosity of the oil and particle size effects. The procedure was used to determine the concentration of topper and iron wear metals in oils. They were found to increase with engine operating time. The results obtained show that the XRFS procedure provides a better indication of impending machine failure than conventional methods.

Determination of high-Z materials in low-Z medium by X-ray scattering techniques

Abstract The quantitative determination of high- Z elements (mineral matter and ash) in low- Z medium (coal) by X-ray scattering techniques is presented. The X-ray fluorescence method and backscattering techniques were used to examine 40 well characterized domestic lignite samples from different deposits. The ash content in the coal samples was found to vary between 6 and 25%. Correlations between the Rayleigh/Compton intensity ratio ( R/C ) and ash and between R/C and mineral matter of coal were depicted with linear and quadratic functions.

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Iron in Ore Dressing Processes

Abstract The investigation of iron using off - line energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, in iron ore dressing process, is presented. Techniques have been developed to determine the quality control of grinding, homogenization, separation, classification processes and residue material in dry basis of iron deposit. The laboratory trials on a wide variety of iron ores indicated that the range of ore grades is from 28–40 % Fe and maximum value is to be found 70 % Fe for processed ore. The results obtained increased the knowledge and performance of the dressing process which is of basic importance for its improvement and future automation.

LIII subshell intensity ratios of Au

ABSTRACT In this study, LIII subshell intensity ratios were measured using an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy method. Only the LIII subshell of gold was excited by the characteristic x-rays of the element used as the secondary source (Br- K α,β rays from NaBr). The emitted x-rays were measured with a Si(Li) detector system coupled to a multi-channel analyser and computer system. L ι /L α1,2, L2,15/L α1,2, L β6/L α1,2 intensity ratios of Au were determined by spectral analysis. The experimental results are compared with those of other experimenters and with the Scofield calculations.