Harun Aydin

A Hydrologic Restoration Attempt of the Dried Akgöl Wetland (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

The Akgöl Wetland has been subject to extensive drainage processes by anthropogenic factors that have almost caused the wetland to disappear since the 1970s. In this contribution, as a one of the pioneering work on wetland restoration in Turkey, we present hydrological studies aiming to restore the natural function of the Akgöl wetland and post-restoration observations. Considering the water budget of the wetland, three scenarios focusing on restoring the wetland hydrology were developed. The open water surface area and volumetric water storage relations for each scenario were simulated using GIS-based tools. The most appropriate scenario for restoration of the Akgöl Wetland was chosen by taking the original state of the wetland prior to drainage as the primary criterion. As the first stage, functioning of the central channel draining the wetland was ceased by refilling it. Following this, an artificial bank was constructed at the narrowest part of the wetland, which resulted in an open water surface that cover all current and former ponds. The wetland has start to hold surface runoff and groundwater inflows since September 2011. Since rewetting, the Akgöl Wetland is regaining its ecosystem functions and the increase in avian population indicate the proposed restoration effort was successful.

HNC-Plot: an excel VBA for visualization of helium, nitrogen and CO2 isotope data of crustal and mantle gases

We present HNC-Plot, an Excel Visual Basic Application (Excel VBA) that can easily be used to create graphical plots of fluids associated with volcanic gases or geothermal manifestations, based on their helium, nitrogen and CO2 isotope data. HNC-Plot has been designed in a simple way; all the user has to do is to input data in an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet also contains buttons which have links to Excel VBA codes that generate plots. Once, the respective button is clicked, and all required variables are defined, Excel VBA generates a plot with labels and axes. Based upon the user preferences, additional tasks such as construction of mixing lines between mantle and crustal gases or calculation of end-member proportions can also be performed. We sincerely believe geoscientists can quickly and easily create these plots, free of charge, with this application. This study also presents previously published data from related literature to show the foundations of the application and to present sample plots created with it.

Mineralogical and Chemical Characterization of Acidic Pumices Outcrop North of Lake Van

In the present study, mineralogical, physical and chemical characteristics of the pumice located in North of Lake Van locations were investigated to find an applicability of them for cement and textile industry. Characterization studies of the pumice samples were carried out by thin section, SEM, XRF, XRD and FTIR analysis. In addition, the bulk density, Hard Grove Index (HGI), pozzolanic activity and reactive silica of the pumice samples were determined. The overall results showed that the pumice samples, which might be an eruption product of Mount Suphan, had an amorphous structure and rhyolite composition in high calc- alkaline series. The chemical compositions and physical properties indicated that the pumice samples could be used in cement and textile industry.