Selim Kapur

Basaltic tephra: potential new resource for ceramic industry

Abstract This preliminary study reveals that basaltic tephra(pumice) is a material suitable for the production of high quality ceramics and also provides important evidence concerning the transfer of the process of manufacture from the laboratory to commercial production. Specifically, the shapes of pores and the uniformity of the pore size frequency distributions in the basaltic ceramic preparations are the major textural properties controlling compressive strength, whereas the contents and textures of fibrous minerals occupying the pores appear to be less significant in determining the physical properties of these ceramics.

Seasonal chemical and mineralogical variability of atmospheric particles in the coastal region of the Northeast Mediterranean

Abstract A time-serial analysis of atmospheric particles collected since 1990 at a coastal site bordering the northeastern Mediterranean Sea shows that the collected samples, display seasonal patterns in both concentration and color. The 1990–91 and 1992 collections yield an annualised average of around 0.5 g/day dust loading reducing to around 0.3 g/day when the sea-salt contribution is excluded. The highest concentrations of atmospheric particles of continental origin for both natural (e.g. Fe, Mn) and anthropogenic (e.g. Cd, Pb) materials are observed between April and October and this variability is inversely related to the frequency and the amount of rainfall. Sea-salt aerosol (Na) contents do not follow this pattern but are related to local wind speeds. Trace elements in the dusts also display seasonal variations in enrichment factors (EF), with respect to average elemental abundances in crustal rocks. The non-enriched (crustal) elements appear to be indicators of long-distance supply while the strongly enriched (anthropogenic) and moderately enriched suites of elements represents inputs from local or “anomalous” sources. The similar morphology of quartz and calcite grains and the uniformity of the clay mineral assemblages in samples collected over a two-year period strongly indicate a common source for the bulk of the atmospheric particles. The dominant clay types (palygorskite and smectite) document a desertic source areas.

The experimental analysis on the Late Quaternary deposits of the Black Sea

Holocene sediments taken from the south-eastern and western Black Sea have been investigated in relation to their geochemical, sedimentological and mineralogical characteristics. Their textures are characterized by their low amount of sand, upward-increasing silt and downward-increasing clay contents. While the terrigenous materials transported from Anatolian volcanic-based sources and European alluvial sediments form the shore deposits, the deep-sea sediments mainly consist of the marine biological production. The highest amount of organic carbon was deposited following the formation of anoxic conditions at the bottom until the beginning of the still continuing carbonate-rich coccolith (Emiliania huxleyi) deposition. The high metal concentrations are associated with fine-grained sediments, some with organic material. The metal concentration is diluted by high organic carbon and carbonate contents within the depositional sequences. While the abundance of illite in the western Black Sea describes the deltaic depositions, the downward decreasing smectite/illite ratio along the core, off the south-eastern shelf, indicates the downward increasing precipitation during the deposition. The variation in the sedimentation pattern and sedimented material is believed to be the response of the biochemical environment in the sea to the changing geological, biological and chemical conditions in and around the Black Sea during the last climatic changes.

Mineralogical, geochemical and micromorphological evaluation of the Plio-Quaternary paleosols and calcretes from Karahamzall, Ankara (Central Turkey)

Abstract We present the mineralogical, micromorphological, and geochemical characteristics of the paleosols and their carbonates from Karahamzall, Ankara (Central Turkey). The paleosols include calcretes of powdery to nodular forms and alternate with channel deposits. The presence of pedofeatures, such as clay cutans, floating grains, circumgranular cracks, MnO linings, secondary carbonate rims, traces of past bioturbation and remnants of root fragments are all the evidence of pedogenesis. Bw is the most common soil horizon showing subangular-angular blocky to granular or prismatic microstructures. Calcretes, on the other hand, are evaluated as semi-mature massive, nodular, tubular or powdery forms. The probable faunal and floral passages may also imply the traces of life from when these alluvial deposits were soil. The presence of early diagenetic palygorskite and dolomite together with high salinization, high calcification and low chemical index of alteration values are evidence of the formation of calcretes under arid and dry conditions. δ13C compositions of the carbonates ranging from -7.11 ‰ to -7.74 ‰ VPDB are comformable with the world pedogenic carbonates favouring the C4 vegetation; likely δ18O compositions of the carbonates are between -3.97 ‰ and -4.91 ‰ which are compatible with the paleosols formed under the influence of meteroic water in the vadose zone

The Role of soil information in land degradation and desertification mapping: a review

Mapping land degradation and desertification (LDD) has generally been considered as a complex task, and past efforts have produced contrasting results. Until recently, this exercise has often been seen as a soil scientist’s task by the international community. However, the actual role and “weight” of soil information in LDD mapping at different spatial scales has been influenced and constrained by the changing conceptual frameworks and data availability. This chapter reviews these aspects and discusses the most recent developments. Starting from the evolving definitions of land degradation and desertification, it describes the use made of soil information by past global mapping initiatives. It presents the related past and new conceptual frameworks, and describes the approaches adopted by the most relevant ongoing international initiatives such as LADA and WAD. Finally, it highlights the existing constraints and limitations and provides recommendations on gaps and needs in terms of soil-related knowledge and data.

The Anthroscape Approach in Sustainable Land Use

The final outcomes of the approach of the anthroscape, seeking to develop a powerful tool for use by the local communities/administrations and relevant bodies for a bottom to top approach, as a quantified entity, means to direct the future land and water use decisions to be taken at lower levels – as farm domains etc. – leading to the development of an “Anthroscape Land Quality Class” map and the relevant “Ideal Land Use Patterns” of the Seyhan Anthroscape. These two final products of quantification are sought to be capable in revealing the magnitude and the distribution of the degradation of the selected area, as well as allocating the ideal land use types given for the percentages of the distributions of land except their specific location. In this context, the downstream part of the map will show the abundant degradation arising via the intensive cultivation practices where the class stated in the map reveals the urgent need of an integrated SLWM Programme to revert the lower class C and D ALQCs to higher ALQCs to meet the requirements of the sustainable use of the land. Whereas, the higher ALQC land in the transition or upstream zone stands for higher resilience and lower input requirements to meet the ideal use of the land. The Net Primary Production (NPP) – The remainder of photosynthesis and respiration – which has significance in the global and regional carbon budgets and is a function of the standing biomass (an important component of the carbon cycle and a key indicator of ecosystem performance) was utilized via land cover and management to serve as a supplementary indicator of the Anthroscape and the Anthroscape Land Quality.

What We Know About the Saga of Land Degradation and How to Deal with It

The 5th International Conference on Land Degradation held at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy in September 2008 brought together some 100 people from 37 countries worldwide. A number of international organisations, like FAO, IAEA, EC, and CIHEAM were also present. The conference was split into 8 sessions where 83 papers (43 oral) were presented. In total 235 abstracts were received. The main outcome was that the fight against land degradation and desertification could be successful if the right policy instruments are put in place and most importantly when local people are both authors and actors of the development process. Moreover, soil conservation and restoration should be one component of an integrated ecosystem management strategy that should include also water, biodiversity, livelihoods and human impacts on ecosystems. There are numerous positive results when dealing with land degradation worldwide. They should be used to emphasise the urgent needs for further actions to accelerate and scale up progress and not to induce complacency. Improved land resources management measures should build on scientific evidence, local innovation and knowledge and be locally tested and validated before being applied at larger scale. Natural resource base conservation should continue to be a priority for national governments and international organisations but Africa requires particular attention. The recent financial, economic and food global crisis should not overshadow the urgent needs to deal with natural resource management and conservation and mitigate climate change impacts.

Microstructure of red brick dust and ground basaltic pumice blended cement mortars exposed to magnesium sulphate solutions

This paper presents a laboratory study on the deterioration of blended cement combinations of plain Portland cement (PPC) with red brick dust (RBD) and ground basaltic pumice (GBP). The compressive...

Firing Temperatures and Raw Material Sources of Ancient Hittite Ceramics of Asia Minor

The firing temperature and production technology together with the provenance and source materials of a group of the Domuztepe (Cilicia, Turkey) Late-Hittite ceramics were studied by mineralogical analyses. The mineralogical (presence of basaltic minerals and the formation of forsterite and tridymite as high temperature minerals) results revealed that this group of Late-Hittite ceramics were products of a mixture of local raw materials such as basalts (10–15%) and soils developed on olivine basalts (70–75%). Evidence demonstrated that the potters of that period were highly aware of achieving temperatures well around 1000°C, despite the lack of proficiency or unwillingness to sustain prolonged firing durations, that later became the norm of cultures in Asia Minor.

Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Dynamics as Influenced by Land Use and Climate

Recent increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration and increased climate variations enforced us to improve our understanding of the terrestrial biosphere to improve human-ecosystem harmony in regard with processes and feedbacks that have functions in the earth system as a whole. Terrestrial ecosystems are principal components of the main carbon pools and land use has a decisive impact on these pools. Studies showed that converting forest and grasslands to farmlands and urban areas can result in considerable amount of carbon losses to atmosphere. However, emitted amounts may depend on the geographical region as well as type of vegetation cover of the converted areas. Recent studies showed that feedbacks between climate change and vegetation is more complicated than it was thought. Combined with these feedbacks, the land use changes may have an intricate impact on carbon exchange between atmosphere and biosphere. Studies showed that the consequences of changes in land use are beyond the expected in terms of ecosystem functioning and environmental quality. Complex interactions among climate, soil, plant productivity, and land management should be understood well to balance ecosystem functions and human welfare. In this literature review, we discussed interactions and feedbacks among terrestrial ecosystems and global carbon balance in regard with global climate change.