Lead in the tissues of terrestrial raptors in southern Ontario, Canada, 1995-2001

Terrestrial raptors which feed on upland hunted game species may increase their risk to lead exposure and lead poisoning by ingesting lead shot found in the tissues of prey. Lead exposure in 225 individuals of nineteen species of terrestrial raptors, collected as carcasses in southern Ontario from 1995-2001, was examined through the analysis of bone, liver and kidney tissues. In this study, one red-tailed hawk contained liver lead concentrations and exhibited signs consistent with lead poisoning. Liver and kidney concentrations of one turkey vulture were also significantly higher than that associated with subclinical effects. This same bird, plus another turkey vulture and a northern harrier, had elevated bone lead concentrations (>10 microg/g dw) associated with possible toxicity. Turkey vultures had the highest mean concentrations of lead in bone and kidney compared to other raptor species. While it appeared only a single bird suffered acute lead poisoning, lead levels exceeded threshold concentrations associated with subclinical or acute toxicity in 4 of 225, almost 2%, of terrestrial raptors assessed. Given the association between lead exposure in raptors and hunting of game species reported in other studies, the continued use of lead shot for upland hunting in Ontario likely remains as one of the primary sources of lead and a continued risk to these birds of prey.     

The wind power potential of the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey

The wind energy potential in the eastern Mediterranean region has been investigated using hourly wind data taken from seven stations during 1992-2001 periods by the Turkish Meteorological Service. The present work suggests that in the east Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey, wind energy sources are convenient for electricity generation. The mean power density was determined as 500 W/m² in many areas of this region at 25 m from the ground level. The most promising locations in terms of wind power generation are identified. The contours of constant wind speed and power potential could lead the private power developers to decide the locations of appropriate wind farms.     

Structural analysis of greenhouses: A case study in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the structural and functional characteristics of the greenhouses in greenhouse enterprises of Turkey. Greenhouse enterprises are widely common along the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean cost lines. Marmara region was selected as the study area since it is the pioneering region and has large areas allocated to greenhouses, and has various greenhouse types. Information about greenhouse types, material properties, placement, and arrangement of greenhouses in the study area was gathered by a questionnaire; then greenhouses in enterprises were divided into groups based on cover material, load bearing materials and directional placement. A total of four types of greenhouse with the most economic cross-section, one from each group, were selected and load acting on structural members of greenhouses were calculated. Loads acting on beams of each greenhouse were analysed by Force Method and Moment Distribution Method. The results obtained were compared statistically to determine the best methodology for structural analysis of greenhouses. As a result, no statistical difference was found between moments and shear forces obtained from both methods. However, a difference occurred based on greenhouse types and it was determined that the values obtained for trussed block greenhouse were higher than the other ones.     

Factors affecting perceptions of the choice between acquisition and greenfield entry: The case of Western FDI in an emerging market

Abstract and Key Results

Concentrations of elements in Lias coals from the eastern Black Sea Region,NE-Turkey

The element contents and organic matter-element relation between Lias-aged coals exposed in four fields in Gümü?hane and Bayburt were investigated. In general, fixed carbon and gross calorific values of the Edire and Balkaynak coals are higher than Güvercinlik and Çerçi coals. The highest ash yields were observed in the Çerçi coals. The concentrations of Mg, P, Ca, Mo, Y, Ni, U, Zn, Ga, Ba, W, Sr, Ta, and Be of the analysed coals are positively correlated with ash yield, indicating an organic affinity. The Lias-aged coals located in Gümü?hane and Bayburt are low-rank coals.     

Suitability of saturated aldehydes as lipid oxidation markers in washed turkey meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of saturated aldehydes as lipid oxidation markers in washed turkey muscle, by means of headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography (HS-SPME-GC); the results were compared with the widely used thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) method. Changes in TBARs, propanal and hexanal concentrations were determined over time in a model system consisting of turkey muscle washed with a sodium phosphate buffer (pH 5.6). To stop oxidation from occurring during analysis, an antioxidant mixture (EDTA, trolox and propyl gallate) was added immediately before analyses. After antioxidant addition, propanal and TBARs concentrations did not increase during 8 h of further storage, while an unexpected decrease in hexanal was observed. To determine if aldehydes were interacting with washed turkey muscle, hexanal and propanal were added to either phosphate buffer or washed muscle and concentrations were monitored for 24 h. Neither propanal nor hexanal decreased in the phosphate buffer over time, but the headspace concentration of propanal and hexanal in washed turkey muscle were markedly lower (76% and 96%, respectively) at time zero and continued to decreased up to 24 h of storage. Because of this decrease in headspace aldehyde concentrations, TBARs were found to be a more sensitive and accurate marker of oxidative deterioration in washed turkey muscle.     

Renewable hydrogen energy regulations,codes and standards: Challenges faced by an EU candidate country

The European Union is one of the most important players in the field of world energy with an integrated and well-organized energy market. However, energy policies in the EU are not sustainable. The EU is the world’s largest importer of fossil fuels and is leading global action in accelerating the transition to renewable energy and low-carbon economy at present. Renewables make the second-largest contribution to domestic energy production after coal.     

Regional sustainable water and energy development projects: A case of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) in Turkey

Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in Turkey is rich in water for irrigation and hydroelectric power. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers represent over 28% of the nation's water supply by rivers, and the economically irrigable areas in the region make up 20% of those for the entry country. Turkey has a total gross hydropower potential of 433 GWh/yr, but only 125 GWh/yr of the total hydroelectric potential of Turkey can be economically used. By the construction of new hydropower plants, 36% of the economically usable potential of the country would be tapped. The GAP region has a 22% share of the country's total hydroelectric potential, with plans for 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric power plants. Once completed, 27 billion kWh of electricity will be generated annually.     

Evaluation of wind energy investment interest and electricity generation cost analysis for Turkey

Turkey has remarkable wind energy potential, but its utilisation rate is very low. However, in 2007, energy investors applied to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) with 751 wind projects to obtain a 78180.2 MW wind power plant license. This paper first presents an overview of wind energy development in the world and then reviews related situations in Turkey. Second, to motivate the interest in wind energy investment, new wind power plant license applications in Turkey are analysed. Finally, wind electricity generation cost analyses were performed at 14 locations in Turkey. Capacity factors of investigated locations were calculated between 19.7% and 56.8%, and the production cost of electrical energy was between 1.73 and 4.99 $cent/kW h for two different wind shear coefficients.     

Evaluation of the performance of a ground-source heat-pump system with series GHE (ground heat exchanger) in the cold climate region

Ground-source heat-pump systems provide a new and clean way of heating buildings in the world. They make use of renewable energy stored in the ground, providing one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating buildings. Consumption costs are lowered through the use of free energy from the environment, and the dependence on fossil fuels simultaneously reduces. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of vertical ground-source heat-pump system for climatic condition of Erzurum having cold climate in Turkey. For this purpose, an experimental set-up was constructed. The experimental apparatus consisted of a series GHE (ground heat exchanger), a liquid-to-liquid vapor compression heat pump, water circulating pumps and other measurement equipments. In this study, the performance of the system was experimentally investigated. The experimental results were obtained from October to May for the months of heating season of 2008–2009. The experimental results indicate that the average heat-pump COP and overall system’s COPS values are approximately 3.0 and 2.6 in the coldest months of heating season. This study also shows that this system could be used for residential heating in the province of Erzurum being a cold climate region of Turkey.