Investigation of the Effect of Hydrothermal Waters on Radionuclide Activity Concentrations in Natural Marble with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Natural Radioactivity Levels of the Beach Sands of Cleopatra Beach and Damlatas Beach (Türkiye) and Their Impact on Human Health

HPGe γ spectrometry method was used to measure the natural radioactivity levels (40K, 232Th, and 226Ra) of the beach sand samples from Cleopatra Beach and Damlatas Beach in Antalya (Türkiye). The mean 40K, 232Th, and 226Ra radioactivity levels of the studied samples were calculated as 276.88 ± 17.24, 25.04 ± 2.88, and 17.06 ± 1.68 Bq/kg, respectively. Being below the radiation limits, these values indicate no risk in terms of public health. Moreover, the radiological risk parameters, such as excess lifetime cancer risk, radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed γ dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (Eaed), γ index (Iγ), internal radiation hazard index (Hin), and external radiation hazard index (Hex), were calculated. The values of all of these parameters were found to be below the internationally accepted radiation limit values. In addition, distribution maps showing the radiological situation of the region were generated although they did not pose a hazard to public health. No results were found in the analysis processes related to artificial radioactivity.

Evaluation of the surface water and sediment quality in the Duger basin (Burdur, Turkey) using multivariate statistical analyses and identification of heavy metals

The study aims to determine the chemical contents of the surface water of the Duger Creek and the sediments of the Duger basin, which feeds the Burdur Lake, the correlation between these contents, the potential ecological risks of these contents, the toxic heavy metal contents, and their spatial distribution by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy method. The Duger basin, which has been selected as the study area, is located on the streams feeding the Burdur Lake, which has been determined as the Ramsar area in Turkey. Burdur Lake has a key role in the ecological balance due to its biological diversity, characteristic animal/plant fauna since it provides a suitable area for seasonal migration of waterfowl. Considering all these functions, the surface water and sediment quality of the Duger basin, which is located in the streams feeding Burdur Lake, is critical. In this study, elemental compositions of 20 water and 20 sediment samples collected from the Duger basin were determined by using the XRF spectroscopy method. Many elements that may have toxicological characteristics in terms of human and environmental health have been detected in the surface water and sediment samples from the Duger basin. These elements were found to have the following average values: Al (60.09 mg/L), Co (3.35 mg/L), Zn (3.35 mg/L), Cu (2.21 mg/L), Cr (0.14 mg/L). It is interpreted that they may be toxic because they exceed the limits specified in WHO 2004. In this context, the surface water in the Duger basin, which feeds the Burdur Lake, must be filtered before using it as drinking water or for agricultural and livestock purposes. New strategic planning is suggested to ensure the sustainability of the basin's surface water quality.

Data Analysis of Beach Sands’ Chemical Analysis Using Multivariate Statistical Methods and Heavy Metal Distribution Maps: The Case of Moonlight Beach Sands, Kemer, Antalya, Turkey

Multivariate statistical methods are widely used in several disciplines of fundamental sciences. In the present study, the data analysis of the chemical analysis of the sands of Moonlight Beach in the Kemer region was examined using multivariate statistical methods. This study consists of three parts. The multivariate statistical analysis tests were described in the first part, then the pollution indexes were studied in the second part. Finally, the distribution maps of the chemical analyses and pollution indexes were generated using the obtained data. The heavy metals were mostly observed in location K1, while they were sorted as follows based on their concentrations: Mg > Fe > Al > Ti > Sr > Mn > Cr > Ni > Zn > Zr > Cu > Rb. Also, strong positive correlations were found between Si, Fe, Al, K, Ti, P. According to the results of factor analysis, it was found that four factors explained 83.5% of the total variance. On the other hand, the coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated as 63.6% in the regression model. Each unit increase in the value of Ti leads to an increase of 0.022 units in the value of Si. Potential Ecological Risk Index analysis results (RI < 150) revealed that the study area had no risk. However, the locations around Moonlight Beach are under risk in terms of Enrichment Factor and Contamination Factor values. The index values of heavy metals in the anomaly maps and their densities were found to be successful; and higher densities were observed based on heavy metal anomalies.