An integrated assessment of water quality in an arsenic containing aquifer: Milestones from hydrogeology to public health

5th International Perspective on Water Resources & the Environment Conference (IPWE 2012), MoroccoA multi-disciplinary research is being conducted in Simav Plain, Turkey where an arsenic containing aquifer is at the center of attention. The study is not only aimed to understand the sources and mechanisms of the presence of high arsenic levels in groundwater but also to determine the associated consequences with regards to human health. The high arsenic levels in most groundwater (N=33, avg. 162 ppb), surface water (N=9, avg. 76.6 ppb) and geothermal water (N=3, avg. 406 ppb) samples are strongly related to high occurrences of arsenic in rocks and soils of the plain, which range between 7.1 and 833.9 ppm with an average of 49 ppm. These values correspond to several orders of magnitude higher than international standards and world averages in water and soil, respectively. With this motivation, this research also focuses on human health in the study area associated with exposure to these high arsenic levels via numerous pathways. Consequently, more than 1000 individuals were personally surveyed by public health specialists to determine an inventory of diseases in the area. Furthermore, a verbal autopsy study was also conducted with relatives of the deceased, which were further verified with hospital records, to understand the underlying death cause. As a result, certain cancer rates were found to exceed national averages and the results statistically demonstrated a potential link with high arsenic levels mainly through oral exposure

Modeling of seawater intrusion in a coastal aquifer of Karaburun Peninsula, western Turkey

Seawater intrusion is a major problem to freshwater resources especially in coastal areas where fresh groundwater is surrounded and could be easily influenced by seawater. This study presents the development of a conceptual and numerical model for the coastal aquifer of Karareis region (Karaburun Peninsula) in the western part of Turkey. The study also presents the interpretation and the analysis of the time series data of groundwater levels recorded by data loggers. The SEAWAT model is used in this study to solve the density-dependent flow field and seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifer that is under excessive pumping particularly during summer months. The model was calibrated using the average values of a 1-year dataset and further verified by the average values of another year. Five potential scenarios were analyzed to understand the effects of pumping and climate change on groundwater levels and the extent of seawater intrusion in the next 10 years. The result of the analysis demonstrated high levels of electrical conductivity and chloride along the coastal part of the study area. As a result of the numerical model, seawater intrusion is simulated to move about 420 m toward the land in the next 10 years under “increased pumping” scenario, while a slight change in water level and TDS concentrations was observed in “climate change” scenario. Results also revealed that a reduction in the pumping rate from Karareis wells will be necessary to protect fresh groundwater from contamination by seawater.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK 113Y042

Evaluation of the environmental pressures on groundwater in Gedız Basin

67. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurultayı, 14-18 Nisan 2014, AnkaraSon yıllarda küresel iklim değişikliklerine bağlı olarak ülkemiz genelinde su potansiyelinin gerek kalite gerekse miktar açısından önemli oranda baskı altında olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu bağlamda, sürdürülebilir su potansiyelinin geliştirilmesine yönelik olarak bir takım önlemlerin alınması zorunlu hale gelmiştir. Bunun için öncelikli olarak, ülkemizde mevcut yeraltı su durumunun miktar ve kalite açısından belirlenmesi için havza bazında hidrojeolojik çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bunlardan biri ise Ege Bölgesinin en büyük nehir havzalarından biri olan Gediz havzasıdır. Gediz havzasında mevcut su potansiyelinin belirlenmesine yönelik olarak 2012 yılından bu yana hidrolojik, hidrojeolojik ve hidrojeokimyasal çalışmalar sürdürülmektedir. Gediz havzasında yapılan ve elde edilen ön bulgular bu çalışma kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. Yapılan çalışmalar sonucunda 17146 km2’lik bir alanı kapsayan Gediz havzasında en önemli yeraltı suyu kütlelerinin, havza alanının %18’ini kaplayan alüvyonel birimler ve %12’sini kaplayan karstik kaya ortamlar (Mesozoyik kireçtaşları, Paleozoyik mermerler ve Neojen kireçtaşları) olduğu saptanmıştır

In a Real-Life Setting, Direct-Acting Antivirals to People Who Inject Drugs with Chronic Hepatitis C in Turkey

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) should be treated in order to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the world. The aim of this study was to compare direct-acting antivirals treatment of hepatitis C virus for PWID and non-PWID in a real-life setting. Methods: We performed a prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter cohort study in 37 centers. All patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 1, 2017, and February 28, 2019, were included. In total, 2713 patients were included in the study among which 250 were PWID and 2463 were non-PWID. Besides patient characteristics, treatment response, follow-up, and side effects of treatment were also analyzed. Results: Genotype 1a and 3 were more prevalent in PWID-infected patients (20.4% vs 9.9% and 46.8% vs 5.3%). The number of naive patients was higher in PWID (90.7% vs 60.0%), while the number of patients with cirrhosis was higher in non-PWID (14.1% vs 3.7%). The loss of follow-up was higher in PWID (29.6% vs 13.6%). There was no difference in the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (98.3% vs 98.4%), but the end of treatment response was lower in PWID (96.2% vs 99.0%). In addition, the rate of treatment completion was lower in PWID (74% vs 94.4%). Conclusion: Direct-acting antivirals were safe and effective in PWID. Primary measures should be taken to prevent the loss of follow-up and poor adherence in PWID patients in order to achieve World Health Organization's objective of eliminating viral hepatitis

Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma in the Maxilla and Mandibula

Giant cell reparative granuloma is a disease with an unknown etiology, characterized of benign locally aggressive lesions invading mandible and maxilla in the head and neck region. These lesions usually present as a mass and cause deformities at bony structures. The use of various medical and surgical procedures in the treatment of the disease with its rare occurrence makes these lesions interesting. In this case report we present a 47 years old female patient who had a painful swelling in the left lower left jaw and oral cavity since 8 months. After her complaints proceeded despite medical therapy, she has been operated and pathology report confirmed a giant cell reparative granuloma. We also discuss differential diagnosis and the achievements in treatment procedures

In a real-life setting, direct-acting antivirals to people who inject drugs with chronic hepatitis c in Turkey

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) should be treated in order to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the world. The aim of this study was to compare direct-acting antivirals treatment of hepatitis C virus for PWID and non-PWID in a real-life setting. Methods: We performed a prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter cohort study in 37 centers. All patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 1, 2017, and February 28, 2019, were included. In total, 2713 patients were included in the study among which 250 were PWID and 2463 were non-PWID. Besides patient characteristics, treatment response, follow-up, and side effects of treatment were also analyzed. Results: Genotype 1a and 3 were more prevalent in PWID-infected patients (20.4% vs 9.9% and 46.8% vs 5.3%). The number of naïve patients was higher in PWID (90.7% vs 60.0%), while the number of patients with cirrhosis was higher in non-PWID (14.1% vs 3.7%). The loss of follow-up was higher in PWID (29.6% vs 13.6%). There was no difference in the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (98.3% vs 98.4%), but the end of treatment response was lower in PWID (96.2% vs 99.0%). In addition, the rate of treatment completion was lower in PWID (74% vs 94.4%). Conclusion: Direct-acting antivirals were safe and effective in PWID. Primary measures should be taken to prevent the loss of follow-up and poor adherence in PWID patients in order to achieve World Health Organization’s objective of eliminating viral hepatitis