Article
Environmental Sciences
Simge Varol, Sehnaz Sener, Erhan Sener
Summary: The study evaluated the spatial variation of groundwater quality and assessed the potential health risks in Suhut Plain, Turkey. The groundwater samples were generally classified as excellent and good, suitable for agricultural irrigation but not for drinking due to TDS, Mg, NO3 and AsT exceeding limit values. Arsenic exposure presents a low risk of cancer but has high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic potential harm.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Erhan Sener, Sehnaz Sener, Simge Varol
Summary: The chemical properties and quality of groundwater in Karamik wetland and surroundings, an important wetland in Turkey, were investigated. The study found that the groundwater does not meet the drinking water standards and poses potential risks to human health. The groundwater in the region is contaminated by both geological and anthropogenic sources.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carolin Reitter, Heike Petzoldt, Andreas Korth, Felix Schwab, Claudia Stange, Beate Hambsch, Andreas Tiehm, Ilias Lagkouvardos, Johannes Gescher, Michael Huegler
Summary: Worldwide, surface waters such as lakes and reservoirs are important sources for drinking water production in regions with water scarcity. Recent studies have shown a sudden increase in coliform bacteria, especially during summer months, which is correlated with higher water temperatures. This phenomenon poses a challenge to drinking water production and may occur more frequently in the future.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sehnaz Sener
Summary: The study investigated groundwater quality and heavy metal pollution in the Eber wetland area in Turkey. It found that nitrate pollution was present due to agricultural activities, but the heavy metal pollution was within acceptable limits for drinking water. However, a health risk assessment revealed that the levels of arsenic exceeded tolerable values, indicating that the groundwater should not be used as drinking water.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ming Shen, Zhigang Cao, Liqiang Xie, Yanyan Zhao, Tianci Qi, Kaishan Song, Lili Lyu, Dian Wang, Jinge Ma, Hongtao Duan
Summary: Cyanobacterial blooms and the release of algal toxins pose a serious threat to the safety of drinking water sources. However, the monitoring and evaluation of algal toxins in lake water have not been carried out regularly. This study developed a remote sensing scheme based on satellite data to assess the risk of algal toxins and found that most large lakes in eastern China had experienced high risk at least once. Fortunately, the frequency of high human health risks in terms of lake areas was low, indicating the potential to set drinking water intakes in most waters while reducing cyanobacterial blooms.
Article
Water Resources
Atalay Getachew, Alebachew Tadie, Daniel Haile Chercos, Tadesse Guadun, Marta Alemayehu, Zemichael Gizaw, Mulat G. Hiwot, Teklay G. Cherkos
Summary: In rural North Gondar Zone Ethiopia, there is a high level of faecal contamination in household drinking water, with factors such as occupational status, income, solid waste disposal habits, sources of drinking water, and water shortage identified as predictors for the presence of faecal coliform contamination.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Michael Schalli, Sarah Maria Inwinkl, Sabine Platzer, Rita Baumert, Franz F. Reinthaler, Petra Ofner-Kopeinig, Doris Haas
Summary: This study developed an alternative method for the challenging growth of microorganisms on CCA. The alternative method using CV-supplemented CCA showed similar values in sensitivity, specificity, and selectivity compared to the reference method. Repeatability and reproducibility of the alternative method were acceptable, and it showed advantages in the exclusion study.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Seref Turhan
Summary: The concentrations of anions and potentially toxic elements in drinking water samples from the Nevsehir province were analyzed and compared with permissible maximum concentrations. The study also assessed the health risks posed by these elements to adults.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Wang, Shengwei Zhang, Kaiyan Xiao, Minghong Cai, Hongling Liu
Summary: This study revealed the presence of pyrethroid insecticides in water sources and tap water in the Taihu Lake Basin. Different regions of the lake showed varying concentrations of these insecticides, with the southern region having the highest concentration. Landscape maintenance, agricultural cultivation, and livestock breeding were identified as the main sources of these insecticides. The study also highlighted the high risk posed by pyrethroid insecticides to both the ecological environment and human populations.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Dettori, Antonella Arghittu, Giovanna Deiana, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara
Summary: Water is essential for all living beings, and the European Union has issued a new Directive on drinking water to ensure its safety and promote consumer confidence. The Directive adopts a risk-based approach, updates quality standards, and emphasizes transparent communication. It also highlights the importance of risk identification and management along the entire drinking water supply chain.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Zendehbad, Majid Mostaghelchi, Mohsen Mojganfar, Peter Cepuder, Willibald Loiskandl
Summary: This study assesses the health risks associated with nitrate pollution in groundwater and agricultural products in Mashhad city. The results show that nitrate concentrations exceed the permissible limits in groundwater and are particularly high in root-tuber and leafy vegetables. The consumption of groundwater and certain produce poses potential health risks, especially for children. The presence of total coliforms in groundwater suggests the release of sewage and manure in certain areas of Mashhad.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danlu Guo, Jacqueline Thomas, Alfred Boniphace Lazaro, Fatuma Matwewe, Fiona Johnson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between faecal contamination and short-term climate variability across different water sources. Results showed that short-term climate variability and baseline contamination levels can explain about half the observed variability in faecal contamination, with increased contamination related to recent heavy rainfall and high temperature. Unimproved water sources such as unprotected dug wells were found to have substantially higher climate sensitivity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alfred Dongzagla, Sarah Jewitt, Sarah O'Hara
Summary: This study examined seasonal variations in faecal contamination of drinking water sources in two municipalities of Ghana. It found that contamination was significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, suggesting the need for seasonal monitoring to accurately assess the risk of faecal contamination.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaru Hu, Lei Jiang, Xiaoyan Sun, Jianqiang Wu, Lei Ma, Yanbo Zhou, Kuangfei Lin, Yi Luo, Changzheng Cui
Summary: This study conducted a risk assessment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the drinking water systems, revealing that the contamination of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in drinking water reservoirs poses significant challenges for drinking water treatment efficiency and affects drinking water safety.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannah Patton, Leigh-Anne Krometis, Erin Ling, Alasdair Cohen, Emily Sarver
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of faucet-mounted point-of-use (POU) filters in improving water quality in homes with private wells and documented household satisfaction with the filters. The results showed that the filters significantly reduced the concentrations of various contaminants in the filtered water, but certain contaminants still exceeded drinking water standards in homes with high levels of source water contamination. Less than half of the participants intended to continue using the filters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simge Varol
Summary: Groundwater in Aksehir and surroundings, used for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities, is adversely affected by intensive agricultural and human activities, being unsuitable for drinking purposes due to trace elements and pollutant analysis results exceeding allowable limits. High arsenic concentrations in the groundwater, associated with agricultural activities and pesticides, pose health risks, making it unsuitable for consumption.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simge Varol, Aysen Davraz, Sehnaz Sener, Erhan Sener, Fatma Aksever, Bulent Kirkan, Ahmet Tokgozlu
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the seasonal concentration, groundwater quality, usage areas, and arsenic-related health risks in the Salda Lake basin. The findings indicated that the water quality was mostly good, but arsenic had potentially harmful effects in the study area, especially in non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic aspects. Monitoring the groundwater quality and determining appropriate usage areas is crucial based on the results obtained.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sehnaz Sener, Simge Varol, Erhan Sener
Summary: This study evaluated the quality of groundwater in Aksehir district using water quality index methods and statistical analyses. The results indicate that the groundwater in the study area is not suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. Factor analysis showed that anthropogenic pollution, especially agricultural activities, plays a role in affecting the quality characteristics of groundwater samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Aysen Davraz, M. Tahir Nalbantcilar, Simge Varol, Ismail Onden
Summary: A conceptual model of the geothermal system in Konya province was established based on water samples from ten geothermal fields, identifying reservoir rocks, heating sources, the composition of thermal waters, and their connections with different types of rocks. The presence of high chloride in the thermal waters indicates a direct link with the deep geothermal system, while sulphate originates from the dissolution and oxidation of minerals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simge Varol, Sehnaz Sener, Erhan Sener
Summary: The study evaluated the spatial variation of groundwater quality and assessed the potential health risks in Suhut Plain, Turkey. The groundwater samples were generally classified as excellent and good, suitable for agricultural irrigation but not for drinking due to TDS, Mg, NO3 and AsT exceeding limit values. Arsenic exposure presents a low risk of cancer but has high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic potential harm.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Erhan Sener, Sehnaz Sener, Simge Varol
Summary: The chemical properties and quality of groundwater in Karamik wetland and surroundings, an important wetland in Turkey, were investigated. The study found that the groundwater does not meet the drinking water standards and poses potential risks to human health. The groundwater in the region is contaminated by both geological and anthropogenic sources.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Aysen Davraz, M. Tahir Nalbantcilar, Ismail Onden
Summary: Turkey, located on the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, has a significant geothermal potential in Central Anatolia. A study was conducted to determine the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical properties of geothermal fields in the region, which are used for various purposes such as tourism, greenhouse cultivation, city heating, and industry. The study also identified different water types and reservoir temperatures of the geothermal waters.
JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khageshwar Singh Patel, Piyush Kant Pandey, Pablo Martin-Ramos, Warren T. Corns, Simge Varol, Prosun Bhattacharya, Yanbei Zhu
Summary: Arsenic is a widespread environmental pollutant that can contaminate the food chain and has non-threshold carcinogenic properties. It mainly enters the human body through contaminated water and food, and phytoremediation using plants has been identified as a potential solution. Various plants, including microbes, mosses, lichens, ferns, algae, and macrophytes, have been assessed for their ability to accumulate and remove arsenic. Research on these primitive plants as bio-accumulators could contribute to controlling arsenic exposure and solving the problem globally.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khageshwar Singh Patel, Piyush Kant Pandey, Pablo Martin-Ramos, Warren T. Corns, Simge Varol, Prosun Bhattacharya, Yanbei Zhu
Summary: Arsenic is a regulated hazard material in the environment, posing risks to humans and causing environmental, agricultural, and health issues. This review comprehensively investigates the sources and mobility of arsenic in various environmental compartments worldwide, as well as measures to address health hazards. Multiple atomic spectrometric approaches have been used for the analysis of arsenic chemical species, with detection limits below 1 μg L-1. Both natural and human activities contribute to arsenic in air, water, soil, and sediment, with reported concentrations often exceeding permissible limits.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Fatma Aksever, Aysen Davraz, Simge Varol
Summary: This study investigated the recharge processes of springs in the Sandikli and Suhut basins using stable isotopes, oxygen-18 (ΔO-18), deuterium (ΔH-2 or ΔD) and tritium (H-3) analysis. The study area consists of volcanic, limestone, and clastic rocks, with water sources primarily originating from volcanic rocks and clastic limestones. The findings indicate that the springs are of meteoric origin.
GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Aysen Davraz, Burcu Batur
Summary: The study focused on hydrogeochemical processes controlling groundwater chemistry and quality, highlighting silicate weathering and ion exchange as main processes. Water types in the basin include Ca-Mg-HCO3, Mg-Ca-HCO3, and Ca-HCO3. Some samples exceeded limits for arsenic and fluoride, but non-carcinogenic health risk assessments for adults and children did not predict negative effects from skin contact and drinking water ingestion.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sehnaz Sener, Erhan Sener, Simge Varol
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2020)
