Northwestern Turkey Research Articles

Multi-stage tectonic record of the Central Sakarya Terrane Basement (NW Turkey): Implications for the Paleozoic evolution of Rheic Ocean and northern Gondwanan margin

In northwestern Turkey, within the Central Sakarya Terrane, the Söğüt Metamorphics is one of the Variscan tectonic units preserved as a pre-Jurassic basement assemblage of the Sakarya Composite Terrane (SCT). It consists of para- and orthogneisses that host bands, lenses, boudins, and tectonic slices of amphibolites, and are altogether intruded by the Sarıcakaya Granitoid. The characterization and timing of the precursor magmatic events for the protoliths of this assemblage and the timing and conditions of metamorphism have been the topics of a long-lasting debate. Here we present new geochemical and geochronological data from the Söğüt orthogneisses, amphibolites, and the crosscutting Sarıcakaya Granitoid to provide further understanding of the geodynamic evolution of the SCT Basement and the larger-scale tectonic events that controlled its formation. Available geological and geochronological data indicate that the generation of the orthogneiss protoliths began in the Late Cambrian (ca. 485 Ma) and continued until the middle Silurian (ca. 430 Ma), accompanied by the subduction of the Iapetus Ocean and its progressive roll-back beneath northern Gondwana. The slab roll-back caused mantle-upwelling and Ordovician (ca. 465 Ma) continental rift-related mafic magmatism, eventually leading to the opening of the Rheic Ocean. Prior to the Variscan orogeny, a short-lived episode of middle Carboniferous (ca. 336−328 Ma) intra-oceanic arc magmatism occurred within the Rheic Ocean north of the SCT. Accretion of all this material and continuous subduction beneath the SCT led to a two-stage metamorphism during the late Carboniferous (ca. 326−324 Ma and ca. 318 Ma) and synchronous generation of granitic (ca. 327−324) and dioritic (ca. 319−317 Ma) rocks of the Sarıcakaya Granitoid during the Variscan orogeny, terminating the life cycle of the Rheic Ocean.

Tectonic evolution of Bursa Yenişehir Basin, Turkey from the Neogene to the Quaternary using a morphotectonic approach

In this study, the morphotectonic features of the Yenişehir pull‐apart basin in Bursa in northwestern Turkey were analysed. The faults in the region are the most important structural elements that characterize the morphology of the Yenişehir pull‐apart basin. The aim of this study is to show the deformation effects of these active faults on the geomorphology with some basic morphometric indices. The morphotectonic features were evaluated using the hypsometric curve and hypsometric integral (Hi), drainage basin asymmetry (the asymmetry factor (AF) and the transverse topographic symmetry factor (T)), river length gradient index, mountain front sinuosity, and valley floor ratio. The morphometric indices that play an important role in the analysis of catchment areas are the Hi, AF, and T indices, which indicate tilting and erosion activities. According to the results of the hypsometric curve and hypsometric integral, the Yenişehir Basin is a young basin with a uniform topography as expected in an active pull‐apart basin formed by faulting in the Quaternary. The relative tectonic activity index (Iat) of the study area was calculated using the values of hypsometric integral, transverse topographic symmetry factor, asymmetry factor, mountain front sinuosity, valley floor ratio and stream length gradient index. The Iat values indicate the tectonic activity of the basin from Pliocene to Recent. Three different tectonic classes were identified in the study area. These are class 1 (high relative tectonic activity), class 2 (moderate relative tectonic activity), and class 3 (low relative tectonic activity). The Iat classification data show that the impact of tectonic activity on the geomorphology is lower in the Iat class 3 indices than in the others. The Iat data show high tectonic activity in the region where active faults of the North Anatolian Fault Zone southern branch are located.

Large-volume and swift magmatic response to Late Cenozoic segmentation of the subducted Neotethyan oceanic slab: evidence from the Galatian Volcanic Province, northwestern Turkey

ABSTRACT The Miocene Galatian Volcanic Province (GVP) is one of the largest volcanic provinces in central-western Anatolia, with an extent of ~ 8,900 km2. The volcanic activity is extended from 22.5 to 7.5 Ma. The volcanic compositions straddle the alkaline-subalkaline fields, from basic to acid compositions and mostly transitional to sodic affinity. Major oxides show good correlation with SiO2 indicating prolonged effects of fractional crystallization. Primitive mantle-normalized multi-element patterns indicate overall similarities among the different samples of the three geographic sectors, sharing strong negative anomalies in Nb–Ta–Ti, strong positive peaks at Cs and K, coupled with a common, albeit not always present, positive anomaly at Pb. Mineral-melt geothermobarometric estimates indicates ~1070–1235°C and ~7–19 kbar for melting conditions of basaltic compositions and ~1000–1150°C and ~3–12 kbar for andesitic-dacitic rocks. The absence of correlation between radiogenic isotopes and SiO2 and MgO is here interpreted as consequence of assimilation-fractional-crystalization processes involving lower continental crust as contaminant. The GVP parental magmas are generated from ~2% to 10% partial melting of a lherzolitic mantle with high spinel/garnet ratio based on intra-REE fractionation constraints. The subduction-related metasomatism inferred for the GVP mantle sources based on their chemistry is interpreted to be linked to the northward subduction of the northern branch of the Neo-Tethys slab. Successive slab retreat resulted in extension for the critical stress distribution through the Cyprus slab, favouring magma propagation for the GVP volcanic region. The eventual break-off of the slab after the continent-continent collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates could have caused a toroidal mantle flow, favouring the widely distributed 15–16 Ma alkaline magmatism in the eastern GVP, associated with passive hot asthenospheric upwelling imaged by teleseismic P-wave tomography.

A comprehensive characterization of indoor ambient microplastics in households during the COVID-19 pandemic

AbstractAirborne microplastics (MPs) can be easily inhaled by humans, impacting their health as they spend more than 80% of their time indoors, especially during the pandemic. Only a few research studies have examined indoor MPs in the micrometer size range using active sampling, and studies have mainly concentrated on MPs that are millimeters in size. This study investigated the composition of indoor airborne MPs by active sampling in seven houses in the city center of northwestern Turkey (Eskişehir) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The visual identification showed the presence of different colored MPs, white, red, orange, green, and yellow, with different shapes (fibers, fragments, films, lines, foam, and pellets). The size of the identified MPs was between 2.5 and 327.36 μm. The polymeric composition analysis showed the presence of 123 MPs in all the samples with 22 different polymeric compositions. Residents in these houses are exposed to airborne MPs, with inhalation estimates ranging from 12.03 to 18.51 MPs/m3. However, it was also estimated that humans inhale 156–240 MPs daily in these houses. The dominant MPs were polyamide 6, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, ethylene propylene, polystyrene, and high-density polyethylene. Scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray elemental analysis revealed the presence of common structural elements, additives, or vectors that are added or adsorbed to MPs like carbon, oxygen, fluorine, magnesium, silicon, chlorine, nitrogen, and aluminum. These indoor environments are prone to MP pollution. Still, the MP level varies due to different characteristics of indoor environments, like activities and the number of occupants/people in the space, etc. The smaller MPs in all the samples highlight the necessity for standardized techniques of MP collection.

Recent Studies at Bilecik Gedikkaya Cave in Northwestern Turkey

Gedikkaya Cave in north-western Turkey was occupied in several distinct periods. The Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic occupations coincide with ‘cultural breaks’ in which human populations appear to have been mobile for reasons that are still not fully understood, but which may have been associated with climatic events such those as following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the 8.2-kiloyear event. The cave may have served as a temporary or variable-term shelter for transient populations in these times. Finds from the Chalcolithic include evidence for household industry and mining activity, suggesting somewhat more settled populations or perhaps transhumance. In this article, the Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements of Gedikkaya Cave is introduced.

The Effects of Stand Development Stages on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Black Pine, Scots Pine and Fir Stands in Türkiye

The influence of stand development stages on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks was examined in black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojanı (Aschers. & Sint. ex Boiss) Coode et Cullen), differing in the mean tree diameters in which reproduction stages (RS)=<8 cm, sapling or pole stages (SPS)= 8-19.9 cm, large pole stages (LPS)= 20-35.9 cm, and medium wood stages (MWS)=36-51.9 cm in three tree species located in northwestern Turkey. A total of 216 soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, organic matter, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, carbon, and nitrogen concentrations, and the SOC and TN stocks were calculated. SOC and TN stocks varied significantly among the four stand development stage classes. The SOC stock at 0-30 cm increased significantly due to an increase in the diameter of black stands (BPLPS and BPMWS). SOC stocks in all stand development stages peaked in the large pole (44.94 Mg/ha) and declined as the sapling or pole (37.71 Mg/ha) was replaced by medium wood stands (30.17 Mg/ha), and a low point (27.94 Mg/ha) was found in the reproduction stages of stand development for Scots pine. The TN stock at a soil depth of 0-30 cm ranged from 1.66 to 6.46 Mg/ha. The highest TN stock was observed in the SPSPS (6.46 Mg/ha) and FirRS (5.48 Mg/ha), and the lowest was observed in the BPLPS (1.66 Mg/ha) stands. The results illustrate that soil was the main storage of C and N in all different stand development stages of tree species.

A detailed GIS based assessment of bioenergy plant locations using location-allocation algorithm

Logistics plays a crucial role in the operation and planning of biogas plants. To achieve better economic returns and develop effective waste management strategies, optimizing the location of these plants is essential. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be a valuable tool for evaluating plant locations and logistics. In this study, a detailed GIS-based mapping of energy sources and plant location optimization was conducted for the Meric-Ergene basin in Northwestern Turkey. This region is well-known for its intensive livestock activities; cattle manure and sewage sludge are considered as energy sources. The model used in this study takes into account various factors, including infrastructural, environmental, and regulatory constraints, transportation distances and costs. Three different scenarios were developed for installed capacities of 5 MW, 1.7 MW, and 1 MW. An energy density map was generated using kernel density interpolation, and the plant locations were determined by solving the location-allocation problem for each scenario. The total energy potential of the study area resulting from cattle manure and sewage sludge was found to be 23.6 MWh per hour. To utilize all the energy sources considered in the study, five plants with a capacity of 5 MW should be constructed. However, when the installed capacity was reduced to 1.7 MW, the number of required plants increased to 14, and for an installed capacity of 1 MW, 24 plants were necessary. The model output revealed that transportation costs increased more than tenfold when installed capacity was increased from 1 MW to 5 MW. Along with transportation costs, the maximum transportation distance should be increased from 40 km to 100 km to cover all energy sources for 5 MW plants. Therefore, it was concluded that installed capacities of 1.7 MW and 1 MW were more suitable than that of 5 MW, considering economic and environmental concerns.

The Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis in Turkiye: A Qualitative Study

Background/Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of intensive care nurses who provided care for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic period. Methods: This study is a descriptive phenomenological study with thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 intensive care nurses in a pandemic hospital which has a total of seven intensive care units with a capacity of 88 beds in northwestern Turkey. Results: Five main themes and 13 sub-themes emerged from the analysis. The main themes were Professional relations, working conditions, safety, nursing care and psychological aspect. Conclusion: Intensive care nurses are experiencing intense emotional burden, fear of the unknown, perception of insufficiency and increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing care has been affected by the changes in the course of the disease and isolation.

The Marketplace: A Place for Small-Scale Producers?

Structural adjustment programs (SAPs) launched since 1980s in Turkey, have focused attention on the promotion of greater reliance on market forces and the elimination of the government subsidies on credits, inputs, and prices. Hence, farmers are engaged in a number of simultaneous exchange relations on different markets, and maintain institutional linkages with several agents. This study provides a detailed analysis of the understanding of markets by the farmers and the significant effects of these different exchange relations on their subsistence. This analysis is based on longitudinal field research as participant observation conducted in the villages of Karacabey, Bursa, in North-western Turkey since December 2009. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through 83 in-depth interviews with farmers, traders, and state officials applying a snowball sampling technique. Findings suggest that small farmers should be incorporated into decision-making processes in order to organize markets in a democratic way and to reconfigure policy-making into more participatory, transparent, and accountable procedures.

SHADING OF TREE CANOPIES ON INTERTOWN ROADS THROUGHOUT FOREST LANDSCAPES: ABDİPAŞA-OVACUMA GREENWAY OF TURKEY

Greenways are the systems that link both the urban and rural landscapes. Thus, they establish cultural and natural corridors between these landscapes. Being one of the major rural landscapes, forests supply ecosystem services by their recreation potential as well as wood and oxygen production. Hence, forest ecosystems that include roads constitute rural greenways. The canopies of the trees and shrubs supply shading on these road surfaces. These greenways play a significant recreational and safety role within the overall forest landscapes. They provide shading, recreation, and safety for both the drivers and passengers. Thereby, tree and shrub canopy parameters such as the closure and coverage are the determining factors on the safety, shading and recreation potential. Amongst those tree and shrub canopy parameters, the Leaf Area Index (LAI), Light Transmission (LT), Gap Fraction (BO) and Canopy Openness (CO) are the prominent ones. Therefore, the greenway route along the road between Ulus Subprovince (Bartın) and Safranbolu Subprovince (Karabük) at the northwestern Turkey, was chosen as the study and research field in this study. The oriental planes (Platanus orientalis L.) are the immediate roadside trees with their canopies shading on the surface that road. Along 14 km road route, 71 different points were defined for the hemispherical photographing during the summer of 2021. Based on the analyses of these hemispherical photographs using the version 3.2 of the Hemisfer program, the LAI values ranged between 1.89 m2 m-2 and 2.79 m2 m-2 being 2.34 m2 m-2 on average. However, the average LT and CO percentages were 17.9% and 18.2%, whereas the average GF percentage was 7.7%. According to the overall results of this study, the canopy parameters indicated relatively high canopy closure and coverage values even though with alternating values and percentages for the different sections of the greenway route.

Distribution of surface heat flow and effects on the subsurface temperatures in the northern part of Thrace Basin, NW Turkey

The Thrace Basin in northwestern Turkey is a deep Eocene–Oligocene hydrocarbon-bearing sedimentary basin. The basin has potential for geothermal energy utilization in the future due to its favorable geological conditions. In this study, we combined the available bottom hole temperature (BHT) data from 70 points with the thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat productions of the basin formations, and generated a detailed thermal model of the northern part of the basin. For heat flow determinations from the BHT data, we applied Bullard’s thermal resistance method on formation thermal conductivities and thicknesses. The results give an average surface heat flow of 65.8 ± 11.3 mW/m2. We obtained high heat flow values (75–80 mW/m2) in the eastern and western sides, and the central part of the study area. These relatively high heat flow values can be explained by the combined effect of basement topography and the variations in the radiogenic heat production of the basement rocks. The calculated subsurface temperatures in selected hydrocarbon fields vary in the range of 45–64 °C at 1 km depth, 99–136 °C at 3 km depth, and 155–208 °C at 5 km depth as a result of local variations of the surface heat flow and formation thermal resistances. These variations in subsurface temperatures can have significant effects on the cost of geothermal energy production in future.

Trend analysis of precipitation using innovative approaches in northwestern Turkey

Precipitation is highly sensitive to climate change, and monitoring its trends over time is essential for understanding the effects of global warming on the Earth's water cycle. This study investigates the effects of climate change on monthly precipitation in the Susurluk Basin located in northwestern Turkey, using innovative trend analysis methods. Innovative Polygon Trend Analysis (IPTA) using star graphics and Improved Visualization for Innovative Trend Analysis (IV-ITA) techniques were used to analyze precipitation data from nine stations in the basin over 50 years (1970–2019), and the findings were compared to classical Mann-Kendall (MK) results. According to the trend analysis results, the MK method detected significant trends in only two months in the decreasing direction. In these decreasing trends observed at Simav and Keles stations in November, z values were calculated as −2.38 and −2.05, respectively. IPTA method detected increasing trends in 54 months and decreasing trends in 40 months; this means there is a change of more than 5% between two half series. The IV-ITA method indicated an increase of more than 40% in the low values for January, March, August, and September. In addition, there was an increasing trend of more than 40% in the high values observed in September at all stations. It was observed that mean precipitation heights increased from September to December and then decreased throughout the basin. It is predicted that decreases in precipitation during dry seasons may put intense pressure on agricultural water use and affect water quality. In addition, the increase in precipitation in spring months may increase flood events. It was determined that graphical innovative trend analysis methods are more effective in trend identification than MK, and these methods' results have much higher visual inspection and linguistic interpretation possibilities. Innovative methods allow for more flexible and in-depth analysis using different statistical parameters.

Investigation of the Prevalance of Taurodontism in a Group of Population in Northwestern Turkey

Amaç: Bu retrospektif çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’nin kuzeybatısında yaşayan bir grup Türk popülasyonunun büyük azı dişlerindeki taurodontizm (TD) prevalansını tespit etmek, cinsiyetler ile çeneler ve dişler arasındaki dağılımını belirlemektir.
 Gereç ve Yöntemler: Dijital panoramik radyografi (OPG) görüntüleri üzerinde, Shifman ve Chanannel tarafından geliştirilen TD indeksindeki kriterler dikkate alınarak üst ve alt birinci ve ikinci büyük azı dişlerindeki TD varlığı ve tipi araştırılmıştır. Pearson Ki-kare ve Fisher-Freeman-Halton-Exact testleri istatistik için kullanılmıştır ve istatistiksel anlamlılık p

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils around cement factory and health risk assessment: a case study of Canakkale-Ezine (NW Turkey).

Sustainable use of agricultural land plays a crucial role in ensuring food security. For sustainable use of soils, it is very important to focus on the pollution status. This study was conducted on the soils in the northern part of the Ezine district in northwestern Turkey. The study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties of the soils in the vicinity of the cement plant, the concentrations of heavy metals, the spatial distribution of heavy metals, and their impact on the health of the local human population. Soil samples were collected from the cement plant in different directions (S,W, N, E, NE, SW) and at different distances (1, 3, 5, and 7km) from 0-10cm depth with three replicates. The soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, electrical conductivity, lime, and heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The soils had different textures (loam, sandy clay loam, loam, sandy loam), slightly alkaline pH, low lime content, and moderate organic matter content. Except for Cd and Pb, the average values of the other heavy metals (Co = 1.18 < 19 mg kg-1,Cr = 50.92 < 90 mg kg-1, Cu = 31.21 < 45 mg kg-1, Fe = 16,007 < 47,200 mg kg-1, Mn = 499.68 < 850 mg kg-1, Ni = 41.17 < 68 mg kg-1, Zn = 50.91 < 95 mg kg-1) in the soils were below the normal background level. The heavy metal contents of the soils in the study area are influenced by various sources (geological structure, agrochemicals used in agricultural activities, and vehicle traffic). The prevailing wind direction did not influence the local distribution of heavy metals in soils in the study area. The health risk assessment model studies showed that the hazard quotient values of less than 1 for adults and children indicate that the noncarcinogenic risks were insignificant. People exposed to heavy metals in the soils of the study area contaminated from various sources for a long time could be at carcinogenic risk. Since Cr and Pb exceed the acceptable risk range in children and Cr exceeds the acceptable risk range in adults, geochemical monitoring of soils should be conducted periodically by authorized institutions in the study area.

UAV-based RGB and TIR imaging for geothermal monitoring: a case study at Kestanbol geothermal field, Northwestern Turkey.

Kestanbol is one of the most important geothermal fields in NW Turkey. This study conducted the first-ever surveys over a 10ha reach of the Kestanbol geothermal field using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with visible (RGB) and thermal infrared (TIR) cameras. Low-altitude flights below 40m above the ground were operated above the Kestanbol geothermal field. Approximately 3500 RGB and TIR images were captured using the UAV. We recorded high-resolution RGB and TIR data of the Kestanbol geothermal field and applied the structure from motion (SfM) algorithm to identify the distribution of geothermal springs and seeps. The Kestanbol geothermal field was monitored to create a georeferenced RGB orthophoto, RGB 3D surface model, thermal anomaly map, and digital surface model (DSM) of the area with centimeter-level accuracy. In the TIR orthophoto, the surface temperature in the geothermal field was found to be between 15 and 75°C. All the thermal anomalies revealed by the survey were verified by field observations. The geothermal springs and seeps were parallel to the NE-SW regional tectonic trends. The results of this study demonstrate an effective technique for monitoring and assessing geothermal water using UAV-based RGB and TIR imaging and provide an accurate basis for geothermal development projects. RGB and TIR imaging using UAVs are considered promising methods for improving the assessment of the effects of geothermal water on the environment.

Mitigation of high-speed train-induced environmental ground vibrations considering open trenches in the soft soil conditions by in-situ tests

This study focuses on the use of open trench wave barriers to prevent undesired high-speed train-induced ground vibrations. A series of full-scale passive isolation tests are performed in the most unfavorable geotechnical conditions at the highest speed passage of the actual moving load on the elevated embankment in resonance case. For this purpose, Sakarya-Pamukova has been considered the target test area of the Istanbul-Ankara HST line in North-Western Turkey. Site-specific acceleration time-histories, both response and frequency spectra in all directions were obtained from the ground motions recorded simultaneously in the far free-field conditions with and without passive isolation applications. In particular, the variation of the surface vibrations perpendicular to the railway line with the trench effect was observed according to the insertion loss in decibels. Results indicated that the peak values of measured velocity time-histories and spectral velocity response at ground surface decrease remarkable in the transversal vibration direction with passive isolation method, even in superficial depth of the open trench. The data measured at the most unfavorable geo-dynamic conditions will contribute to the development of more cost-effective, environmentally friendly and efficient vibration isolation barriers for researchers.

The Effect of Forest Certification on Log Sale Prices: A Case Study in Northwestern Turkey

Forest certification is a tool contributing to the achievement of sustainable and responsible forest management. It also presents consumers with a market to purchase products coming from responsibly managed forests and provides forest managers with improved market access for their products. Even if forest certification incurs higher costs that affect the sale price, consumers generally have a greater willingness to pay more for certified products than for uncertified products. The objective of this study is to analyze the changes in the sales prices of oak and beech log in auction sales occurring during certified and uncertified periods at Demirköy Forest Enterprise, which received an FSC Certificate in 2014. For this aim, the Chow test was used and linear regression models were developed. It was found that the log sales prices of certified and uncertified periods are statistically different from each other at p = 0.05 significance level. As a consequence, it was determined that there was an increase in price of approximately 12% for oak and 19% for beech at log sales after certification. This study deals with only part of the economic impact of certification. The results can contribute to the forest certification database in order to support the decision-makers (managers and wood manufacturers) in their strategic decisions. The study will enable the forestry sector to see the possible reflections of certification practices in the country and the world markets. The effect of certification should be further investigated by including other factors (supply-demand situation of the forest industry, sales of neighboring enterprises, market conditions, etc.) affecting log sales prices.

Comparison of Dental and Skeletal Age Estimating Methods in Children.

Estimating age is a crucial determinant of forensic science. Various methods have been used to estimate dental age (DA) and skeletal age (SA).The aim of the current study was to compare the Cameriere's DA method with the Cameriere's SA method in estimating CA in children. A total of 216 radiographs of 130 females and 86 males (between 9 to 14.99 years of age) were evaluated in northwestern Turkey. DA was calculated on the panoramic images using Cameriere's open-apex method. SA was determined on the lateral cephalograms using the fourth cervical vertebrae method by Cameriere. The DA, SA, and CA data were compared using a paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. The mean CA of all groups was calculated as 12.96±0.30, the mean DA of 12.74±0.68 and the mean SA of 12.89±0.89. In males, the DA method presented an underestimation between ages of 14.00 and 14.99 (p<0.05) and an overestimation between ages 9.00 and 11.99 (p<0.05). In females, the DA method showed an underestimation in the 13.00- and 14.99-year-old age groups (p<0.05) and an overestimation in the 10.00- and 11.99-year-old age groups (p<0.05). The SA method revealed a significant underestimation in females between the ages of 13.00 and 14.99 and in males between the ages of 14.00 and 14.99 (p<0.05). The SA estimation method may provide more accurate results compared to the DA method with children of both sexes aged between 9.00 to 12.99 in the determination of CA.

Fishes Encountered in the Turkish Thrace River Systems (Northwestern Turkey)

In the last 30 years, the natural life in the inland waters of the Turkish Thrace has been threatened by water pollution, deterioration of river continuity, the presence of non-native or invasive fish, and drought. The aim of the present study was to determine the recent status of fish fauna in the river systems lying at the Turkish Thrace, under these threats. The field surveys were conducted in a total of 164 sampling sites in both Marmara and Meriç-Ergene water basins between July and August 2017. A total of 36 freshwater fish species representing 12 families (Acheilognathidae, Atherinidae, Centrarchidae, Cobitidae, Cyprinidae, Esocidae, Gobiidae, Gobionidae, Leuciscidae, Percidae, Poeciliidae, and Salmonidae) were determined. The most widespread species of the region was Cobitis strumicae and it was followed by Rhodeus amarus and Squalius orpheus. This study provides first detailed information on the distribution of the species of Barbus tauricus, Chondrostoma vardarense, Cobitis strumicae, Squalius orpheus, and Vimba melanops.

The association between burnout of healthcare employees and quality of work-life in Northwestern Turkey.

The present study aimed to determine the factors that affect the working life quality (WLQ) of healthcare employees and to examine the association between burnout levels and WLQ. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 332 healthcare employees working in Kirklareli, Northwestern Turkey. The data were collected with the e-survey, which included the Personal Information Form, Working Life Quality Questionnaire (WLQQ), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Form (MBI-GF). A total of 54.2% of the participants, who had a mean age of 34.45±8.82, were midwives/nurses and 14.5% were physicians. It was determined that 71.1% of the participants had increased workloads, 81.6% were working outside their job descriptions during the pandemic period, and 57.8% wanted to quit their job. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, according to the adjusted models, a positive and significant association was determined between the WLQQ general dimension scores and having professional seniority of ≥10 years, and a negative association was detected with working in a secondary healthcare institution, increased workload, working outside the job description, and the desire to quit the job (p < 0.05). A positive association was detected between the WLQQ general dimension scores and the competence sub-dimension of the MBI-GF, and a significant and negative association was detected between burnout and desensitization (p < 0.05). WLQ scores increased as the burnout and desensitization decreased and the competence increased among the healthcare employees. In order to raise the WLQ, initiatives must be planned to improve the working conditions of healthcare employees and reduce psychosocial risks.