Determination of Ammonia Sources in Türkiye and its Surroundings and Investigation of its Secondary Particulate Matter Formation Potential and Health Effects

by Tuğçe Akca Güler | Dec 11, 2024

Funding Agency: Tubitak 1001_123Y364

Project Coordinator :
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burçak Kaynak Tezel (Istanbul Technical University)
Prof. Dr. Fatma Öztürk (Boğaziçi University)

Ammonia (NH₃), an alkaline gas, is a harmful atmospheric pollutant to the environment and human health both directly and indirectly because of its contribution to secondary inorganic particulate matter (PM) formation. NH₃ is emitted to the atmosphere usually together with greenhouse gases, in large quantities from agricultural activities, followed by industrial, waste and geothermal sectors. Currently, changes in agricultural practices due to rapid population growth and changes in meteorological conditions caused by climate change cause an increase in agricultural pollution. In this project, spatio-temporal changes of NH₃ pollution in Türkiye and its surrounding neighbors will be determined using NH₃ monitoring with remote sensing along with their relationship with relevant geographical and meteorological parameters. High-resolution TROPOMI NO₂ and SO₂ remote sensing data will be evaluated with IASI NH₃ to determine the probable secondary inorganic PM formation regions.

PM_2.5 exposure, which currently ranks fourth among all causes of death worldwide, causes serious problems on human health and premature deaths. As emission controls on primary sources become stricter, the contribution of the secondary PM_2.5 gradually increases its importance, which mostly consists of ammonium, nitrate and sulfate. This contribution will be determined especially for rural regions where NH₃ emissions from agriculture are significant and no groud-based monitoring is available. Thus, this study will be the first study to examine the relationship between agriculture and air pollution in Türkiye and its surroundings.
For the first time in Türkiye, satellite data will be used for NH₃ monitoring, and the study will be supported by detailed emisison inventory development, modeling and health exposure studies. Secondary PM_2.5, its contribution to PM_2.5 and health impacts will be estimated. Transboundary pollution transport will also be investigated for selected regions.

Figure. Spatialdistribution of NH₃ levels in Europe (left) and Türkiye (right) (2022 annual average)

İTÜ Faculty of Civil Engineering

It can be accepted that the history of ITU Civil Engineering Faculty was commenced in 1727 by the establishment of Humbarahane during the era of Damat İbrahim Paşa. However, this attempt was to no avail due to the martyrization of the studwents of this school by the Janissaries.

In 1734, during the grand viziership of Topal Osman Paşa, classes related to Civil Engineering was being taught in Hendesehane, which was founded in Üsküdar. Similarly, this school was also closed after three years due to the opposition of the Janissaries. The reasons of the tragedy that occured in Battle of Chesma, 1770 were inadequacy of the ships and the ignorance of the Ottoman Navy.

Although the Atlantic Map (1513) and the Map of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (1523) by Piri Reis were the leading pieces of the era, Ottoman viziers were so ignorant that they claimed it was impossible for the Russian Baltic Fleet to reach the Mediterranean Sea assuming that there were no sea connection. With the proposal from Gazi Hasan Paşa and Baron de Tott, Mühendishane-i Bahri-i Humayun was established during the time of Sultan Mustafa III, aiming to train naval construction engineers. Since Ottoman Empire did not have any engineering schools at the time, military engineering classes were taught by French engineers beginning from 1784. French lecturers had to return to their country in 1788 with the increasing suppression from Austria and Russia, which were unwilling for the development and thriving of Ottoman Empire. In 1759, during the Grand Viziership of Koca Ragıp Paşa, Humbarahane was reopened in Karaağaç, Haliç (Golden Horn) and continued to teach even though it was incompetent. In 1792, Lağımcı Ocağı and Humbaracı Ocağı (Guild of Sappers) were established.