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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. The disease led to significant mortality and morbidity in Turkey, since the first case was reported on March 11 th , 2020. Studies suggest a positive association between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urban-background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between 13th of May and 14th of June 2020 to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 203 daily samples (TSP, n=80; PM 2.5 n=33; PM 2.5-10 , n=23; PM 10 μm, n=19; and 6 size segregated PM, n=48) were collected using various samplers. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to real time (RT)-PCR and three-dimensional digital (3D-d) PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8 %) samples. Ambient PM-bound SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed quantitatively and the air concentrations of the virus ranged from 0.1 copies/m 3 to 23 copies/m 3 . The highest percentages of virus detection on PM samples were from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM 2.5 mode. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.

in Bursa, Turkey, when there was no rain, and analyzed for gas and particle concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study targeted 15 PAH compounds. Vapor-phase PAH compositions were dominated by the more volatile PAHs, relative to the particle phase. On average, 76% of the total (gas + particulate) PAH concentration was in the vapor phase. Average total PAH concentration was 298 ± 418 ng/m 3 . The large seasonal concentration fluctuation was attributed to residential heating, vaporization, industrial activities, and meteorological conditions. The measured average seasonal concentrations were 55 ± 40, 187 ± 202, 645 ± 588 and 148 ± 132 ng/m 3 for summer, fall, winter, and spring, respectively. The partitioning of PAHs between gas and particle phases was investigated employing the Junge-Pankow model. Plots of log gas/particle partition coefficient (K p ) versus log liquid vapor pressures (P o L ) had reasonable correlations for individual samples. Experimentally determined K p values were compared with the result obtained using absorption (octanol-air partition coefficient [K O A ]) into aerosol organic matter and adsorption (K S A + K O A ) onto soot carbon models. Experimentally determined K p values were generally in the same range with the ones obtained from the models.

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This study was carried out to investigate the concentrations and potential sources of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge of 14 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Sludge samples were collected from 2 municipal WWTPs, 11 industrial WWTPs, and 1 sanitary landfill leachate treatment plant within the city of Bursa, Turkey during the summer of 2008. Ultrasonication was applied for extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the PAH contents of the samples. Twelve of the 16 EPA-listed PAH compounds were determined. Total PAH concentrations (Sigma(12) PAHs) determined in all of the sludge samples ranged from 1,781 to 19,866 microg/kg dry matter (dm). The sum of 8 of the 11 EU PAHs varied between 1,481 and 17,314 microg/kg dm, and 3 of the samples exceeded the proposed EU limit for land application. One of the automotive industry sludges contained the highest level of PAHs, followed by one of the municipal sludges. The average sum of 5- and 6-ring PAH compounds in all of the sludge samples amounted to almost 65% of the total PAHs. The diagnostic ratios of specific PAHs were calculated to determine the dominant sources for the PAHs in the sludge samples.

The concentrations of criteria air pollutants such as CO, NOx (NO + NO2), SO2 and PM were measured in the period of May 2001 and April 2003 in the city of Bursa, Turkey. The average concentrations for this period were 1115 +/- 1600 microg/m3, 29 +/- 50 microg/m3, 51 +/- 24 microg/m3, 79 +/- 65 microg/m3, 40 +/- 35 microg/m3, 98 +/- 220 microg/m3, for CO, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2 and PM, respectively. Temporal changes in concentrations were analyzed using meteorological factors. Correlations among pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters showed weak relations nearly in all data. Lower concentrations were observed in the summer months while higher concentrations were measured in the winter months. The increase in winter concentrations was probably due to residential heating. Pollutants were associated with each other in order to have information about their origin. NOx/SO2 ratio was also examined to bring out the source origin contributing on air pollution (i.e., traffic or stationary).