Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different growing media on the seedling characteristics of Alnus orientalis. Area of study: Cones were collected from Bucak, Anamur and Fethiye regions in October 2022. Material and method: Two growing media were used: a mixture of 50% forest soil, 30% peat, and 20% fertilizer, and a mixture of 50% perlite and 50% sand. The following seedling characteristics were measured: root collar diameter, height, biomass, sturdiness quotient (SQ), and Dickson quality index (DQI). Main results: Seedling heights ranged from 12.79 cm to 18.07 cm in perlite media and from 37.63 cm to 41.80 cm in soil media. Diameters ranged from 4.30 mm to 5.32 mm in perlite media and from 9.83 mm to 11.33 mm in soil media. In soil media, no significant differences were observed among populations in terms of height, but significant differences in diameter were found. While SQ was not significantly influenced by the growing media, DQI values were significantly affected by the type of growing media. Research highlights: The use of different growing media enables aAmore comprehensive evaluation of the intraspecific variation in Alnus orientalis.
Aim of study: This study examines the impact of forest area expansion on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in T & uuml;rkiye, focusing on the roles of industrial production, energy consumption, and economic growth. Area of study: The analysis covers T & uuml;rkiye using annual data for the period 1990-2021. Data on GHG emissions, forest areas, industrial production, energy consumption, and economic growth were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) and other official sources. Material and method: The study employs the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and Johansen cointegration approach to analyze the long-run relationships among the variables. Unit root tests were conducted to examine the stationarity properties of the series. Main results: The findings indicate that forest area expansion significantly reduces GHG emissions in the long run, highlighting the role of forests as carbon sinks. In contrast, industrial production, energy consumption, and GDP per capita exert statistically significant positive effects on emissions. The Johansen cointegration results confirm a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Research highlights: Achieving T & uuml;rkiye's emission reduction targets requires strengthening forest management policies and aligning industrial production and energy consumption with environmental sustainability.
Aim of study: This study aimed to evaluate the bonding, mechanical, physical and finishing performance of 3-layer plybamboo. Area of study: The study was conducted under laboratory conditions using bamboo culms harvested from FRIM, Malaysia. Material and method: Two Malaysian bamboo species; Gigantochloa levis (beting) and Gigantochloa scortechinii (semantan) were used to fabricate the plybamboo. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive was used as the bonding medium. Main results: The results showed that the shear bond strength of plybamboo from G. scortechinii was greater than G. levis when tested in dry condition, but was inversed when tested after the 24 hours' water immersion test. The modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of plybamboo from G. levis and G. scortechinii were 103.43, 14001 N/mm2 and 123.56, 18703 N/mm2, while the compression-shear strength was 47.97 and 53.16 N/mm2 respectively. Meanwhile, plybamboo made from G. scortechinii had higher thickness swelling (9.68%), linear expansion perpendicular to grain (1.13%) and water absorption (26.51%) than those from G. levis. The finishing performance of plybamboo from both species ranges from moderate to good. Research highlights: Generally, the plybamboo produced from G. scortechinii using UF resin showed better shear bond strength, mechanical, physical and finishing performance compared to G. levis.
Aim of study: Forestry residues and wood processing wastes are promising resources for biorefineries due to their abundance and easy accessibility. However, lignin recovery remains challenging in lignocellulosic biorefineries. This study investigates the delignification of spruce sawdust using ethylene glycol organosolv pretreatment, focusing on how catalyst selection affects cellulosic pulp and lignin properties. Area of study: Spruce sawdust samples were sourced from a wood processing plant in Bursa. Material and method: Spruce sawdust was delignified using ethylene glycol with phosphoric acid, acetic acid, or sodium hydroxide catalysts at 130 degrees C under atmospheric pressure. Characterization was done through elemental analysis, FTIR, TGA, Py-GC/MS, and SEC. Main results: The ethylene glycol-phosphoric acid (EGPA) system showed the highest delignification (41.55%) and lignin recovery (42.87%). The sodium hydroxide system (EGNa) produced lignin with stronger lignin-specific FTIR bands, indicating higher purity. Py-GC/MS analysis showed esterification in both fractions, with EGPAL producing mainly esters, acids and phenols, and EGNaL producing phenols, esters and aldehydes. SEC indicated EGPAL had a lower molecular weight (Mw=2814 g/mol, Mn=828 g/mol) than EGNaL (Mw=4725 g/mol, Mn=1258 g/mol). Research highlights: Ethylene glycol-based organosolv pretreatment shows promise for biomass valorization, highlighting catalyst effects on delignification, lignin recovery, and characteristics.
Aim of study: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of applying CMC-BEN (carboxymethyl cellulose-bentonite) mixes to the surface of paper, both in terms of their impacts on paper qualities and the mixing ratios at which they were formed. Material and method: The production of CMC-BEN mixes was prepared by combining the components at the following rates: 1/1, 1/0.5, 1/0.25 and 1/0.1. Simple coating technique was utilized in order to apply the mixes to the surfaces of the paper. Strength performances of the papers, as well as their antibacterial activities, FTIR patterns, COBB values, and SEM views were evaluated. Main results: The solution absorption diminished with the addition of BEN to the CMC structure. The wet strength properties decreased in 100% CMC and CMC-BEN coated papers, and the dry strength and COBB values increased. Research highlights: On the surface of the paper, mixtures based on CMC and CMC-BEN were applied, each of which was made using a different mixing ratio. It was found that the CMC-BEN mixture had a positive impact on the paper's dry strength, but it had a negative impact on wet strength properties.
