IRANIAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Year:2018 | Volume:11 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objective: Determination of quality parameters of drinkable water is important, especially in developing countries, to increase the productivity and better management and planning of water resources. The aim of current study was to apply CART decision tree data mining technique to determine the most effective factors on drinkable water quality in Kazeroon plain, located west of Fars province, Iran.Materials and Methods: Qualitative parameters of 60 drinkable wells such as SAR, Na, Cl, SO4, TH, TDS, pH, NO3, CaCO3, HCO3, Ca, Mg, K and EC were taken in the study area. The most effective factors on quality of drinkable water were determined with 90% accuracy, using CART decision tree data mining technique in Clementine 12.0 software.Results: The results showed that total dissolved solids (TDS) and calcium content (Ca) had the highest impact on quality of drinking water. Therefore, when the TDS of water in this plain is equal or less than 495 mg/L and the calcium content is equal or less than 6.150 meq/L, the water is suitable for drinking.Conclusion: The TDS and Ca content were the most effective parameters on the quality of drinkable water in this plain, due to its geological formation and the existence of CaCO3 in its structure. The water purification, reduction of soluble material concentration, and monitoring of wells in this plain are recommended.

Background and Objective: Wheat is one of the most important cereals due to the supply of much of the flour used in bread making in most countries, such as Iran. Wheat contamination with mycotoxins is subject to different production and maintenance conditions. As a carcinogen and mutagen, monitoring the amount of mycotoxins in imported wheat and prevention of the entry of low quality wheat to the food chain are essential. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the contamination of the wheat imported to Mazandaran province.Materials and Methods: Samples of the wheat imported from Caspian Sea countries were evaluated for moisture content and mycotoxins contamination (ochratoxin A, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol). Mycotoxins contamination was determined by HPLC method via purifying with immunoaffinity column for ochratoxin A and zearalenone, and DONSPE column for deoxynivalenol.Results: The results of this study showed that the average of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in the samples were 2.24, 133.50 and 181.66 ng/g, respectively.Conclusion: All the samples were within the acceptable level for mycotoxin according to the permissible limits of Iran National Standard. Additionally, a direct relation between deoxynivalenol and moisture content of the samples (-0.092) was not observed and the correlation between moisture content and ochratoxin A and zearalenone was 0.104 and 0.168, respectively.

Background and Objective: Ultrasonic disintegration is a pretreatment process before stabilization and dewatering that degrades sludge and changes its physical and chemical characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasonic in enhancing hydrolyses, stabilization and dewatering of municipal raw activated sludge.Materials and Methods: The samples were taken from returned activated sludge and then they were exposed to ultrasonic (Frequency: 20 and 40 kHz) in different times (0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min). The effectiveness of ultrasonic for hydrolysis, stabilization and dewatering processes were determined with measuring TS, TSS, CST, SRF, VS, nVS, VSss, and VSsol.Results: VSsol was increased by 73% in 15 min and at frequency of 20 kHz, whereas VSsol increas was100% at 10 min and 40 kHz. The reduction of VS was observed at 15 min and 20 kHz. Then after, it was reached 18% after 60 min. For 40 kHz, VS reduction started at 10 min and reached 24% after 60 min. Specific resistance of sludge at two frequencies of 20 and 40 kHz and contact time of 1 min were decreased by 25 and 20% respectively. The capillary suction time at the frequencies of 20 and 40 kHz and contact time of 1 min was decreased 28 and 21%, respectively.Conclusion: The optimum effectiveness of ultrasonic in hydrolysis of organic matter of raw biological sludge was at the contact time of 10 min and frequency of 40 kHz. The highest stabilization at the frequency of 40 kHz was observed at 60 min contact time. The best condition for sludge dewatering was at frequency of 20 kHz and contact time of 1 min.

Background and Objective: Measurment of metals concentrations in scalp hair is a well known method for monitoring exposure to heavy metals, assessment of heavy metal poisoning, evaluation of nutrient levels and diagnoses of diseases. The present research was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals in the scalp hairs of the local fishermen from Shif Island (Bushehr) and assess the effect of various factors on heavy metals levels in hair.Materials and Methods: Thirty hair sampls were collected from fishermen of Shif Island. After sample preparation and chemical digestion, the heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The information required to evaluate the exposure was obtained via a questionnaire that was distributed among the fishermen.Results: The concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ni were 72.79, 148.11, 8.6, 4.72, and 19.71 mg/kg, respectively. There were significant correlations among Zn, Mn, and Ni. In addition, the results showed that use of hair colour increased the metal concentrations.Conclusion: Our findings recommend that the population of Shif area and neighbouring county may be exposed to some of these heavy metals, particularly Ni that is an industrial and oil pollutant. The most likely exposure pathways seemed to be fish consumption; however, more detailed studies should be performed.

Background and Objective: Groundwater resources are very important for the survival of living beings. Hence, groundwater modeling has a special importance in water management and planning of each region. In this study, numerically simulation of Hamedan–Bahar aquifer flow path was done by GMS software using geological, hydraulic and hydrologic information.Materials and Methods: First, a 3D hydrogeological model of the aquifer was prepared and then the aquifer flow wassimulated by MODFLOW numerical code. The model was calibrated using a trial and error method.Estimation of groundwater flow path was done with MODPATH numeric code. Finally, the capture area was studied and piezometers and direction of groundwater movement in different time were built.Results: The results of calibration showed that the difference between observed head and computed head was in allowable range (± 35 m).Estimation of pollution with MODPATH numeric code indicated that in forward moving, the longest way of pollution transport was 43400 m and in backward moveing, the longest way of flow transport was 8270.65 m.The results of the groundwater flow path indicated that the flow transport direction was from southwest to northeast in line with the hydraulic gradient.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the current trend of groundwater flow will increase aquifer pollution level, which will damage groundwater aquifer.

Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate risk of heavy metals on human health including (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, V, As and Co) in street dusts in Abadan.Materials and Methods: 30 dust samples were collected from sidewalks of main streets of Abadan and analyzed by inductively coupled spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method.Results: The mean concentration of the heavy metals was as follows: Pb (59.13), Zn (287.50), Cu (112.97), Cr (50.30), Cd (0.52), Ni (56.77), V (35.83), As (10.7) and Co (7.33) (mg/kg). The concentration of all of the heavy metals, except V, in the dust samples was several times higher than the field concentration (concentration in the earth’s crust). The average value of the potential ecological risk of the heavy metals V, Cr, Zn, Ni, As, Cu and Pb was low and had a low potential ecological risk. Cd had a moderate potential ecological risk. Also, based on the average value of Risk Index, the samples were at medium risk. Cumulative non-carcinogenic hazard of all the heavy metals in the street dust was higher for children than adults. This indicates that children are more at risk for heavy metals than the adults. In both age groups, Cr had the highest risk of carcinogenicity and Pb had the lowest risk.Conclusion: The results indicated that the main source of the heavy metals in the study area is anthropogenic sources such as traffic, industrial facilities and burning of fossil fuels.

Background and Objective: Lead is a dangerous heavy metal for human health. This research was conducted to study the potential of a new Iranian corn (Maxima CV.) and white clover in monoculture and mixed culture for phytoremediation of Pb in a Pb polluted soil.Materials and Methods: The experimental treatments consisted of corn and white clover in a mixed culture (with 10 and 20 plant density) and either corn or white clover in a monoculture system (with 10 and 20 plant density) in a Pb polluted soil (800 mg Pb (kg soil)-1) at 60 and 90 days of experiment.Plant and soil Pb concentration were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results: Root and shoot Pb concentration of corn and white clover were significantly increased in a mixed culture system relative to mono culture system. In addition, the increase of white clover density from 10 to 20 in a mixed culture system caused a significant increased Pb concentration in root and shoot of corn and white clover. The highest Pb translocation factor (TF) and shoot Pb concentration were observed in white clover in a mixed culture of corn and white clover (with 20 plants density).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Pb concentration of corns shoot in a mixed culture system with corn and white clover (20 densities) was three times higher than that of the monoculture system.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of a mass balance model to estimate the rate of aerobic processes in a landfill.Materials and Methods: Monte Carlo simulation is a common method to evaluate uncertainty of the results of a model. Here, we used a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. The data obtained from the experiments were used as a baseline. Considering a uniform Probability Distribution Function (PDF) within ±15% deviation, samples were taken from the baseline data. Using randomly selected inputs, model was executed for 1000 iterations and outputs were evaluated. Then, the total Sobol index for each input parameter was determined. The uncertainty of each output was presented by standard error and means observed in MC simulation.Results: The results of this study revealed that while the uncertainty for the rate of composting process was mainly originated from the measured value of CO2 flux, the evaluated value for the rate of anaerobic digestion process was highly influenced by the value measured for CH4 emission flux.All inputs contributed equally to the uncertainty in the evaluated values for the rate of methane oxidation process. Although a variability of 15% was assumed for the model inputs, the mean value for the outputs from Monto Carlo simulations were close to those obtained by using base values that were in most cases within ±10% limit.Conclusion: The majority of the uncertainty in the outputs came from the variability in the measurement of the flux of CH4 and CO2. The error in these parameters, however, can be minimized by increasing frequency and replicates of gas samples as these parameters are measured directly for each location.

Background and Objective: Water quality assessment is an important step for optimal and proper use of water resources for drinking and selection of suitable and consistent water quality patterns. Therefore, the necessity of studying water quality characteristics in water resource management programs has been highly considered.Materials and Methods: In this study, the hydrogeochemical quality of groundwater resources in the Siahoo region of Bandar Abbas was studied for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes. Qualitative parameters of three wells, three springs, one juicy aqueduct and one surface water sample were used as input data. Water quality characteristics and charts were evaluated using Aq.qa and AquaChem software.Results: Groundwater of the studied area was in the category of very hard water. According to the PIPER chart, the dominant hydrochemical facies were sulfatecolic and chloroformate species. According to the Willcox and Schuller qualitative index, groundwater for agricultural use was moderate and was acceptable for drinking water. In terms of the saturation index of islands, the existing water resources are corrosive to the sediment.Conclusion: The data of this study indicate that one of the problems of the available water resources in Siahoo region is the high amount of salt and soluble materials, which show the effect of geological formations (evaporation, Chile, carbonates) and salt domes on the groundwater resources and reduction of the quality of water resources.

Background and Objective: Natural antimicrobial compounds have a valuable capacity to be used in a variety of foods to inhibit growth of foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. The aims of this study were to produce active biodegradable films by incorporation of different percentage of oregano essential oil (OEO) and ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) into poly-lactic acid (PLA) films, and to evaluate physical and antimicrobial properties of the resulting films.Materials and Methods: The active films were produced by solvent casting method, and their thickness and major color parameters were measured using a digital micrometer and a colorimeter instrument, respectively. Afterwards, antibacterial effects of the films were assessed against four common foodborne pathogens, includingStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticusand Listeria monocytogenes, by means of disk diffusion test.Results: Physical examinations showed that thickness of resultant films significantly was increased (p<0.05) by addition of different concentrations of active agents. Additionally, the presence of them in the structure of films decreased the lightness and increased the redness and yellowness, simultaneously. While none of the neat PLA film or films with just EEP had no antibacterial effect, all films containing higher percentages of OEO (5 and 10%) were effective against all four tested bacterial strains, and these effects were more significant in case of the gram-positive bacteria. The maximum inhibition zone was recorded for the film containing 10% of OEO and 2% of EEP, which the relevant values were 56.66, 45.46, 17.91 and 17.65 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticusand Escherichia coli, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the presence of just EEP in the initial formulation of poly-lactic acid films was not effective against the four tested foodborne pathogens, while the addition of this compound to the films containing OEO increased the effective antibacterial properties of the resulting films. As a result, the simultaneous use of these two compounds in the structure of hydrophobic films, such as poly-lactic acid film, can be used to produce active food packaging films.

Background and Objective: Batteries can be hazardous to the environment and human health due to their toxic compounds. In this study, for detoxification and recovery of metals from spent coin batteries, a twostep bioleaching usingAcidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was investigated.Materials and Methods: A number of spent coin batteries were powdered.The powder was added to the bacterial culture medium and after 12 days the concentration of leached metals was determined. For investigating the effect of how to add the powder on metals recovery, the gradual addition of powder to the medium was carried out. For this purpose, the powder was added to the medium every 48 h at a rate of 20 g/L until the pulp density of 100 g/L. All experiments were run in triplicate and the standard deviation was shown as an error bar in the graphs.Results: With an increase in pulp density, the metals recovery rate reduced. The highest recovery rates for lithium, cobalt and manganese was 100%, 88% and 20%, in pulp density of 40 g/L after 12 days. Leaching of lithium, cobalt and manganese was 66%, 8% and 0%, if the powder was added gradually until pulp density of 100 g/L.Conclusion: The two-step bioleaching using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidanswas an appropriate method for recovery of metals from spent coin batteries. Also, gradual powder addition to the medium did not have a positive effect on the metals recovery and on improvement of bacterial growth characteristics. The metals recovery in high pulp densities was mainly due to chemical leaching.

Background and Objective: Air pollutants and noise level are areas of concern for public health, especially in metropolitan areas. In tunnels, underground stations and indoors with insufficient ventilation rate and noise reflection, accumulation of pollutants and noise pollution are serious problems.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the level of PM and noise level in the Majlesi terminal, located close to Imam Ali Square in Isfahan. Sampling was done in two phases, spring and summer. Samples were taken during six working days, twice a day, morning and afternoon and at traffic peaks. The effect of launching a BRT system was also evaluated. The SKC sampling pump and sound level meter of KIMO were used for the evaluation of particulate matter and noise.Results: The results showed that the launch of a BRT system led to a change in PM concentration from 85.17 mg/m3 to 53.58 (37% reduction), however, the average value of summer noise level (78.34 dB) was higher than the average value of spring (76.23 dB). Both PM and noise levels were higher than the values of international standards of EPA and WHO guidelines. The level of PM and noise level was a function of traffic and varied during weekdays. On Thursdays and after medieval holidays, the highest level was observed. The pollution and noise levels were higher during afternoon than the morning peak hours due to the traffic and accumulation of contaminants.Conclusion: The research revealed that indoor and underground environments are not suitable options as a parking lot or bus terminals, due to a need for mechanical ventilation, lack of adequate air circulation and sound reflection.