INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (IJEST)
Year:2004 | Volume:1 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

An investigation for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in airborne particulates using thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is described. Samples are obtained from ambient air using fibreglass filters and the volatile material from the filter is thermally desorbed to gas chromatograph. A 30 meter capillary column is used to separate the hydrocarbons and eight polyaromatic hydrocarbons are used to test the method and recovery is >95%. The eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthrene, pyrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (a) pyrene and benzo (e) pyrene were the most abundant PAHs found in the samples of ambient air with current method at Uxbridge-London. Application of the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air samples shows that the hydrocarbons trapped in the particle phase to a lesser degree at higher ambient temperature. In conclusion a method has been developed to transfer the PAHs in particle phase from a filter to GC-MS by thermal desorption. A standard mixture of PAHs, when absorbed onto the filter, did lead to strong analyte absorbent interactions by the high percent recovery of the sample.

Respiratory system disorders occur in aluminum potroom workers despite pre-employment medical examinations. The aims of this study were to measure fluoride and its compounds in the potroom workplace atmosphere as well as workers` breathing zone air, examine the blood eozinophile cells count in the workers exposed to the fluoride compounds, and evaluate the respiratory symptoms and dysfunctions caused during the occupational exposure in potroom workers. To achieve these objectives, a study was carried out in 10 workplaces (potrooms) of Aluminum Producing Plants in Arak city located at Central Iran. Through this study, the data obtained from 160 workers (100 cases and 60 controls) were statically processed. The selected controls were matched for age, year of starting employment, smoking habit, and body mass index (BMI). The total fluoride compounds concentration of potroom, mean concentration of workers` breathing zone air at different job positions were measured showed high concentration compared to the Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA). The incidence of respiratory symptoms, the number of blood eozinophile, and WBC counts were higher than normal range in case group. During this study, the susceptible aluminum potroom workers to occupational asthma were also identified. Through this study, it was concluded that, workers employing in the potroom in aluminum industries are at risk for respiratory disorders and a continuous workplace monitoring is needed to evaluate workers exposures.

To recognize the impacts of soil acidity on quantitative and qualitative conditions of broadleaf and coniferous trees in Syyahkal watershed region of northern Iran, hand-cultivated adjacent stands of different species of Pinus taeda, Acer insinge,and Alnus subcordata were compared. To gather general information about the soil type in each site, one profile and in total five soil profiles were dug, identified, and classified. In each site 35 individual plots have been selected and thus from all 175plots available vegetative characteristics of above said tree species including height, diameter and volume have been determined. In order to determine the soil characteristiscs in each plot and based on our previous knowledge, samples from two specific horizon depths (0-15cm, and 15-30cm) were collected. Then, in total of 135 samples specific chemical analyses of concern (pH, N.K.P) were carried out. Next, based on appropriate statistical studies (Student t-test, Fisher F-test, or ANOVA, Tukey test or HSD and Regression analysis) the relation between vegetative characteristics of forest trees and different soil parameters in each adjacent sites have been compared. This comparison clearly showed that the hand-cultivated stands do not share similar vegetative characteristics status and in fact due to past thinning nurturing operations Pinus taeda has gained the most volume in acre. Statistical tests reveal that an increase in the amount of soluble nitrogen as a nutrient substance with regard to the vegetative parameters for all three plant species involved translates into a direct dependent relation. This means that an increase in tree diameter, height, and volume is expected wherever more concentrations of soluble nitrogen exists.The soil profile descriptive tables clearly show that Pinus taeda has taken root deep in the soil due to the lack of nutrients at soil surface layers. Thus, it would not be logical to suggest the re-plantation of this species in ruined forested areas of interest. On the other hand, vertical taking root process in Acer insigne, and Alnus subcordata stands down to 63 centimeters depth and has occurred accordingly. Furthermore, dead leaf decomposition at the forest floor has carried out quickly and therefore has helped with the richness of nutrient elements at soil surface layers in both stands. Thus, reuse and re-plantation of these species becomes quite possible and therefore is strongly suggested.

In the present investigation down core variations of heavy metals such as; Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe and Al in a sediment core from Bay of Gorgan adjacent to the Caspian Sea was studied. Inter-relationship amongst various parameters was brought out through correlation coefficients and cluster analysis. The results of present study reveals that Zn, Ni, Co and Mn possess both lithogenous and non-lithogenous sources. The increasing trend of Al towards top of sediment core is indicative higher erosion in the recent years. Interestingly, concentration of all studied metals increases toward core top (except for Fe) that might be indicative of influence of man`s activities residing in catchment area of Gorgan Bay and also oil exploration in the Caspian Sea. Further, 210Pb and 137Cs techniques were used to find out rate of sedimentation. The result of dating is indicative of sedimentation rate between 1.4 to 2.45 mm/yr. based on 210Pb and 137Cs activities respectively.

Some bacteria like the heavy metal resistant Alcaligenes eutrophos CH34 strains are able to promote biomineralization, being the biologically induced crystallization of heavy metals. In the presence of heavy metals, this strain may create an alkaline environment in the periplasmic space and outer cell environment appropriate induction of heavy metals resistance mechanisms. In such an environment metal hydroxides are formed together with metal bicarbonates resulting from the carbonates production by the cell. Also metals bind to out cell membrane proteins and the metal hydroxides and bicarbonates precipitate around these nucleation foci inducing further metal crystallization. A pilot-plant was set up in which Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 were inoculated and reproduced in a composite membrane, based on polysulfone. The membrane is casted on a polyester support. The biological membrane was in continuous contact with nutrients from inside and the other side was in contact with wastewater flow containing 120-mg/l cadmium. Nutrients are used for growth and reproduction of bacteria and for development of bacteria resistance agents against heavy metals. At the effluent side immobilized bacteria induce metal precipitation and metal crystals. A column, which was in continuous contact with treated effluent, was continuously filled with glass bends to which the metal crystals bind and grow. The efficiency for Cd removal was over 99 percent. Cd removal could be recovered from the recuperation column by acid treatment without damaging the bacteria.

Kangan Gas Refinery is one of the greatest gas refineries in Iran. Environmental affects of this refinery should be assessed because of its high economic importance, as well as its considerable revenue. Since the gas refinery is classified in highly polluted industy, therefore the impact of wastewater the refinery should be determined. This research is carried out on March 2002 at Kangan refinery, which is located in Kangan city, southern part of Iran. The gas refinery wastewater generally includes oil, hydrocarbon materials and chemical additives, which are in the form of emulsion in water. The following parameters, such as oil and grease, PAHs, BOD, TH, turbidity, COD, EC, pH, TSS, SiO2, PO4 are determined in wastewater of the refinery in order to determine the amount of pollutants, which are affecting the area where the refinery is located. The oil and grease are analyzed by FTIR and PAHs are determined by UV-Luminance and physico-chemical parameters are determined according to the Standard Methods. The results show that although pollution of the refinery wastewater is within world permissible limits (EPA), but since the area is affected by the wastewater and surrounding area is confined with river basin it could be concluded that pollutants, which are discharged to the echo environment, are not in the permissible limits of the similar Industries.

The worst environmental pollutants in Anzali International Wetland are oily hydrocarbons especially aromatic and poly aromatic compounds (PAHs). The existence of oily compounds with approximate limit of concentration of 0.1 µg/l in aquatic environment bans the growth of fish larva and causes the generic state manner of animals. Anzali International Wetland, which is situated in the west – southern part of Caspian Sea where has environmental importance in life of living organisms and ecosystems. In this reseach, four sites, Pirbazar, Pasikhan, west and central parts, where are situated in Anzali International Wetland, have been studied in 2002. Waste sedimentation soil Sampling was performed during winter and spring in the above-mentioned regions. In the first stage, the purpose of sampling was to access optimum instrumental conditions and correct and precise procedures. Oily pollutants were extracted from water and it was done by using CC14 solvent after cleaning and concentrating. The extracted samples were identified with gas chromatographic method with using polyaromatic standard solutions. By the powerful GC/MS method; results of qualitative analysis were confirmed. Also by GC/MS using SIM mode quantitative analysis were performed. Quantitative study of polyaromatic compounds has also been done by luminescence spectrophotometry. Some compounds which were identified in the water samples were: olifinic, aromatic and poly – aromatic compounds such as: antracene, fluourine, xylene, methylbenzene, naphthalene and acenaphtylene. Finally, the degree of biodegradation of compounds such as pristan (C19H40) and phytan (C20H42) in water samples was integrated.

Salt tolerance in eighteen advanced rice genotypes was studied under an artificially salinized (EC=8.5 dSm-1) soil conditions after 90 days of transplanting. The results showed that the yield per plant, chlorophyll concentrations, fertility percentage, and number of productive tillers, panicle length and number of primary braches per panicle of all the genotypes were reduced by salinity. However, genotypes viz. Jhona-349 x Basmati-370, NR-1, DM-59418, DM-63275, DM-64198 and DM-38-88 showed better salinity tolerance than others.

In this research, an investigation on carbone monoxide in heavy traffic intersections of Kerman municipal districts in 2003-2004 has been performed. Kerman City is located at the south-eastern part of Iran. Carbone monoxide in highly toxic for human health and natural ecosystems in metropolition districts especially due to high traffic and industrial activities. For this reason, it was decided to investigate and find out the high concentartion of Co pollutants in heavy traffic intersections of Kerman City. In this regards 21 heavy traffic squares and intersections were selected and the concentration of CO were measured. In the middle of each month during the year, sampling and measurement were scheduled three times at daily times according 7-12 am; 12-16 and 16-20 pm. In each period, 12 samples of 5 minutes were collected and CO concentration for 1-hr was calculated. The results obtained indicate that the hourly mean concentrations were lower than WHO guidelines and also lower than measurements of 1989, which has already done. In spite of more cases and higher populations, natural gas distribution was the cause of decline in CO concentrations.

Iran is facing large challenges in the area of energy policy. In order to illuminate these challenges and the problems and possibilities, which are present, firstly, the current energy consumption patterns have been analyzed in Iran as well as the energy policy of the Iranian government. Based on this analysis, the alternative concepts have been then formulated for Iran`s future energy. The increase in energy usage in Iran is distinctly out of proportion with the development of economic productivity. Negative structural characteristics of this system are: first, an above average energy intensity; second, an increase in energy consumption in the traffic sector; third, a high growth rate in usage of electric energy; and lastly, an above-average amount of stress to the environment. Traditionally, Iran`s energy policy has focused on satisfying the growing demand for energy by oil and, in the last fifteen years, by successively expanding natural gas. However, the further development of the natural gas supply only makes sense within the context of a holistic energy policy, which takes into account the principles of sustainable development. In the short term, such a policy would take advantage of both considerable energy saving techniques, as well as potential renewable energy sources. In the long term, such a policy would strive for the complete transfer to renewable energy sources and technology.