Journal of Environmental Studies
Year:2004 | Volume:29 | Issue:32|Papers Count:22

Prior to any design activity, land (site) evaluation is essential to achieve an ecological sustainable design. Since the selected area for design located in Jajroud riverside in Khojir National Park, the land evaluation was preformed so as to find suitable recreational zones. Landscape structural elements (patches and corridors) as well as configuration of riverside vegetation which create natural patterns, were investigated for the purpose of considering chorological relations across ecosystem (landscape evaluation). So, the optimal site for intensive recreation development was proposed with the help of interpretation of the acquired specifications and the results obtained from land evaluation.In addition, contextual design recommendations were provided, based on landscape ecology principles and the findings of landscape structural patterns in area of question.

The objective of this research was to investigate some ecological features of Artemisia Sieberi in rangelands of Ardebil province. For this purpose, according to the vegetation map and field surveys, limited area from the elevation of 20 m to 1900 m, were selected. In mentioned areas, sampling was carried out in 30 sites that were representative of the study area. 3 transects with length of 20 m were established along slope for sampling. Four plots with 1 × 1 dimensions were also selected in each transect. In addition to survey of site conditions, situation of species in vegetation succession and botanical characteristics such as root condition, phenology and comosition of chemical materials of plants were investigated. Results showed that considering variation in ecological factors in study area, this species has extensive range of occurance that could be adapted with condition of the region. Although, mentioned species has the maximum of density in deep soils with heavy texture that located in east aspects (lower slope).

The Ultimate purpose of this research is to illustrate the advantages and disdvantages of implementation of the project for constructing a by-pass road on Anzali Wetland called Kenargozar. The research intends not only to investigate the effective elements on the ecological conditions but also to present the pratical suggestions for improving the environmental situation. The Iranian Matrice method is used for this purpose, (Makhdoum, 2001). The Matrice table designed includes 59 micro-activities of the project, and 76 factors of environmental conditions, which among them %52.54 averages are less than -3.1 in columns and %51.32 averages are less than -3.1 in rows. Considering the fact that the road with the length of 16 kilometers passes through the protected area of Anzali Wetland and the results obtained, the project is rejected from the viewpoint of Matrice method. The continuation of the project can be possible if an economic justification is presented for improving the alternatives (the averages less than -3.1 in coloumns) and implementing the mitigation plans (averages less than -3.1 in rows).

Barbus mystaceus (Heckl, 1843) which synonymised by several authors with Barbus scheich (Heckel, 1843); Barbus barbulus Heckel, 1846 and Bat-bus rajanorum Heckel 1846, and Berg (1949) synonymised with Barbus rajanorum, is reaffirmed. Differences between this species and Barbus barbulus are given based on comparative morphological, meristic and osteologicl differences. The differences are in the body shape, the head and mouth shape, the dorsal fin spine and in supraneural and interdigitation pattern. There are also few short note on Barbus (Luciobarbus) mystaceus or Cyprinus mystaceus, but the presence of this species in Iran had not been reported. There is not clear view on difference between Barbus barbulus and Barbus mystaceus also presence of B. mystaceus in Iran is doubtful. The purpose of presenting this paper is to clarify taxonomic status and differences between this species and B. barbulus based on Heckel (1846) original description, specimens collected in western and south western Iran and preserved specimen in Canadian Museum of Nature.The locality in Iran and other localities in Tigris and Euphrates for Barbus mystaceus are given.

Tehran potable water is mainly provided from surface water resources including Karaj and Jajrud rivers. There are no doccumented and valid data on flouride concentration in different Tehran water supplies. In this study it was attempted to determine flouride concentration in surface water resources supplying Tehran drinkink water. In this regard, 8 stations along the Karaj River and 5 stations along the Jajrud River have been selected and during 8 months study representative samples were taken on the basis of two months intervals. According to the study results the flouride concentrations were 0.15-0.35 and 0.28-0.52 mg/1 in Karaj and Jajrud rivers respectively. These concentrations are below drinking water standard limits (0.7-2.0 mg/1) and thus it is recommended to adjust flouride concentration in water treatment plant or to provide it through other ways such as supplementary diet programs.

Volatial Organic Compounds (VOCs) are widely used as ingredients in household products, like paints, varnishes, adhesives, cleaning and disinfecting material. Fuels are made up of organic chemical and can release VOCs when they are used and stored. BTEX are more important compounds between other VOCs. Respiratory and pulmonary effects have been noted from inhalation exposure to BTEX compound in humans. In this research BTEX Compounds have been measured in the indoor air, and the results have been compared with standards. The data obtained in this research are crucial for estimating exposure to BTEX compounds emitted in the indoor air and especially for design of methods to reduce exposure through selecting appropriate building and furnishing materials and household products.

In view of the population growth of the country in the past decades and reliance of the national economy on petroleum products without the presence of a logical structure and high energy consumption particularly fossil fuels, the environment and underground water in industrial centers are seriously being threatened. Oil refining and petrochemical plants, oil storage facilities and Shazand Power Plant are using groundwater. During the process operation, air, soil and water are being threatened due to leakages and drainage of waste water. For this reason, in the period of spring to winter 1378 (1999), sampling of groundwater from 5 stations of Arak Refinery had been conducted seasonally.Water samples transferred to laboratory in standard conditions, hydrocarbon, phenolic and polyaromatic compounds, COD and TOC have been measured according to ASTM and Standard Methods. The average concentration of oil and grease, COD and TOC were 0.81, 7.13 and 1.9 mg/l, also the average concentration of phenolic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons were 0.76 and 12.2 µg/1 respectively. Comparing results with admissible concentration of phenolic and polyaromatic hydrocarbon compounds for drinking water standard, which are 0.5 and 0.2 µg/l, results were high, and comparing with concentration of oil and grease, phenolic compounds and COD for irrigation and agriculture, they were 10, 1.0 and 200 µg/l, which were low, respectively.

Finding a new water resource is necessary due to the world over population limitation of water resources and the efforts to enhance the quality of life and so on. There are some advantages in using treated wastewaters:1) it is more economical than other methods of supplying fresh waters such as reverse osmosis and so on. 2) the environment will be protected when treated wastewater is used. The different methods of reusing the treated wastewater are: urban reuse. irrigation industrial recreational aqiculture groundwater recharge and potable reuse.The possibility of reusing the wastewater according to a management plan is presented in this paper. The case study is Ekbatan Treatment Plant. The result of this study indicates that irrigation of Chitgar Forest Park with Ekbatan Treatment Plants effluent is environmentlly and economically feasible. A lake can be constructed to store water during winter. This has some positive effects on Tehran weather and green spaces. A cost benefit analysis is done in order to shows advantages of the project. The cost of pipeline for transferring treated effluent from treatment plant to Chitgar Park and pumping station is considered in the analysis. The other advantages such as CO2 absorbtion the wood value of park benefit of increasing visitors also are discussed in the paper.

Use of EIA has initiated from project-level. Inspit of advantages of EIA at the project level they are not able to analyze the integrated effects because environmental effects of humans activity often are cumulative induced and synergestic. In addition project-level EIA in design of project is not Proactive and it only examins designed project after they are approved and only has adjustive role. But environmental crisis illustrate that their solutions require strategic proactive approach and on time prediction at policy making planning and programming level and only in this level estimation of carrying capacity as most important sustainability indicator is feasible. Because carrying capacity is affected of all micro macro repeated and divers activites.So disadvantages of project-level EIA requires promotion of use of EIA at the different level of planning system including policy making planning and programming. In this way strategic environmental assessmen (SEA) could be asolution.

Although many environmental problems such as pollution shortage of natural resources and damages to the environment are apparently results of mans unplanned and wrong use of nature the root of the problems should be sought from neglecting the spirituality and (symbolic) meaning of nature and its elements which have been considered in all traditional cultures. The quantitative thought predominated over the modern era (like modern architecture which considers buildings and cities as machines) approaches the nature as a machine from which the maximum economic and material efficiency is the final aim.Researching the hypothesis which considers effects of promotion and revitalization of spiritual culture on protecting environment and elements deals with three main components. "culture" "natural elements" and "geographical place". In this research "Iranian culture" "water" and "Iran" are respectively selected as justifications of the above mentioned components. The mechanical school of thought takes into water as a part of the machine of existence by which human physiological and material needs can be responded. Whereas by paying attention to different degrees of human life (spiritual mental and material) and by considering the importance of spiritual and mental aspects of human life everything in the world is meaningful. Being away of the fact that nature and natural elements have (symbolic and spiritual) meanings will help straighten and enrich in addition to being a guide in the quantitative field in relation to nature. Basic subjects in Iranian culture will be considered in this paper. Moreover the paper endeavors to investigate the ways of getting benefits from historical experiments by which besides solving material problems human life will be meaningful. The main titles (subjects) of the paper are as follows: "introduction and generalities" "spiritual aspects of water in Iranian culture" "water in Iranian architectural and urban spaces" "water and its related architectural elements" "present situation" and "conclusion and suggestions".

In this topics the important points are as follows.A:1- Evolution of the statutory urban planning system in Britain that establishes planners as producers of plans and controllers of urban development. 2- The evolution of statutory of urban planning that they did it from 1909 to 1986 comprises two kinds of plans:- Structural plans.- Local plans. In Britain they replaced the comprehensive plans by these two kind of plans.B:In Iran we still apply the old fashioned comprehensive plans and there are certain problems in preparation approval and implementation of these plans. They use urban planning laws which were enacted in previous years. They do not change it and adapt it to the changing conditions of urban environment and accept it as it is.