Journal of Environmental Studies
Year:2001 | Volume:27 | Issue:Special Issue|Papers Count:16

Land and resource developoment suitability is usually achieved by landscape capability analysis. But using land capability analysis in planning process is often restricted by budget and time limitations. A simple, yet effective capability analysis method is hence required, that can furnish planners reliable land zonning with the least data and time requirement. The Optimum Integration Method (Formann, 1995) of land capability analysis, zonning and classification is one of these simple, yet effective methods.An addapttion of this method was used for a land-use planning project concerning touristic development of Kohkiloye-U-Boyer- Ahmad Province (Southern Iran). Successful achievement of foreseen planning objectives resulted in introducing this method for further possible uses in simillar cases. This environmental capability analysis method in land-use planning process offered both short-term management proposals and long-term planning strategies baseed on actual and preferred land capability and carrying capacity. Furthermore, proper site selection for implementation of pilot development projects was also achieved based on regional and local comparative advantages (and/or disadvantages) of concerning landscapes.

In the study of the effects of salicylate on population density of naphthalene degrading bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria in a sample of soil polluted with aromatic hydrocarbons, two different concentrations of salicylate (16, 160) µg / gr of soil incubated for 30 days. At 160 µg / gr, salicylate enhanced the density of naphthalene degraders and heterotrophic bacteria for 30 days. No chenges in recoverable bacterial population densities were observed when soil samples were treated with 16µg of salicylate gr-1 .The activity of naphthalene oxygenase, specifically involved in naphthalene metabolism have been measured in the strain, Pseudomonas pseudomallei after incubation with salicylate. The results indicate that synthesis of naphthalene oxygenase is enhanced by salicylate.

Increasing rate of world population growth has tremendous and often detrimental impacts on natural environment of our planet. Unreasonable consumption of non-renewable sources of energy, deforestation, and the extinction of species are among these impacts. There are many who believe that global warming which is resulted due to population growth, urbanization and over and irresponsible consumption is now seriously threatening cities and inflict non-repairable damage on world climate. Our urban planning, under the influence of classic development model and cliché urban development models which ignore local ecological conditions have not only caused the unsustainability conditions in our cities, but the whole regions (Bahriany, 1378a). It seems that the sustainable development concepts are perfectly compatible with the goals and purposes of new urban planning, and, therefore, these concepts may be used as effective tools to achieve sustainability in urban areas (Bahrainy, 1378b).Many scholars, analysts, and even politicians are convinced that any change in the existing conditions of cities towards sustainability requires a major change in our thought, or a radical change in our way of thinking and action. But few have gone any further to provide the practical means for such a change (Bahrainy, 1375). In this paper, efforts are made to; following a review of the origin of the concept of sustainability, definitions and purposes of sustainability and its application in urban development; a general framework will be developed through which, practical guidelines and implementation mechanisms will be introduced to achieve sustainability in the urban areas.

Examining historical urban fabric of Iranian desert cities demonstrates that one of the best responses to the natural laws in the establishment of an appropriate built environment for human life, was considered in these settlements. The principles applied to the establishment of these cities not only did not impose disturbance and damages to the environment but have also granted perfection to matters.This paper endeavors to recognize those attributes of architecture and spatial organization of Iranian desert cities which are derived from both peoples beliefs and culture, and in harmony with environmental conditions. These are discussed under the following main titles:- After a. brief introduction, the Islamic points of view on human beings, nature, their relationships, and sustainable development are defined.- The next part of the paper discusses desert cities and sustainable development through three sections: expressing the principles predominating over nature and human life, introducing historical examples, and the present attitude of Iranian desert cities in response to the principles.- The final part of the paper is the conclusion in which the main lessons for future are introduced.

Wildlife sancturies (W.S.) according to IUCN classification need less conservation, but more development plan.Lavandville W.S. (less than 1000 ha, NW of Iran) is located near Caspian Sea and is important as habitats for waterfowl and other birds. Physical resources (sands and oyster shells) of L.W.S. are exploited by local people. The area also provides outdoor recreational apportunities for the people.By system analysis approach environmental resources of L.W.S was surveyed, analysed integrated and mapped, environmental capabilities of the area were evaluated for zoning purposes. Accordingly, 2.68% of L.W.S is suitable for zone 1 (restricted nature reserve), 57.63% for zone 2 (conservation zone) 35,93% for extensive use (zone 3), 0/55% for intensive use (zone 4), 1.63% for zone 5 (rehabilitation zone), and finally, 1.58% is suitable as buffer zone (zone 8). The development plan of L.S.W, according to zoning would protect its resources and ease the management.

In order to determine optimum landuses (in accordance with natural capability) and improve the current land management, landuse planning process was applied by using GIS. Within the framework of system analysis approach basic ecological and socio-economic data were mapped. The mapped data were digitized and imported to Idrisi and Arc/Info, to build a Database, along with other descriptive data. The process of geographic coordinates registration, building topology and editing the maps were done in Arc/Info. Then, in the analysis stage, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was prepared using contour map in Idrisi. Based on that, slope, aspect and elevation maps were produced. In the middle stage of the analysis, environmental units map and units attribute table were made by overlaying slope, elevation, aspect, soil and vegetation type and density layers in Arc/Info. Then, environmental units attribute table was completed by considering other ecological and socio-economic data in ArcView. Specific ecological models were supplied for Dadghan basin and using Structured Query Language (SQL), each of environmental units capability was determined and mapped for alloted landuses. In the last analysis and landuse planning process stage, the priority of suitable landuses (in accordance with natural capability) was determined and mapped by cosidering landuse prerequisites and using SQL. Finally, in order to predict institutional, organizational and executive arrangements, criteria and regulations of establishing optimum landuses were presented together with buffers criteria and executive-organizational framework of basin management plan.

In this research, a pilot consisting of two Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) used to remove phosohorus biologically. Both reactors were in operation in a 12 hours cycle and they were controlled by a computer. The blank one had no primary anaerobic stage and its aeration time was 9.5 hours. The other one had the primary anaerobic stage with no change in the total reaction time (9.5 hours). The average concentration of influent phosphorus and COD in reactors were 7.5 and 800 milligram per litre respectively. In two months periods, the average effeciencies of phosporus removal for the blank reactor and the second reactor with anaerobic reaction times of 2,3, and 4.5 hours were 16%, 26%, 64%, and 99% respectively.In the reactor with anaerobic reaction time of 4.5 hours, increasing the sludge age from 5 days to 10 days resulted in decreasing of phosphorus removal efficiency from 99% to 87%.In general, the result of this investigation show that the increases of anaerobic reaction time can increase the efficiency of phosphorus removal, because of the prevalence of phosphorus removing microrganisms over other species. Also, the accurate control of additional sludge volume (sludge age) has an appropriate effect on the removal efficiency.

Pollutants of various sources and nature, including heavy metals, find their way into the Haraz River. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations and their fluctuations in the tissues of several fish species in the lower part of the river were investigated.The fish samples were caught by using electroshoker. Tissues from gills, muscle and viscera were taken to determine Pb and Cd content, using atomic absorption. The results which were analysed using F.test and ANOVA inidicated different but significant concentration of these heavy metals in different species and tissues. However, no significant difference was found between adult and juvenile fish species.

In this research by taking advantage of degradtion model in a grid system (Makhdoum 1996) an area of 9222 km2 in eastern part of Tehran province including Eslam Shahr, Rey, Varamin, Damavand and Firooz Kooh were studied.The results show that 43.8% of the area, due to its natural conditions, is not suitable for development. In addition 14.7% of the area is facing the shortage of water needed for development. The rest of the area, (42.5%), due to the degradation caused by mans activities has lost its natural capability for development.

It is fair to say that the man by including agricultural, industrial activities and exploitation of natural resources in his survival agenda is the most responsible of all for environmental changes. Fundamental development in various parts of a watershed is unavoidable and sometimes necessary. In recent years, large number of environmentally improper developments including new town development have taken place around Latian lake (dam), which have led towards construction without proper engineering and environmental observations. The aim of this research work is assessment and measurement of degradation due to inappropriate development in environment.Degradation Model is one of the important tools in quantification of environmental degradation. This model is a systemic analysis type and uses mathematical model that yields development effects of a region in the shortest possible time. In another word, it reduces time and cost for evaluation process.In this work, borders of watershed have been drawn to scale of 1:50,000. The region has been divided to 748 units (i.e. 2cm × 2cm grid) which each grid covers an area of 1km2.The degradation model for each individual unit has been applied by employing computer programs.It was found that 510 units (68% of total) are unfit for development, because of certain inappropriate conditions. Also 149units (i.e. 20% 0 total) were deteriorated by human activities that have lost potential for proper development.