JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Year:2020 | Volume:22 | Issue:3 (94)|Papers Count:30

Background and Objective: The compacted clay liners (CCLs) due to their low permeability and suitable capability for contaminant retention are widely used in engineering waste disposal sites. Generally, the change in properties of soil pore fluid has a very distinguished impact on the behaviour of clayey soils. In spite of several researches, which have been performed on the process of clay and organic contaminant interaction, there are few researches on the influence of dielectric constant of organic contaminant and initial hydration of bentonite on the geotechnical and geo-environmental properties of organic contaminated bentonite. Such a process is very common in many industrial and waste disposal projects. Methods: This research was performed on sodium-bentonite soil samples which were exposed to two different organic materials (Ethanol and Acetic Acid) which have different dielectric constant. Furthermore, two different pre-hydration and post-hydration conditions were studied in this research. After achieving equilibrium condition, the influence of initial hydration and change on the dielectric constant of pore fluid upon interaction of organic material and bentonite was investigated. The investigation focuses attention on the plasticity properties of bentonite by the use of Atterberg limit tests. Findings: The achieved results indicate that in Casagrande's plasticity chart, two pre-hydrated sodium-bentonite soil samples which were exposed further to ethanol and acetic acid are classified as CH and shifted from CH to MH, respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: The change on the dielectric constant of pore fluid and different hydration conditions cause a change on the thickness of the double layer of clay fraction of the soil. This causes a noticeable change on the structure and behaviour of clay fraction of the soil sample. This variation on bentonite behaviour has been discussed based on the current available theory of double layer. Furthermore, the theoretical limitation for interpretation of results has been addressed.

Background and Objective: Energy carriers are one of the most important factors in production and accessing to energy resources can smooth countries economic growth and development process. Also, countries inclination in order to achieving higher economic growth has accompanied with higher using of energy carriers and has led to emission of Greenhouse gas. This leads to create environmental problems threatening human life. Therefore, studying the relation among economic growth, energy using and Greenhouse gas emissions is of particular importance. Method: Accordingly, the aim of this study is to analysis the interaction among economic growth, energy using and CO2 gas using data from 16 selected countries of the OIC. Findings: The results from estimated model with data panel technique showed that in significant level of 5%, existence the Kuznets inverted U hypothesis is valid in the under-studied countries. Since, the coefficient related to GDP growth variable and its square has positive and negative sign, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that energy using has statistically positive impact on CO2 gas emission in time period 1995-2015. Discussion and Conclusion: Given the existence of a one-way causality relationship between GDP growth and CO2 emissions, the economic growth in the studied countries has led to an increase in CO2 emissions and as well as the U reverse relation of economic growth and CO2 emissions, so that in the studied countries, by increasing the growth rate, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions will increase as well. After a certain growth rate and passing through it, with higher economic growth CO2 emissions have also declined in these countries, It is recommended that, in view of the high importance of the environment, the environmental authorities and environmental organizations have adopted appropriate environmental laws and regulations, and technologies have progressed towards eco-friendly technologies and cost financing related to changing technology to environmentally friendly technology, as well as paying taxes which taxes to improve the environment.

Background and Objective: Strengthening urban green space, providing tranquility for people living in the city and spending leisure time in parks is a feature of urban parks, and on the other hand with the focus of the urban population, attention to health, safety and environmental issues in the park, urban development is of particular importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate and determine people's views on health, safety and environmental issues of the city park in order to ultimately use the results for better urban management and promotion of safety, health and environmental indicators of Yazd city parks. Method: Therefore, after determining the factors affecting the safety, health and environment of urban parks through library studies and activities previously carried out to receipt of the citizens’ opinion about the health, safety and the environment of a number of important parks in Yazd, the questionnaire method was used and the results were analyzed by SPSS 22. Findings: Results show that people opinion about environmental, health and safety indices are obtained about 69. 2%, 67% and 62. 4%, recpectively. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the importance of Health, Safety and Environment in urban places, editing documents and comprehensive framework in the field of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and the control and monitoring of these factors is an effective step to solve problems that urban planners have, consequently the pass to sustainable development will be easier.

Background and Objective: For more than a decade, the southwestern provinces of Iran have encountered with the phenomenon of sand and dust storms. This phenomenon has become the most common cause of air and environmental pollution in those areas. The present research aims to examine the challenges and risks posed by this phenomenon against sustainable development. Method: This research has investigated the social, political and economic dimensions of the dust problem using a qualitative method (thematic analysis). The techniques used were semi-structured interviews and observations. In this study, 60 local people were interviewed. Findings: The findings show that dust particles not only have caused the loss of biological balance of plant species in the environment, but also they have had devastating effects on the local businesses and have caused socio-psychological and health problems and increased the cost of life for the people and the government. The phenomenon of dust can be considered as the most important factor that has reduced the objective and subjective quality of life of locals. Discussion and Conclusion: This research shows that this phenomenon has created an undesirable collection of issues in the economic, social and health fields that reproduces a polysemantic structure of poverty. In such undesirable environment, dissatisfaction with the current situation has paved the way for the collapse of the balance of the social system of the society. This kind of climate change has had a great impact on the quality of life of the people, which, on the one hand, provides a platform for distrust to the involved institutions and, on the other hand, threatens the sustainability of development in the social, economic and political dimensions.

Background and Objectives: A Northern Zagros oak forests have been pollarded since a long time ago and finally they have been destroyed by forest dwellers. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of pollarding on some soil chemical properties. Method: Two adjacent oak forest stands with similar physiography were selected including a lessdisturbed area (as control stand) and pollarded stands that it periodically pollarded once every three years. 10 composite soil samples under the tree crown have been taken from 0-15 cm soil depth of each area. Finally, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, pH and EC were analyzed. Findings: The results showed that all soil factors had significant differences in theses area except magnesium and C/N ratio. The amount of calcium and pH increased in pollarded area compare with control while soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and EC decreased. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of this study showed that preservation of trees and stop pollarding trees in control area can produce a better soil condition compare with pollard stands. People use trees foliage to feeding livestock by oak pollarding in this forest so that these pollarding activities of local dwellers can reduce the amount of soil organic matter content and soil nutrient reserves. The decreasing of soil nutrient reserves will be very harmful to conserve the soil fertility and productivity.

Background and Objective: Iran has various habitats in lakes and wetlands for microalgae Dunaliella. There are limited researches on the physiological behavior of Iranian Dunaliella in different environments including light intensity and salt concentration. Method: The experiment was done based on completely randomized design with three replications and three factorials including two light levels (25 and 500 μ mol photon m-2s-1), three salinity levels (2, 3 and 4 M NaCl) and three isolates (SH1, M1, G28) and CCAP19/18 strain. The isolates SH1, M1 and G28 were selected from Urmia Lake, Maharloo Lake and Gavkhoni wetlands, respectively. A non-native and standard strain, CCAP19/18, was used to compare the behavior of the native isolates. Findings: The results showed that microalgae physiological behavior affected not only by environmental factors but also by genetic characteristics and the metabolic potential of microalgae. Under 25 μ mol photon m-2s-1 and 3 M NaCl condition, Urmia isolate (SH1) had high cell number and chlorophyll content. However, Maharloo isolate (M1) was showed high carotenoids contents under above mentioned condition. Discussion and Conclusions: The results are showing that: a) isolate with Urmia lake origin (SH1) has good potential for high growth and reproduction and it is the proper candidate for high biomass production. With measuring traits such as growth and cell number, content and photosynthetic pigment ratios may suggest that b) isolates with Urmia (SH1) and Maharloo (M1) lakes origin are suitable for the extraction of chlorophyll and carotenoids and c) it seems reasonable to expect that the Maharloo isolate (M1) is proper for photosynthetic studies.

Background and objective: Groundwater is the valuable resources for drinking, agriculture and industry uses in the most regions of Iran. Groundwater qualitative changes can be created by human activity and industrial development. Study of these resources is necessary in order to maintaining and improving their quality. The objective of this study is zoning and regional the specification parameters point of the case study. Finally determined the best method for zoning the each of the variables and permitted and infect areas in agricultural uses. In addition behavior variables were investigated in the 10 year period of time. Method: Qualitative data of Hameda-Bahar plain in Ten-year period were used in this study. Variables such as EC, TDS, SAR, HCO3, PH, Cl & Na evaluated by Geostatical methods include of Ordinary Kriging(OK), (by Circular, Gaussian, Exponential and spherical Semivariogram Modeling) and the specific methods include inverse distance weights (IDW), radial basis functions (RBF), global polynomial interpolator (GPI) and local polynomial interpolator (LPI), were zoning with ARCGIS9. 3. Findings: Results indicated that the best method to zoning the qualitative parameters were IDW (EC), RBF (TDS), OK exponential semivariogram (HCO3), IDW (PH), RBF (Cl), OK exponential semivariogram (Na) and RBF (SAR) in Hamedan-Bahar plain. According to the best method the zoning of parameters was done for 2005, 2009 and 2014 years. Discussion and Conclusion: Results showed that Na had the maximum changes in ground water during the study period. The area percent for this parameter increased 3. 21% from 2005 to 2014.

Background and Objective: Catalytic processes in oil and gas industries are very important for refining, purification and production of useful compounds. Regeneration of spent catalysts is interested due to their environmental problems as solid wastes in the refineries. Activated alumina is a very useful catalyst in gas refinery for conversion of hydrogen sulfide to the elemental sulfur in Claus unit. In this paper regeneration of spent catalyst of Claus process in Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) and application of it for synthesis of polypyrrole/Al2O3 composite as an adsorbent of lead ion was investigated. Method: Catalyst regeneration was performed via washing by water or caustic washing and then thermal process. Characterization and analysis of catalysts were performed by XRF, XRD, FTIR, and BET measurements. Polypyrrole /Al2O3 composite was synthesized by in situ polymerization and used for removal of lead ions in batch experiments and different values of pH, lead concentration and temperature. Findings: Results showed that regeneration process caused to removal of impurities and sulfur without any change in the catalyst structure. Specific area of catalyst increased from 84 m2/g in spent catalyst to 186 m2/g in regenerated sample while the sulfur content decreased from 2. 53% to 0. 005-0. 007%. Discussion and Conclusion: The results indicated that the composite showed high ability for lead removal. Adsorption behavior was determined as Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic.

Background and Objective: In studies realted to hydrology, water conservation and management, accurate information of the water capacity in different soils for measuring water infiltration, drainage and erosion control is essential in order to launch irrigation projects in watersheds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of clay layers in the transfer of water through loamy sand. Method: Soil columns with a height of 150 cm and a diameter of 15 cm, were filled with clay layers to depths of 13 and 20 cm. Then the same volume of water with different salt concentrations was added to all columns. Also water sampling was carried out on a daily basis. Findings: Results showed that the layer clay could reduce the volume of water passing through the columns and by increasing the thickness of the clay layer, the ratio of passed water decreased. The results showed that by increasing the depth of the clay layer in the control treatment to a depth of 20, the amount of water at a concentration of 13 mEq and 20 mEq decreased by 16 and 35 percent. Discussion and Conclusion: Different performances were due to the thickness of clay layer. Because of the small clay texture and high compressibility, the movement of water in the soil can be delayed. This feature can be used to prevent the movement of leachate and pollution into the soil and contaminate groundwater. It seems that by changing the depth of the clay layer, the conductivity can be controlled in sensitive areas.

Background and Objective: Iran is located in the arid and semi-arid region of the world and water supply is a major and future challenge. Therefore, proper wastewater treatment is one of the most important solutions to the water scarcity problem. The main purpose of the present research is the wastewater reuse of varamin vegetable oil plant with the approach of industrial and agricultural production. Methods: In this regard, in order to treat the wastewater of the study plant, the necessary measures were taken to design the IFAS laboratory pilot and the effluent was injected into the pilot at different residual times to evaluate the purification ability of the proposed process. Important parameters for reuse in industry as well as important parameters in the standard of discharge to the environment and irrigation were analyzed. Findings: The results show that organic matter and nutrients play the most important role in pollution. Pilot effluent specifications in the factory raw wastewater treatment did not meet the required standard for any of the 4 industrial use groups, while the pilot effluent specifications in the factory effluent treatment had the required standard for the third and fourth groups. Discussion and Conclusion: Considering the purpose of this research and the approach of wastewater usage in industrial, agricultural and irrigation life, it can be stated that IFAS method or combining two methods of IFAS and collagenization due to efficient efficiency and low cost and high flexibility against hydraulic shock and Organic is an appropriate option for treating the sewage plant of varamin vegetable oil factory.

Background and Objective: Understanding attitudes of local people on protected areas, especially land use management is necessary for maintaining, managing and achieving sustainable development in these areas. Considering local resident's attitudes can promote protected areas management and help to recognize the problems and potential solutions. So in this research the attitudes and perceptions of people of Arsabaran Biosphere Reserve's about socio-economic impacts of land sue changes were analyzed. Method: 367 questionnaires consist of 24 questions distributed using stratified random method and full field by interviewing with local residents of the zones within the Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve (including the core, buffer and transitional zones). Validity and reliability of research was determined. Findings: Analysis show that the people consider scales and so socio-economic impacts of land sue changes in the local and regional scales is more important. Discussion and Conclusion: Local residents understand the necessity of maintaining land uses, but preferring the socio-economic issues and their livelihoods. People showed obviously the rational choice on their answers, and based on their current and future needs introduced future useful land uses. Using local residents' attitudes may help the managers to find out their needs as direct driving force of land use changes within the area and leads them to design win-win plans though land use management.

Background and Objective: The temporal variability of local winds of Sistan during the period of global warming is the subject of this research. In recent decades, global warming has brought about tangible changes in the temperature of the planet and has influenced other atmospheric parameters such as wind speed. Method: In the study of atmospheric parameters, estimating the effect of global warming on these parameters is important. For this purpose, variations in the Sistan wind speeds and sea level pressure in the study area under the conditions of the two scenarios A2 and B2 from the output of the global Hadcm3 model were downscaled and for three periods of 30 years up to 2099, the changes in these two parameters were generated and examined. Findings: The results showed that the average wind speed calculated by scenario B2 for the period 2010-2039, 2040-2069 and 2070-2070 respectively 0. 67, 0. 88 and 1. 15 m / s Relative to the Basic course will increase. Also, the average wind speed variation under A2 scenario Conditions, which is a pessimistic scenario, is 1. 36 and 1. 57 and 1. 79 m / s for the periods 2039-2039 and 2069-2070 and 2070-2070 Also, the pressure calculated by scenario B2 for the period 2010-2039, 2040-2069, and 2070-2070 will be reduced to 0. 04, 0. 10, and 0. 16, respectively, compared to the base period. Discussion and Conclusions: The results showed that the decline in pressure and increase in wind speed has not been uniformly distributed throughout the year. However, during the winter and spring and summer, pressure drop is more regular than the autumn season.

Background and Objective: Ungulate grazing is the most common land use in the world and one of the most impacting disturbances on species composition together with habitat destruction. The aim of this study was to study effect of livestock and forest dwellers exclusion on regeneration in Fouman forest in Guilan province. Method: For this purpose, 200 plots (100 plots in the grazed and 100 plots in the non-grazed area) were sampled by a randomized-systematic method with 100 m2 circular plots in the 100×200 meters grid. In each sample plot, regeneration density and quality condition were recorded. Using questionnaires completed by 100 farmers, forest dwellers status was also assessed. Findings: The results showed that there were significant differences between the two areas in terms of natural regeneration, so that regeneration density was more in the non-grazed region than grazed region. Regeneration quality was better in the non-grazed region than grazed region. The plan failed to properly provide the needs of forest dwellers. Discussion and Conclusion: These results indicate that livestock exclusion have positive effects on Fouman forests and natural resource managers can execute and manage this plan in other Iranian north forests with protect the rights of forest dwellers.

Background and Objective: The importance of environment protection has caused different countries benefit from renewable and clean sources to generate electricity. This has led to the development of hydropower plants around the world. Also, there are different hydroelectric projects in Iran that the Seimareh Dam & Hydropower Plant is amongst them. Since climate change can alter the hydrologic conditions of different areas and the performance of hydraulic structures, this study aims to examine the impacts of this phenomenon on the inflow to the Seimareh Dam. Method: Climate conditions in the future period (2040 to 2069) are predicted for the study area using HadCM3 model under A2 and B2 scenarios as well as CanESM2 model under RCP2. 6, RCP4. 5 and RCP8. 5 scenarios by the Statistical DownScaling Method (SDSM model). Also, this study uses HECHMS hydrologic model to simulate river flow. Findings: The results of the present study show that temperature of the area increases in the future period to different scenarios, in such a way that the highest amount of increase for maximum and minimum temperature in the future period has been predicted for RCP8. 5 respectively about 1. 2 and 1. 3 Centigrade. It is predicted that the mean annual amount of rainfall will reduce as well. Also, the assessment of simulated river flow shows that inflow to the Seimareh Dam will decrease about 5. 2 to 13. 4 percent in the future period. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of the present study show the importance and necessity of considering the climate change impacts in designing important hydraulic structures such as dams and hydropower plants.

Background and Objective: Large amounts of nitrate and nitrite in water cause different diseases in human and jeopardize plants and animals growth cycles. In this study in order to remove nitrate and nitrite ions from input of sample water, including high concentrations of nitrate by combining biological and physical methods a pilot was designed and tested. It should be noted that industrialization, cheap and availability of used materials in this pilot are benefits of this pilot. Method: The pilot was designed in the form of a cube with four drawers and a glass chamber at one end. The pilot drawers were filled with sawdust, wastewater (wastewater treatment plant in Islamic Azad University, Tehran) of treatment plant, including the best strain, handmade nitrate solution, the bentonite and twice washed sand. The experiments showed that the designed pilot in addition to the elimination of nitrate also removes the nitrite of the medium. The concentration of nitrate and nitrite was analysed by HACH/DR5000 spectophotometer. Findings: In the case of the pilot performance of the continuous system and using the strains taken from the wastewater of the treatment plant after the aeration phase, the nitrate and nitrite removal efficiency of the input of sample water in 20 minutes retention time were measured 74. 84% and 99. 8% respectively. Additionally, in the case of the pilot performance in the continuous system and using the strains taken from the sludge of the treatment plant wastewater before the aeration phase and the yeast, the nitrate and nitrite removal efficiency in 20 minutes retention time were measured 72. 63% and 56. 33% respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: During the experiments, the designed pilot had a promising role in the nitrate and nitrite removal. In the case of the pilot performance of the continuous system and using the strains taken from the wastewater of the treatment plant after the aeration phase, the maximum amount of nitrite and nitrate ions were removed. It should be noted that through the pilot performance in all cases, pH and temperature had an increasing and decreasing trend respectively.

Background and Objectives: The industrial clusters are a group of enterprises and related organizations in a particular area, which are geographically close and have relevance with each other. Industrial clusters have an important role in economic development both at the national and regional levels. This paper aims to present a native model for sustainable cluster development. Method: In this research, the "Grounded Theory" method has been used. The required data has been collected through a theoretical sampling method and a semi-structured interview with Cluster Development Agents (CDA(. Meanwhile, the number of research samples was 18. Findings: In this research, a native model is presented for the sustainable development of industrial clusters. After collecting the research data, three coding steps were performed including open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The proposed model has 7 main dimensions and 25 sub-dimensions, and their relationships in the model are based on causal relationships. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of research show that sustainable development of industrial clusters should be carried out continuously and comprehensively and in the process of development, in addition to economic factors, environmental and social factors must be considered. The proposed model has a multidimensional and multidimensional approach to the development of industrial clusters and can be used by development agents in order to achieve sustainable development. In developing the present model, the business climate and the conditions for the development of industrial clusters in Iran have been considered.

Background and Objective: Most industrial synthesis and processes require catalysis. Large quantities of catalysts are used in petroleum and petrochemical industry. These catalysts deactivate over time, and when the activity of a catalyst declines below an acceptable level, the catalyst has to be regenerated and reused. However, when regeneration is not possible, the catalyst activity might decrease to very low levels, so that further regeneration might not be economically feasible. In such cases, spent catalysts tend to be discarded as solid wastes. Method: Recycling of spent catalysts has become an unavoidable task to reduce the catalyst waste and prevent the environmental pollution. The kinetics of spent nickel oxide catalyst (NiO/Al2O3) from Razi petrochemical company leaching in nitric acid solutions was investigated. The effects of time reaction (60-360 min), nitric acid concentration (10%, 20%, 30%) and temperature (35oC, 85oC) on the rate of nickel leaching were studied. In addition, the reaction residues at various levels of nickel extraction were examined by XRD. Findings: The results of XRD analysis of catalysts showed that the most important elements in the catalyst were aluminum (43%) in the form of aluminum oxide and nickel (12. 15%) in the form of nickel oxide. A maximum extraction of 92% was achieved at 85oC, 30% HNO3 and 360min. Discussion and Conclusions: Time reaction, temperature and acid concentration showed positive effect. The leaching kinetics indicates that chemical reaction at the surface of the particles is the ratecontrolling process during the reaction.

Background and Objective: Today with all the advances in science, disasters such as earthquakes predictors are not nearly or as unavoidable as natural disasters. City of Kermanshah, due to its location, can always face dangers such as floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Method: The paper study is descriptive-analytic and its purpose is to study the resilience of Kermanshah through the PROMETHEE visual software, to prioritize the effective Factors in urban Resilient, so that the elements of the Institutional-Management, Sub-structural, Physical, Social and Economical in a questionnaire. Findings: The results showed that based on a survey and interview with 42 experts, weighing the indexes and finally ranking them using the V P model. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the component ranking, region 6 with pH + 0. 8333 has the highest weight and regions 1 and 2 with the weight of pH 0. 2333 have the lowest priority scoring points of effective resilience criteria of Kermanshah city.

Background and Objective: The aim of present study was to determine the economically optimal harvesting age of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) in Guilan Province. Loblolly pine is one of the fast growing species that had successful growth in plantation at Guilan province. Method: For this purpose, growth data and the stumpage price of loblolly pine were used. Regression analysis was used to determine the most suitable growth model for loblolly pine. Findings: The results showed that the best relationship between volume growth per hectare and age is a third order polynomial growth model. The equation for the price of loblolly pine stumpage was estimated based on an autoregressive model. Due to the insignificancy of this relationship at the significance level of 0. 05, the average stumpage price was used for various years as an estimation of stumpage price. According to the stumpage price, annual growth and interest rate, the optimal age of loblolly pine was determined based on technical and economic criteria. Discussion and Conclusion: Results showed that economically optimum harvesting age of loblolly pine varies with different discount rates.

Background and Objective: Energy and water are two of the most important challenging factors which human faces in the third millennium. Various methods of water desalination were employed that the applicability and industrialization of these methods are dependent on the optimization of the energy consumption and the appropriate efficiency. One of these methods is osmosis process that is divided into two sections: reverse osmosis and forward osmosis. Now, the reverse osmosis process is extensively used on industrial scale. The reverse osmosis process has more industrial applications than the forward osmosis. Currently, the forward osmosis process in commercialization path faces serious challenges. The factors that effect on the forward osmosis process include: properties of feed and draw solutions, concentration polarization, membrane orientation, selectivity and membrane ability to the rejection of solute on both sides of the membrane, creating a high osmotic pressure difference and easy regeneration capability of draw solution. Method: In this article an overview of concentration polarization, its mathematical models and its reduction methods are studied. Findings: The most important strategies proposed by researchers for reducing concentration polarization is changing the membrane structure and optimizing process conditions and draw solution. Discussion and Conclusion: Although the concentration polarization has a significant influence on the control and reduction of the water flux to pass through the membrane, it can reduce the water flux up to 80% of the initial water flux but with using appropriate operating conditions and optimizing membrane structure, the neglect results of it can reduce.

Background and Objective: The objective of this study is evaluating hydrochemical properties of groundwater in Maragheh area, including: Cations, Anions, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, pH and Heavy metals (As, Fe, Mn) and investigating the statistical relations between these parameters and Probable Origins of contamination. Methods: In order to carry out ground water quality monitoring, and evaluate the controlling processes and to determine cations and anions sources of the groundwater, 34 wells were selected for sampling from July 2014 and April 2015 and water quality parameters were measured and sent to the Laboratory Applied Research Center of Geological Survey & Mineral Explorations of Iran (Elburz). Data analysis was performed through SPSS software and Factor Analysis & Pearson correlation coefficient test. Results: The chemical composition of the surface and groundwater is controlled by several processes such as mineral dissolution, increasing evaporation from the aquifer, irrigation return flow, saline water intrusion in the Ajbashir Plain, geological status of the area, anthropogenic inputs. Discussion and Conclusion: The concentration of arsenic based on WHO standard is 10μ g/L, while the maximum arsenic concentration in the study area is 308. 5μ g/L and the mean concentration is 44μ g/L. According to the results, it relies that arsenic probable sources can be concerned to industrial waste water in Maragheh and Bonab industrial complex, agricultural activities (using pesticides and insecticides) and geological factors (existence of Shemshak formation), rocks and sediments derived from the erosion of these rocks and coal mines (Khormazard).

Background and Objective: The most obvious effect of the dams is the change of the hydrological regime of the adjacent areas, among which these changes can be referred to the change in the base level of the adjacent aquifers. In this study, Karkheh dam and its effect on groundwater fluctuations in Abbas plain have been studied. Method: In this study, the statistics of nearby stations, 192 exploitation wells and 24 piezometric wells were used. Numerical modeling of groundwater has been done by GMS software in Dasht-Abbas aquifer in the south of Ilam province in the water year of 2011-2012. This model was calibrated in two permanent (three months) and non-permanent (12 months) for one and a half years and then for one year. Findings: The results of calibration indicate the optimal simulation of Dasht-Abbas aquifer and small differences in observational and computational values of water table level. Also, the results of water balance showed that the groundwater level in the years before the arrival of water Karkheh dam-7. 03 and after the completion of water supply channels of the positive plain balance and its amount has increased to 26. 50 million cubic meters in the water year 2011-2012. Therefore, Karkheh Dam has a positive effect on the groundwater balance of the plain. Discussion and Conclusion: From the study of groundwater balance in Dasht-Abbas, it is concluded that the calibrated model in stable and unstable state has been able to simulate the water level of piezometric wells with great accuracy. The hydrograph of the piezometric wells of Dasht-Abbas showed that the water level of Dasht-Abbas is increasing. The results of groundwater balance modeling showed that the reserve changes due to the water balance of Abbas plain are positive and show the upward trend of the plain hydrograph, increasing water table and the evaporation crisis.

Background and Objective: The spread of soil oil pollution in the present era due to the use of fossil fuels in industrial areas has adverse effects on human and the environment. In this study we identified native bacteria from oil-contaminated soils to be used to reduce hydrocarbon contaminants. Method: First, in order to identify and isolate native bacteria in the region, sampling of soils contaminated with petroleum compounds was done in six stations located in Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone. Bacterial growth was performed in neutrite broth liquid media. Neutrite agar medium was used to culture bacteria and achieve single colony in solid medium. DNA was extracted to identify bacterial species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Soil physical and chemical properties were measured to estimate the conditions of the area according to the standard method. Findings: The results of isolation and growth of bacteria and purification, and finally polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing indicated the presence of two bacterial species in six different stations with a similarity of more than 95% according to the global ranking. According to the results, the percentage of TPH removal in the field by Peseudomons Aeruginosa and Bacillus Nakamurai was 53. 50% and, 33. 05%, respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: Due to the ability of these species to remove TPH, they can be suggested as suitable native species for this region in the removal of contaminated soils.

Background and Objective: Economic growth is the main goal of many economic policies of governments. However, rapid economic growth often causes serious damage to the environment (due to the increasing use of natural resources). Hence, there is a potential contradiction between economic growth policies and the state of the environment, so gradually the issue of conflict between economic growth and environmental quality became one of the topics of discussion in the field of environmental economics. Method: In the field of environmental economics in this study, using data envelopment analysis method (DEA) the environmental efficiency was calculated for developing Islamic countries (D8) during the period of 1980-2014. Then, using the panel data method, the relationship between environmental efficiency and per capita income was investigated. Information about these countries was collected from various economic sites such as the Data world bank, Economy watch and … . Findings: The results show that the average of environmental efficiency of the D8 countries increased at a rate of 1. 02. This increases the efficiency of technology to increase efficiency at the rate of 1. 021 and 0. 998 of technical efficiency. Technical efficiency is because of the increase in management efficiency (1) and scale efficiency (0. 998). Discussion and Conclusion The growth of environmental efficiency in Iran is 1. 016, which is in the fifth place after Malaysia (1. 053), Indonesia (1. 042), Nigeria (1. 036) and Turkey (1. 025). According to the results, there is a direct relationship between per capita income and environmental pollution, so Kuznets law is not established in these countries.

Background and Objective: It is necessary to use mathematical models to determine the expected reaction of a river to the effects of entrance of pollutants. Such models can simulated the effects of current and future loadings and help managers and authorities make their final decisions. The purpose of this study is to simulate and be aware of the trend of nitrogen and phosphorus changes along the Dez River (Dez Dam to Ghir Dam Bridge) using the Qual2kw model and also to calculate the percentage of river self-purification. Method: The present study was aimed at measuring and comparing the data of the quality of Dez River water collected from three stations. Self-purification model of the river was determined by inserting qualitative and quantitative data retrieved from the stations, and the entering wastewaters in the dry season were created and calibrated. Findings: The results of the present study showed that the river has poor self-purification power. The highest self-purification power was related to N-NH4 parameter in 2014 (45%). The level of non-organic phosphor along the river had an increasing trend. Discussion and Conclusion: The level of nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen within the distance of 173 to 90 km of the river had an increasing trend due to influx of sewage. The best modelling for N-NH4 parameter was related to 2016 with a standard error of 0. 02.

Background and Objective: Due to the shortage of freshwater for irrigation, wastewater has been used in agricultural irrigation as an important supplement and alternative water resources in recent decades. Irrigation of fields with wastewater can cause potential contamination with heavy metals to soil crops and groundwater, therefore pose a threat to human health and food safety. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of irrigation with untreated municipal wastewater on the accumulation of cadmium lead (Pb), (Cd), copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) in topsoil and subsoil and top soil properties. Method: In the present study in order to collection of topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (0-40 cm) samples from south of the Borujerd city, 13 fields irrigated with untreated wastewater and 7 fields irrigated with well water were selected with same soil texture. Soil samples were analyzed by the standard methods for Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM). Findings: Findings indicated that untreated wastewater irrigated soil contained higher concentrations of all heavy metals in topsoil (with the exception of Cu) and in subsoil, compared to well water irrigated soil. Trend of depth variations of metals in irrigated soil followed this form: 1-With wastewater: Pb and Cu in subsoil>topsoil; Cd and Zn in topsoil > subsoil and 2-With well water: Pb and Cu in topsoil > subsoil; Cd and Zn in subsoil > topsoil. Discussion and Conclusion: It seems that light soil texture has been resulted to transport of the metals to deeper soil layers. Overall, the concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn were lower than the FAO/WHO standards in soil, while Cd higher than this. Thus, in order to ensure food safety and use of wastewater for irrigation, continuous monitoring and pollution control is required. Besides, if treatment of wastewater is done appropriately, accumulation of heavy metals in soils and crops will occur less.

Background and Objective: International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland is located in the South East of Iran. This wetland is important for vegetation characteristics such as mangrove forests and due to the overall status is the most important wetland for many migratory birds and marine organisms like fish and sea turtles. The aim of this study was to economically evaluate the non-consumption values of environmental resources of International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland and to sensitize regional and national services to the study areas as environmental assets and to promote its position in development policy. Method: This research were carrying out to determine non-consumptive values (the value of conservation, heritage and existence) of International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland and measure individual’ s willingness to pay (WTP) for preservation and recreational benefits based on contingent valuation (CV) and dichotomous choice (DC) in 2015. In this regards, the value of biological, cultural, natural and existential interest in hunting, willingness to pay for wildlife habitat, air pollution control, vision and values protected by the state visit, the positive effects on agricultural wetlands and wildlife value of the area in terms of three functions, recreation and tourism and improve the climate of the region is estimated. Random sampling, 315 questionnaires were collected from residents. Findings: The mean of willingness to pay for preservation value of this wetland is 48965 RLs. The results show that the total economic value of non-use functions of International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland is about 78. 285. 220. 701 rials. Discussion and Conclusion: Results revealed that International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland had considerable preservation and recreational values. Thus, these values provide enough justification for policy makers to maintain the quality of International Govater Bay and Hur-e-Bahu Wetland, and avoid degrading wetland resources.

Background and Objective: In general, in recent decades, due to urban lives on the sidelines of rivers, dwellers of these areas have been the subject of damages caused by flood. The goal of this research is determining the vulnerability level of urban areas against flood in order to reducing human and financial losses. Method: For this purpose, Chung fuzzy analysis hierarchical process method (fuzzy AHP) is used due to the higher degree of possibility for weighting criteria of gradient, soil, distance from river, geology, height, land usage, and population. After weighting, the criteria of vulnerability in the environment ARCGIS were fuzzy and ultimately fuzzy operators were used for overlapping layers. Findings: To amend the obtained maps, algebraic multiplication and algebraic addition operators, Gamma 0. 9, Gamma 0. 7 and Gamma 0. 5 operators were used. Obtained map from Gamma 0. 7 operator was chosen as the final map of vulnerability for obtaining more appropriate result. Discussion and Conclusion: Therefore, considering the final map, and that the percentage of population density is over 1. 07 in the eastern north of the area near Kan river, the possibility of vulnerability is proposed to be high in that area. Also it is possible that unpermitted constructions in Kan and Vardavard River limits will lead to water aggregation and its sudden release in the area, and if the process of unpermitted constructions and population increase is continued in the area, it can be resulted that the possibility of vulnerability against flood may be high in Tehran District 22.

Background and Objective: The attractive potential for tourism in the southern islands of Iran, Kish and Qeshm and recently Hendurabi, are becoming more and more popular and object of increased attention from the investors. The Iranian coral reef islands, with the exception of Kish and Qeshm, have not undergone sufficient development. The southern islands of Iran have faced two problems with climate change and the desire for the presence of tourists. The lack of proper planning, inefficient management, and lack of adequate knowledge of ecosystems of offshore regions have severely damaged the world natural heritage. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between tourism in coastal ecotourism development and the factors affecting the sense of place. Method: Through qualitative research, this paper was used of library studies and field studies and surveying to study the tourists' sense of place (objective-subjective) of ecotourism development in Honduran Island. Using SPSS software and descriptive-analytical method was shown the results. The survey was conducted with the participation of 150 tourists on Kish islands, who were chosen at random and who expressed their desire to travel to Hendurabi Island. Information was gathered using SPSS software and unic statistical T test and Friedman test. Findings: Using factor analysis method and model fitting indexes through AMOS software, Accessibility Facility and Services factor with coefficient 0. 759 and environmental quality with coefficient 0. 695 and and Climate considerations with coefficient 0. 693 which all three components are considered as objective indicators, It has the most factor load and also has the most explained variance according to the analytical model. Discussion and Conclusion: the results show that objective factors have a greater impact on the development of coastal ecotourism in Hendurabi Island than subjective factors. Finally, based on the results of a single sample T test, in all components of tourists' sense of place, significance of T-test in all components was significant and as a result, it can be said that the satisfaction of tourists from the Hendurabi Resident's Set has been significantly higher than the average.

Background and Objective: Study of resources changes and destruction in previous can be useful in the planning and optimal use of resources to control inappropriate changes. Because of land use changes occur on large-scale, remote sensing techniques is a useful and valuable tool for monitoring the changes. The aim of this research is to monitoring of land cover changes in Khojin watershed located in the south of Ardabil province using remote sensing technique. Method: First TM, ETM+ and OLI images for the year 1986, 2001 and 2016 were collected respectively and after geometric and elevation corrections, images were classified using maximum likelihood classification method. To increase classification accuracy, NDVI, elevation and slope percent layers were used. Kappa and overall accuracy indexes were used to calculate classified images accuracy. Findings: Based on results, in the first period (1986-2001) 22. 36%, in the second period (2001-2016) 20. 73% and in the third period (1986-2016) 28. 08% of area has changed and in all 3 periods, changing from rangeland to dry farming reached the most change. Discoution and Conclusion: Results showed despite high capability of Landsat images in mapping land use, using additional layers like NDVI, elevation and slope percent can improve classification accuracy of classified images.