JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Year:2019 | Volume:20 | Issue:4 (79)|Papers Count:20

Background and Objective: Considering the increasing development of gas and oil industries in Pars Gas Complex and consequently the increasing environmental problems, especially impacts on air quality, conducting knowledge-base and efficient studies for assessment and management of environmental issues in such region are of high importantance. Method: In this study, environmental air quality at the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone was evaluated using fuzzy logic in 2013 and 2014. In contrary to classical crisp logic, fuzzy logic is a highly vaulted logic in which variable vary between 0 and 1. In fuzzy logic, it is possible to assess the quality and environmental risk using qualitative (linguistic) and quantitative variables. Two fuzzy inference systems were constructed respectively based on air quality index (AQI) and Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, Xylene and H2S Quality index (BTEXHQI) to obtained the fuzzy air quality index (FAQI) in this study. Weighted rules in fuzzy inference system were calculated based on previous studies, sensitively analysis and environmental expert opinions. Findings: Results show that SO2 and Toluene are the agent pollutant in fuzzy inference systems based on AQI and BTEXHQI, respectively. For instance, fuzzy index of environmental air quality of Assaluyeh was calculated as 201 (very unhealthy) and 173 (unhealthy) in 2013 and 2014. Discussion and Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that quality indexes and environmental risks are being improved as one of the most important achievements of ISO 14001 and HSE management systems.

Background and Objective: Markazi Province is located in an arid and semi-arid area and is regarded as one of the desert provinces in Iran. In this province, more than 490000 hectares of pasturelands and wetlands have changed into desert lands which are at the center of the release of local dust. On the other hand, the dust from ouside the west and the central desert of Iran and from Qom province at the east have affected Markazi Province. Nowadays, suspended particles are the main pollutants of Markazi Province and Arak city, which are one of the main factors involved in air pollution in Markazi Province. The present study aims to make a spatial analysis of dust phenomenon in Markazi Province within 2007-2014. Method: In the present study, the daily statistics for dust with a code (06) and horizontal visibility were received from 10 synoptic stations of Meteorological Department of Markazi Province and were estimated daily, monthly and annually. Then, the zoning map of dust phenomenon for the entire period and the year 2014 was drawn using the GIS software. Findings: The results indicated that Arak and Saveh cities have a maximum amount of dust at this interval and the extent of dust decreases by proceeding towards Tafresh and Khondab stations. Arak Meteorological Station with 1322 days and Tafresh Station with 85 days have had the maximum and minimum extent of dust, respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: The percentage of the zoning area affected by dust in Markazi Provinc showed that about 65% and 35% of dust in Markazi Province are local and from outside, respectively.

Background and Objective: Population growth and scarcity of coastal freshwater resources have increased the stresses on many coastal aquifers, leading to aquifer storage decline and salwater intrusion (SWI). Investigation of coastal aquifers routinely involves the application of SWI models, which can be divided into two categories, namely sharp-interface and dispersive-interface approaches. There is no mixing between freshwater and saltwater at sharp-interface approaches. This makes them computationally more efficient while dispersive-modeling approaches are more numerically challenging, but allow for freshwater-saltwater mixing. Method: Most coastal aquifers comprise overlying sequences of geological strata, resulting in SWI characteristics that may differ significantly to those of homogeneous cases. The layered coastal aquifers have received significantly less attention than the more simplified single-layer case, despite the fact that stratified aquifers are widespread. In this study, a sharp-interface approach (named as SHI-SWIM) was developed using FORTRAN programming code. The model is first validated and then applied for the simulation of sand-tank experiment and field-scale multi-layered aquifers exposed to pumping in order to evaluate the strength and limitation of the developed model. Findings: SHI-SWIM model produced better result for higher pumping rates. Additionally, the results of fully penetrating wells and closer position of well to shoreline matched better with the dispersive modeling outputs. In real cases, where the saltwater may wend a long distance toward the well screen, the sharp-interface modeling weakly matched with the dispersive modeling, specially in terms of well salinities.

Background and Objective: Rivers are the main arteries of human life, thus control and proper exploitation of these surface resources require a proper understanding of their behavior and investment in the river improvement. By reviewing and evaluating the projects carried out in this area, their positive and negative aspects can be checked and the obtained results can be used to overcome the projects shortcomings, improve their efficiency and make the future projects more fruitful. Method: Sistan River is the major border river between Iran and Afghanistan and Sistan life depends on it. The length of this river in Iran is about 70 Km. This study attempts to evaluate the performance of Sistan and Zahak diversion dam structures and the structures alongside the river using HEC-RAS hydraulic model. Findings: The results show that these structures increase the maximum Sistan flood power transmission in the absence of these structures from 500 m3/s to 810 m3/s. Considering the importance of estimating Manning roughness coefficient with high precision for hydraulic calculation in the river engineering projects, the main river bed roughness coefficient for the main river and the flood plains of Sistan were estimated as 0. 02 and 0. 035, respectively. It was also found that Discharge-Return period relation can be expressed as Q  360. 6Ln  T   16. 56. Existence of diversion dam structures on the unpredictable rivers such as Sistan River may double the flood power transmission in some cases. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, the effect of 310 m3 per power transmission increse through Sistan River was observed. The reasons for the relatively low impact (the xpectation was more) are slight slope of Sistan plain, and water expansion on flood plain and back water in the direction of Sistan River flow.

Background and Objective: Soil is the main component of biological biomes and is necessary for survival on the Earth. Today, soil has been contaminated by human activities. Defining the boundaries between human activities and outcomes is essential. This study was done to evaluate the concentrations of metals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium in surface soils of agricultural land around Zahab plain and the environmental risk in 2014. Method: The sampling points were recorded by GIS and then imported to the GPS. The soil samples were taken from depths of 0 to 30 cm soil by field assessment. The samples were then transported to the laboratory and necessary preparation actions were done. Total concentrations of As, Pb and Cd were measured by atomic absorption (SHIMADZU-AA-6300). The soil chemical and physical parameters such as clay, silt, sand, organic matter, lime, gypsum, gravel percent, EC and pH were also measured. Findings: Pearson correlation test showed that there is a significant correlation among As, EC and organic matter (p<0. 05). Comparison of concentrations with the international standards showed that these metals are in good condition. Pollution index showed that Pb poses more contamination than other two metals. Classification of the environmental risk showed that 83/22 % of the region falls in moderate risk. Discussion and Conclusion: Low concentration of the metals in Zahab zone is due to traditional and small scale farming because farmers could not apply chemical fertilizers and they used mostly manure in their farms. As a result, the metals produced by agricultural activities do not pose a threat to crops and also environment.

Background and Objective: Nowadays, paying attention to the quality of groundwater and its trend is very important for various purposes such as drinking, agriculture, and public health. Groundwater pollution is often formed due to toxic industrial wastewaters and disposing wells of urban wastewaters. Method: In this study, the qualitative data of Amol-Babol plain within1986-2009 was used in order to evaluate qualitative changes of groundwater resources. In the study area, the main groundwater consumption was found to be agricultural irrigation. Several parameters of electrical conductivity, Cl-, Na+, HCO3-, and pH were investigated to assess groundwater quality and Na+ was detected as the most important one. Then, Na+ was zonned in the area using geographic information system (GIS). Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that most of the polluted areas are close to urban and industrial landuses. Also, the highest contamination of groundwater was found in dry years due to low flow conditions of the main river in the area.

Background and Objective: Urbanization and increase in imperious surfaces, in many cases, have led to increase of runoff volumes and flooding in downstream areas. One of the useful methods for reduction of flood risk in urban areas is urban runoff harvesting to be used for non-potable purposes. In this study, according to urban development in region 22 of Tehran and increased risk of flooding, as well as the need for green spaces development, it was attempted to implement urban runoff harvesting to supply a part of water required the green spaces in this area. Method: For this purpose, green spaces of region 22 were identified and then water requirements of different species in one year was estimated using a questionnaire filled by specialists. The annual runoff volume was also calculated. Findings: Result of the calculations showed that water requirement of green spaces is 14, 969, 534 cubic meters while the average annual runoff volume was estimated as 33, 285, 441 cubic meters. According to the results, if only a quarter of the runoff (8, 321, 360 cubic meters) is controlled by special management, it would be possible to provide 5, 55% of the water required for irrigation of green spaces, which is currently supplied by tankers and is costly. Discussion and Conclusion: Finally, some methods such as earth dams, Crescent-shaped stacks and diamond-shaped stacks were suggested as a good models for water harvesting in places such as Cheetgar Forest Park, Vardavard, Letman and Khargooshdare.

Background and Objective: Biodiesel is a fuel derived from renewable resources such as edible and non-edible oil-bearing seeds. Unlike conventional biodiesel processes, to simplify production process and reduce production costs, transesterification can be performed on the oil-bearing seeds directly and without prior extraction. Method: In this study, application of pulsed electric field and its effects on the efficiency of mass production of ester crushed canola seed by reactive extraction with the optimum ratio of methanol to oil and concentration of catalyst were discussed. Esther mass efficiencies were compared in the processes with and without electric field. Findings: According to the results, the optimal methanol to oil ratio of 1: 475 and a catalyst concentration of 0. 1 mol NaOH/kg methanol were obtained. Using the pulsed electric field pre-preparation method, the biodiesel mass efficiency in reactive extraction at a moderate temperature increased and reached over 76% only in 1 minute. Also, studies have shown that the using a field of 7kV/cm increases mass efficiency by 9– 58. 5% and increases the conversion rates compared to the control sample in moderate temperature and particles sizes of 1200-300 micron by about 1%. Study of the effective parameters showed an increase in the frequency and number of pulses, temperature and particle size, leading to increase of the efficiency of biodiesel production. Discussion and Conclusion: The results indicate that the electric field pulse could be desirable as a way to generate and optimize the efficiency of the extraction process used under low temperature conditions.

Background and Objective: Providing safe and hygienic drinking water has an important effect on the health and well-being of society. This study aims to analyze microbial heterotrophy in the water network in Arak city and its correlation with physicochemical parameters and the material of water pipe network. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 500 sampls have been randomly prepared from the drinking water network in Arak city in a standard condition, and some variables as HPC, MPN, free residual chlorine, turbidity, PH and temperature have been measured. Findings: Evaluation of the results obtained through regression analysis has been performed. Based on the statistical analysis, HPC variables, MPN, PH and turbidity have a significant relationship with the place (P-Value <0. 01). There is a direct, but not significant, relationship between HPC and temperature (P-Value <0. 05), while free residual chlorine values reversely associate with HPC (P-Value <0. 01). Application of Pour Plate and Spread Plate Method for determining the number of HPC bacteria showed that in most cases the Pour Plate Method super performs the Spread Plate Method. Identification of the bacteria isolated from positive HPC revealed that bacillus and Micrococcaceae family have the ability to be active in high chlorine condition. Discussion and Conclusion: Monitoring of HPC is necessary as an important variable and effective in the control of drinking water bacteriological quality.

Background and Objective: in agriculture, increase of water and soil salinity represents a main challenge. Salinity affects plant growth and productivity in various ways. On the other hand, compounds such as salicylic acid through signaling systems, can result in some resistance in plants. In this study, the effects of foliar application of salicylic acid with different concentrations on lolium growth and development were investigated under various salinity levels. Method: This study was done as a factorial based on completely randomized design. Salicylic acid was sprayed on plants in 4 concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/L, and soil salinity was applied at 3 levels of 3-4, 6-7 and 9-10 dS/m using NaCl. Different plant growth and development factors were evaluated at two periods of middle and end of experiment. Findings: The results of present experiment showed that salinity as well as spray of salicylic acid was effective on many morphological and physiological traits of lolium plants. At the first harvest, the highest shoot fresh and dry weight were observed in treatments with high salinity, while chlorophyll index and plant height decreased by increasing salinity levels. In the second harvest, plant height and other growth-related traits were distinctly decreased by increasing salinity levels. Spray of salicylic acid resulted in higher root fresh and dry weight as compared to control plants, while it showed no effects on shoot fresh and dry weight. Discussion and Conclusion: It was concluded that application of salicylic acid could reduce salinity effects on lolium plants.

Background and Objective: Annually large amount of date-palm leafs are produced as waste products of agriculture are produced in Iran. In this study, the potential of date-palm leaf ashes as an inexpensive adsorbent for Cd (II) removal from aqueous solutions has been usedwas investigated. Method: The studied vvariables were as pH (2-7), Cd (II) ion concentrations (50 – 350 mg/l), and adsorbent dose (0. 1 – 14 g/l) in batch systems. Findings: The optimum pH for the removal of Cd (II) ions was equal to 4. IExperiments for investigate of the effect of adsorbent dose showed that the removal efficiency increased with the increasing increase of adsorbent dose from 0. 1 to 11g/l the removal efficiency increased and after thatafter that the, removal efficiency was stabled with the increasing increase of adsorbent dose, removal efficiency was stabled. The removal efficiency reached the highest value at 60 minutes in 100 mg/l Cd(II) concentration was highest value. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the results, optimum conditions for desirable Cd(II) removal efficiency of 92. 36% was obtained Cd(II) in pH 4, adsorbent dose of 11g/l and Cd(II) ions concentration of 100 mg/l. was obtained 92. 36%. This study concluded indicated that, date-palm leaf ashes, have a good potential, as an adsorbent, to remove the toxic heavy metals like including cadmium from aqueous solutions.

Background and Objective: Considering the importance of environmental degradation and pollution problems all countries attempt to schematize and apply appropriate procedures to achieve their economical goal and mimimize the environmental destructions. Environmental degradation and environment quality are affected by many factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of good governance indexes on environment quality in some selected developing countries. Method: Using the panel data model during 2000-2010, the impact of good governance on environmental quality in developing countries was examined by a series of related variables. Findings: The results showed that the mean good governance indexes has a direct and significant effect on the environment quality. Indeed, improvement of good governance index reduced the environmental degradation and increased the environment quality. Per capita gross domestic production and trade have a positive and significant effect on the environment quality. On the other hand, per capita energy consumption and foreign direct (FDI) investment affected the environment quality negatively, though the effect of FDI was not statistically significant. Discussion and Conclusion: Thus improvement of good governance can increase the environment quality in developing countries.

Background and Objective: Rangelands are very important in country economy in terms of grazing livestock, soil and water conservation and other services to the community. Therefore, systematical and careful management of these lands is necessary. Rangelands of Golestan province were one of the best rangelands of Iran in the past. However, high rate of population growth and sever dependence of the population to natural resources and rangelands caused plant coverage degradation. Floodwater spreading is one of the corrective practices that can be performed with certain goal in the rangelands. Site selection and prioritization of the areas suitable for floodwater spreading and infiltration of flood into the groundwater table are among the most important stages of these projects. Method: GIS and AHP model have been introduced as a suitable method for site selection of the areas appropriate for floodwater spreading system in the Gorgan Rud watershed. In this the Boolean scouring method with two values was used and compared with AHP method. Findings: Initially, the unsuitable areas were determined by AHP method. Then the remaining options derived from model results based on the comments. By site selection, the suitable areas were identified and the obtained inconsistency factor (0. 08) proved that criteria weighing for locating the suitable areas for floodwater spreading is correct. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of this study also showed that the areas suggested for floodwater spreading are near the wells and springs, especially in the north and north-west of the watershed. Results showed that investigation of natural factors and constraints based on the Boolean method was not suitable for locating the appropriate areas for floodwater spreading in Gorganrud watershed.

Background and Objective: Images classification is one of the important techniques for interpretation of satellite images that is widely used in survey of earth changes. In the meantime, satellite data has been recognized as the best tool for detection and evaluation of changes due to its update information, low costs and variety of forms. Therefore, land use/land cover map is one of the most important information required by the environmental managers and planners. On the other hand, in recent years, artificial neural network method has been used widely for the classification of satellite data. The aim of this study is to compare three different methods for land cover classification using 2014 OLI image over a 26-year period. Method: In this study, digital data of OLI (2014) sensor was used in order to optimize image classification method. Initially, the image was corrected in terms of geometry and radiometry in the ENVI software. Then IDRISI software was used for image classification using three different methods: fuzzy artmap, multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks and support vector machine. Finally, land cover maps were classified into five categories: water, vegetation, canebrake, barren lands and saline lands. To evaluate accuracy with the help of user accuracy, producer accuracy, overall accuracy, kappa coefficient and error matrix, the created map was compared with the ground reality map created by GPS, Google Earth images and field observations. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of image accuracy evaluation showed that among the applied methods the fuzzy artmap algorithm had the highest accuracy in classification of satellite data with an overall accuracy of 94. 68 and kappa coefficient of 0. 91 compared to both multilayer perceptron artificial algorithm with an overall accuracy of 92. 99 and kappa coefficient of 0. 89 and support vector machine with an overall accuracy of 90. 93 and kappa coefficient of 0. 85. This study showed that classification of fuzzy artmap artificial neural network algorithm has a high capability to create the land cover map with high accuracy.

Background and Objective: Electronic waste management and disposal have been one of the main problems in recent decades. Government policies and management programs in the country have a huge impact on the production and management of electronic waste. Privatization programs in the country could lead to fundamental changes in the function of economy and waste management. Method: This study examines the amount of electronic and computer wastes, attitudes and knowledge about environmental and health effects of electronic wastes and the current waste management system in thirty organizations in three types of governmental, non-govermental and private organizations in Yazd and its suburbs using a questionnaire and collection of computer waste data. Findings: The results showed that the public non-governmental organizations have a higher percentage of computer waste production than the total annual purchase of computer (28% and 20% compared to governmental organizations with 3. 7%). In this study, the amount of computer waste anually produced in the 30 studied organizations was estimated to be about 2. 1 tons. Discussion and Conclusion: The considerable amount of computer waste production along with other electronic waste produced in different parts of the city and its suburbs can be used as raw materials required in electronic waste recycling centers. Electronic waste recycling can save resources, prevent the pollution cused by entry of toxic compounds such as lead and cadmium into the environment, contribute to recovery of valuable metals such as copper, finally leading to economic development and job creation.

Background and Objective: The large volumes of flared gas in Iran, leads to waste of energy reserves, loss of potential income and significant environmental pollution. In order to avoid gas flaring, the use of new technologies is necessary, in Iran as the world’ s third gas flaring country. Method: In this paper, an overview of new gas technologies has been provided and the cost-benefit analysis of utilizing gas to liquids technology has been conducted on flare gas in exploited phases of “ South-Pars” gas field refineries using COMFAR III software. Findings: The results show that application of gas to liquids technology in Iran for this purpose is economically justified with high net present value (NPV) and considerable internal rate of return (IRR) as the economic evaluation criteria. Discussion and Conclusion: Since environmental effects, social costs of pollutions and benefits of emissions reduction are included in environmental cost-benefit Analysis, valuation of the project has been also done considering the mentioned factors.

Background and Objective: Survey environmental pollution is an important issue of environmental economics. Environmental pollution is the most important problem facing humanity in the present age. With increasing population, the rate of changes in the environment intensifies especially if the population does not have knowledge of how to protect the environment, this problem increases. The role of human resources in the production process and therefore the quality of the environment from the perspective of economic theory, have been significant changes over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of petroleum products, human capital and the population on environmental pollution in the Iranian economy during the 1357 to 1393. Method: In this study, Environmental pollution model is estimated by using an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL), this model, CO2 emissions are considered as indicators of environmental pollution. Findings: The findings of the long-term model show Banerjee, Dorado and Master t-test, for models was-3. 35 and long-term relationship between variables was confirmed. Including error correction model coefficients showed that 41. 53 percent of imbalance is a period of adjustment in the next period. The model tries to adjust its medium speed. Discussion and Conclusion: The results show a positive relationship between oil consumption, population and national income on environmental pollution. The results showed a negative relationship between human capital and environmental pollution as well. Therefore, it is suggested by reducing the consumption of petroleum products subsidies and to encourage consumers to use clean energy reduce the amount of environmental pollution.

Background and Objective: Kangavar County is located in the eastern regions of Kermanshah Province. Since the herpetofauna of Kangavar County is rich, and no biosystematics studies have already been done in this region, the aim of the present study is to investigate the faunistic of snakes in this area. Method: The study area is located in the western margin of the Iranian Plateau between 34° 30' N and 47° 58' E. All specimens were collected from different regions of Kangavar County during the survey from 2014 to 2015 by a snake Tongs stick grabber 120 cm, and sometimes, by Hook stick. Specimens were identified according to Latifi (2000) and Leviton et al. (1992). Findings: The collected specimens represented seven species, six genera and four families including the family Colubridae: Collared Dwarf Racer Eirenis collaris, Dotted Dwarf Racer, Eirenis punctatolineatus; Dice snake, Natrix tessellata; Zebra Snake, Spalerosophis microlepis; the family Typhlopidae: Greek Blind snake, Typhlops vermicularis; the family Lamprophiidae: Eastern Montpellier Snake, Malpolon insignitus; and the family Viperidae: Levantine Viper, Macrovipera lebetina. Among the identified species, Malpolon insignitus is semi-venomous and Macrovipera lebetina is venomous. Discussion and Conclusion: The current study recorded seven species belonging to six genera and four families (Colubridae, Viperidae, Typhlopidae and Lamprophiidae) in Kangavar County, Kermanshah Province. The Colubridae with four species showed the highest diversity among the families represented.

Background and Objective: Following the uncontrolled growth of cities, several approaches were raised to provide favorable conditions of life for present and future generations. One of the major approaches is a healthy city approach; however, to find out which city is healthy and what level of health it bears as compared to other cities is yet complex and ambiguous. Method: This study aimed to analyze the indicators of a healthy city in urban settlements of Ardabil province. Ardabil city was ranked based on on 42 criteria for health indicators. In this study it is attempted to measure the weight of a healthy city by network analysis process (ANP. TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making models were also used to evaluate urban settlements. Findings: Spatial analysis of health indicators in urban settlements of Ardabil province, stating that Kowsar, Sarein, and Namin townships are developed, Kalkal Township is partially deprived and Bilesuar, Meshkin Shahr, Ardabil and Pars Abad townships are deprived. Discussion and Conclusion: The results show a significant relationship between the population and ranking of each city, so that Pars Abad, Meshkin Shahr and Ardabil are the most populous townships of the province and ranged as less provilaged interms of healthy city indicators. The results of the study area mapped in the GIS environment.

Background and Objective: Sustainable development with emphasis on environmental sustainability addresses the interaction between humans and the environment. In this study, it has been attempted to investigate and realize a clear understanding of the principles that affect the issue of sustainability in environmental design. Method: The collected data were analyzed through the content analysis. Following the identification of the criteria, the Delphi study was set up to identify which of them were most important and to derive the priority weightings for each. This study comprised two questionnaire rounds that were sent to two different sets of panel members. 45 invitations were sent out. The experts were selected from the people with substantial knowledge in the field of planning and design. They were from the pool of academics and practitioners involved in environmental design, landscape architecture and urban design. 31 experts agreed to participate and completed the first and second rounds, while 16 architects and 15 landscape architects participated in both rounds, meeting the target. Findings: “ Importance” indicates whether such attributes were deemed important by the expert; “ suitability” indicates whether such attributes, while important, were suitable tools to evaluate the sustainability in environmental design. This study represents the results of the ranking and weighting of the factors by the experts according to a set of factors. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of ANOVA showed statistically significant differences among the architects and landscape architects and their opinions about several factors.