Journal of Environmental Science and Technology: 5 (2)

Open Access Article

1 - Evaluation of climate change and prediction of its impacts on efficiency and fuel consumption of thermal power plants in Iran in next decade
Andisheh Shiehbeigi Majid Abbaspour Mohammad Soltaniyeh Farhad Hosseinzadeh Zahra Abedi

Several studies yet have been conducted in the field of climate change in different parts of the worldin order to investigate the impact of meteorological parameters changes on the performance of energysector. In this study, the effect of climate change on the performan More

Several studies yet have been conducted in the field of climate change in different parts of the worldin order to investigate the impact of meteorological parameters changes on the performance of energysector. In this study, the effect of climate change on the performance of energy generation sector atIran power plants in next decade has been investigated using the results of climate change calculationsin the country’s provinces obtained by downscaling through neural network. Calculations show thatthe efficiency of gas power plants averagely decreases by 0.6% per 1 oC temperature increase.Similarly, the efficiency of steam and combined cycle power plants averagely decreases by 0.5% and0.4% respectively. Considering the climate change consequences in Iran, the overall temperature willaveragely increase about 1.36 oC by the year 2025. Conduction a close investigation, the averagetemperature rise affecting the performance of power plants in the country - which would cause a dropin energy generation sector efficiency - was evaluated to be 1.13 oC. After making calculations andutilizing energy and environment software, it was found that the thermal power plants’ fuelconsumption will increase about 2.49%. The results revealed that the amount of carbon dioxideemission and social costs caused by emissions will increase by about 1.3% and 2%, respectively. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - Effect of retention time and temperature on the efficiency stabilization ponds in treatment of petroleum wastewater
Abdollah Dargahi Meghdad Pirsaheb Mohamadtaghi Savadpoor Mortaza Alighadri Mehrdad Farookhi

Biological treatment method is one of the best and most cost-effective methods for the treatment ofcontaminated wastewaters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of retention time andtemperature on the efficiency of stabilization ponds in removing organi More

Biological treatment method is one of the best and most cost-effective methods for the treatment ofcontaminated wastewaters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of retention time andtemperature on the efficiency of stabilization ponds in removing organic compounds, N-NH3 and PO4from oil refinery wastewater.Materials and Methods:The method used in the present study was of an experimental type, in which an anaerobic stabilizationpond with dimensions of 1 × 0.2× 1 m and a laboratory scale facultative pond with the capacity of 400L were designed, set up and operated, using fiberglass sheet with a thickness of 6 mm. In this study,the hydraulic retention time of 2 and 5 days for anaerobic pond and 5 and 10 days for facultative pondwere set in both hot and cold temperatures. Then, N-NH3 and PO4 parameters were measured at thewavelengths of 425 and 690 nm respectively. Also, TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD and pH of sampleswere measured according to the standard methods for water and wastewater tests.Results and Discussion:These results indicated that the retention time and temperature had a significant effect on theefficiency of stabilization ponds, so that the efficiency of anaerobic and facultative stabilization pondsin the removal of organic compounds was significantly increased with the increase of retention timeand temperature (p<0.05). The maximum removal efficiency for COD, BOD, N-NH3 and PO4 wasobtained to be 93.31, 93.66, 88.15 and 73.17 % respectively (at the retention time of 5 days ofanaerobic and 10 days of facultative and hot temperature), and the minimum removal efficiency for1-Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Khalkhal Medical, Ardabil University ofMedical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran2-Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University ofMedical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran3- Department of Nursing, School of Khalkhal Medical, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran4-Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of MedicalSciences, Ardabil, Iran5- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Alborz University of MedicalSciences, Karaj, IranJ.Env.Sci,TechJ.Env. Sci. Tech., Vol 16, No.2, Summer 2014153the same parameters was obtained to be 41.47, 40.55, 34.26 and 22.46% respectively (at the retentiontime of 2 days of anaerobic and 5 days of facultative and hot temperature). Also, the single algaavailable in the facultative pond was formidiom and it was able to grow in high concentrations ofsulfur.The results of this study showed that the pilot-scale stabilization ponds in hot temperature, if operatedproprly, have the ability to remove organic compounds with a high efficiency. However, in coldweather, its efficiency is low but in acceptable level. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Evaluation of As, Zn, Cr and Mn concentrations in groundwater resources of Razan plain and preparation of zoning map using GIS
Soheil Sobhanardakani Maryam Jamali Mohammad Maànijou

Iran is located in the dry and semi dry zone of the world and almost 90% of its drinking waterrequirement is supplied from groundwater resources. Considering the increase of pollution and declineof groundwater resources quality due to agricultural and industrial activit More

Iran is located in the dry and semi dry zone of the world and almost 90% of its drinking waterrequirement is supplied from groundwater resources. Considering the increase of pollution and declineof groundwater resources quality due to agricultural and industrial activities and urban development,this study was conducted to evaluate As, Zn, Cr and Mn concentrations in groundwater resources ofRazan plain and to prepare the zoning map during spring and summer in 2012. For this purpose,samples were randomly collected from 20 wells across the plain, and pH and temperature parameterswere measured in situ. Concentration of heavy metals in groundwater samples was cited by AtomicEmission device after laboratory preparations. The results showed that the mean concentrations of As,Zn, Cr and Mn in the samples were respectively 5.86±0.69, 30.28±3.42, 0.044±0.005, and 3.69±0.40ppb in spring and respectively 6.83±0.68, 34.50±3.11, 0.046±0.006 and 4.50±0.51 ppb in summer.Moreover, comparison of heavy metals mean concentrations with WHO permissible limits showedthat they were lower than standard levels. The results from comparison of variations in heavy metalsmean concentration in two seasons revealed the lack of meaningful difference (p<0.05). Thedetermined correlation between pH, water temperature and heavy metals mean concentrationaccumulated in the samples indicated no correlation between parameters and heavy metalsaccumulated concentration.Although the groundwater resources in Razan plain are not currently over polluted with heavy metals,long-term and excessive use of agricultural inputs as well as construction of polluting industries canthreaten the groundwater resources of this area in addition to bearing some irretrievable consequences. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - Immobilization of arsenic in a calcareous soil using an iron-,manganese- and aluminum-modified zeoilite
Saeed Bagherifam Amir Lakzian Amir Fotovat Reza Khorasani Samaneh Akbarzadeh Ali Motadaien

Contamination of soil and water with arsenic, which is a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid, canincrease the danger of its entrance into the food chain.Material and Methods:In order to improve the efficacy of natural zeoilte for adsorption and stabilization of arsenic in More

Contamination of soil and water with arsenic, which is a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid, canincrease the danger of its entrance into the food chain.Material and Methods:In order to improve the efficacy of natural zeoilte for adsorption and stabilization of arsenic in soil, anIranian zeoilte of clinoptilolite type was modified by iron, manganese and aluminum, and used in aseries of chemical extraction tests by DTPA as well as greenhouse experiments using barley as a testcrop. Moreover, the biological effects of amending these soil modifiers were evaluated throughmeasuring soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity. The experiment carried out in a completelyrandomized design with Factorial arrangement including 5 types of zeolite (modified with iron,manganese, aluminum, iron+ manganese and iron+ aluminum) and two levels (2% and 5%) of eachamendment.Results and discussion:The results of this study revealed that the applied amendments could increase the produced biomassand decrease both arsenic concentration in barely and arsenic extracted by DTPA. Also, furtherincorporation of amendments increased the activity of dehydrogenase, as a soil health index.However, the iron- and aluminum-modified zeolite was the only amendment which meaningfullyincreased the phosphatase activity. The reslts indicated that the iron-, manganese- and aluminummodifiedzeolite can be considered as a good alternative, low cost and environmental friendlyamendment for immobilization of arsenic in contaminated soils, and can mitigate the risk associatedwith arsenic entrance into the food chain. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - Studying some of the qualitative properties and concentration of heavy metals in dried sewage sludge from Shahin-Shahr WWTP in Isfahan
Hamid Reza Rahmani Masoud Moayyeri Zohreh Mazaheri Kouhanestani Narjes Khodabakhsh Hossein Sharifi

Introduction:Land application of sewage sludge is one of the most important disposal methods, which allows thesludge nutrients to be used beneficially. However, it should be noted that its pollutants and pathogenicorganisms can pose a high risk to the public health and More

Introduction:Land application of sewage sludge is one of the most important disposal methods, which allows thesludge nutrients to be used beneficially. However, it should be noted that its pollutants and pathogenicorganisms can pose a high risk to the public health and it should be monitored before land application.The aim of this study was to investigate the dried sewage sludge quality from Shahin-Shahr WWTPSfor its heavy metals concentration.Material and Methods:Samples were collected seasonally from Shahin-Shahr sewage sludge (in three replicates) within2011-2012, and the concentration of some heavy metals along with microbial and chemical parametersof sludge were measured using DTPA, atomic absorption and standard methods. The results were thencompared with the standard levels (EPA) using t-test, and seasonal variations were studied by one wayANOVA and Duncan’s post-hoc test.Results and Discussion:The total and fecal coli forms values did not fall within any standard ranges, so re-application of thesewage in the given conditions was restricted due to hygienic precaution. The pH, total solids, organicmatter and moisture values were in normal ranges. Seasonal variations of sludge structure showed thatthe best conditions in terms of absorbable heavy metals concentration lowness belonged to winter. The1- PhD Student of Geomorphology, Department of Geography, Isfahan University and Faculty Member of Soiland Water Institute of Iran2- Department of Geography, Faculty of Geographic Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran3- PhD Student of Environmental, Fishery and Range Management Department, Gorgan University, Gorgan,Iran4- MSc of Environmental Science, University of Hamadan, Hamadan, Iran5- Soil and Water Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Isfahan, IranJ.Env.Sci,TechJ.Env. Sci. Tech., Vol 16, No.2, Summer 2014157maximum and minimum annual loads of absorbable concentration belonged to Fe and Cr respectively.Considering the total concentrations, most of the measured elements had the minimum concentrationin winter (except for Zn, Pb and Cu) and the maximum concentration in spring and summer (exceptfor As, Zn and Cu).All of the studied metals, except as, and their annual loads (kg/ha/year) had a concentration below theacceptable level. The annual load of as was estimated to be 1.6 kg/ha/year for. Although the annualload of as was below the standard level, it should be taken into account due to being close to this level. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - Separation of alumina from the paint sludge of automotive industry by leaching method
Mostafa Khezri Fateme Abdollah

Paint sludge of automotive industries, due to having heavy metals, unbaked polymers, organic andinorganic pollutants, has been classified as a hazardous waste. For this reason, its proper disposal isfaced with many problems. Various methods yet have been developed by th More

Paint sludge of automotive industries, due to having heavy metals, unbaked polymers, organic andinorganic pollutants, has been classified as a hazardous waste. For this reason, its proper disposal isfaced with many problems. Various methods yet have been developed by the great automobilecompanies of the world to reduce the environmental impacts of paint sludge. One of the effective aneconomical methods for reduction of pollution is separation of heavy metals from paint sludge. Thepresent study was carried out to investigate the pollution of paint sludge from automotive industry, toreduce its pollution to environmental standard levels, and to recover alumina from the paint sludgethrough leaching method. After XRD and XRF tests on paint sludge, it was found that the amount ofalumina is relatively high. Separation of alumina was considered because of its economic value andvarious applications in different industries. After utilizing the common separation methods, it wasrevealed that by optimizing the parameters such as temperature, sludge particle size, and sulfuric acidconcentration through the leaching method, about 70% of alumina can be recovered Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

7 - Designing an algorithm regarding energy auditing software guideline for residential buildings
Mojtaba Rezaeian Bajgiran Mohsen Kahrom

Introduction:Implementation of energy auditing in buildings with different applications is one of the issues whichhas been attracted a considerable attention as a way for saving energy and reducing energyconsumption. Auditing in any kind of application, including in res More

Introduction:Implementation of energy auditing in buildings with different applications is one of the issues whichhas been attracted a considerable attention as a way for saving energy and reducing energyconsumption. Auditing in any kind of application, including in residential buildings, needs its ownspecific methods. Since the technology employed for energy consumption in buildings is differentamong the countries, to propose a national implementation method it is essential to provide a specificguideline which suits Iran's conditions.Material and Method:Energy auditing has been performed in different industrial and educational institutes during the lastyears and it is not a new concept. Moreover, there are some available guidelines for it. The purpose ofthis paper is to provide a software checklist to enable the users to utilize it step by step in residentialbuildings energy auditing. This checklist also provides some essential recommendations as outputsbased on the data and calculations.Results and Discussion:In fact, the developed software performs calculations for heating, losses, etc. based on the conductedmeasurements and consequently recommends the most suitable method. Furthermore, to ensure itsappropriate performance, the guideline has been applied and tested in a building its energy auditinghas been presented. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

8 - Assessment of de-desertification alternatives using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP): Case study of Khezrabad region in Yazd
Mohammad Hassan Sadeghi Ravesh Hassan Khosravi

In order to enhance the efficiency of control plans, reclamation and restoration of destroyed lands andprevention of limited capitals loss are necessary. Absence of a method for covering various criteriaand alternatives and proposing the optimal solutions based on a sys More

In order to enhance the efficiency of control plans, reclamation and restoration of destroyed lands andprevention of limited capitals loss are necessary. Absence of a method for covering various criteriaand alternatives and proposing the optimal solutions based on a systematic structure and collectiveview has been always noticed in de-desertification plans. It has been always observed that thealternatives are proposed based on the expert’s partial, nonsystematic and non-holistic view while heor she has no experience in application of systematic models, such as Multiple Attribute DecisionMaking (MADM), in de-desertification. Therefore, in this study, the systematic Fuzzy AnalyticalHierarchy Process (FAHP) model has been used for proposing optimal solutions to de-desertification.In this study, opinions of experts about the priority of criteria and alternatives were assessed by FuzzyDelphi method and Pirewise comparisons. Then, the final priority of alternatives was obtained byusing fuzzy decision making matrix and FAHP model. This model was employed for assessing theefficiency of proposing optimal alternatives in Khezrabad region in Yazd province. According to theobtained results, modification of groundwater withdrawal, with an average weight of 93%, wasidentified as the optimal de-desertification alternative in the study area, and other alternatives werefound to have an insignificant role in control of desertification Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

9 - Determination of environmental water requirement of Miankaleh wetland
Sara Taghavi Kaljahi Borhan Reiazi Lobat Taghavi

Introduction:Miankaleh international wetland, located in Mazandaran province, is of high importance in terms ofmanagement of water resources and preserving the unique ecosystems and biodiversity. This studyattempts to determine the environmental water requirement of Mia More

Introduction:Miankaleh international wetland, located in Mazandaran province, is of high importance in terms ofmanagement of water resources and preserving the unique ecosystems and biodiversity. This studyattempts to determine the environmental water requirement of Miankaleh wetland.Materials and Methods:Two major sources of water supply for upper basin of Miankaleh wetland, including Siyah Ab andQuz Mahaleh rivers, were chosen to determine the environmental water requirement. First, theduration curve method (hydrological method) was used to determine the environmental flow of therivers. Then, the comprehensive approach was used to survey the abundance of aquatic bird speciespopulation and their dependence on water. Using a combination of these two methods, theenvironmental water requirement of the wetland was estimated at the estuary of the rivers feeding it.Results and Discussion:The results indicate that, based on duration curve method, the minimum input flows from Siyah Aband Quz Mahaleh rivers to Miankaleh wetland were 0.578 and 0.054 m3/s respectively. Moreover,considering the aquatic birds in the comprehensive approach, the minimum input flows from Siyah Aband Quz Mahaleh rivers to the wetland were estimated to be 2.163 and 0.099 m3/s respectively.Miankaleh wetland can be preserved in a good condition (Q75) by maintaining the minimum inputflows from to it. Moreover, by maintaining the minimum input flows of about 0.325 and 0.015 m3/sfrom Siyah Ab and Quz Mahaleh rivers respectively, the wetland is preserved in a relatively goodcondition (Q90). Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

10 - Positioning waste management laws in comparison with France's laws and utilizing the Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) matrix
Jafar Nouri Seyed Abbas Pourhashemi Reza Arjmandi Fatemeh Alimardani

Introduction:In this study, a comparative analysis has been made between the environmental laws and regulationsrelated to waste in Iran (as a developing country) and France (as a developed country) to presentmanagement solutions using three models of QSPM, SPACE and SWO More

Introduction:In this study, a comparative analysis has been made between the environmental laws and regulationsrelated to waste in Iran (as a developing country) and France (as a developed country) to presentmanagement solutions using three models of QSPM, SPACE and SWOT.Materials and Methods:In the present study, the two systems were initially identified, assessed and analyzed by comparativeanalysis, and after the completion of related questionnaires by some of the professors and experts ofEnvironment and Energy Faculty, the data were normalized. Then the superior strategies of SWOTwere identified by the QSPM model and employed in presenting management solutions.Results and Discussion:Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) matrix showed that Iran laws were in a defensiveposition and this means that the internal weaknesses must be rectified and the external threats must beavoided. For the effectiveness of management solutions for reducing adverse effects of waste,rectification of the following legal issues should be given priority: enacting Environmental NationalPolicy law, establishing an environmental special commission in the country’s parliament,establishing special courts for environmental crimes, employing Justice Ministry official experts toaccelerate the settlement of environmental records, amending the law enforcement procedures,motivating and supporting the private sector in recycling the waste from laboratories and hospitals,expediting the preparation of a list of special wastes and providing the necessary legal facilities forreducing the volume of special wastes, and enacting binding legislations for application of up-to-datestandards and environmentally friendly technologies. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

11 - Effect of nickel and pH on antioxidant activity, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Cladophora glomerata
Zohreh Senobari Naser Jafari Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh

Excess Ni concentration is considered as a stressful factor for algae, and can affect their growth as alimiting factor. Ni toxicity can also induce oxidative stress in algae and plants by producing freeradicals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different conce More

Excess Ni concentration is considered as a stressful factor for algae, and can affect their growth as alimiting factor. Ni toxicity can also induce oxidative stress in algae and plants by producing freeradicals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Ni and pH onantioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents ofextracts were determined by Folin-Ciocaltue assay and expressed based on mg of gallic acid per g ofextract. Then the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts was assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). In this study, the highest phenolic content (1873 mg gallic acid/g extarct) andflavonoid content (1106 mg quercetin/g extarct) were obtained at pH=5. In the antioxidant activitytest, the maximum IC50 was recorded at pH=9. The results indicated that ethanolic extract ofCladophora glomerata has a noticeable antioxidant ability against various oxidative systems and itcan be used as an accessible source of natural antioxidant in food and pharmaceutical industries. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

12 - Investigating the effect of economic policies of government on environmental quality in elected countries
MohammadReza Shahab Seyede Marvehi NaserSadrabad

Introduction:The process of economic development and set of economic policies in recent decades have changedthe environmental challenges to one of the most important concerns of policy makers. Therefore,investigating the role and impact of the economic policies of the g More

Introduction:The process of economic development and set of economic policies in recent decades have changedthe environmental challenges to one of the most important concerns of policy makers. Therefore,investigating the role and impact of the economic policies of the government on environmental qualitycan be very important.Material and Methods:In this study, the effect of government’s policies on environmental quality in 7 countries of Iran,Syria, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia in the Middle East and North of Africa (MENA)during 2007-1997 was investigated in the form of econometric models using panel data. Theenvironmental quality, based on the amount of air pollutants as one of the important indicators ofenvironmental pollution, was studied, and carbon dioxide emission and aerosols concentration wereconsidered as the variables indicative of air pollution.Results and discussion:The results show that depending on the type of index selected for the environmental quality,government's economic policies can have a direct and positive relationship with air pollutants. Indeed,the findings emphasize that investment of government is an important and influential variable indetermining the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the studied countries, and has put a positiveimpact on increase of carbon dioxide emissions. However, this result is not confirmed in the case ofaerosols. Manuscript profile

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