J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Environmental study and estimation of external costs (economic-health) of open flares of oil wells in Ahwaz area and elaborate managerial mechanisms to reduce the negative effects and to gain economic benefits

Naser Moharram-Nejad

Faculty of Environment, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University.

Ashkan Zadeh-Dabbagh

Faculty of Environment, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University.

Key words: Open flares, sour gas, air pollution, cost externalities, pulmonary disease, and environment

Abstract

All over the world, the soluble gases accompanying oil extraction, which contain highly toxic compounds, are flared under certain conditions in order to reduce toxicity. The present study, while performing an analysis of the condition of the flares of Ahwaz oil wells, tries to propose managerial solutions. To this end, the human, natural, and physical environments influenced by flares have been investigated in Ahwaz. Both theoretical and field research methods (searching the Internet, interviews with environmentalists and experts in the National Iranian Oil Company, personal observations, etc.) have been employed.

Some of the results are related to the emission impacts of the flares and their location relevant to Ahwaz. Others shed light on the effects of the flares on the economy of the country, and the health and hygiene of the citizens of Ahwaz. Still others demonstrate the impact of the flares on the animals, plants, soil, and water of the area.

The distribution of air pollutants (NO_x, H₂S, CO, and CO₂) from these flares has been investigated. The emergence of lung and respiratory diseases, and billions of Rials of economic loss, are among the consequences.

Managerial suggestions have been put forward, considering both the presence and the absence of flaring at the oil wells.

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Attenuation coefficient of laser beams

In different types of water

Dina Izadi

Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , [email protected].  

Fereshteh hajiesmaeilbaigi

Solid State Laser, Laser Research Center, P.O. BOX 14155-1339, Tehran, Iran.

Hossein Morovvati

Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Key Words: laser, propagation, attenuation coefficient, water

Abstract

The study of light propagation in seawater has improved in recent years. Among the newest methods is Laser Remote Sensing that gives us data from different sea layers in a fraction of a second with no disturbance in the environment. In order to study the laser propagation in seawater, a series of experiments were performed by the second harmonic of Nd: YAG laser in the solid-state laser laboratory at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Using a mirror on the bed of a channel, we measured the reflected pulses by an energy-meter in different types of water (distilled water, drinking water, and a sample of water from the Oman Sea ( and) from a depth of 6 meters in Chabahar Bay). Diagrams show that propagation of the laser light in water is nonlinear in different depths and intensities, and that it penetrates to a certain depth in constant intensity. As expected, higher radiant intensities had higher reflected intensity but a lower attenuation coefficient except in some points (contrary to the Beer’s law). The attenuation coefficient is bigger for the sample of the Oman Sea than the distilled water (in constant radiant intensity and angle) of which one of the reasons can be the dissolved material, determined by their salinity. So we can get information about the different types of water at different depths doing in situ experiments in a short time.

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Considering the effect of wetting and drying in finite-volume modeling of

Two-dimensional, wind-induced lake currents

Saeed Reza Sabbagh-Yazdi

Civil Engineering Department, KNT University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-4416, Tehran, 19697, IRAN

Hamed Arabi

Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Key words: Chitgar lake, unstructured finite volumes, depth averaged flow, wetting and drying

 Abstract

Computer simulation of flow patterns due to wind effect and prediction of the formation of currents and circulations in natural and artificial lakes can be useful in the environmental research studies. In the present study, a two-dimensional flow solver is developed for modeling wind-induced lake flows. In this model, hydraulics parameters such as depth and horizontal velocity components are computed by solving the depth average equations of continuity and motion on three-dimensional bed surfaces. The equations are converted into discrete form using cell vertex finite volume method for triangular unstructured mesh. In order to stabilize the explicit procedure of solution, artificial viscosity terms are used. In this study, a new technique is used for wet and dry modeling in the shores of solving domain. The accuracy of the results is evaluated by comparing the results of the present model with other results available, for wind-induced flow in a circular basin.

Finally, the flow circulations due to wind stresses on water surface of Chitgar artificial lake, which is being designed in the west of Tehran, are predicted by the application of the developed model.

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

A dendrochronological evaluation of the effects of air pollution on radial growth of Pine trees

(Pinus eldarica) in Tehran

Vahid Reza Safdari 

Faculty of Agriculture, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Davood Parsapajouh

Faculty of Natural Resources, Tehran University

Amir Hooman Hemmasi 

Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Resarech Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Key words: Tree rings, Pinus eldarica, air pollution, heavy metals, radial growth.                

Abstract

Tehran is one of the most polluted cities in the world and is a good candidate for the evaluation of the effects of pollution caused by vehicles on the radial growth of Pine (Pinus eldarica) trees.

Trees have been cored at three sites: Azadi Square, the most polluted site, and two others spots: Chitgar Park and Sorkhehesar Park, our control sites. The concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Ba, Cu, Zn) in the tree rings determined by ICP showed no significant difference between the rings when grouped in 5-yr intervals, but their concentrations at the Azadi site were significantly higher than those at the control sites.

       The comparison of the pine trees of the same age at the three sites indicates that radial growth of pines at Azadi Square has been reduced over the past 10 years.

A comparison between this research and similar studies indicates that tree rings in dry regions such as Tehran with calcareous soil are not as good bio-monitors as the trees in wet regions with acidic soil.

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Investigation of basic yellow 2 removal from contaminated water by electrocoagulation method in the batch reactor

Mortaza Kashefialasl

Reza Marandi

Department of Environment, Technical faculty, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University 

Mortaza Khosravi 

Kambiz Seyyedi

Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty  Chemistry, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Ali Reza Khataie

Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty  Chemistry, Tabriz University.

Key words: Wastewater treatment, electrocoagulation, decolorization, and Basic yellow 2.

Abstract

Millions of liters of wastewater are produced by textile industry daily. Each liter of such wastewater contains more than 20 g of dyes that cause environmental problems. One of the efficient methods for removing these dyes from wastewater is electrocoagulation. Basic yellow 2 is a dye that has many uses in textile industry and this study was performed to investigate the variables that influence the efficiency of decolorization of a solution containing a dye (Basic yellow 2) by electrocoagulation.  Current density, time of electrolysis, inter-electrode distance, electrode surface, electrolyte concentration, and the initial concentration of the dye were the variables that most influenced color removal. A simple electrochemical cell was prepared with an anode and cathode; then the effect of each variable was studied separately using synthetic wastewater in a batch mode. The results showed that the color removal percent in the range of 20-100ppm from the dye solution was more than 90% when current density, time of electrolysis, inter-electrode distance, electrode 

Surface, and electrolyte concentration were 211.6 A/m2, about 11 min, 4 cm, 37.5 cm2 , and10 g/l, respectively. 

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Obsolete Pesticide in Iran

Taghi Ebadi

Environment Faculty, Amir Kabir University.

Linda Yadegarian

Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Parvin Farshchi

Environment and Energy Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Mohammad Reza Zolfagharpour

Environment Research Centre, Amir Kabir University.

Pegah Fallahi

Environment and Energy Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Key words: Obsolete pesticides, storage

Abstract

Annually, 32% of agricultural crops are attacked by pests and diseases in Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, crop protection occupies an important position in Iranian economic program. The annual use of pesticides in Iran is about 24,000 tons, of which the highest amounts are related to insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. In addition, pesticides are used at comparatively higher levels in Gilan province, whereas they are used at the lowest level in Sistan and Balouchestan province. With respect to the consumption level, it should to be noted that about 2,069,786 million dollars is spent on importing pesticides and raw materials into the country.

The present survey includes all obsolete pesticides which are not currently in the list of national registered pesticides or cannot be used due to various reasons such as being damaged or decayed, having exceeded the expiry date, or being recommended not to be used by POPs and PIC conventions. To be able to assess the current situation, storage conditions, and the types and levels of existing obsolete pesticides, visits were made to the storage rooms and warehouses of organizations and companies, where obsolete pesticides are stored. The main organizations which store these pesticides in Iran are: 1. Agricultural Support and Service Company (ASSC), 2. Plant Protection Organization (PPO), 3. Rural Cooperative Organization (RCO), and 4. Cultivation and Industrial Units (CIUs).

According to the latest information in 1382 (2003-2004), the existing levels of obsolete pesticides are 637 tons, about 396 tons of which are stored in ASSC warehouses. Also, because the largest ASSC warehouse is situated in Tehran province, the largest amount of obsolete pesticides is stored in this warehouse, which is about 308 tons.

Due to the types of crops that can be cultivated, the amount of cultivated lands, and climatatic conditions, it was found that Gilan province had the highest and Kordestan province the lowest levels of obsolete pesticides.

The statistical analysis of data has shown that there are no significant differences in the obsolete pesticide contents of the warehouses of the three organizations (ASSC, PPO and RCO, at α= 5% level) all over the country. Also, the amount of obsolete pesticides in the warehouses of the three organizations throughout the country is lower than the permitted levels compared to their annual usage of pesticides.   

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Study of Diatoms Flora of Jajrood River

Fatima Jamalou

Fath Allah Fallahyan

Taher Nejad Satari

Ahmad Majd

Science and Research Campus, Islamic Azad University.

Key words: Diatoms, algae, river, Epilithic, Epiphytic, Epipelic.

Abstract

Diatoms are major constituents of algal flora in aquatic ecosystem. This study was conducted in the 140-km Jajrood Rriver from April 2004 through May 2005. Samples were taken on monthly intervals from six stations. Physical parameters such as DO and EC were measured in situ and chemical parameters such as BOD and COD were measured in the laboratory. Samples of Epilithic diatoms were taken using a core device DI 25 cm² , of Epipelic diatoms using a core device DI 16 cm² , and of Epiphytic diatoms by cutting small portions of Microspora and Cladophora. For better observation, cell walls and permanent mounts were prepared using Patricke and Reimer procedure. In this study, 92 species belonging to 21 genera of diatomses were identified. A wide diversity of species was observed in Cymbella, Diatoma, Navicula and Cocconeis.

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Autumn 2005, No.26

Gradual Development of International Environment Legal Rights and Governments’ Responsibility

Ali Vafadar

Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, P.O. Box: 14155-6419, Tehran-IRAN

Keywords: International rights, environment destruction, principles and regulations, governments, crimes, responsibilities.

Abstract

The study of the international environmental legal principles and regulations indicate that these points are new scientific findings in the field of evolving and developing environmental regulations. To this date, some of the international principles and legal regulations have been fixed and approved of, and some others are being compiled. During the industrial revolution era, subjects such as flood, earthquake, famine, and plague were considered as continuous threats at an international level.

But now, the international destruction of environment has been recognized as an offense to the common international law, and a large number of bilateral and multi-lateral agreements and conventions for the enforcement of the international principles and rules between governments have been foreseen and are executable. 

However, the lack of an effective international legal authority for dealing with the environmental crimes properly is quite obvious.