J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer  2007, No.33

Biosorption of Stable Strontium and Strontium-90 (Radioactive) Using Cystoseira indica Brown Alga in the Environmental Pollution Removal

Reza Dabbagh*

(Corresponding Author)

[email protected]

Hossein Ghafourian^**

Akbar Baghvand*

Gholam Reza Nabi^*

Hossein Riahi^***

*Faculty of Environment, Tehran University

**Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

*** Faculty Science of Biology Department, Shahid Beheshti University

Abstract

Biosorption of stable strontium () and strontium-90 (, radioactive) by Cysroseira indica brown alga was studied in this research. The optimum absorption pH is 9±0.3 and the highest absorption capacity was seen after 6 hours of contact. Based on Langmuir isotherm, the maximum bisorption capacity were 26.67 mg/g.dry-wt and 10526 Bq/g-dry.wt. Meanwhile, Langmuir coefficients were 0.017 and 0.00006 for  and , respectively. Increasing  concentration and activity and using more biomass caused an increase in  and  removal. The dynamic capacity was 14.17 mg/g-dry.wt (: 160.97mL/g) in the test column. There is no change in the biomass absorption capacity after 5 times of absorption and desorption experiments using CaCl₂, NaCl, CH₃COOH and EDTA.

Key words: Biosorption, Strontium, Strontium-90, Brown alga, Cystoseira indica

Laboratory Study of Arsenic Removal by Macro-algae, Chara

Yassaman Babaee*

Mohammad Reza Alavi Moghadam*

*Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology

Fereshte Ghassemzadeh**

Mohammad Hossein Arbab Zavar**

**Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Arsenic is one of the most important toxicants in surface and ground water. Several researchers have studied the use of phytoremediation process for the removal of different pollutants in soil and water. The aim of this study was to investigate the arsenic removal from surface water of Chelpo area in north-east of Iran using the macro-algae, Chara.

Four reactors were used in this study with the initial arsenic concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 µgr/L. Besides the assessment of arsenic concentration in water and algae, the pH of the media, and the initial and final weights of Chara were measured.

The results showed that Chara could significantly remove arsenic from the polluted water. The maximum arsenic removal was observed in the reactor with initial concentration of 50 µgr/L. The highest arsenic concentration in macro-algae at the end (day 19)   reached 62.7 mg/kg dry Chara in the reactor with initial arsenic concentration of 300 µgr/L.

Key words:arsenic, Chara, Chelpo (north-east of Iran), macro algae, phytoremediation

Environmental Effects of Aquaculture in Iran

Reza Arjmandi ^*

Abdolreza Karbassi ^**

Roxana Moogouie ^*

(Corresponding Author)

*Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad

University

** Faculty of Environment, Tehran University

Abstract

This paper discusses the environmental effects of aquaculture in Iran. When using water as a means of production, two fragile ecosystems require attention: mangroves and coral reefs. About 70% of the annual precipitation in Iran is not being controlled and the inefficient use of the remaining water can lead to high environmental costs.

In this study, development capacities as well as the physical and chemical quality of water are considered, with an emphasis on rainbow trout culture. The importance of aquaculture in creating food security for population growth, occupation, and GNP increase is explained and the methods of sustainable development in aquaculture, such as the use of biotechnology and integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems are presented. Feeding management is introduced as a factor in decreasing environmental adverse effects and pollution of raceways effluent is investigated. Effluent treatment with sedimentation ponds, aeration with compressors, and utilization of final ponds are also explained as a means of decreasing environmental adverse effects.

Key words: aquaculture, environmental effects, annual growth, mangrove, coral reefs 

Toxic Effect of Zinc Sulfate on Gill Tissues of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Tahereh Naji

Faculty of Pharmacology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran

Shila Safaeian

Faculty of Marine sciences and Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University

Mina Rostami

Faculty of Veterinary, Tehran University

Mehrnaz Sabrjou

(Corresponding Author)

Faculty of Marine sciences and Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

 In this study, the toxic effect of acute doses of zinc concentration on Cyprinus carpio was investigated in laboratory conditions.

First, the extent of zinc LC50 was measured in 120- to 130- gram fishes. The figures for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours were 78, 64, 56 and 50 mg/Lit, respectively. Then, the microscopic images of gill tissues of Cyprinus carpio which were exposed to different concentrations of zinc sulfate were studied from a histopathologic view.

The obtained results show that exposure to zinc leads to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of gill epithelium, adhesion of secondary lamellae to each other, and considerable increase in mucus.

Key words: common carp, zinc sulfate, gill tissue, LC50

Comparison of Technical, Hygienic and Economic Aspects

of Sterilization, Incineration and Sanitary Landfill

as the Three Available Methods for Hospital Wastes Disposal in Shahr-e-Kord

Ghasem Ali Omrani

School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Farideh Atabi

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

Mehraban Sadeghi

Faculty of Public Health, Shahr-e Kord University of Medical Sciences

Bahman Banaee Ghahfarokhi

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

Abstract

The control of solid wastes, specially hazardous and toxic ones including hospital wastes, is very important. Due to the prevalence of infectious diseases in the hospitals of Shahr-e-Kord, the diversity of wastes and their inappropriate disposal methods, the presence of various bacteria and viruses, the high level of pollution, the unpleasant smell, and the lack of accurate physical and chemical analysis, the present research is of importance. This study is an applied research which has been conducted for the first time over 13 months in order to compare the technical, hygienic and economic aspects of three hospital wastes disposal methods, namely, sterilization, incineration, and sanitary landfill. The results facilitate the selection of the best method considering the infrastructure and available potentials in Shahr-e Kord. The total waste produced by the four hospitals in the city is 1,500 kilograms per day, of which 45% is infectious litter. The collection of this litter is entrusted to the private sector. Through conducting physical and chemical analysis in the middle ten days of each season, the percentage of different elements in the wastes, the percentage of infectious and non-infectious wastes, the density of the wastes, and the degree of pollution in the hospital wastes were determined.

In the chemical analysis, using gas-detection pipes and a special pump, the gases emitted from the incinerator stack were measured and compared with the international standards. The results indicated high levels of emission from the incinerators. The pertinent costs of each method were calculated separately. In the end and after the analysis of the results, the disinfection and sterilization methods were recommended as the best options for the disposal of hospital wastes in Shahr-e-Kord.  

Key words: hospital wastes, per capita hospital waste, infectious wastes,

                    Disinfection, sterilization

Investigation of Industrial Hazardous Waste:

A Case Study of Fars Province

Paria Amirian

Email: [email protected]

Faculty of environmental, Science and Researche Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahwaz

Naser Talebbeydokhty

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Shiraz University.

Nematollah Jafarzadeh

Faculty of Health, Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences

Ramin Nabizadeh

School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract:

Due to having features such as toxicity, corrosiveness, ignitability, reactivity or other similar characteristics, hazardous wastes refer to the wastes that jeopardize man^’s health and environment. Hazardous wastes are produced by different industrial, commercial, agricultural or even domestic activities, their risk varies according to the type of materials and environmental conditions, and they can bring about different effects including acute, chronic, short-term and long-term ones.

Because of economic and health considerations, a study was required to identify the industrial hazardous wastes in Fars Province, since it plays an important role in the development of the country’s industry. In this study, 101 industrial units were selected and the necessary data were gathered using a questionnaire, interviewing those in charge of the units, and referring to the available documents. The information includes the type and amount of waste, method of temporary storage, frequency of waste discharge, method of final disposal, and the condition of recovery and reuse of waste. Meanwhile, for storing and analyzing the data, an "industrial waste database" was made.

The obtained results indicate that 3,011,277.1 tons of wastes are produced each year, excluding the uncontrolled industrial waste water, of which 2,505.52 tons are categorized as hazardous wastes (based on the list of the Basel Convention). Of these wastes, 13.42% are toxic. Besides, 72.12% of the wastes are liquid and 12.63% are solid. It is to be mentioned that there is no temporary storage for 22.92% of these wastes. Moreover, 27.66% of them are disposed of in the environment without any kind of control. Furthermore, all the aspects of the management of hazardous wastes are analyzed and their results presented.

Key words: industrial hazardous waste, Basel Convention,  database, Fars Province

Possibility of Waste Minimization in Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex: A Case Study of the Olefin Plant

Sima Sabzali Pour

(Corresponding Author)

Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University

Nemat Allah Jaafar Zadeh

Environmental Health Department, Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences

Masood Monavari

Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract:

Petrochemical complexes are among the most important industries for the industrial development in our country. Such industries produce wastes which need to be managed. In the past two decades, waste minimization has been considered as a new policy.

In countries where there is not enough environmental supervision over the industries, treatment and disposal are more emphasized. Such an approach leads to an increase in costs and in many cases may cause the resources to be wasted. Since waste minimization strategy can reduce the problems, the modern management of decreasing wastes is considered as a national strategy.

In this research, the possibility of industrial wastes minimization is studied in the Olefin Plant which is an important unit for producing raw materials for the other polymeric plants in Bandar-e-Imam Petrochemical Complex.  To achieve the goals of the study, such issues as the production process, qualitative and quantitative properties, and also reasons for the waste material production were investigated. Both the quality and the quantity of these materials were determined after the identification of waste materials. The results show that 11,972,000 kg of industrial wastes is produced in the Olefin Plant annually. These materials were then categorized according to the method proposed by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). It was determined that 89.67% of the waste materials of the Olefin Plant were hazardous and 10.29% non-hazardous.

The hazardous wastes consisted of catalysts, coke, asbestos, used oils and gallons, and polymeric sludge. Then the existing options for waste minimization were surveyed and it was determined that 91% of hazardous wastes could be recycled and 8.94% could be reduced.

Key words: hazardous wastes, UNEP classification, waste minimization, Olefin Plant, petrochemical complex

Environmental Management of the Solid Wastes of

Stone Cutting Industries: A Case Study of Qom Province

Mohammad Mosaferi

School of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Mohammad Fahiminia

School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences

Ramin Nabizadeh

School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

The increasing development of stone cutting industries (SCIs) and the extensive use of the different types of stone for construction have led to the increased amount of generated solid wastes in our country, which requires proper environmental management. Considering the importance of the issue, the management of SCIs solid wastes was investigated in Qom province as a case study. Some 55 SCIs were selected and studied. Meanwhile, the disposal sites of the SCLs solid wastes were surveyed as to their environmental adverse effects.

The results show that there are 186 active SCIs active in Qom Province, all of which are located within at most 15 kilometers from the city of Qom in 4 areas: Kooh-e Sefid road, old Qom-Tehran road, Kashan road, and Isfahan road. The generated solid wastes are disposed of in 4 sites along these roads. Regarding the number of stone cutting machines (SCMs), these industries are of two types: 151 units have one SCM and 35 units have two. As to the frequency of such factories, most of them (77 units) are along Kashan road. On the average, 50% of the stone used in these factories changes into waste material. The highest amount of waste is related to quarts stones and the lowest pertains to granite stones. The SCIs having one SCM produce an average of 400 tons of wastes per year. The figure is about 600 tons per year for two-SCM units. The total annual amount of solid wastes generated by SCIs is estimated to be 81,400 tons, of which 15,000 tons (18%) are recycled. For complete recycling, the capacity of these factories should increase at least as much as 500 percent. There was no proper management at the disposal sites; therefore, it is necessary to take correct actions for the collection, recycling, and disposal of these waste materials by responsible organizations including the municipality.

Key words: stone cutting industries, solid wastes, Qom Province, environmental     

                   Management

preparation of acid sludge obtained from the recovery of used oil for its purification

Vahid Shapouri

Graduated Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University

[email protected]

٭Mohammad Reza Alavi Moghadam

٭Taghi Ebadi   

٭Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University

Abstract

Stabilization/solidification (S/S) process is routinely used for the final treatment of the hazardous wastes prior to land disposal. This process is used for treatment of hazardous waste especially heavy metals sludge. In this study cement and silica fume were used to stabilize hexavalent chromium present in the electroplating sludge. The degree of chromium stabilization was evaluated using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Test and Compression Test. The specimens were prepared based on various cr⁺⁶ concentration in sludge (12, 6, 1 gr/l) and ASTM C109/C 109M-95 standard. The results show that the Cr contaminated in leaching solution for 12 and 6 g/l Cr⁺⁶ in sludge is more than maximum contaminated level (5 mg/l) in TCLP test after 28 days curing but the results of Cr⁺⁶ fixation percent show that the mean percent of Cr⁺⁶ fixation is 87% and this percent seems to be acceptable for the present situation of electroplating sludge disposal in Iran. Another obtained data showed that the partial replacement of cement with 10% silica fume increase the efficiency of Cr⁺⁶ fixation and compensate any negative effects caused by sludge on Cement hydration. It should be mentioned that the Compressive strength amount of all samples are more than the minimum EPA compressive strength for stabilized material (3.5 kg/Cm²).

Key words: electroplating sludge, chromium stabilization, Stabilization and solidification, cement, silica fume.

Environmental and Legislative Study of The Surface Water Resources of Tehran Potable Water

Borhan Riyazi

Environmental Protection Organization

Nasser Ghasemi

Faculty of Judicial Sciences and Administrative Services

Farhad Dabiri*

Elahe Pourkarimi*

*Faculty of Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

The water basins of Karaj, Latian, and Lar dams --- with an area of 843, 695, and 652 square kilometers, respectively --- include several permanent and seasonal rivers and streams which are the main sources of water supply of Tehran. These basins face serious threats now: all wastes including solid wastes as well as domestic and industrial waste water are the most important threats to the environment, especially to the surface and ground water resources. Unplanned development of cities and residential areas around these resources has caused rapid water pollution, especially from a biological standpoint.

The present study also analyzes the contradictory regulations and the overlapping among them which are considered as a threatening factor in these basins.

Such parameters as the management of the basins and the role of responsible executive organizations, dealers, and ordinary native people that are among the threatening factors are also studied.

Finally, some structural, legal, executive, and managerial points are proposed.

Key words: potable water resources, water basins, legal condition, environmental

                      condition, industrial wastewater

Mathematical Modeling and Prediction of Executed Emissions from Heat-Electrical Industries

Reza Marandi*

(Corresponding Author)

Faculty of Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Nasrollah Majidian

Technical Faculty, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University

S.Mohammad Hoji Khorasani

Faculty of Technology, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract:

Executed Hydrocarbons contain NO, NO₂, PM, SO₂, O₂, N₂, CO, H2O, etc., among which CO₂, CO, NO, NO₂, PM, and SO₂ are known as major environmental pollutants in big industrial cities.

In this research, using thermodynamic models for emission prediction, a model is devised for power plant boilers which can predict the CO, NO, SO₂, and CO₂ concentrations.

In the end, a comparison is made between the predicted values and the real ones measured for Tabriz power plant boiler. The results show an acceptable correlation between the predicted and the real figures.

Key words: executed, mathematical model, chemical, kinetics, pollutant

An Introduction to Environmental Geopolitics

*Yousef Zeinolabedin

(Corresponding Author)

*Hamid Reza Paknejad Mottaki

*Faculty of Humanities Group of Political Geography Islamic Azad University Rasht Branch

Abstract                                                                                                                  

In recent years, researchers and politicians have come to use environmental geopolitics which studies political behavior. Today, the common benefits of states and nations increasingly depend on their cooperation in relation to the protection of the ecosystem of the Earth. In the meantime, due to political, economic, and social characteristics,                                   environmental geopolitics issues display a special image of the countries’ common interests.

Therefore, in today’s world, some nations are interested in and prepared for passing both regional and international environmental laws because it is has been accepted that there is a relationship between environment on the one hand and security, development and national interests on the other hand.

Thus, it is better to for the governments to prepare and execute their plans and policies to solve both local and international geopolitics disputes.

Key words: geopolitics, environment, states, national interests, security, sovereignty.