J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Editorial Note
Editorial
The application of
nanotechnology in the protection of environment
Due to the importance of
environmental protection and for the attainment of sustainable development,
application of new technologies has attracted the attention of scientists in
most countries.
In recent years, basic
researches in the field of nanotechnology have been very successful, and their
application to the protection of the environment has been reported as quite
effective.
Today, carbon nanopipes which
are among the first scientific findings in the field of nanotechnology have a
wide application in the protection of the environment. Fuel additives,
production of solar cells, economical hydrogen fuel, electricity storage, and
the like can be referred to in this regard. Nano-particle additives have proved
to be capable of increasing the fuel efficiency of diesel engines as much as 5
per cent and therefore decreasing the spread of greenhouse gases as much as
millions of tons. Also, with the decrease in the production expense of solar
cells by nanotechnology, the spread of greenhouse gases decreases.
Hydrogen-driven vehicles can
remove the spread of all harmful pollutants; nanostructures such as carbon
nanopipes, fullerenes, have a potential
capacity to store hydrogen in their structures. Nanocatalysts can improve the
performance of fuel batteries and reduce the spread of greenhouse gases.
Nanotechnology can help increase the storage capacity of batteries and improve
their life.
Provision of healthy potable
water and filtration of wastewater are one of the environmental problems in the
years to come. Water purification and desalinization is a field considered by
scientists for the protection of the environment. With the help of
nanotechnology, machines have been made for desalinizing the sea water with an
efficacy/efficiency 10 times more than reverse osmosis machines and 100 times
more than distillation. This is a very economical process in terms of fuel
consumption because certain electrodes with a very large area have been produced
which can conduct electricity by putting carbon nanopipes side by side and
other designing innovations.��
The application of
nanotechnology can improve agriculture and increase agricultural products.
Production of chemical substances which are compatible with the environment and
are designed in a molecular way to nourish the plants and/or protect them
against pests, genetic enhancement of the structure of the living things, and
transmission of drugs and genes to animals all provide the conditions for their
compatibility with drought and salinity.
Composites made on the nano
scale with their special morphology and surface features are a new class of
materials with unique properties. The reaction between an organic substance
such as protein, pitid or lipid and inorganic
substance like calcium carbonate can result in a substance with an added
rigidity. Such compounds are a suitable substitute for the production of
plastic bottles of beverages because they can be absorbed in the nature and a
variety of them can be used for packaging the foodstuff.
Considering the above-mentioned
points, the researchers interested in the preservation of the environment are
recommended to pay more attention to this new technology and do more studies in
this regard so that our country like others can benefit from the results for
the protection of the environment.
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Faramarz Moattar��
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Feasibility of MTBE
absorption from groundwater by the use of modified clays
Saeed Gitipour
Emad Abolfazlzadeh* (Corresponding Author)
Faculty of Environment,
Saeed Givehchi
Abstract
Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) is added to gasoline to
increase its octane number and efficiency. The U.S. EPA has categorized this
compound as a hazardous material with high cancer risk to human
health. RCRA has also listed MTBE as a dangerous material.
The main source of soil contamination by MTBE in the environment
occurs through its production and leaching from USTs. Modified clays are a
type of bentonite clays that have been tailored structurally to absorb
hydrocarbons. In this study, free swell test and absorption analysis were
carried out to investigate the efficiency of modified clays in removing MTBE
from liquid wastes. The results of the study showed that the volume of the
clays increased from 2 cm3 to 11.95 cm3 (a 497%
increase). There was also a noticeable decrease in MTBE concentration for
all the absorption isotherm samples due to the removal of MTBE from liquid
solutions, thus denoting the efficiency of modified clays in absorbing this
compound.
Key
words: MTBE, groundwater, modified clay, absorption
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Bioassay on
accumulation amount of tributyltin chloride in Scat fish (Scatophagus argus)
Khashayar Badii*
Farrokh Legha Amini**/* (Corresponding Author)
Gholam Reza Nabi Bidhendi***
***Faculty of
Environment,
Parvin Farshchi**
**Faculty of
Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic
Noushin Rastkari****
****Faculty of
Pharmacy,
Mehrnoosh Gerayeshnejad *
* Research Institute
for Colorants, Paints and Coatings (ICPC),
Abstract
Application
of organotin compounds are limited by international regulations. Unfortunately,
in spite of these international regulations, they have been used in
In
this research, a fish species native to the
Key words: Tributyltin chloride,
bioaccumulation, accumulation threshold, Scat fish,
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Decolorization of
Reactive Black 5 by isolated bacterial strains from textile effluents in Tehran
Ashrafossadat Nouhi
Science and Research
Branch, Islamic
Mozhgan Emtiazjoo
Faculty of Marine
Sciences,
Negar Ordouzadeh (Corresponding Author)
Science and Research
Branch, Islamic
Abstract
Synthetic
dyes are among the substances that pollute the ecosystems such as the soil,
surface water, and underground water, and affect living organisms when
industrial effluents are released in the environment. The most common synthetic
dyes are Azo dyes, among which are the reactive dyes that can cause a lot of
problems due to their high solubility in water and low degradability.
In
this study, one gram negative bacilli (Shewanella putrefaciens) with a
high capacity in decolorization of azoic dyes, especially reactive black 5, is
isolated from among 15 microbial strains in
The
results of the study showed that, in the presence of external energy and carbon
source, this strain could decolorize the dye in a shorter period of time. An
18-20h pure culture of Shewanella putrefaciens decolorized more than 80%
of the dye during 12 hours under aerobic conditions in broth and the figure
reached 100% after 24 hours. Decolorization in Saline Basal Medium during 48 h
was 85%, when the dye was regarded as the sole source of carbon and energy. The
conditions for the gram negative bacilli (Shewanella putrefaciens) that
had the best effect on decolorization were as follows: a temperature of
30˚C, the pH of 6-6.5, 150 rpm shaker speed, and 200 ppm (mg/l)
concentration of dye. Decolorization took place better in the presence of yeast
extract as nitrogen source and sucrose as carbon source. Moreover, the culture
showed a better decolorization activity in the logarithmic phase of growth.
Since
the Shewanella putrefaciens do its decolorization activity in a short
period of time even in an autotrophic pathway, it is thus this strain that can
have a valuable role in biodegradation of dye compounds in textile effluents.
Key words: Reactive Black 5 dye,
Shewanella putrefaciens strain, biodegradation, decolorization .
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Comparison
between Igeo and EF indexes for estimating environmental pollution intensity of
Shirood River
�to maintain standards of sustainable
development
Marjaneh Kharrat Sadeghi(Corresponding Author)
Faculty of Natural
Resources, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic
marjanehsadeghi @
yahoo.com
Abdolreza Karbassi
Faculty of Environment,
Abstract
This
research aimed at investigating the intensity of the mineral pollution of
The
results of the study show that the pollution intensity of the mentioned
elements in two stations � mouth of the river and Soleiman Abad (up river) �
are as follows: the amounts of Iron and manganese are normal, which indicates
too weak an absorption (without pollution) in the environment; vanadium and
nickel are in the weak absorption class (without pollution to very slight
pollution); elements such as copper, zinc, and plumb are in the medium
absorption class (very slight pollution to slight pollution) and intensive
absorption class (much pollution to severe pollution). Therefore, the results
of the study also show that by combining the above-mentioned indexes, it is
possible to develop a sustainable development index for the recognition of
environmental pollutions.
Key words: pollution intensity,
river, geochemical index, enrichment factor, sustainable�� development
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Elimination
of heavy metals from wastewater by reusing the waste:� case study (cadmium salts by used spent
�soils that used in vegetable oil industries)
Afshin Shokati*(Corresponding Author)
�Mahmood
Shariat*
Nematollah Jaafarzadeh**
**Faculty of Health,
Ramin Nabizadeh*
*
Abstract
Due
to the toxicity of cadmium and its bioaccumulation property, it has drawn
significant attention. The aim of this study was to investigate cadmium
elimination by used soil the wastes of vegetable-oil industries, after being
prepared by heating in a vacuum furnace. The absorbent prepared in this way was
capable of absorbing metal ions such as cadmium in aqueous environment. Also,
how to improve the performance of the absorbent was studied, and the optimal
conditions in terms of influent concentration, pH, and absorption value were
determined. The best efficiency and absorption capacity were investigated for
both organic and inorganic salts of cadmium (cadmium acetate and cadmium
solfate) as well. Isotherm curves were developed for Langmiear B.E.T and
Frondlich which indicated that cadmium absorption by this absorbent follows
Langmiear equation (R= 0.98). Meanwhile, the highest absorption that occurred
for cadmium sulphate was 0.1234 mg/g; the efficiency for 10 mg/l of influent
concentration was 68.2 per cent when 3.5 g/l of absorbent was applied. An
increasing in pH and retention time resulted in higher absorption by the
absorbent.
Key words: Cadmium elimination, absorbent, aqueous
environment
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Social
Cost Analysis for So2 Emission in Shahid Rajai
Power
Plant
Mehdi Sadeghi*
*Faculty of Economics,
Zahra Abedi**
Farideh Atabi**
Massoumeh Torki**(Corresponding Author)
**Faculty of Energy and
Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic
Abstract
Electricity
production has a lot of advantages for the country, but it also has certain
harms and unwanted damages such as environmental destruction. In investigations
on electricity generation technologies and their environmental impacts, special
attention should be paid to social costs. In this paper, the social costs of
SO2 emission have been calculated for Shahid Rajaii Power Plant.
The fossil
fuels used in Shahid Rajai Power Plant are natural gas, fuel oil, and gas oil.
Having one combined cycle unit and one steam unit, the power plant has a
capacity of 2000 MW. The combined cycle unit includes 6 gas turbines and 3
steam units, and the other one has 4 steam units.
To calculate
the social costs, the private and external costs were computed separately for
each unit of the power plant. The private costs pertain to maintenance, fuel,
and investment. The fuel cost was computed for each steam and combined cycle
unit in terms of subsidized and FOB prices. The private costs were about
257.652 and 534.371 Rls/KWh. The SO2 emission was compared with the international
standard of ambient air in the four seasons and in two conditions: normal and
maximum load. The external costs were about, 262.096 and 421.226 Rls/KWh.
Finally, the
social costs were obtained from 8 scenarios in two seasons as the sum of
private and external costs. The results show that in comparison with the other
units, the social costs of the steam unit are considerable, which is due to the
high consumption of fuel oil.
Key words: power plant, social cost, external
cost, private cost, SO2
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Environment, safety,
and health management in urban parks
Reza Arjmandi*
Sayed Ali Jozi**
**Faculty of
Environment,
Jafar Nouri***
***
Azade Afsharnia*** (Corresponding Author)
*Faculty of Environment
and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic
Abstract
Regarding the importance of parks in
urban areas, issues such as health, safety and environment
are important elements which should be considered in the
fields of planning, operation, management, and maintenance before the
occurrence of accidents and undesirable effects and in order to meet the needs
of park users in particular and of citizens in general. The aim of this
research is to determine and consider factors affecting the optimal
health, safety and environmental management of urban parks and to provide
managerial solutions for the improvement of the present situation.
To this
end, first the effective factors in health, safety and environmental
management of urban parks were determined through library
and field studies. Then, two types of questionnaires
were used to obtain the opinions of the people
in charge and those going to parks regarding health, safety and
environmental state of some parks in district No. 5 of Tehran municipality
and the results were analyzed using statistical software.
The
results indicate that the desirability rate of health indices in the parks
under study (58.9%) is less than that of safety indices (%59.2%) and more than
that of environmental indices (46.1%). Also, indices such as
appropriate health state in the staff rooms of the parks, information
state and installation of warning signs
while spraying poisons in parks, and the state of
accomplished measures to reduce noise pollution in parks had the least
desirability rates in the areas of health, safety, and environment (35%, 3.3%
and 28.3%, respectively) in the parks under study.
Key words: Urban Parks, Health,
Safety & Environmental Management System (HSE), Health, Safety &
Environmental Indices
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Assessment of adverse
health effects of electrical and magnetic fields emitted by video display
terminals on VDT users in the Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abbas Mahmoodi *(Corresponding Author)
Parvin Nasiri*
Hodjatollah�
Zeraati*
*
Ahmadreza Farzaneh Nejad
School of Allied
Medical Sciences,
Abstract
The
first observations regarding the adverse effects of exposure to VDTs go back to
the years following 1970. Most complaints about the negative effects of EMFs
emitted by VDTs include: visual disorders, skin rashes and itching, adverse
effect on the reproductive system, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, and
pregnancy disorders among VDT users. To assess the adverse effects of EMFs
emitted by VDTs, 97 VDT users who spent more than 4 hours a day in front of
VDTs were studied in the present research. Also, a questionnaire was used to
obtain the required information.
The
results of the study showed that there was no significant relationship between
the prevalence and intensity of the above-mentioned disorders on the one hand
and the exposure to EMFs emitted by VDTs on the other. The results also
revealed that, in certain cases, an increase in the exposure time would lead to
menstrual disorders among VDT users. OR=1/199 (DI %95: 0/998-1/44).
Moreover, the findings showed that an increase in the daily exposure to VDTs
aggravated the users� visual disorders. OR=1/244 (DI %95:1/507-1/027). These
findings confirm the results of some of the studies conducted previously on the
issue.��
Key words: Electrical and
Magnetic Fields (EMFs), Video Display Terminals (VDTs), Cathode Ray Tube
display (CRT), adverse health effects, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
(TUMS)
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
An Investigation of
Environmental and Cultural Principles of
Mohammadreza Bemanian
�Ali
Akbar Taghvaee�����
Mohammad Sharif Shahidi* (Corresponding Author)
Faculty of Arts,
Abstract
This
paper aimed at investigating the items and values affecting the
Key words:
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
The effects of a
temperature gradient and fluid inertia on acoustic streaming in a standing wave
and their application in thermoacoustic engines and refrigerators
Farshid Ghorbani Shahna(Corresponding Author)
Faculty of Health,
Mohsen Rahimi Nejad
Abstract
Following
the experimental method of Thompson and Atchley, laser Doppler anemometry (LDA)
was used to investigate the effects of a thermo-acoustically induced axial
temperature gradient and of fluid inertia on the acoustic streaming generated
in a cylindrical standing-wave resonator filled with air driven sinusoid ally
at a frequency of 308 Hz. The axial component of Lagrangian streaming velocity
was measured along the resonator axis and across the diameter at
acoustic-velocity amplitudes of 2.7, 4.3, 6.1, and 8.6 m/s at the velocity
antinodes. The magnitude of the axial temperature gradient along the resonator
wall varied between approximately 0 and 8 K/m by repeating measurements with
the resonator surrounded by a water jacket, suspended within an air-filled
tank, or wrapped in foam insulation.
The
results of the study indicate that there is a significant correlation between
the temperature gradient and the behavior of the streaming: as the magnitude of
the temperature gradient increases, the magnitude of the streaming decreases,
and the shape of the streaming cell becomes increasingly distorted. Therefore,
the observed steady-state streaming velocities are not in agreement with any
available theory.
Key words: Acoustic, effects of
temperature, inertia
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
Identification and
estimation of the population of fishes
in�
Mohammadkarim Jazebizadeh*
E-mail : [email protected]
Mehrdad
Shirin Abadi*(Corresponding Author)
*Fishery Department, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad
university
�����������������������������������������������������������������������������
Abstract
To identify and estimate the
population of fishes in Namroud� river
(between
The results showed that the fishes were of 6
types:��������������
Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782), Capoeta aculeata (Valencienns,
1844), Capoeta
damascina (Valencienns, 1842), Leuciscus cephalus (Linnaeus,
1758), Nemacheilus bergianus ( Derzhavin, 1934) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)
.������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
The population estimation of each
species was done based on their ratios in the sample.������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������
Considering the obtained species, type of river bed,
and temperature and speed of water, it seems that the region under study should
be considered as a Sub Mountain Zone according to Holcik-Hensel classification.
Such regions have Barbel, Grayling, and Trout. These kinds of fishes are not
only native to the region, but they have also come via the exit canal of
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Key words: fish, knowledge, estimating, Namroud
river,
J.Env.Sci. Tech., Spring 2008, No.36
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