J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Waste minimization management systems are one of the effective methods of reducing wastes production in all industries and service units. In such systems, the main goal is to seek all the possible ways of minimizing waste production.

In this study, one of the country�s detergent-production factories, Tazh detergent factory, was chosen for case study.

After gathering the general information about waste minimization management systems and studying the different activities of a detergent industry, the main parts of the factory were identified.

The results of the study show that the major units producing wastes in this plant are powder and sulfunation units.

Application of waste minimization management systems in these units reduced waste production by about 18% and about 84 million rials was saved, a considerable figure considering the total costs of the units.�

Key words: Waste minimization, detergent production, sulfunation

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Estimation of Air Pollutants (Nitrogen Oxides & Sulfur Dioxide) Emitted from four power plants of the Country

Abdolreza� Karbassi¹

Farideh Atabi²

Nahid Eslami Alishah² (Corresponiding author)

1-Faculty of Environment, Tehran University

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

Abstract

Electric power plants are one of the sources of energy. As power plants meet the main and basic needs of man, they are considered to be very important. Electric power plants produce pollutants that endanger human life. Therefore, it is vital to pay special attention to control and prevent the emission of air pollutants such as NO_x and SO₂.

To this end, the present study aimed at investigating the above-mentioned pollutants and their distribution using Screen-3 software. A distribution map was processed in Arc view software. Finally, iso-maps of pollutants concentration were drawn.

Two of the four power plants studied, namely Rey and Shahid Rajaee, emit more pollutants than the other two. Loushan and Ramin Ahwaz power plants emit pollutants within the standards limits. In the end, various methods of pollution control were studied and the most best adoptable ones were selected for the studied power plants.��

Key words: Power plant, air pollution, air pollutants emission, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide��

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Estimation of External Costs of Transferring Small Electroplating Industries from Tehran to Kharazmy Industrial Complex

�

Zahra Abedi¹

Jamileh Jamali Zavareh¹ (Corresponiding author)

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

Abstract

In the course of the industrialization of Tehran, there has been no assessment as to the effect of development (regarding the location of the industries) on the environment to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, these industries are located in residential areas and cause troubles such as traffic and environmental pollution. Besides, the shortage of contamination controlling systems have made residential areas unsuitable places to live in. Moreover, not having enough spaces, theses industries face lots of problems for their future growth. To solve the problem, the government ratified the transfer of polluting industries from Tehran to suitable zones confirmed by the Environment Protection Organization. Thirty-three polluting industries � such as electroplating workshops -- were identified and transferred to Kharazmy Industrial Complex.

Now, the main question is whether the transfer of these industries has had any effect on the quality of life in residential areas and if the answer is positive, to what extent people�s lives have improved.

In this study, it has been tried to investigate the industrial complexes and estimate the cost of damages to the environment and to the people. So, municipal district number 12 has been chosen. The tendency of the affected society to move to the new zones is studied and the amount of damages to the environment is estimated through theoretical and practical ways, interview with environmentalists, searching the Internet, and observation.

Key words: External costs, polluting industries, industrial complexes, water pollution��

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Economic Evaluation of Solar Power Plants Development:

An Environmental Perspective

Mahdi Sadeghi¹

Atieh Ekrami²(Corresponiding author)

1-Faculty of Economic Sciences

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

Abstract

In the sector of electricity production, environmental issues and the limitation of investment sources are the main factors that influence the process. The reduction of costs and the destructive impacts on the environment have always been mentioned by specialists. Consequently, the seriousness of the environment protection and the production of electric energy have led the authorities to focus on solar power plants. It is obvious that the issue of required resources for investment surpasses the environmental factors in our country. Here, the main question is whether in the current situation of our country, the replacement of fossil power plants with solar power plants is possible or not and whether we can be hopeful about such possibility in the future.

Considering the high costs of electricity production by solar power plants and the situation of electricity production costs with regard to the social costs, this study aims at doing an economic evaluation on the above-mentioned issue in Iran.

In this study, the marginal cost of 1kwh electricity production in each power plant was estimated. Then, an evaluation was done considering pollutants and greenhouse gases emitted from fossil power plants. The imposed social costs were also taken into consideration.

In conclusion, it is shown that the use of solar power plants electricity is not economical yet; however, photovoltaic systems are economical in the same situations.

Regarding the increasing demand for electricity, the scarcity of resources, and the large amount of pollution, fossil power plants will not be economical in near future. �

Key words: Economic assessment, solar power plant, marginal cost, external cost, social cost

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

A Method for Economic Evaluation of Forest Logging Damages On Regeneration and Stand

(Case study: Alandan and Waston Serries)

Majid Lotfalian¹ (Corresponiding author)

[email protected]

Aidin Parsakho¹

Baris Majnounian²

1-Faculty of Natural Resources, Mazandaran University

2-Faculty of Natural Resources, Tehran University

Abstract

In this study, a method has been developed to estimate the damages to logging and timber skidding on regeneration and stands in forestland. The forests of Wood and Paper Industries of Mazandaran were selected for case study. Three forest regions including parcels number 17 and 28 of Waston and parcel 7 of Alandan districts were selected for the study because they enjoyed medium, generalizable characteristics among the company�s forests. For the economic evaluation of the damages on regeneration and stand, each of the estimated factors was changed into a coefficient before being used in the computations. The number of saplings per hectare and the cost of each destroyed sapling were estimated. To evaluate the cost of damages, qualitative data were changed into quantitative ones using expert knowledge based on analytical processes and proposed mathematical relationships.

The results revealed that in felling and bucking operations, 3.2% of the regeneration was damaged, of which 5% could be prevented. Also, after winching and wood skidding, 4.8% of the regeneration was damaged, 8% of which could be prevented. During logging operations, a total of 51,147 rials of preventable damages per hectare is inflicted to the regeneration. On the stand, felling and bucking operations damaged 13.6% of the remaining trees. The damage is about 1,512,335 rials per hectare. After skidding or at the end of the logging operations, the total amount of the damages to the stand was 15.5% and its preventable economic value was 3,544,356 rials per hectare per year in the logging area. In fact, the economic damages caused by felling, bucking, and skidding amount to 3,595,503 rials per hectare in the logging area.

�

Key words: Logging, damages, cost evaluation, stand, regeneration, skidding, forest

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Environmental Impacts of Industrial Development in Shahryar

Masoud Monavari¹

Saeed Malmasi²

Reza Arjmandi¹

Zahra Samadi Tari¹(Corresponding Author)

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

2-Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

Shahryar is located in the west of the Tehran Province with an area of 1,329 km²which covers 7% of the area of the province and 9% of its population. Due to the increasing need for establishing industrial units, Shahryar has fallen into an unplanned development process which can cause irreversible environmental losses in the future development trend.

The results of the present study show that the number of factories equipped with suitable treatment systems is very limited and it can be said that the industries mainly discharge their sewage without any treatment or with an incomplete treatment process. Improper disposal of solid wastes in industrial units is another problem. Current waste disposal sites are also major pollution sources due to improper disposal. The most commonly used fuels in industrial units are gas oil and mazut with considerable air pollution potentials.

In this research, the existing pollution sources are considered and at the end, certain suggestions are made for the reduction of their adverse effects��

Key words: Industrial units, pollution, Shahryar�

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Legal Aspects of Oil Pollution in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman (An International Perspective)

Parvin Farshchi¹

Farhad Dabiri¹

Sara Shojaei¹(Corresponiding author)

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

Abstract

Due to the existence of huge oil and gas resources and special environmental conditions, the region of Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is of great importance. The strategic importance of the region as well as military and political tensions and economic issues have all undermined such important issues as the pollution of marine environment and have turned the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman into one of the most polluted marine environments of the world. Many international and regional conventions have been established to prevent and control marine environment pollution. International Maritime Organization (IMO) has the responsibility of monitoring and implementing relevant Conventions as well as setting up new rules and regulations for marine pollution at the international level. Although many conventions have been established with regard to marine pollution, very few of them address marine oil pollution: MARPOL Convention, Convention on Compensation Against Oil Pollution, Convention on Preparedness, Response and Combat of Marine Oil Pollution, etc.

�In order to protect the marine environment of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman against oil pollution, the Kuwait Convention and its Protocols were developed by the countries of the region in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). In accordance with Article 16 of the "Convention", Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) was established in 1978 (Kuwait) and based on Article 3 of the "Protocol on Regional Cooperation in Combat of Marine Emergencies", Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Center (MEMAC) was established in 1983 (Bahrain).

�The results of the survey of international conventions and organizations related to oil pollution reveal that many of the countries are reluctant to join these conventions due to the fact that acquiring the appropriate technology and infrastructure which is a pre-requisite to membership is very costly. Due to the same reason, ROPME member states have different status as far as the membership to relevant international conventions is concerned. Although the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman have been declared as "Special Sea Area", none of the existing legal instruments such as the Kuwait Convention and its Protocols contains specific provisions addressing environmental protection of the Special Sea Area.

In this study, it has been tried to provide a comparison between the laws and regulation at the national, regional, and international levels to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing relevant laws and regulations and to provide comments and suggestions in order to improve the existing legal instruments as well as the institutional arrangements of the ROPME and MEMAC.

Key words: Oil pollution, Kuwait Convention, marine environment, Persian Gulf

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

�� Implementation System of the Missing Cycle in Urban Development Plans

Mahmoud Jamhiri¹(Corresponiding author)

Hossain Zabihi¹

Hamid Majedi¹

1-Faculty of Art and architecture, Science and research, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

After a decade from the preparation and implementation of urban plans, despite various criticisms, no attention has been paid to the implementation issue as a barrier to the urban plans.

Approved by the authorities, urban plans aim at developing the cities and creating satisfactory conditions for the citizens. A casual interview method was chosen for data collection in this study. Interviews with city authorities and those familiar with the failures of urban plans as well as empirical observations were the means of data collection. The present study consisted of the following two processes:

1. General integrated survey

2. Systemic approach survey

In spite of comprehensive studies and spending a lot of time for the preparation and approval of the plans, certain problems still exist regarding the following issues:

--implementation of the plans and the related methods;

--systemic relationship between the elements and the structure of the implementation foundation;

--financial and human resources;

--role of the information flow in the implementation of the plans (lack of feedback);

--decision making not under the control of the city managers (lack of dynamism in the plans).

Thus, there is a lot of interference in the administration of the city. In fact, there is no executive system. The necessity for planning such a system is quite obvious.

Key words: System, implement system, development city plan, city management

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Seasonal Distribution of Striped Hyaena (hyaena hyaena hyaena) in Khogir National Park, Iran

Mahmood Karami¹

Borhan Riazi²

Nazanin Kalani²(Corresponiding author)

1-Faculty of Natural Resources, Tehran University

2-Faculty of Energy and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Univertsity

Abstract

Winter and summer distributions of striped hyaena (hyaena hyaena hyaena) were studied in Khojir National Park, located in the southwest of Tehran, based on 26 field trips from July 2005 to June 2006. The park is 11,570 ha in size. It was divided into 3 sections for observations using such signs as scats, tracks, carcasses, and dens. Altogether, 13 hyaenas were observed and 47 signs noted. Although winter and summer distributions were similar, more signs were noted during summer. Hyaenas were more concentrated in the western parts of the park. Human-related factors that influenced the distribution of hyaenas were also accounted for.

Key words: Striped hyaena, Khojir National Park, seasonal distribution

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Effects of 17b-estradiol valerat on Gonadal Sex Differentation of Rainbow Trout (oncorhynchus mykiss)

Tahereh Naji¹

Parisa Nejatkhah Manavi²

Mehrdad Shirin Aadi²(Corresponiding author)

1-Faculty of Pharmacology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran

2-Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of 17β-estradiol valerat on gonadal sex differentiation of the rainbow trout in the absorption of yolk-sac stage and the relationship between the immersion period and sex reversal percentage.��

To this end, 6 days after the hatching of larvae, 750 sac fry larvae were divided equally into 5 treatments. The investigation was performed in one stage and during different times in a bath containing 400 �g/lit of 17β-estradiol valerat using the immersion method. The treatments were exposed to this hormone for different lengths of time: treatment 1 for 1 hour, treatment 2 for 2 hours, treatment 3 for 4 hours and treatment 4 for 8 hours. Treatment 5 was used as the control group. After using the hormone, the larvae were fed and protected to reach a suitable size and the growth of sex gonads for 4 months. After this stage, the fish in different treatments were examined for their sexes in a direct method. The results indicated that 40.40 percent of the fish in treatment 1, 41.5 percent in treatment 2, 54.3 percent in treatment 3, and 59.5 percent in treatment 4 were females. Comparing the results with the sex ratio in the control group -- that included 35 percent female fish and 65 percent male fish -- showed that immersing sac fry larvae in the bath containing 17β-estradiol valerat hormone could lead to sex reversal in this group of fish. But the hormone-treated groups didn't show a significant difference in mean weight and length as compared with the control group of the fish (p > 0.05).��

Key words: Oncorhynchus mykiss , feminization , sex reversal , 17β-estradiol valerat , immersion��

J.Env.Sci. Tech., Summer 2008, No.37

Site Selection for the Central Waste Incinerator of the Medical Wastes in Tehran

Nahid Sheikhan¹

[email protected]

1-Industrial Engineering and Productivity Research Center, Amir Kabir Industrial University

Abstract

�Medical wastes produced in hospitals, laboratories, clinics, pharmacies and medical research centers constitute a percentage of daily wastes of the cities (about 2% in Tehran). Such wastes are of a dangerous nature and their disposal needs special attention. Burning is the most universally adopted method used to dispose of these wastes, which takes place at central incinerators. Due to the pollution caused by medical wastes and their burning, the selection of the sites for central waste incinerators is of great importance.

The present study concentrates on the site selection for the central waste incinerators in Tehran. From-to chart techniques were used and three feasible locations considering different factors such as traffic networks, environmental limitations, and distances and types of land usage were selected.

Key words: Site selection, central waste incinerator, medical wastes, from- to chart, traffic networks,

environmental limitations, type of land usage