A Review on Scorpionism in Iran

Background: Scorpions are one of the most important venomous animals in Iran. Their sting has more prevalence in the south and southwest areas. The aim of this study was to introduce their sting agent species in the country. Methods: Data were extracted by a mini review on scorpion stinging articles in Iran until early 2018 and then the sting agent species in each area were studied. Geographical and provincial distribution of each species also was provided. Results:  Twelve scorpion species are causative agents of sting. According to their deadly rate and clinical symptoms, some of them are considered the most dangerous venomous animals in Iran. Some death cases have been reported be­cause of the sting of 3 species of Hemiscorpius lepturus, H. acanthocercus and Androctonus crassicauda. Remaining species have not deadly sting but because of their frequency, they encounter the individuals and cause the stinging. Conclusion: The highest number of sting agents is in Khuzestan, however Gilan and Mazandaran have the lowest fre­quency. Because of the high prevalence of sting agent species in that province, the necessity of providing control and prevention programs is very important

Heavy Metals Removal from Sewage Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by Co-Composting Process

Background & Aims of the Study: One of the most important pollutants in drinking water, air and soils is heavy metals. It is very harmful for humans and other live organisms. The purpose of this study was the usage of a co-composting process for removal of heavy metals from municipal solid waste and sewage sludge. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was a conducted sewage sludge and municipal solid waste. For collection of samples from urban solid waste composting and wastewater treatment plant, a 200 mL polyethylene bottles was used, samples after acidification were stored in a dark place at 4°C temperature until the metals analysis the heavy metals values remaining in the samples was measured by graphite furnace absorption spectrometer method (Varian, SpectrAA 240, Australia). In this study, we used SPSS version 16 for data processing; and they were also analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Result of this study showed that values of C/N in the first, second and third stage compost were 31.7, 27.3 and 41.8, respectively. Based on the result of this study the value of removal of Cd with 9.8 mg kg-1 in first stage and Cr, Cu and Zn with 89, 21 and 87.6 mg kg-1 in third stage were highest treatment. Conclusion: Our results show that co-composting process between many treatment processes having to be cost effective for heavy metal removal from solid waste and wastewater treatment

Performance of Extended Aeration Biological System in Removal of Organic Matter from Razi Hospital Wastewater during 2015, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: The most important compounds in hospital wastewater are antibiotics, disinfectants, anesthetics, radioactive elements, static cytotoxic agents, other chemicals and hazardous materials that caused to be different domestic sewage. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of performance of extended aeration biological system in pollutants removal from Razi Hospital wastewater treatment plant (WTP), Ahvaz city of Iran. Materials and Methods: The hospital wastewater disposal and treatment in Razi hospital have been studied in this cross-sectional research. Total of 12 samples from effluents of wastewater treatment plants were collected and tested for pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Coliform (TC). EPA standard method was used for conducted trials. Finally, the relationship between results at different months and stations was done, using SPSS18 and descriptive statistics. Results: Results shown that parameters average in effluent was pH=7.46، BOD= 48.58 mg/l, COD=99.25 mg/l, TSS=54 mg/l, NH3=5.65mg/l, Turbidity=29.57 NTU. Also total coliform and fecal coliform of effluent were 46.19 MPN/100 ml and 36.65 MPN/100 ml, respectively. According to results, the percentage of BOD, COD, TSS and TC removal in WTP were 85.21, 82.46, 86 and 90.15. Conclusion: Based on these findings, Razi hospital effluent wastewater treatment plant was mitted at Iran environmental standards for discharge to recipient wasters. Based on the result of our study, Extended Aeration Biological System is a comparatively suitable process for BOD, COD, TSS and TC removal from hospital wastewater