Adsorption of copper, lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from saffron leaves

Background: Industrial development has caused the release of various pollutants including heavy metals into the environment. These toxic compounds are extremely dangerous to living beings and the environment due to their non-biodegradability, severe toxicity, carcinogenicity, the ability to be accumulated in nature and the ability to contaminate groundwater and surface water. The aim of the present research was to provide an appropriate and cost-effective adsorbent to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Methods: The activated carbon was produced from the dried. Batch experiments were performed on real and synthetic samples at room temperature. The effect of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and contact time were studied, and the adsorption isotherms of heavy metals were determined. The removal efficiency was evaluated on real wastewater. Results: The maximum removal efficiency of heavy metals (copper, cadmium and lead) by activated carbon adsorbent prepared from saffron leaves was obtained in pH 7. The optimum amount of adsorbent was 0.6 g, and the optimum contact times were 45 min for copper and cadmium ions and 90 min for lead ion, respectively. In these optimum conditions the removal efficiencies were 76.36%, 91.25% and 97.5%, respectively. The removal efficiencies of heavy metals from actual samples (copper industry and the battery industry) in the optimum conditions were 82.25%, 69.95% and 91.23%, respectively. The results obtained showed the highest correlation with Langmuir isotherm model. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the activated carbon produced from saffron leaves has a good capability in removal of the metal ions from the aqueous solutions. Considering the availability of saffron leaves in Khorasan, its cost-effectiveness, and high uptake capacity, it can be applied as a proper absorbent to remove the heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Keywords: Adsorption, Heavy metal, Activated carbon, Saffron leaves Citation: Dowlatshahi S, Haratinezhad Torbati AR, Loloei M. Adsorption of copper, lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from saffron leaves. Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal 2014; 1(1): 37–44

Cost analysis of the education of students in School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, using activity-based costing model

Background & Objective: Quantifying real costs in total and per student is one of the key objectives of budgeting in long-term plans for higher education sector; without any doubt, this will improve the performance of universities. However, the evidences and experiences in this regard are very limited within Iran. The purpose of this study was to estimate and analyze all costs of a school (as a model) compatible with activity-based costing in the logics of operating budgeting. Methods: Having reviewed all available relevant documents of School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences in one academic year (2010-11), real costs were extracted and categorized. In the same time, all available facilities (classes, laboratories, library, computer rooms, and common rooms), human resources, students, and infrastructures of the school were surveyed. The cost data were grouped into five sections: training costs, research costs, administrative costs, current supportive costs, and maintenance/development costs. Results: The total cost of School of Public Health was 24, 726 million Iranian Rial (IRR) consisted of 18,850 IRR for teaching costs, 1,894 IRR for research costs, 2,519 IRR for administrative costs and 1,463 IRR for maintenance and current costs. The total per student cost was 31.11 IRR. The total per postgraduate student cost was 2.5 times more than of undergraduate students. Conclusion: A main part of the costs, particularly salaries, is out of hand of direct managers of the school. These costs are usually hidden, and are not presented in costs at the school level. It seems that fixed salary of academic staff inflated human costs, while it is suggested that with a better educational management, the system could increase their responsibilities, and improve their productivities. Our computation, as a model, may help medical universities around the country to create a clear picture of their costs in line with the rules of operating budgeting. Keywords Cost per student educational costs operating budget economics of education educational plannin

Study of the coagulation process in wastewater treatment of dairy industries

Aims: In this study, the effect of the coagulation process on treatment of simulated dairy wastewater (SDW) was investigated using the mineral and organic coagulants. Materials and Methods: Different types of coagulants such as inorganic (Alum and ferrous sulphate) and polymeric coagulants (polyacrylamide [PAA] and polyferric sulphate [PFS]) were investigated. Inorganic coagulants dosages were varied from 100 to 1000 mg/L and the polymers dosage was 20 mg/L. Turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride of samples were investigated in optimum pH. Results: Both two coagulants had an optimum dose and pH of 1000 mg/L and 5 respectively. According to the findings, Alum with 95% turbidity removal and 68% COD removal had more high efficiency than ferrous sulphate (95% and 62% efficiency for turbidity and COD removal respectively). When Alum via PFS and PAA as a coagulants aid were used, 82% decrease in COD was obtained using low dose of Alum (100 mg/L). Conclusion: In studied dairy wastewater, Alum was more effective than ferrous sulphate. Addition of 20 mg/L of both two coagulants aid (PFS and PAA) effectively reduced the use of Alum and it was effective in COD removal

Farmers’ Pesticide Using Behaviors: A Case Study on Pistachio Farms in Kerman, Iran

Background: Improper use of pesticides has become a serious in regard to human health in recent years. Overlooking safety regulations, using pesticides creates many problems and health hazards for people. Objectives: This paper aimed to investigate the use of pesticides by pistachio farmers in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Chatroud County, Kerman Province, Iran. A total of 278 respondents were enrolled in this cross-sectional study to investigate pattern of pesticide use among pistachio farmers. An ANOVA test and Pearson coefficient correlation were used to compare the score of function in applying pesticide and the correlation between quantitative variables. Results: Most of the farmers were illiterate or low-literate (completed primary school) (82%). About 58%of the interviewees had used at least one item of safety equipment during their work with pesticides. The mean score of practice showed a reverse correlation with working years. (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between poisoning and the role of children in spraying (r = 0.31, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The low level of farmers’ education resulted in the improper use of pesticides. It is necessary to introduce appropriate methods for using pesticides to this group and to train them accordingly

Adsorption of copper, lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from saffron leaves

Background: Industrial development has caused the release of various pollutants including heavy metals into the environment. These toxic compounds are extremely dangerous to living beings and the environment due to their non-biodegradability, severe toxicity, carcinogenicity, the ability to be accumulated in nature and the ability to contaminate groundwater and surface water. The aim of the present research was to provide an appropriate and cost-effective adsorbent to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Methods: The activated carbon was produced from the dried. Batch experiments were performed on real and synthetic samples at room temperature. The effect of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and contact time were studied, and the adsorption isotherms of heavy metals were determined. The removal efficiency was evaluated on real wastewater. Results: The maximum removal efficiency of heavy metals (copper, cadmium and lead) by activated carbon adsorbent prepared from saffron leaves was obtained in pH 7. The optimum amount of adsorbent was 0.6 g, and the optimum contact times were 45 min for copper and cadmium ions and 90 min for lead ion, respectively. In these optimum conditions the removal efficiencies were 76.36%, 91.25% and 97.5%, respectively. The removal efficiencies of heavy metals from actual samples (copper industry and the battery industry) in the optimum conditions were 82.25%, 69.95% and 91.23%, respectively. The results obtained showed the highest correlation with Langmuir isotherm model. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the activated carbon produced from saffron leaves has a good capability in removal of the metal ions from the aqueous solutions. Considering the availability of saffron leaves in Khorasan, its cost-effectiveness, and high uptake capacity, it can be applied as a proper absorbent to remove the heavy metals from industrial wastewater