Investigating the changes in chemical quality characteristics of Ardestan plain underground water resources during 1995-2019

Objectives: Considering the importance of underground water sources, continuous evaluation of their quality should be considered to prevent chemical pollution. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the changes in the chemical quality of water in the Qanats (aqueducts) and wells of Ardestan Plain during the years 1995 to 2019.Methods: This research was conducted retrospectively in 2021 based on the data collected by Ardestan Department of Natural Resources during the period of 1995-2019. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 2016 and compared to Iranian drinking water quality standards.Results: Data showed that Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and the Total Hardness of well water were increased 367.3, 168.8 respectively. These parameters were increased by 188.1 and 90 mg L-1 for Qanat water, respectively. And other water quality parameters were increased including magnesium, calcium, sulfate, bicarbonate, chloride and Electrical Conductivity (EC).  The trend of TDS and TH showed that in the all of the well water exceeded from the drinking water standard especially in 2019.Conclusion: Paying attention to the process of chemical changes of water in the Ardestan plain reminds us that in the future, water sources will be at risk of damage, especially in the low-altitude parts of the plain

Effect of coagulation and sonication on the dissolved air flotation (DAF) process for thickening of biological sludge in wastewater treatment

Background: Dissolved air floatation (DAF) is one of the methods has been used for the sludge thickening in wastewater treatment plants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of coagulation and sonication processes as additional configurations on the efficiency of a lab-scale DAF process for thickening of the biological sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Kashan, Iran. Methods: The required amounts of sludge samples were collected from a wastewater treatment plant and kept at temperature of 4°C. Variables, such as pressure (3, 5, and 7 atm), flotation time (5 and 10 minutes), ultrasonic irradiation power (0, 75, and 150 W), and presence/absence of Fe-based coagulant were considered on a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) included coagulation, flotation, and sonication processes, respectively. Results: The use of ultrasonic waves led to an insignificant increase in the DAF efficiency (P > 0.05), however, the application of coagulant significantly increased the thickening efficiency (P < 0.05). The maximum efficiency of the process was achieved at flotation time of 5 min, pressure of 3 atm, and sonication power of 75 W. Conclusion: According to the results, DAF has a proper efficiency for thickening of biological sludge. Coagulation compared to sonication has a greater effect on the efficiency of the process. Keywords: Ultrasonic waves, Industrial effluent, Dissolved air flotation, Sonicatio

Investigating the rate and factors of approach to desalinated water in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol cities

Objectives: In recent years, due to the inappropriate quality of distributed water by the public water network in many parts of Iran, especially in the central areas, the use of desalinated water has been widely developed. Therefore, for any planning and intervention, it is very important to have information about the current situation and social, cultural and economic factors affecting this development. As a result, this study was conducted with the aim of Investigating the rate and factors of approach to desalinated water in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol cities in 2018.Methods: This study is an ecological study on the samples of Kashan and Aran-Bidgol people. The tool is a questionnaire completed over the phone. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS16 software.Results: About 83.2% of the samples in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol cities use desalinated water for drinking, cooking and tea making, 44.2% of the samples use a small household water purifier and 39% buy purified water from sales centers. The filtration technology in both categories is reverse osmosis.Conclusion: In the studied cities, the salty taste of water taken from the public network and samovar sediments are the most important reasons for consumers to switch to purified water, and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, educational and economic level, etc. did not play a significant role in this approach

Assessment of bacterial bioaerosols and particulate matter characteristics in indoor air of dentistry clinics

Objectives: Air pollutants in dentistry offices may cause problems for the health of staff and patients. Accordingly, the present study was performed to the assessment of bacterial bioaerosols and particulate matter (PM) characteristics in the indoor air of dentistry clinics.Methods: The sampling points were restoration, endodontics, and prosthesis wards. The PM specimens were taken using Grimm Dust Monitor and the microbial specimens were taken using QuickTake 30.Results: The maximum and minimum PM10 concentration across the different measure wards occurred as 70.31 and 30.32 μg/m3 in the Ketabchi Clinic restoration and its endodontics ward, respectively. The total number of bioaerosols was 2079. Gram‑positive Staphylococcus spp.(872), Gram‑positive Micrococcus spp.(706), and Gram‑negative Bacillus spp.(501) were present in the indoor air. The results showed a significant relationship for PM1 and PM2.5 in each sampling site.Conclusions: The low PM and bacterial bioaerosols contamination can be due to the coincidence with coronavirus pandemic, as during this period, health and hygienic protocols have been strictly observed

Determining the Concentration of Particulate Matters and Microbiological Quality of Indoor Air in Intensive Care Units of Kashan Hospital, Iran

Introduction: Maintaining hospital air quality is very important, especially in intensive care units (ICUs), where patients undergo invasive procedures. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between particulate matters (PMs) and bioaerosols in pediatric ICU (PICU), neonatal ICU (NICU), and ICU open heart (ICU OH) of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for six consecutive months, i.e., autumn and winter of 2021. PM samples were taken using a Grimm Dust Monitor and microbial samples were taken using a Quick Take 30 sampler. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for analysis and then ANOVA and LSD were used for further tests. Results: The maximum and minimum PM10 concentrations in the PICU and ICU OH were 59.19 and 9.71 μg/m3, respectively; and the maximum and minimum PM2.5 concentrations were 20.23 μg/m3 in the NICU and 4.69 μg/m3 in PICU. The mean PM concentration and the number of bacterial and fungal colonies were consistent with the WHO and EPA guidelines. Gram-positive Staphylococcus were the most abundant bacteria (90.96%). The most abundant fungi were Aspergillus (54.23%), Penicillium (15.64%), and Cladosperium (12.17%) species. There was also no significant relationship between PMs and bioaerosols. Conclusion: The mean concentrations of PMs and bioaerosols match with the guidelines, which can be attributed to more observance of health protocols and restrictions on the movement of people into ICUs due to the COVID-19 outbreak

Investigating changes in groundwater level in Kashan plain

Aims: Management of water resources, especially groundwater in arid and semiarid regions, is of particular importance. Various natural and human factors in recent decades have created critical conditions for these resources. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate changes in groundwater levels over the past 28 years. Materials and Methods: To conduct this research, statistics related to 64 piezometer wells were studied during the years 1990–2018, and the effect of rainfall and extraction from groundwater resources was interpreted and analyzed. Results: The results of the study showed that according to the hydrograph of 64 piezometer wells in Kashan plain, the groundwater level has a downward trend and has decreased by 15.29 m during 28 years. The annual drop was 0.54 m. An increasing peak of water table was also observed. Moreover, the water level has decreased slightly in some years and has not decreased in some years. Conclusion: The study shows that uncontrolled harvesting in the long run has had a more significant impact than rainfall on groundwater resources. Moreover, water abstraction has occurred on average in the southern and southeastern parts of the plain, which can be due to the concentration of agricultural lands in this area. To reduce this trend, strong management strategies should be adopted and appropriate to the situation

Application of dissolved air flotation process for industrial sludge thickening: A laboratory-scale study

Aims: Increasing population density in cities has led to an increase in industrial and municipal wastewater sludge generation volume. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) can widely be used for water and wastewater treatment. The aim of our study is to evaluate some DAF design parameters on biological sludge thickening which generated from an industrial wastewater treatment plant. Materials and Methods: This experimental research had been carried out as a laboratory-scale study on DAF process to thickening of the biological sludge. The required amount of sludge was taken once from the Amikabir industrial town wastewater treatment plant in Kashan, Iran. After determination of optimal recycling rate, pH, and coagulant dose, effects of pressure (3, 5, and 7 atm), flotation time (5 and 10 min), and coagulant addition were evaluated on DAF process efficiency. Results: According to this investigation results, the optimal pH and dose of coagulant were obtained 7.5 and 200 mg/L, respectively. Maximum process efficiency for the reduction of total dissolved solids (TDSs), total solids (TSs), and turbidity parameters was 61.01%, 84.02%, and 97%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that in contrast to time, coagulant addition and pressure have significant effect on DAF process. Conclusion: DAF process had suitable thickening efficiency to removal of TDS, TS, and turbidity on biological activated sludge

Comparison of Fenton and Photo-Fenton Processes for Removal of Linear Alkyle Benzene Sulfonate (Las) from Aqueous Solutions

The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of Fenton and photo-Fenton processes for removing anionic surfactants from aqueous solutions. The study was conducted using 200 mgL-1 linear alkyl benzene Sulfonate (LAS) as a model of anionic surfactants. This study revealed that the mean removal efficiency of LAS in Fenton and photo-Fenton at 20 minutes reaction time at 100 mgL-1 constant concentration of hydrogen peroxide and 20 mgL-1 ferrous Iron were 20.16 and 22.47, respectively. Meanwhile, LAS removal efficiency (at 80 minutes reaction time for constant concentration of 800 mgL-1 hydrogen peroxide and 120 mgL-1 ferrousion) were 69.38 and 86.66, respectively, which is consistent with the significant increase in the rate of LAS removal efficiency with reaction time (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, anionic surfactants removal was significantly correlated with reaction time by both methods, but showed less dependence on H2O2 and Fe2+ concentrations. © 2016, HARD Publishing Company. All rights reserved

The Study of Water Quality in Poultry Farms in Ardestan, Iran

Introduction: The quality of drinking water is of vital importance in breeding chickens. High levels of bacteria, minerals, or other contaminants in the water of poultry farms can have adverse effects on the natural physiology of chickens. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the physical, chemical, and microbial quality of water used in poultry farms in Ardestan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on water sources (Wells and Qanats) of 35 poultry farms in Ardestan during the summer of 2021.Water samples were randomly taken and send to laboratory for analysis of physical, chemical, and microbial parameters according to Standard Methods. SPSS 16 software was applied for statistical analysis. Results: With the exception of sodium, sulfates, and total hardness (TH), all other parameters fell within acceptable standard limits. Some water samples showed elevated levels of total coliforms exceeding the prescribed limits. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of heavy metals, including iron, lead, chromium, and cadmium remained within acceptable levels in all samples. Conclusion: Although the majority of water quality parameters in the studied poultry farms were compatible with standards limits, testing and monitoring the chemical and microbial quality of water in poultry farms is recommended on a regular basis

Effect of salinity on the potential cadmium phytoremediation from the polluted soil by carpobrotus rossii

Nowadays, toxic metals accumulation in soil texture due to anthropogenic activities is a major form of pollution, which can lead to worldwide concerns; however, there are many treatment methods to remove them from soil such as phytoremediation. The carpobrotus rossii, has shown great potential to tolerate high salinity and accumulate Cd from contaminated soils. The experiments, in this study, are analyzed and optimized by Central Composite Design (CCD) as method and using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) package in R software. The Cd removal by root and the whole plant followed the quadratic model and the R2 values were 94.95 and 94.81, respectively. The results showed that a decrease in NaCl concentration in Cd-containing solution can increase the phytoremediation process of Cd by carpobrotus rossii, significantly. The optimum conditions for 58% Cd removal by the whole plant, predicted through a CCD response surface methodology model were as follows: initial Cd concentration of 49 mgKg−1,NaCl concentration of 16 dSm−1, time of 17 days, and pH of 6.5. C. rossii's potential in removing 58% of Cd under the obtained optimum condition from the modelling was evaluated in real condition in the laboratory. The results revealed that around 56% of the initial added Cd concentration was removed by carpobrotus rossii. As a take home message, carpobrotus rossii can be recommended as an efficient plant to remove heavy metals especially cadmium from soil and sediments in arid area which have a salty soil