Assessment of the pollution potential of groundwater in Khaledabad Badrood aquifer using DRASTIC model

Surface water resources are limited in many regions in Iran, so groundwater resources are considered the most suitable resources for supplying water. The excessive use of chemical pests and fertilizers has resulted in groundwater pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the vulnerable areas to preserve these vital resources. In this study, the DRASTIC model was used to analyze the vulnerability of groundwater in Khaled-Abad- Bardood plain. Seven factors including the nutrition of pure water, groundwater depth, unsaturated area, soil texture, Hydraulic conductivity, aquifer media, and topography were used in the model. After the preparation of 7 layers, appropriate weight was assigned to these factors. Finally, by mapping these layers and applying their weight to them in ArcGIS 10.5, the vulnerability maps of the groundwater were generated. To validate the model, sampling and measuring the amount of nitrate for 13 wells located in the Khaled-Abad-Bardood plain were conducted. The results indicated that 22% of the plain was vulnerable based on the DRASTIC model, which was located in the vicinity of Bardood city and its eastern areas. The results also showed that the correlation of the DRASTIC vulnerability map with the measured nitrate was found to be 74 %

Land use dynamics and landscape pattern changes in Khomeinishahr city, Iran

2361-2366Land use maps were prepared using artificial neural network classification method. Landscape pattern changes were analyzed by calculating landscape metrics across landscape level, using the FRAGSTATS software. The results showed that the landscape become more complicated and heterogeneous due to urbanization. The results of calculating landscape metrics demonstrated an increase in the landscape fragmentation, which was observed together with increased NP, PD and ED and a reduced mean patch size (MPS). Moreover, the decrease of the contagion index during the study period suggests a trend of fragmentation

Local walkability index: assessing built environment influence on walking

Walking is a more sustainable transport mode, and governments around the world are trying to deliver highly walkable areas to their people. Due to its importance, walkability has been a research topic in recent years. Vast empirical studies have reported evidence related to the influence of built environment on walking as a major physical activity. Considering the recent literature, this study developed a framework to quantify walkability by applying a set of indicators related to built environment. The indicators were normalised, weighted and integrated into an overall walkability index. The research was conducted on Chaharbagh Street, which is a major and ancient street in the Isfahan metropolitan area, Iran. The proposed framework would be helpful in investigations of whether a specific area is an appropriate option for a car-free plan based on its built environment features. The outcome of the study could be applied to understand issues related to pedestrian infrastructure and to propose corrective actions

The relationship between particulate matter and neonate liver enzymes concentration (case study: Isfahan city)

Background and Objective: Particulate matter is an important air pollutant in urban areas with unknown effects on the fetus. The present study investigated the effect of PM2.5 concentration on the level of liver enzymes in the neonate born in Isfahan city, one of the most polluted cities in Iran was investigated. Materials and Methods: This case study was conducted between March 2019 to September 2020 in Isfahan. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord of 200 newborns to measure the level of liver enzymes from their blood serum using quantitative diagnostic kits and the spectrophotometry method. Seasonal distribution of PM2.5 concentrations was estimated using the data of monitoring stations; thus, modeled and used to measure their correlations with liver enzyme levels at trimester in buffers of 500, 1000, and 2000 meters. Results: The mean levels of liver enzymes were 38.42 (AST), 10.09 (ALT), 407 (ALP), and 152 (GGT) IU/L. Spring and fall with PM2.5 concentrations of 24.35 and 35.35 and μg/m3 had the lowest and highest levels, respectively. Enzyme levels within the third trimester and the whole period of pregnancy in the 2000-m buffers had the highest correlation coefficient, which indicates the effect of high PM2.5 concentrations on neonatal liver function, especially in late pregnancy. Conclusion: Proximity to particulate matter sources in cities will increase the likelihood of elevated neonatal liver enzymes during the fetal period which is higher and more effective in late pregnancy

Modeling the Dispersion of Gaseous Pollutants CO and NO2 from Fixed Sources (Stacks) Using AERMOD model (Maroon petrochemical company)

Introduction: AERMOD model is a Gaussian model, which is widely used to model the emission of air pollutants from different sources and for distances less than 50 km from emission sources. Nowadays, petrochemical industries are one of the essential and cost-effective industries for the country. So, along with the progress of these industries, air pollution control should be considered. The purpose of this study is to model the dispersion of two pollutants, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, emitted from Maroon petrochemical stacks. Materials and Methods: In this study, the emission of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from the stacks of the Maroon Petrochemical Complex was modeled using the AERMOD model in 2019. For modeling the dispersion of pollutants using AERMOD, which is the model proposed by the EPA for comprehensive studies of air pollution, the three-hour data from Bandar Mahshahr synoptic station as well as a digital elevation model with 30 m pixel size were gathered and then modeling was done in an area of 2500 square kilometers.  Results: The results indicated that the average annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide pollutants was 1.44 and 1.3 mg/m3, respectively, at a distance of 900 meters from the stacks. This land area includes Maroon Petrochemical Complex and does not affect residential areas. Conclusion: The results of this study also indicated that the AERMOD model is suitable for comprehensive studies, with a focus on pollution concentration. The results of this study showed that the concentration of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide pollutants is lower than the standards assigned by the Iranian Department of Environment. Maintenance programs, employee health monitoring, output control, and appropriate controls under EPA recommendations have a significant impact on controlling and reducing pollutant emissions. The result of this study also showed that the AERMOD model is highly efficient in comprehensive air pollution studies that require a detailed investigation of pollutant concentration

Pollution potential assessment using GIS-based DRASTIC model in the aquifer of Loor basin, Khuzestan province, Iran

1652-1657The vulnerability of Loor basin aquifer was quantified in Khouzestan province to evaluate the risk of groundwater pollution. DRASTIC model and geographic information system (GIS) were used to analyze groundwater quality. The seven layers of DRASTIC model including depth to groundwater, net recharge, aquifer media, soil type, topography, regional characteristics of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were prepared in ArcGIS software. The validation of the model was assessed by overlapping pollution risk map and measured nitrate concentrations and results showed that none of the places with high nitrate concentration were located in the part of Low pollution that could confirm the accuracy of the model. The north part of Andimeshk city is in the range of medium to high vulnerability and these areas the area should be under control to prevent groundwater pollution

Monitoring land use/cover changes using remotely sensed imagery in Isfahan, Iran

538-544Present study studies land use/cover changes in Isfahan urban area located in the center of Iran from 1985 to 2010 using multi temporal Landsat TM images. Overall accuracy and kappa of was more than 85% for all maps. Land use/cover maps of 1985,‌ 1998 and 2010 were compared using the post-classification comparison method for detecting changes. The results showed that the urban lands faced the maximum of 16.4% incremental changes from 1985 to 1998 and this change was 9.03% in vegetation. Decreasing changes related to the barren lands was equal to -13.05%. Trend of the changes from 1998 to 2010 was 33.38% incremental in urban lands as well as, the decreasing changes occurred in the vegetation by -9.42% and in the barren lands equal to -0.74%