Determine of Surface Water Quality Index in Iran

In modeling complex of environmental problems, researchers often fail to define precise statements about input and outcomes of contaminants, but fuzzy logic could help to dominate this logical indecision. The goal of this work is to propose a new river water quality indicator using fuzzy logic. The proposed index combines six indicators, and not only does it exhibit a tool that accounts for the discrepancy between the two base indices, but also provides a quantifiable score for the determined water quality. These classifications with a membership grade can be of a sound support for decision-making, and can help assign each section of a river a gradual quality sub-objective to be reached. To show the applicability of the proposed approach, the new indicator was used to classify water quality in a number of stations along the basins of Qarah-chai and Siminehrood. The obtained classifications were then compared to the conventional physicochemical water quality indicator currently in use in Iran. The results revealed that the fuzzy indicator provided stringent classifications compared to the conventional index in 38% and 44% of the cases for the two basins respectively. These noted exceptions are mainly due to the big disagreement between the different quality thresholds in the two standards, especially for fecal coliform and total phosphorus. These large disparities put forward an argument for the Iranian water quality law to be upgraded. Keywords: Fuzzy logic; Qarah-chai basin; Siminehrood; Water quality inde

Assessment of air pollution in exercise centers and health risks

Background: In recent years, Tehran has faced major problems with air pollution for many reasons, and this issue has become a critical point in most of the days. However, less attention has been paid to the indoor air pollutants in exercise centers and their possible health effects. In this research, it was tried to briefly describe the characteristics and chemical composition of the aerosols present in the exercise centers of Tehran. Methods: Sampling was carried out by a high volume sampler with a value of 1.5 m3/min. Fiberglass filters were used to sample aerosol particles. The samples were then studied by scanning electron micrograph (SEM) method. Results: The results showed that average concentration of aerosol particles in the indoor and outdoor sports halls was 125 and 162 μg/m3, respectively. Therefore, there was a minor difference in the aerosols concentration inside and outside the sports venues during the competition period and in the presence of athletes. Also, chemical composition and morphology of the aerosol particles showed that there was a minor difference between the atmospheric particles inside and outside the exercise centers. Major elements found in the PM2.5 aerosol were Si, O, C, Mg, Ca, Mn and K. In general, common major crustal elements found in the atmospheric particles over all the sites were Si, Al, and Fe. Conclusion: It seems that many citizens of the polluted cities exercise indoor because of causes other than outdoor air pollution such as lack of time or appropriate facilities. Thus, it is necessary for all students, athletes, people and other health workers involved in sports and exercise medicine to know briefly about indoor air pollutants and its possible health effects on athletes who exercise in these environments. Keywords: Air pollution, Athletes, Aerosols, Outdoo

Assessing groundwater vulnerability by pollution mapping in Iran: Case study Hamadan - Bahar plain

El agua subterránea es vulnerable a la contaminación debido a actividades humanas. Un aspecto fundamental de su manejo es la localización de la vulnerabilidad. El acuífero de Hamadan-Bahar se encuentra en la parte central de la provincia de Hamadan al oeste de Irán, y es una reserva económica prioritaria ya que se utiliza tanto en irrigación como para consumo doméstico. A partir de 2005 se han desarrollado en Irán modelos numéricos para evaluar la vulnerabilidad y varios indicadores hidrológicos de contaminación potencial del agua. La aplicación de métodos como DRASTIC, SINTACS, SI y GOD ha mostrado que las zonas de mayor vulnerabilidad se encuentran al sur y al oeste del acuífero de Hamadan-Bahar. Los resultados indican que con los modelos DRASTIC, SI, GOD y SINTACS, el 7.1, 44.21, 29.56 y 20.16 por ciento de las áreas tienen un alto potencial de vulnerabilidad. Considerando el modelo DRASTIC el 33.6 % del área de estudio presenta una vulnerabilidad baja a la contaminación, mientras que el 29.4% presenta vulnerabilidad moderada. La precisión de los modelos se evaluó aplicando una regresión lineal entre los valores observados de nitratos y la vulnerabilidad estimada por contaminación en los pozos medidos. Una correlación significativa se observó entre los nitratos medidos y el potencial de contaminación evaluada con el modelo DRASTIC fue el mejor para estimar la vulnerabilidad del agua subterránea a la contaminación en los pozos medidos. doi: https://doi.org/10.22201/igeof.00167169p.2018.57.3.210

Effects of fireworks ancient celebrations on atmospheric concentration of particulate matter in Iran

The Chahar-Shanbe Suri culture in Iran is a significant and direct factor leading to air pollution in Iran. This study investigates why and how “Chahar-Shanbe Suri” culture leads to increased air pollution in Iran. Following the fireworks of Chahar-Shanbe Suri in Tehran, Tehran’s air quality index increased by a high slope, and the clean condition with the 49 index at 20 pm was unhealthy for all segments of society with a 177 index at 23 o’clock. Of course, according to the data measured in Tehran’s air quality assessment stations, the air quality index in the areas of the city has risen above or near 200, which indicates a very unhealthy condition. The results of the SEM-EDS indicated that the PM of fireworks in the area make up the largest proportion of atmospheric particles. The chemical composition of particle was the origin of organic matter and the soot combinations from the combustion of sulfur compounds. The people, governments, and industry should work together to navigate positive initiatives. Public education and media navigation are necessary for dealing with the cultural aspects of environmental pollution and also, the management of celebrating can reduce the impact of fireworks on the air quality

Modelled mobility of heavy metals in water and sediments

In this study, based on an analytical system proposed in the literature, mobility, and transport of heavy metals and also, sedimentation was performed simulation and modeling, under dynamic conditions, considering the material balance and complementary equations. The simulation of metal accumulation in water pillar and sediments was first performed with different inflow metal concentration ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 g/m3 at a certain value of influent water flow rate. Also, the value of the index related to incoming and output flow was modified. This simulation performed for a period of 300 days. The results showed modeling and simulation can be applied as a tool for fast assessment of metal transport in water and sediments because it requires a minimal number of measurements. The modeling demonstrated that the system is dynamic, and reach the steady state depending on volumetric flow rate of water into water and, in a less extent, on the concentration of the metal in the incoming flow water stream. The concentration of the dissolved heavy metal, as well as that of the adsorbed to solid particles, depends mainly on the concentration of the heavy metal in the incoming flow water stream

Assessment of air pollution in exercise centers and health risks

Background: In recent years, Tehran has faced major problems with air pollution for many reasons, and this issue has become a critical point in most of the days. However, less attention has been paid to the indoor air pollutants in exercise centers and their possible health effects. In this research, it was tried to briefly describe the characteristics and chemical composition of the aerosols present in the exercise centers of Tehran. Methods: Sampling was carried out by a high volume sampler with a value of 1.5 m3/min. Fiberglass filters were used to sample aerosol particles. The samples were then studied by scanning electron micrograph (SEM) method. Results: The results showed that average concentration of aerosol particles in the indoor and outdoor sports halls was 125 and 162 μg/m3, respectively. Therefore, there was a minor difference in the aerosols concentration inside and outside the sports venues during the competition period and in the presence of athletes. Also, chemical composition and morphology of the aerosol particles showed that there was a minor difference between the atmospheric particles inside and outside the exercise centers. Major elements found in the PM2.5 aerosol were Si, O, C, Mg, Ca, Mn and K. In general, common major crustal elements found in the atmospheric particles over all the sites were Si, Al, and Fe. Conclusion: It seems that many citizens of the polluted cities exercise indoor because of causes other than outdoor air pollution such as lack of time or appropriate facilities. Thus, it is necessary for all students, athletes, people and other health workers involved in sports and exercise medicine to know briefly about indoor air pollutants and its possible health effects on athletes who exercise in these environments