Quality evaluation and stability index determination of Qom rural drinking water resources

Background and Aims: Corrosion and scaling are among the problems that despite science advancement, water facilities are still faced it. Corrosion lead to financial and health losses on water supply system and consumer, scaling also causes clogging and head loss in water supply network. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the corrosion and scaling potential of Qom villages water supply sources.Materials and Methods: In cross-sectional study 100 samples in 12 months from 2011 to 2012 were collected to verify the water quality according to 1053 standard of Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). Then water corrosion and scaling were studied using Langelier, Ryznar, Aggressive and Puckorius indexes.Results: The results showed that the Langelier index, Reynar index, aggressive or corrosion index and index Puckorius were -1.62 (±0.11), 10.5 (±0.17), 12.03 (±0.14) and 9.92 (±0.13) respectively. Physical and chemical parameters of the water showed that the mean pH, TDS, total hardness, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, sodium, ammonia, phosphate, and chloride were 7.27, 1205.29 mg/L, 435.661 mg/L CaCO3, 0.747 NTU, 132.29 mg/L, 25.58 mg/L, 0.68 mg/L, 245.50 mg/L, 0.015 mg/L, 0.17 mg/L and 231.22 mg/L respectively.Conclusion: The amounts of color, TDS, turbidity, pH, calcium, magnesium, fluoride and ammonia in the study areas are in satisfactory and acceptable status compared to the internal standard but the amount of phosphate, hardness and chloride in this area were exceeded from permissible limit. Comparison of four stability index also showed that water conditions in all parts of this study are located in corrosive range.Key words: Drinking water, Villages of Qom province, Stability inde

Comparison of the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Experience-Based Therapy Package) on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Female Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of commitment and acceptance therapy (experience-based therapy package) with cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing anxiety and depression and increasing quality of life in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and semi-experimental in terms of data collection, and was conducted in the form of a pre-test-post-test and a two-month follow-up with the control group. The statistical population includes all patients with irritable bowel syndrome who presented to the clinics of gastroenterologists in Isfahan in 2018-19. The statistical sample consisted of 39 female patients with IBS who were randomly selected and then randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life (QOL-IBS) were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-21 software and analysis of variance with repeated measures. The results showed that both treatments had a significant effect on reducing anxiety, depression, and improving patients’ quality of life, and that this effect was stable until follow-up. Further (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the treatment groups, so the use of either of these treatments is recommended as adjunctive therapy depending on the patient's condition and acceptability

The Effect of Organic Loading on Propylene Glycol Removal Using Fixed Bed Activated Sludge Hybrid Reactor

Propylene glycol is discharged to the surface and underground waters and vicinity soils via industrial wastewater effluents, posing many health and environmental risks. The main goal of this study was to remove propylene glycol from synthetic wastewater in a fixed bed activated sludge reactor. To observe the effects of organic loading on bioreactor performance, the organic loading was increased by two sequencing stages: first by hydraulic retention time (HRT) depletion and second via propylene glycol concentration increase. Propylene glycol removal efficiency in HRTs of 8, 6, 4 and 2 h was 95.86, 95.12, 93.96 and 79.08 % respectively. A constant HRT of 6 h was selected for the second stage; propylene glycol concentrations of 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 mg L–1 were used. The removal efficiency for these concentrations was 95.12, 95.95, 88.54, 75.95 and 35.69 % respectively. Thus, the integrated fixed bed activated sludge reactor is an efficient, viable and promising technology for treating wastewaters containing propylene glycol

Optimization of phenanthrene contaminated soil washing using Response Surface Methodology

Background and Aims: Soil washing using surfactant is a promising technology for PAHs removal from soil transferring them into liquid phase. The performance of this process is influenced by several factors such as surfactant concentration, washing time, liquid:soil ratio (L/S) and the presence of natural organic matter, which in the present study was totally investigated using the nonionic surfactant Tween 80.Materials and Methods: Surfactant solution with three various concentrations of 500, 2750, 5000 mg/l, at liquid:soil ratios of 10, 20, 30 v/w (ml/g) containing three concentrations of 0, 10, 20 mg/l humic acid (asNOM) was added to phenanthrene contaminated soil samples. The samples were placed on a shaker for timeinterval of 2, 13 and 24 hours, then it was injected to HPLC for phenanthrene concentration analyze. This research was conducted on the basis of central composite design by using response surface method (RSM) in 29 experimental runs.Results: Maximum removal efficiency (77.35%) was achieved under the experimental conditions of 5000 mg/l surfactant concentration, 30 v/w liquid:soil ratio, absence of humic acid and 24 h washing time. Surfactant concentration with impact value of 82.03% was the most effective parameter in phenanthrene removal. L/S was also the other significant factor (P&lt;0.0001), but humic acid and washing time were, statistically,insignificant. The interaction between surfactant concentration and L/S was significant too.Conclusion: Considering the conditions of Iran’s soils containing 3-6 percent organic matter and based on the suggestions of RSM with 95.10% desirability, the optimum conditions for washing high- phenanthrene soil (about 500 mg/kg) with minimum washing time of 2 hours were as 5000 mg/l surfactant concentration, 30 v/w (ml/g) liquid:soil ratio, and 2.1 mg/l humic acid concentration (6.30%).Key words: phenanthrene, soil washing, surfactant Tween 80, optimizatio

COVID-19 control management in central corona hospitals using SWOT and QSPM matrices: A case study in Kashan central hospitals

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have been the most important centers for the virus spread. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the management of infection control in central corona hospitals in Kashan using the quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) matrix. Methods: The existing documents studied the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the organization identified by environmental health experts. The internal and external factors were identified as internal factor evaluation (IFE) and external factor evaluation (EFE) matrices, respectively, then, prioritized and weighted. In the next step, the SWOT matrix was formed and the type of used strategy by the organization was determined, and solutions to improve the current situation were presented by experts. Finally, the attractiveness table was compiled and weighted using the QSPM method to prioritize the proposed strategies. Results: After identifying 25 strengths, 28 weaknesses, 15 opportunities, and 13 threats, weighting was performed, the final score for internal and external factors was 2.6475 and 2.3825, respectively. The final strategy for implementing COVID-19 disease control in the studied hospitals was the Conservative Strategy (WO). Based on this, six control strategies were presented. The priority and attractiveness of each strategy were evaluated using the QSPM matrix. Finally, the strategy of “structuring the system and providing and upgrading the equipment and infrastructure facilities” was implemented as a priority. Conclusion: According to the results, the combination of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and QSPM methods can play an efficient role in identifying and evaluating the factors affecting the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals and further developing and prioritizing control strategies for this infectious disease. Keywords: COVID-19, Environmental health, Hospitals, Research desig

Optimization of dimethyl phthalate degradation parameters using zero-valent iron nanoparticles by response surface methodology: Determination of degradation intermediate products and process pathway

Background and purpose: Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are a group of organic compounds that are used as additives in plastic industry. Among PAEs, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), the simplest compound in phthalates, is an aromatic pollutant that disturbs endocrine function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (NZVI) on the DMP degradation. Materials and methods: NZVI were prepared by reduction of ferric chloride using sodium borohydride. Physical properties of nanoparticles were determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Then, the effect of pH, DMP concentrations, the amount of NZVI, and contact time were investigated on DMP removal efficiency. Response surface methodology based on Box- Behnken was used to study the interaction between variables. Results: Maximum efficiency (99) of DMP removal by NZVI was achieved in optimum conditions (pH=3, NZVI dosage =0.6 g/l, DMP concentration = 2 mg/l, and contact time= 65 min). The Box-Behnken analysis confirmed that pH and NZVI dosage have had the highest and lowest effect in the process of DMP removal by NZVI, respectively. Conclusion: According to findings, NZVI in small amounts have a proper efficiency in DMP removal. Also, DMP degradation efficiency did not change much, after being used in five consecutive cycles of degradation reactions. This shows a potential application prospect of the synthesized NZVI in real water treatment. © 2015 Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All Rights Reserved

Optimization of dimethyl phthalate degradation parameters using zero-valent iron nanoparticles by response surface methodology: Determination of degradation intermediate products and process pathway

Background and purpose: Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are a group of organic compounds that are used as additives in plastic industry. Among PAEs, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), the simplest compound in phthalates, is an aromatic pollutant that disturbs endocrine function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (NZVI) on the DMP degradation. Materials and methods: NZVI were prepared by reduction of ferric chloride using sodium borohydride. Physical properties of nanoparticles were determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Then, the effect of pH, DMP concentrations, the amount of NZVI, and contact time were investigated on DMP removal efficiency. Response surface methodology based on Box- Behnken was used to study the interaction between variables. Results: Maximum efficiency (99) of DMP removal by NZVI was achieved in optimum conditions (pH=3, NZVI dosage =0.6 g/l, DMP concentration = 2 mg/l, and contact time= 65 min). The Box-Behnken analysis confirmed that pH and NZVI dosage have had the highest and lowest effect in the process of DMP removal by NZVI, respectively. Conclusion: According to findings, NZVI in small amounts have a proper efficiency in DMP removal. Also, DMP degradation efficiency did not change much, after being used in five consecutive cycles of degradation reactions. This shows a potential application prospect of the synthesized NZVI in real water treatment. © 2015 Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All Rights Reserved

Application of modified bentonite using sulfuric acid for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions

Background: Environmental contamination by chromium (Cr) has become an important issue due to its adverse effects on human health and environment. This study was done to evaluate the application of modified bentonite using sulfuric acid as an adsorbent in the removal of hexavalent Cr from aqueous solution. Methods: Adsorbent features were determined using x-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Thereafter, the effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and different concentrations of Cr was investigated. The experimental data was fitness in terms of kinetic and equilibrium adsorption processes. Results: The maximum capacity (Qm) of Cr(VI) according to Langmuir model was obtained at 4.21 mg/g. The experimental data properly obeyed the Longmuir and pseudo-second-order models. The highest percentage of Cr(VI) adsorption was observed at pH = 3 and the process after 60 minutes reached the equilibrium state. Conclusion: In Langmuir expression, the dimensionless constant separation term (RL) values for the adsorption of Cr onto the modified bentonite was in the range of 0-1, indicating that the adsorption is a favorable process and the modified bentonite has good potential in removing hexavalent Cr using sulfuric acid. Keywords: Modified bentonite, Sulfuric acid, Adsorption, Hexavalent chromium, Aqueous solutio

EFFECT OF HUMIC COMPOUNDS ON BACTERIAL GROWTH IN BIOREMEDIATION OF PAHS

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are introduced into environment are potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic contaminants. The effect of extractable humic substances (EHS) on bacterial density in bioremediation of anthracene in liquid systems was investigated. The ratio of EHS to anthracene were in two concentrations of 0.35 and 1.05 g dry EHS (with 30% organic matter) per one mg anthracene. In the tests with EHS, an increase in bacterial density even by 8 fold of magnitude was seen in 12-15 days. Then a fast decrease was occurred and prolonged till the end of the test time for the tests that had EHS without anthracene. In the tests which anthracene was the only substrate increasing in bacterial population was not seen. The results showed that up to 21 days the system was free from degradation. So the first increasing in bacterial population showed that EHS might be used as a readily substrate for PAH degraders. The presence of EHS (fulvic and humic acid) can stimulate bacterial community and activity that caused enhancement in anthracene bioremediation

Evaluation of Efficiency of Persulfate Activated with Ultrasonic Waves in Phenanthrene Degradation from Soil Environments by Central Composite Design Method

Background and Purpose: PAHs and their derivatives have a complex and stable molecular structure with low biodegradability and have from the compounds in the crude oil. The object of this study was to evaluation of efficiency of persulfate activated with ultrasonic waves in Phenanthrene degradation from Soil environments by central composite design. Methods: The soil samples were homogenized and filtered using a 2.0 mm sieve. Then, Phenanthrene solution (PHE) was added into soil sample. In order to carry out the chemical oxidation process, Probe Ultrasonic Wave Generator place out inside the reaction chamber Contains Persulfate/soil slurry environment. A central composite design (CCD) was used for designing and optimizing the operation parameters such as sodium Persulfate concentration, Ultrasound intensity and contact time. The synergy of processes in the system was also studied in optimal conditions. Results: ANOVA results indicated that the effect of persulfate concentration, ultrasound intensity and contact time and binary interactions were significant. The Persulfate concentration, has the most significant effect on the phenanthrene degradation. The highest efficacy of the phenanthrene degradation (%58.05) was obtained in the conditions: initial concentration of persulfate =0.2 mol, ultrasonic waves with power = %70, and contact time = 120 min. By applying S2O8-2 in a separate approach after 120 min the efficiency was 9.2% while at these conditions, the efficiency of the ultrasonic process was only 3.4%. By contrast, the combined PS/US process could remove %58.05 of phenanthrene. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that, the application of the PS/US process is an effective method for purification of Phenanthrene contaminated soils