Can the PAMOLARE 1-layer model predict eutrophication in hypertrophic lakes? A Case study: the Zaribar Lake, Iran

Eutrophication is known as the most common problem in water bodies, caused by high concentrations of different nutrients leading to unbalanced growth of aquatic plants, among other symptoms. Hence, the possibility of eutrophication prediction can be beneficial to the sustainable management of these natural resources and create an opportunity to control their trophic conditions over time. A software package applied for generating these predictions is PAMOLARE with its different models (layers). The 1-Layer model of this method was selected to investigate the trophic condition of hypertrophic Zaribar Lake. Prior to 1012, water samples were collected from six stations over a seven-year period. During the last year of this period, sediment samples were also collected. The concentrations of N and P were measured in the samples. The initial results showed that the Zaribar Lake is a hypertrophic water body. Applying the PAMOLARE 1-Layer model showed that this model was not powerful enough to predict the trophic changes in this hypertrophic water body and suggested that other models should be examined and modified for use in these ecosystems. Alternatively, it is necessary to improve the software for the prediction of eutrophication in hypertrophic water bodies

Removal of coliform bacteria from dairy wastewater using graphene-silver nanocomposite

Nanoparticles are widely used in removing bacteria from water and sewage. This study evaluated the effect of graphene/silver nanocomposite on the removal of coliform from a dairy effluent. The composition was synthesized and its properties were determined using different techniques such as SEM, XRD and FTIR. The effects of various factors, including pH, adsorbent dose and contact time on coliform removal from solution were studied. Antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite was examined by pour plate method in a VRBL medium. After preparing the VRBL medium from the sewage effluent, 1 mL of nanocomposite solution and 1 mL of bacterial suspension containing 9í—104 CFU/mL were added into each of the plates. According to the results, the rate of silver ion release is faster as pH decreases, which naturally results in the increase of disinfection. Moreover, a higher percentage of removal occurred with an increase in contact time and nanocomposite dose due to higher exposure to nanoparticles and their higher penetration into bacterial cell membrane. Therefore, nanoparticles produced by this method exhibited good antibacterial activity, so that 100% of bacteria were eliminated at a nanocomposite concentration of 3.4 g/L and pH=5, after 90 min

Environmental Impact Assessment of Tehran- Karaj Highway by Using Plants Indicators

 إن التلوث بالرصاص من الآثار السلبية للطرقات على البيئة، والتي يمكن تقييمها باستخدام تقييم الأثر البيئي. كمنطقة للدراسة، تم اختيار الطريق السريع طهران كرج من أجل دراسة تلوث البيئة بالرصاص على الأوراق الإبرية لأشجار الصنوبر (مؤشرات نباتية). تم جمع العينات من سبع محطات وعلى خمسة مسافات (0، 10، 20، 50، 100 متر). أظهرت النتائج بأن للنقل أثر مباشر بالتلوث بالرصاص على أشجار الصنوبر. كان الإختلاف معنوياً للتلوث بالرصاص بين المحطات وبين المسافات. متوسط تركيز الرصاص لأقرب محطة من طهران 11.34 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام وبمتوسط 3.8 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام لأقرب محطة من كرج. هذا يعود للإزدحام الشديد وارتفاع كثافة السيارات في طهران وذلك بالمقارنة مع كرج. متوسط تركيز الرصاص جانب الطريق متوسطاً لجميع المحطات كان بمقدار 8.77 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام وتناقص حتى 6.57 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام على المسافة 100 متر من حافة الطريق. بينما كان تركيز الرصاص للمحطة E 1.53 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام تناقص تركيز الرصاص بشكل ثابت على جميع المسافات وذلك بناء على التغطية الشجرية. كنتيجة، يمكن استخدام الطريقة التحليلية لتقييم الأثر البيئي للطرق بشكل فعّال لمراقبة التلوث بالرصاص. يمكن التقليل من التلوث بالرصاص باستخدام أشجار الصنوبر والتأكيد على استخدام كاسرات الرياح.Lead pollution is one of the negative impacts of roads on environment, which can be assessed using environmental impact assessment. As a study case, Tehran- Karaj highway was selected for studying environmental lead pollution in pine tree needles (plants indicators). Samples were collected from seven stations and five distances (0, 10, 20, 50, 100 meter). The results showed that transport has a direct effect on lead pollution in trees. The differences in lead concentrations were significant for both stations and distances. The average lead concentration was 11.34 mg/Kg in the station close to Tehran, and 3.8 mg/Kg in the closest station to Karaj. This is because heavier transfer and higher density of cars in Tehran compared to Karaj. The average Pb concentrations in the stations besides the highway was 8.77 mg/Kg and decreased to 6.57 mg/kg in stations located in 100 meter away from the highway. While the average Pb concentration in station E was 1.53 mg/Kg, it was decreased constantly in all distances, due to tree coverage. A conclusion, the analytical method of roads environmental impact assessment can be used effectively for monitoring Pb pollution. The pollution can be decreased by using pine trees and emphasis on using windbreakers. &nbsp

Soil Analysis of Roads near Environment Soil for Lead Pollution Assessment, Study Case: Tehran- Karaj Highway

هناك العديد من مصادر التلوث التي تؤثر على التربة، خاصةً في البيئة المحاذية للطرق السريعة. يمكن تقييم هذه الأثار باستخدام تقييم الأثر البيئي. في هذه الدراسة تم إختيار سبع محطات لأخذ العينات وبمسافات مختلفة (0، 10، 20، 50، 100 متر) على طول الطريق السريع طهران- كرج. تم قياس تركيز الرصاص للعينات المجموعة باستخدام جهاز الإمتصاص الذري (FAAS) وذلك بعد تحضيرها بعملية الهضم الأسيدي. أظهرت النتائج بأن للطريق أثر سلبي على التربة المحاذية له. هذه الآثار هي الأعلى متوسطاً في طهران؛ وتتناقص بالتحرك بإتجاه كرج. بالإضافة إلى أن تركيز الرصاص يتناقص بشكل معنوي بالإبتعاد عن حافة الطريق. أعلى تركيز للرصاص تم تسجيله كمتوسط كان في المحطة (E) والواقعة في الوسط على طول الطريق بمقدار 160.50 ميليغرام في الكيلوغرام. أعلى تركيز للرصاص تم مشاهدته في التربة المحاذية للطريق بمتوسط 115.25 mg/kg. أعلى متوسط تركيز للرصاص تم تسجيله بمقدار 302 mg/kg وذلك للمنطقة المحاذية للطريق تماماً في المحطة (B) والتي كانت أعلى من الحدود العالمية المسموح بها. حسب الدراسة يعتبر الطريق السريع طهران- كرج من أكثر الطرق الملوثة في العالم ويجبة التحذير من التلوث بالرصاص المتولد عنه؛ خاصة في المناطق المحاذية له بشكل مباشر. يجب إتخاذ خطوات ضرورية للسيطرة على الآثار السلبية، شاملةً التوسع بالمساحلت الخضراء على طول الطريق.There are different pollution sources, which affect soil including transportation, especially in highways. These effects can be assessed by Environmental Impact Assessment. In this study, seven sampling stations were selected in different distances (0, 10, 20, 50, 100 meter) along Tehran- Karaj highway. Samples were collected and their concentrations of Pb were measured using a FAAS after dry acid digestion. It was observed that the highway had a negative impact on the peripheral soil. These impacts were higher in Tehran with average lead concentrations, and declined by moving toward Karaj. Moreover, the average concentration of lead in soil significantly decreased by increasing distance from the roadside. Highest lead concentration was in station (E) in the middle of the road with an average of 160.50 mg/kg. The highest average concentrations were observed in soils of the roadside with an average of 115.25 mg/kg. The highest concentration was also observed in station (B) and in the roadside, with a concentration of 302 mg/kg, which was above the international allowable limits. Tehran- Karaj highway is in the list of the most polluted roads in the world and it must be concerned for its lead pollution, especially in the roadside. Essential steps for controlling the negative impacts must be taken including the expansion of green-space along the highway

Water footprint of crop production in Tehran province

Evaluation of supply chain of water consumption contributes toward reducing water scarcity, as it allows for increased water productivity in the agricultural sector. Water Footprint (WF) is a powerful tool for water management; it accounts for the volume of water consumption at high spatial and temporal resolution. The objective of this research is to investigate the water footprint trend of crop production in Tehran from 2008 to 2015 and to assess blue water scarcity in the agricultural sector. Water consumption of crop production was evaluated based on the WF method. Evapotranspiration was evaluated by applying the CROPWAT model. Blue water scarcity was evaluated using the blue water footprint-to-blue water availability formula. The results demonstrate that pistachio, cotton, walnut, almond, and wheat have a large WF, amounting to 11.111 m3/kg, 4,703 m3/kg, 3,932 m3/kg, 3,217 m3/kg, and 1.817 m3/kg, respectively. Agricultural blue water scarcity amounted to 0.6 (severe water stress class) (2015–2016). Agricultural water consumption in Tehran is unsustainable since it contributes to severe blue water scarcity. Tehran should reduce agricultural water scarcity by reducing the water footprint of the agricultural sector

Cadmium and arsenic bioaccumulation and bio-concentration in the endemic toothed carp Aphanius arakensis in salt water

Heavy metals are released to aquatic ecosystems from natural and anthropogenic recourses and accumulate to the body of organisms. This study aimed to assess the accumulation of As and Cd in the gill, liver, and muscle of the toothed carp Aphanius arakensis in salt water exposed to three concentrations of Cd and As (5, 10 and 20 mg L-1) for 18 days. The specimens were collected from the Shoor River with an average weight of 1.5±0.3 g (mean±SD) and length of 3.4±0.4 cm. The findings showed that the bio-concentration factor (BCF) of Cd and As were in the following order: liver > gill > muscle, however, for 5 ppm of As the order was gill > liver > muscle. BCF in As concentrations were more than Cd concentrations. Also, the highest BCF was found at 5 ppm. The present study showed that the liver is the organ that accumulates the highest concentrations of As and Cd

Main pathways for microplastics in freshwater systems: A review on potential sources and drivers of microplastic pollution in rivers

Microplastics are ubiquitous in surface waters and sediments of freshwater systems. Reports of MP presence in high concentrations, even in remote regions, indicated that this emerging pollutant can be a serious problem for environmental health. Because of their diverse sources, tracking and identification of all entry routes of MPs into freshwater rivers remain unknown. Investigation of drivers of MP concentration and distribution in these systems can help reach a point of view about the potential sources of these particles. In this review, more than 100 documented papers about MP particles and their presence in surface waters and sediments of different freshwater systems (with a focus on rivers) were investigated. MP pollution in a river can be due to anthropogenic factors including point and non-point (diffuse) sources of MPs. In this regard, waste­water treatment plants are the most investigated point source of MPs. However, there is much less investigation on other point sources such as industrial wastewater. The most important diffuse sources of microplastics are urban land-use, which consists of various sources such as domestic sewage (point) and road runoff (non-point). Agricultural land-use as a diffuse and important source of MPs is also less studied in the literature. Water hydro dynamic (e.g. surface currents and stagnant water zones) and seasonal variability (e.g. rainfall) are important factors in MP distribution in rivers. Physio-chemical characteristics of MPs (including shape, size, color, and chemical composition) can serve as indicators of potential sources of particles; and are effective in MP distribution in riverine systems. It should be noted that freshwater rivers can be considered as both sink and source for MPs

Can the PAMOLARE 1-layer model predict eutrophication in hypertrophic lakes? A Case study: the Zaribar Lake, Iran

Eutrophication is known as the most common problem in water bodies, caused by high concentrations of different nutrients leading to unbalanced growth of aquatic plants, among other symptoms. Hence, the possibility of eutrophication prediction can be beneficial to the sustainable management of these natural resources and create an opportunity to control their trophic conditions over time. A software package applied for generating these predictions is PAMOLARE with its different models (layers). The 1-Layer model of this method was selected to investigate the trophic condition of hypertrophic Zaribar Lake. Prior to 1012, water samples were collected from six stations over a seven-year period. During the last year of this period, sediment samples were also collected. The concentrations of N and P were measured in the samples. The initial results showed that the Zaribar Lake is a hypertrophic water body. Applying the PAMOLARE 1-Layer model showed that this model was not powerful enough to predict the trophic changes in this hypertrophic water body and suggested that other models should be examined and modified for use in these ecosystems. Alternatively, it is necessary to improve the software for the prediction of eutrophication in hypertrophic water bodies

Assessment of the Air Quality of Isfahan City, Iran, Using Selected Air Quality Parameters

Background: Today, air pollution is one of the major problems in large cities including Isfahan. Methods: The objective of this study was to investigate the variations of ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM10) concentrations in different months at three stations and also to explore the correlations between pollutants. Monthly averages of air pollutant concentrations recorded in three pollution monitoring stations (Bozorgmehr, Azadi, and Laleh) were obtained in 2008 and 2009. Results: There were significant monthly variations in the concentrations of air quality parameters. Results showed that there was a correlation between ozone and particle matter (p<0.05), and between nitric oxide and nitrogen oxides (p<0.01). The statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences in the O3, NO, NOx and PM10 concentrations. Conclusion: The air quality monitoring data collected in city center of Isfahan showed seasonal variations for O3, CO, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, and PM10

Phytoremediation efficiency of pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) in removing heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, As and Cd) from water of Anzali wetland

Plant-based remediation (i.e. phytoremediation) is one of the most significant eco-sustainable techniques to cope with devastating consequences of pollutants. In the present study, the potential of a wetland macrophyt (i.e. Potamogeton crispus) for the phytoremediation of heavy metals (i.e. Cu, Cr, Pb, As and Cd) in the Anzali wetland was evaluated. The results showed that P. crispus tends to accumulate notable amounts of Cu, Cr, Pb, As and Cd according to their assayed concentrations as follows: 8.2 µg g-1 dw, 0.97 µg g-1 dw, 6.04 µg g-1 dw, 2.52 µg g-1 dw and 0.34 µg g-1 dw, respectively. Further accurate perception of the phytoremediation efficiency were conducted using both bioconcentration factor and translocation factor. The average of the highest bioconcentration factors was presented in a descending order as: 2.9×103, 1.9×103, 1.17×103, 0.68×103 and 0.46×103 for the Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and As, respectively. Based on the results, P. crispus presents high potential to absorb all the alluded metals except for As and partly Cd. Correspondingly, the mean values of translocation factor were reported in the range of 0.41 to 2.24. Eventually, relying on the observed findings, the results support the idea that P. crispus species would be employed as the prospective candidate for the phytoremediation processes in Anzali wetland