University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Rubber and Methane Recovery from Deproteinized Natural Rubber Wastewater by Coagulation Pre-treatment and Anaerobic Treatment 577 584 528 10.22059/ijer.2012.528 EN M. Hatamoto Department of Environmental System Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan H. Nagai Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aoba-ku, Aramaki, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan S. Sato Department of Environmental System Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan M. Takahashi Department of Environmental System Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan S. Kawakami Department of Environmental System Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan P.K. Choeisai Department of Environmental Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand S. Syutsubo Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaragi 305-8506, Japan A. Ohashi Department of Social and Environmental Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihirosima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan T. Yamaguchi Department of Environmental System Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan Journal Article 2012 06 15 A newly developed natural rubber deproteinization process produces deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) wastewater as an intermediate product containing a high concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and rubber. In this study, a novel process to recover the residual rubber and energy as methane from DPNR wastewater was developed. As a pretreatment, SDS and residual rubber in DPNR wastewater were coagulated and recovered by addition of CaCl2 at Ca2+/SDS and Ca2+/rubber mass ratios of 0.070 and 0.055, respectively. The remaining organic matter in the pre-treated DPNR wastewater was converted to methane by using a mesophilic up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor. The UASB reactor with the diluted pre-treated DPNR wastewater showed a total chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 92 ± 2% at a maximum loading rate of 6.8 ± 1.8 kgCOD·m-3·d-1 at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h. Under the condition of effluent recirculation with raw pre-treated DPNR wastewater, the UASB reactor showed a total COD removal efficiency of 84 ± 8% at the maximum loading rate of 6.4 ± 1.7 kgCOD·m-3·d-1 at HRT of 39 h. The results suggest that the newly developed resource recovery process for DPNR wastewater could be a promising treatment system.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_528_fbe902db03bf9b8d6f402941ac5e0698.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Research Effort, Functional Integration, and Environmental Action-Based Competitive Advantage: An Empirical Study 585 596 529 10.22059/ijer.2012.529 EN B. Junquera Universidad de Oviedo, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales Avda. del Cristo, s/n 33071 Oviedo, Spain J. Del Brío Universidad de Oviedo, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales Avda. del Cristo, s/n 33071 Oviedo, Spain Journal Article 2012 06 15 This paper seeks to make an empirical analysis of the degree to which the research effort and functional integration into the design of environmental activity account for a company’s environmental actionbased competitive advantage. To do so, we have used a sample of 110 factories. It has been proven that both factors (the research effort and functional integration into the design of environmental activity) have a positive influence on the factories’ environmental action-based competitive advantage. These outcomes are the main in this paper and they have major implications for companies’ research policy. It proves that there is a new advantage to the managerial effort dedicated to this area: this effort has a positive influence on the relation between a company’s environmental management and its environmental action-based competitive advantage.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_529_b6f631a779e1b825741aa9b2073a979b.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Contribution of Soil, Sulfate, and Biomass Burning Sources to the Elemental Composition of PM10 from Mexico City 597 612 530 10.22059/ijer.2012.530 EN V.A. Barrera Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico J. Miranda Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico A.A. Espinosa Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico J. Meinguer Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico J.N. Martínez Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico E. Cerón Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, México, D.F., Mexico J.R. Morales Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile P.A. Miranda Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile J.F. Dias Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil Journal Article 2012 06 15 This study is aimed to identify sources of particulate matter with mean aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm (PM10) present in the atmosphere of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC), using samples obtained from January 1st to June 30th, 2009, analyzed with X-ray spectrometric techniques. MiniVol samplers were used to collect samples on polycarbonate filters in three sites (North, Center, and South) of the MAMC. The filters were exposed along 24 h every two days, starting at 8:00 AM, and then analyzed with particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), a microPIXE (μPIXE) system, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Statistical multivariate tests with positive matrix factorization (PMF) were conducted to identify possible contributing factors. The model HYSPLIT was used to determine back-trajectories and the MODIS database for fire spot localization. The multivariate methods identified five factors in the Center and South, and four in the North, including Soil, Sulfate, Fuel/Industry, and Biomass burning, with certain differences in the factors and contributions. Application of HYSPLIT back-trajectories associated these factors to three main Soil sources and points of secondary aerosols production, as well as locations where Biomass burning aerosols were originated. The combination of X-ray spectrometric methods, receptor modeling, back-trajectory determination, and fire site localization, allowed the identification of possible sources of PM10 in the MAMC, namely, the dry Texcoco lake, the Toluca Valley, and the North dry plains for Soil aerosols, the influence of local industrial areas for Sulfate (secondary) aerosols, and the appearance of fires for Biomass burning.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_530_cb21791a5051eb935127894db6342e56.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Anthropogenic Contributions to Heavy Metal Distributions in the Surface and Sub-surface Sediments of the Northern Coast of Sfax, Tunisia 613 626 531 10.22059/ijer.2012.531 EN M.M. Serbaji Université de Sfax, Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Sfax - LARSEN, UR « Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains », Route Soukra, km 3,5, BP 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisie C. Azri Université de Sfax, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Département des Sciences de la Terre, UR « Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains », Route Soukra, km 3,5, PB 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisie K. Medhioub Université de Sfax, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, UR « Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains », Route Menzel Chaker, km 1,5, BP 805, 3018 Sfax, Tunisie Journal Article 2012 06 15 Eight selected heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe and Al) in surface and sub-surface sediments in the northern coast of Sfax (Tunisia) were studied in order to assess the sediment quality and to highlight the anthropogenic contributions to heavy metal distributions in the two study sediment levels. Multiple chemometric approaches based on Geographic Information System (GIS), Enrichment factors (EFs), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and Principal Component Analysis (ACP) were applied. Enrichment factors (EFs) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed two distinct groups of metals. The first group attributed to Mn, Fe and Al that were derived from natural sources, and the second group contained Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr mainly originated from man-made sources. The contribution rates of these later in terms of the sediment’s enrichment exceed 98%. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values explained that only Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr can be considered as moderate to extreme pollutants both in surface and sub-surface sediments.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_531_01cf9392152259c7b33327fef315f848.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Effect of Aeration Rate on Biosurfactin Production in a Miniaturized Bioreactor 627 634 532 10.22059/ijer.2012.532 EN S. Jokari Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563,Tehran, Iran. Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 63894-14179, Tehran, Iran H. Rashedi Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563,Tehran, Iran. Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 63894-14179, Tehran, Iran G.H. Amoabediny Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563,Tehran, Iran. Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 63894-14179, Tehran, Iran F. Yazdian Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of Interdisciplinary New sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395-1561,Tehran, Iran. M. Rezvani Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 63894-14179, Tehran, Iran A.S. Hatamian Zarmi Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of Interdisciplinary New sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395-1561,Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2012 06 15 Recently, the production of biosurfactants in bioreactors and their use in various pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries have been developed. Optimum production is directly related to the physicochemical condition of culture medium (such as pH and temperature) and engineering parameters of bioreactors (such as aeration rate, volume of operation and the amount of energy input). Understanding the gas transfer in shaken bioreactors equipped with a sterile closure is advantageous to avoid oxygen limitation or carbon dioxide inhibition of a microbial culture. In this study, the effect of aeration rates (due to using different design closures) on the amount of biosurfactin production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 in a ventilation flask as a miniaturized bioreactor was investigated. The highest biosurfactin concentration (0.0485 g/L/h) was obtained in the optimum conditions in which the amount of filling volume and shaking frequency were 15 ml and 300 rpm, respectively. The specific aeration rate (qin) and maximum oxygen transfer rate (OTRmax), were calculated 1.88 vvm and 0.01 mol/L/h, respectively. The results showed the significant biosurfactin productivity increase under non-oxygen limiting condition.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_532_9bd18134cda4b150c475a59116710e29.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Government Facilitator Roles and Ecopreneurship in Environmental NGOs 635 644 533 10.22059/ijer.2012.533 EN S.M. Moghimi Management Faculty, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran A. Alambeigi, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 15 This article outlines the Government Facilitator Roles in Ecopreneurship functions in Environmental NGOs. Target Group was environmental NGOs in Iran (Key actors, committed to preserving ecological and environmental integrity). Accelerating innovation way for improving the environmental conservation by Environmental NGOs is the conceptual mean of Ecopreneurship in this research. Questionnaire as a research instrument was to measure the constructs. Content validity by panel study confirmed. To determine reliability alpha coefficient was calculated. Value ranged from 0.74 to .96 showed that research instrument has acceptable capability to collect data and satisfy accepted condition. Dominant statistical method was SEM and for data analysis PLS-Graph was employed. According to path analysis results, four dimensions of Government facilitator have a significant role in Ecopreneurship in Iranian environmental NGOs. End of article some of implications were illustrated for improving Ecopreneurship functions by Government facilitator roles.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_533_0aad9adca7dc68cc213c3bce84c41f9d.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 The Evaluation of Sea Surface Topography Models based on the Combination of the Satellite altimetry and the Global Geoid Models in the Persian Gulf 645 652 534 10.22059/ijer.2012.534 EN S.M.T. Sadatipour Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Department of Hydrography, Tehran, Iran R. Kiamehr University of Zanjan,Division of Cartography, Zanjan, Iran M. Abrehdary Royal Institute of Technology, Division of Geodesy and Geomatics, Stockholm, Sweden A.R. Sharifi Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Department of Hydrography, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 15 One of the difficulties in using absolute altitudes is the separation between the mean open sea level and geoid. Theoretically, geoid is the base level in absolute altitudes, but practically, the mean open sea level is used as a base level for absolute altitudes. The difference between these two levels is called as the sea surface topography. In this research, it is dealt the mean sea level modeling by using the observations of three altimeter satellites (i.e. Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and GFO) in Persian Gulf and then it is dealt with the evaluation of existing models of the sea surface topography based on the altimeter satellites data and the global geopotential geoid models (i.e. European Improved Gravity model of the Earth by New techniques, Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer, Earth Gravitational Model 2008. The results of this research indicate that the sea surface topographical model resulting from the EIGEN06C geoid is the most precise model with changes range between -2.482 m and -1.511 m and mean -0.23 m.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_534_0204cf9ebdce76a35ecf6d1c0ff25367.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Green Spaces Trends in the City of Port Elizabeth from 1990 to 2000 using Remote Sensing 653 662 535 10.22059/ijer.2012.535 EN J.O. Odindi University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Environmental Sciences, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa P. Mhangara South African National Space Agency, Space Operations, P.O. Box 484, Silverton, 0127, Pretoria, South Africa Journal Article 2012 06 15 Given the critical role played by urban green spaces and the emergence of remote sensing as a valuable natural resource management tool, this study sought to identify trends in green spaces within the context of South Africa’s transition period (1990 - 2000). Using the city of Port Elizabeth as a case study, three sets of Landsat - 5 Thematic Mapper images (1990, 1995 and 2000) were geo-processed, classified into vegetation density categories and verified using respective aerial photographs. There was a steady decline in areas covered by Very sparse vegetation, Sparse vegetation and Dense vegetation classes. However, areas covered by Very dense vegetation showed a steady increase during the study period. Using remote sensing applications, this study provides an insight into trends in green spaces in the city of Port Elizabeth during the transition period. This study further shows the importance of remote sensing as a mapping tool that can be used to provide information for physical, social and ecological planning to achieve urban socio-ecological sustainability in rapidly changing urban environments.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_535_a77d5c1cb4df3c49d11debb3b9342f7b.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Nitrate and Chloride Concentrations in Groundwater beneath a Portion of the Trinity Group Outcrop Zone, Texas 663 668 536 10.22059/ijer.2012.536 EN P.E. Hudak Department of Geography and Environmental Science Program, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305279, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA Journal Article 2012 06 15 Using a geographic information system and statistics, we evaluated spatial distributions of nitrate and chloride concentrations in groundwater in an area of north-central Texas with agricultural activity, in addition to oil and natural gas exploration and production. Data were compiled from 40 water wells sampled in 2007. Nitrate concentrations in three wells exceeded the maximum contaminant level (44 mg/L) for drinking water. The highest nitrate concentration was 149 mg/L, and concentrations were generally higher in shallower wells. Chloride concentrations exceeded the 250 mg/L secondary drinking water standard in two wells, with no significant association between chloride concentration and well depth. Results of this study suggest localized human impacts, especially for nitrate, and identify areas warranting future monitoring.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_536_cd732031e6567c91cf4c1117ac722a1c.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Mild Temperature Oxidation of Phenol over Rare Earth Exchanged Aluminum Pillared Montmorillonites 669 676 537 10.22059/ijer.2012.537 EN M. Kurian M.G. University Regional Research Centre in Chemistry, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, India A. Eldhose M.G. University Regional Research Centre in Chemistry, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, India R.M. Thasleenabi M.G. University Regional Research Centre in Chemistry, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, India Journal Article 2012 06 15 Wastewater treatment and re-use of industrial process water are critical issues for the development of human activities and environment conservation. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the degradation of organic pollutants taking phenol as the model compound over aluminium pillared montmorillonite and the rare earth exchanged analogues, underlining the use of environ friendly clay catalysts for the effective removal of water pollutants. From the study it was noted that for reaction variables like temperature, peroxide load, catalyst load, phenol concentration etc, optimal values exist that must be taken into account for obtaining best results. The catalysts used were aluminium pillared montmorillonite prepared by partial hydrolysis method exchanged with La, Ce and Th metal salts at room temperature. Characterisation of the prepared systems were done using X-ray diffraction and surface area and pore volume measurements.The pillared montmorillonite showed considerable increase in basal spacing and BET surface area compared to parent montmorillonite.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_537_4f9085290ccf5df0c6a4c24990c41773.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Prediction of Climate Change Induced Temperature Rise in Regional Scale Using Neural Network 677 688 538 10.22059/ijer.2012.538 EN Kh. Ashrafi Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, P.O.BOX 14155-6135, Tehran, Iran M. Shafiepour Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, P.O.BOX 14155-6135, Tehran, Iran L. Ghasemi Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, P.O.BOX 14155-6135, Tehran, Iran B. Araabi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 The objective of this paper is to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model which can be used to predict temperature rise due to climate change in regional scale. In the present work data recorded over years 1985-2008 have been used at training and testing steps for ANN model. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) network architecture is used for this purpose. Three applied optimization methods are backpropagation (BP) (in both input selection and weight optimization), genetic algorithm (GA) (in both input selection and weight optimization) and combined GA-particle swarm optimization (PSO) (input selection by GA and weight optimization by PSO). In this framework, natural and anthropogenic parameters which affect the incoming solar radiation are considered in order to predict the climate change induced temperature rise in regional scale. Inputs of ANN model are mean temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, cloudiness, rainfall, station-level pressure (QFE) and greenhouse gases. For predicting monthly mean temperature, input data include one month, six months, 12 months and 24 months before recorded data. In this work, nine stations namely Tehran, Mashhad, Ramsar, Orumiyeh, Sanandaj, Yazd, Ahwaz, Bandar Abbas and Chabahar in nine different climatic region of Iran are chosen to determine the temperature rise over Iran. Results show that the averaged minimum square errors (MSE) are 0.0196, 0.0224 and 0.0228 for ANN-BP, ANN-GA and ANN-GA-PSO methods, respectively. The ANN model associated with BP optimization method predict annual mean temperature rise as 0.44, 0.49, 0.20, 0.12, 0.17, 0.46, 0.41, 0.06 and 0.01°C after 10 years for mentioned stations, respectively. These values show the average temperature rise of 0.26 °C after 10 years (the base year is 2008) for Iran.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_538_84bdd019d072d1cd9ea97d4dfe4ab49d.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Effects of Environmental Design Inspired by nature on Psychological and Physiological Responses of Clients in Medical Spaces 689 694 539 10.22059/ijer.2012.539 EN M. Saffarinia Department of Psychology, University of Payam-e-noor, P.O.BOX 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran S. Tavakkoli Department of Psychology, University of Payam-e-noor, P.O.BOX 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran A. Alipor Department of Psychology, University of Payam-e-noor, P.O.BOX 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 Medical environments such as hospital waiting rooms can affect a client’s anxiety level as well as psychological and physiological responses to his or her situation. The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of environmental design, specifically the design which incorporates elements of nature, in clinics and hospitals to decrease anxiety, blood pressure and pulse rates of waiting clients. Representations of nature and the natural environment are known to recover a dynamic union between an environment and its user, therefore the effects of environmental design on subjects’ responses are measured and analyzed. In order to examine these hypotheses a sample of 145 people were chosen as subjects for the experiment. They were divided into control and experiment groups, both of which included males and females. The designed environment was applied for the experiment group which included elements of nature, green plants, sounds of waterfall and birds. Both control and experiment groups were pre tested and then post tested. The findings showed that being in the designed hospital’s waiting room was clearly effective at decreasing a client’s level of anxiety (p< 0.001), blood pressure (p< 0.001) and pulse rate (0.001). We propose that using an environmental design for medical treatment centers can reduce levels of anxiety in clients and can effectively foster a sense of wellbeing.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_539_73e141d85445c5f35084a1588cbfc0b2.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Heavy Metals Levels in Forage Grasses, Leachate and Lactating Cows Reared around Lead Slag Dumpsites in Nigeria 695 702 540 10.22059/ijer.2012.540 EN M.B. Ogundiran Analytical/Environmental Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria D.T. Ogundele Analytical/Environmental Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria P.G. Afolayan Analytical/Environmental Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria O. Osibanjo Analytical/Environmental Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Journal Article 2012 06 16 A field study was conducted around Pb slag contaminated sites in Ibadan, Nigeria to assess the intake of trace metals by cows reared around the contaminated sites as indication of heavy metals contamination. Levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in blood, milk and faeces were determined in 20 cows exposed to the sites and 20 reference cows from uncontaminated areas. Chemical analysis of pasture grasses and leachate from the contaminated sites showed high levels of Pb. Range and mean levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in the forage grasses are: 209-899 (425 ± 79.0), ND-1.87 (0.94 ± 0.23), 4.01-8.78 (6.26 ± 0.62) and 17.4-202 (79.2 ± 23.5) mg/kg respectively. The mean values of 8.81±0.06, 0.041±0.003, 0.20±0.01 and 1.00±0.004 mg/L were obtained l for leachate Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn. Difference in blood and milk Pb was highly significant (p<0.01) between the two groups of animals. Mean, median and range blood Pb concentration of 349±82.0, 312, <DL-1380μg/L, milk Pb concentrations of 347 ± 144, 313, <DL-630μg/L and faecal Pb concentrations of 2.08 ± 1.46, 2.00, 0.25-6.75 mg/kg were found in test animals whereas Pb was not detected in the tissues of the control animals. Analyses of blood, milk and faeces were found to be good indicators of environmental exposure to Pb. Test cows accumulated significantly higher levels of Zn in milk than in blood. Reverse is the case for Pb and Cu. The high concentration of Pb detected in both environmental and biological samples implies the need for sound management of hazardous waste.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_540_a8bdb01748b4bc931315b584e94db9cf.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Effect of European Black Alder Monocultures on The Characteristics of Reclaimed Mine Soil 703 710 541 10.22059/ijer.2012.541 EN Z. Miletić Institute of Forestry, Department for Silviculture, Plantation Establishment and Forest Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia M. Knežević Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia S. Stajić Institute of Forestry, Department for Silviculture, Plantation Establishment and Forest Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia O. Košanin Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia I. Đorđević Institute of Forestry, Department for Silviculture, Plantation Establishment and Forest Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia Journal Article 2012 06 16 The effect of European black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) on the contents of carbon and nitrogen, exchangeable base cations, and plant available forms of phosphorus in the reclaimed mine soils formed by waste deposition from opencast lignite mines was researched in central Serbia. It was concluded that the greatest part of dead organic residues reaching the soil under European black alder monocultures was liable to rapid decomposition into end products. This was the consequence of a narrow C/N ratio in the European black alder litterfall which amounted on average to 12.77 in the study monocultures. Only a small part of organic residues was transformed into humus. On that account, European black alder monocultures did not have a major impact on the accumulation of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soil. The content of carbon in the surface layers accounted for 1.55-1.57%, and the content of nitrogen to 0.085-0.132%. Fast mineralisation of organic matter, and thus also of the organic forms of nitrogen, resulted in the surplus of soil nitrates, which were liable to washing through the soil. Nitrate movement resulted in the soil leaching and the movement of base cations, primarily calcium, to the deeper layers of the solum. The total soil phosphorus content was low, and also the level of plant available forms. A significant portion of total phosphorus in the surface layers of the reclaimed mine soils was composed of its organic forms.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_541_7c1ca657e64a4fcd2a3bef5afac79386.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 An Efficient Removal of Arsenic from Industrial Effluents using Electro-coagulation as Clean Technology Option 711 718 542 10.22059/ijer.2012.542 EN R. Daniel Centre for Environment, Institute of Science & Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad- 500 080, India A.V.S. Prabhakara Rao Centre for Environment, Institute of Science & Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad- 500 080, India. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur,India Journal Article 2012 06 16 This paper is a preliminary communication of a study on removal and recovery of heavy metals from industrial waste waters using electro-coagulation (EC) technique. The larger study envisages use of solar energy for producing the D.C. current, and simple chemical methods of standard methods in chemistry like use of hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulfide, collection of precipitate, incineration and getting metal oxides in the most economical way of metal recovery. However, this paper reports on the removal of Arsenic (As) from industrial effluent using electro-coagulation (EC) technique. The optimization has been performed to increase the removal efficiency of As by varying initial pH (2-10), time of electrolysis (5-30min) and current density (0.8-4.8 A/dm2). For the first time, we notice that the current density 4.8 A/dm2 has been observed to produce the quickest removal (99.9%) within 10min. The phenomenal COD reduction from 400mg/l to 30mg/l with electrolysis time of 15min is a significant finding, to achieve this type of COD reduction by the existing methods generate huge quantities of sludge. The sludge formed in the reaction vessel also have been Investigated.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_542_e76e7059a4c454152c67ef0399b92f99.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Media using Mediterranean Posidonia oceanica biomass : Adsorption Studies and salt Competition Investigation 719 732 543 10.22059/ijer.2012.543 EN F. Krika Department of process engineering, Faculty of sciences and technology, University of Jijel PB 98 Ouled Aissa, Jijel, Algeria N. Azzouz Department of process engineering, Faculty of sciences and technology, University of Jijel PB 98 Ouled Aissa, Jijel, Algeria M. C. Ncibi COVACHIMM, EA 3592 Laboratory, University of Antilles and Guyane, BP 250, 97157 Pointe a Pitre Cedex, Guadeloupe, France. Journal Article 2012 06 16 The biosorption of hexavelent chromium from saline solutions by Posidonia oceanica, a marine biomass, was studied as a function of pH, initial chromium (VI) and salt (NaCl) concentrations in batch system. The sorbent exhibited the maximal chromium (VI) uptake at pH 2 regardless of the presence of increasing salt concentration. Equilibrium uptake increased with chromium (VI) concentration up to 250 mg/ l and decreased slightly in the presence of increasing salt concentrations of salt up to 50 g/l. The biomass adsorbed 14.48 mg of metal per gram of biomass at 100 mg/l initial chromium concentration in the absence of salt. When 50 g/l salt concentration was added to the solution, the value diminished to 11.49 mg/g under the same conditions (i.e. a 20.6% decrease in the biosorption capacity). The equilibrium sorption data were analyzed using Freundlich, Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models. The Langmuir equation was the most suitable adsorption model for describing the biosorption equilibrium data of chromium (VI) both in salt free and loaded media. The pseudo-second-order type kinetic model depicted the biosorption kinetics accurately at all chromium concentrations in absence and presence of increasing concentrations of salt.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_543_e2431550ce038590ec87394044904940.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Breeding Biology of the Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis in Southern Coasts of The Caspian Sea, Iran 733 738 544 10.22059/ijer.2012.544 EN R. Rahimi Department of Environmental Science,Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran S.M. Monavari Department of Environmental Science,Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran M. Karami Department of Environmental Science,Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran M. Shariat Department of Environmental Science,Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran P. Farshchi Department of Environmental Science,Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 Breeding biology of the Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis is assessed in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, Iran during the years 2008-2010. About 84 nests located on 63 trees were examined. Nests were built on large trees located in Abbas abad marsh, Gilan Province. Initially, eggs were found on first week of April and egg laying continued until the last week of May. Clutch size varied from 2 to 5 eggs, with a mean clutch size of 2.8±0.69. Mean shape index for all eggs were 1.68±0.035 and 1.706±0.048, respectively. The length of the incubation period was estimated at 26.6±2.2 days. in 2010 of the 84 eggs laid, 26.6% were lost. In 2009 of 92 eggs laid, 62% were lost. Number of eggs hatched per nest averaged at 1.57±0.57 in small ones and 1.8±1.6 in large nest. Mean weight of eggs was estimated at 46.8±1.28g (N=10, mean =48.9, min=45.2).

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_544_86a2670a3f10f21d048a87eb070a76bb.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Pre-concentration and Determination of Platinum (IV) in Water Samples Using Chelating Resin by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) 739 750 545 10.22059/ijer.2012.545 EN H. Sid Kalal Nuclear Fuel Cycle School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran H. Hoveidi Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6135, Tehran, Iran M. Thagiof Nuclear Fuel Cycle School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran N. Pakizevand Nuclear Fuel Cycle School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran M.R. Almasian Nuclear Fuel Cycle School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran M.A. Firoozzare Nuclear Fuel Cycle School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 A chelating resin is prepared by condensation polymerization of aniline with formaldehyde and characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis and studied for the preconcentration and determination of trace Platinum ion from environmental water sample using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The optimum pH value for sorption of the metal ions was 5. The maximum adsorption capacities of resin (aniline- formaldehyde) were determined as 21.25, 14.72 and 11.9 mg/g at different temperatures 20, 30 and 40 °C, respectively. The best desorption of the metal ions from resin was obtained by 0.5 mol/L nitric acid as eluting agent. The profile of Platinum uptake on this sorbent reflects good accessibility of the chelating sites in the aniline-formaldehyde. The equilibrium adsorption data of Platinum ion modified resin were analyzed by four isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich ,Temkin and Redlich–Peterson. Langmuir isotherm parameters obtained from the four Langmuir linear equations by using linear method, Langmuir-1 is the most popular linear form, and it had the highest coefficient of determination compared with the other Langmuir linear equations. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were also determined using the equilibrium constant values obtained at different temperatures. The results showed that the adsorption for Pt (IV) ion was spontaneous nature and exothermic. The method was applied for Platinum ions determination from tap water sample.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_545_f75422a9915014651ecceb52155dede7.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Biosurfactants Production During Diesel Biodegranation by Mixed Microbial Consortia Selected From Polluted Spolls 751 760 546 10.22059/ijer.2012.546 EN E. Moliterni Chemical Engineering Department. Institute for Chemical and Environmental Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain R. Gómez Chemical Engineering Department. Institute for Chemical and Environmental Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain L. Rodríguez Alquimia Soluciones Ambientales S.L., C/ de la Calidad 3, 13250 Daimiel (Ciudad Real), Spain F.J. Fernández Chemical Engineering Department. Institute for Chemical and Environmental Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain J. Villaseñor Chemical Engineering Department. Institute for Chemical and Environmental Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain Journal Article 2012 06 16 This work studies the biosurfactants production which enables the diesel biodegradation by using mixed microbial consortia from polluted sites. It was carried out by culturing three microbial consortia (named as XA, XB and XC) obtained from polluted soils, and enriched in diesel as sole carbon source.Batch experiments were done to study the effects of three variables (temperature,hydrocarbon concentration and the origin of the consortia) on the diesel biodegradation and the surface tension evolution. The three enriched consortia contained similar bacterial genera and degraded diesel with similar efficiencies (approximately 90%). Thermal inhibition was observed at 35 ºC. The evolution of surface tension was similar in all experiments: an initial fast reduction followed by an increase once the diesel had been consumed. All three consortia were found to be efficient biosurfactants producers. Consortia XB and XC had similar low biosurfactant yields (1.3 and 1.8 g g-1, respectively) and lower critical micelle concentration values (0.42 and 0.45 g L-1, respectively), while XA generated a greater quantity of biosurfactants (6.9 gg-1). It was noted that the maximum diesel biodegradation rate increased versus the biosurfactants yields. Despite some differences between the consortia due to their different origins, especially concerning biosurfactants production, the diesel-enrichment process resulted in adapted consortia with similar efficiencies for diesel biodegradation.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_546_ffa899dec70ac0cf2098cf09b874c5a8.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Anaerobic Digestion of Nssc Pulping Effluent 761 768 547 10.22059/ijer.2012.547 EN A. Arshad National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (MCE-NUST), Pakistan N.H. Hashim Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UET Taxila, Pakistan Journal Article 2012 06 16 Two UASB reactors R-I and R-II, each of 10liters capacity, made up of acryl material were operated parallel and continuously for a period of 220 days, using actual effluent of the NSSC pulp and paper mill, at mesophilic temperature and neutral pH. The main objective was to investigate the treatability performance of the reactors at varying OLR and HRT in terms of TOC and lignin removal. The reactor R-I was used by conventional procedure, whereas, for the reactor R-II methanol and activated carbon was added to supplement its efficiency. Corresponding to an optimum OLR of 4.5kg/m3-day and HRT of 18hrs, the reactor R-II gives 69% TOC and 60% lignin removal. But, in the reactor R-I at same operating conditions, only 56% TOC and 51% lignin removal was noticed. However, the biogas yield in the reactor R-I was noticed relatively more than in the R-II. The biogas yield observed was 0.28m3/kg-CODrem and 0.18m3/kg-CODrem in the reactor R-I and R-II, respectively, with 56-58% methane content in both the reactors. The average VFAs concentration observed in the reactor R-I and R-II is 360mg/L and 230mg/L, respectively. The results of this study suggest that the use of methanol and activated carbon to enhance the treatability efficiency of the UASB reactor is a viable option for the treatment of NSSC pulping effluent.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_547_b1c717ab1f0e4cb4adc18f37e766b6b9.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Toxic Effects of Zinc Cyanide on Some Protein Metabolites in Fresh water fish, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) 769 778 548 10.22059/ijer.2012.548 EN A. Shwetha Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Applied Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta - 577 451, Shimoga, Karnataka, India B.B. Hosetti Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Applied Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta - 577 451, Shimoga, Karnataka, India P.N. Dube Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Applied Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta - 577 451, Shimoga, Karnataka, India Journal Article 2012 06 16 Effect of zinc cyanide on protein and certain metabolites content and some enzymes activities was evaluated in liver, muscle and gill tissues of the freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala, during exposure and following cessation of exposure. Fish exhibited significant alterations in the biochemical parameters in all tissues studied. Levels of total protein decreased in all tissues, where as free amino acids (FAA) and protease activities significantly increased (P<0.05). Similarly decrease was observed in the ammonia level with increased urea and glutamine levels at all exposure periods. The enzymes involved in the protein metabolism altered under the zinc cyanide intoxication. Increase in the protease and aminotransferases revealed amplified transamination processes. Significant increase of phosphatases indicated increased rate of phosphorylation and transport of molecules across the cell membrane. Withdrawal study also exhibited significant recovery in all above biochemical parameters, in all tissue after the 7th day post recovery treatment. Present study exhibited negative effects of zinc cyanide on protein metabolism. Fish with low protein content were not fit for human consumption. Patterns of effects on intermediary metabolism suggest avenues to determine the mechanisms by which such effects occur.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_548_f76829f39ca608cc14460a719b7b86c3.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Characterisation of Heavy Metals in Lichen Species Hypogymnia physodes and Evernia prunastri due to Biomonitoring of Air Pollution in the Vicinity of Copper Mine 779 792 549 10.22059/ijer.2012.549 EN B. Balabanova Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University, POB 201, 2000 Štip, Macedonia T. Stafilov Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, POB 162, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia R. Šajn Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia K. Baèeva Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, POB 162, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia Journal Article 2012 06 16 Lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes and Evernia prunastri) were used for biomonitoring the possible air pollution with heavy metals in the vicinity of copper mine in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The contents of 18 elements were analysed by ICP-AES and ETAAS techniques. For data processing basic statistical methods and multivariate exploratory (factor and cluster analysis) techniques were applied. Three geogenic and one anthropogenic group of elements were singled out from factor analysis. Maps of spatial distribution of elements from the anthropogenic group showed an increased content of the anthropogenic elements only in close vicinity to the mine. A maximum value obtained for Cu content was 130 mg/kg and for Pb content was 120 mg/kg. Lichen talus of the collected species showed high retention power for accumulation of the anthropogenic group of elements compared to moss species sampled from the same study area (r=0.86 and r=0.68). Here we show that lichens can be use as biomonitors for atmospheric distribution of anthropogenicintroduced elements.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_549_56402429d8202960758deb287f416597.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Interaction Between Cadmium and Lead and the Effects of These on the Concentration of Zinc and Manganese in Sunflower 793 800 550 10.22059/ijer.2012.550 EN B. Motesharezadeh Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran GH.R. Savaghebi Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 The pollution of soil by heavy metals is considered to be quite a big problem in many areas of the world. To limit the accumulation of lead and cadmium from soil in the products, a correct understanding of the characteristics and specifications of the translocation of cadmium and lead is necessary. In order to evaluate the effects of cadmium and lead interaction on zinc and manganese concentration, three levels of cadmium (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg), and three levels of lead (0, 200 and 400mg/kg) were tested on a sunflower cultivar SHF81- 85 in a factorial experimental design with three replications. The results showed that cadmium has increased the cadmium and lead concentration in the shoot and root, while the effects of lead, were only significant on the concentration of lead in the shoot, and the concentration of both cadmium and lead in the root (p<0.05). Cadmium and lead revealed a preventing effect on zinc and manganese concentration in the root and shoot of the plant. More investigations at field conditions are recommended.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_550_93ca71b25e4a065c1a54d98aee6853fe.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 Life Cycle Assessment of Advanced Zero Emission Combined Cycle Power Plants 801 814 551 10.22059/ijer.2012.551 EN A. Ataei Department of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of the Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran A. Iranmanesh Department of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of the Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Z. Rashidi Department of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of the Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 This study investigated different concepts for natural-gas-fired power plants with the CO2 capture, and compared them based on the net plant efficiency and emission of CO2. The cycles were based on a six oxy-fuel, one post-combustion and two pre-combustion capture concept. This paper presented the results of an environmental evaluation performed by the application of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) method using SimaPro model to compare an Advanced Zero Emission Power Plant (AZEP) concept with a conventional combined cycle power plant from 50MW to 400MW. The LCA study was built upon the calculation and the comparison of several impacts (emissions of CO2, CO, NOX, and SOX, consumption of water and primary energy) and several impact categories (climate change, acid rain, ozone depletion and Ecotoxicity). The work was developed entirely using the Eco-indicator99 of the LCA method. The results showed that for all studied impacts, the AZEP power plants have fewer impacts. However, compared to the conventional combined cycle power plants, the total primary energy consumption in the AZEP concept is bigger due to the lower electric efficiency.

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_551_ec4c2f991acc3c497b19c279959fbd55.pdf

University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 6 3 2012 06 01 An Investigation on Changes and Prediction of Urmia Lake water Surface Evaporation by Chaos Theory 815 824 552 10.22059/ijer.2012.552 EN S. Farzin Faculty of Water Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran P. Ifaei Faculty of Water Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran N. Farzin Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Y. Hassanzadeh Faculty of Water Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran M.T. Aalami Faculty of Water Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Journal Article 2012 06 16 Chaos theory discusses unstable and non-periodic behavior of non-linear fluctuating dynamic systems. Since evaporation level variations of lakes have a dynamic identity, chaos theory can have a unique role in collecting data of these variations. Therefore it is an important and challenging problem in the field of planning and qualitative and quantitative management of Urmia Lake to verify whether the evaporation time series are stochastic or chaotic that is discussed in the present study. In addition to introduction of different utilities of chaos theory, the monthly evaporation amounts of Urmia Lake in the past 40 years have been studied and predicted in the present research. So after calculating the delay time (T=7.5) by using average mutual information method (AMI) and embedding dimension (d=3) by using false nearest neighbor algorithm (FNN), the slope of correlation dimension diagram has been computed. The non-integer amount of the slope (2.47) represents that the system is chaotic. Lyapunov exponent and broad band in Fourier power spectrum are other indexes reported in the present study and their provided results ensures that the system is chaotic. Thus the amount of Urmia Lake evaporation is predictable. Therefore the amount of evaporation in the recent 10 years (1997-2007) have been predicted by means of false nearest neighbor algorithm and verified with the observed data. The results agree with the high accuracy of chaos theory predictions so the amount of evaporation of the Lake is predicted for 10 following years (2007-2017).

https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_552_f5cb704a5ead7fcadb9bb8d269e82682.pdf