Original Article
Afsaneh Yousefi; Reza Mirzaeitalarposhti; Fatemeh-Sadat Aghamir; Jafar Nabati
Abstract
Introduction: Economic problems caused by increased consumption of fertilizers from one hand and environmental issues related to non-scientific consumption of such fertilizers (e.g., pollution of water and soil, loss of soil fertility, and crop quality) on the other hand, have shifted attentions towards ...
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Introduction: Economic problems caused by increased consumption of fertilizers from one hand and environmental issues related to non-scientific consumption of such fertilizers (e.g., pollution of water and soil, loss of soil fertility, and crop quality) on the other hand, have shifted attentions towards application of biological fertilizers. In order to reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, there is a need to use resources and inputs, which not only meet crop nutrient requirements, but also guarantee the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. The purpose of this study was to reduce the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on the agroecosystem and to reduce the cost associated with crop production through application of biofertilizers (free-living nitrogen-fixating bacteria, and potassium and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) on mung bean. Material and methods: A field experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of treatments. Two mung bean genotypes (Dezfouli and Indian) were planted under six fertilization systems at the Agricultural Research Station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2017. Fertilization treatments were Nitro Bacteria (NB), Phosphate Power Bacteria (PhPB), Potassium Power Bacteria (PPB), NB+PhPB+PPB, chemical nitrogen fertilizer (N), and no fertilizer as control (C). Prior to planting, the soil was sampled at a depth of 0-30 cm for measurement of common physico-chemical characteristics. At the end of the growing season, an area of 1 m2 from the middle of each plot was harvested for crop traits. Plant height, the number of branches per plant, grain yield, biological yield, and yield components including the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight were measured accordingly. Results and discussion: The results showed a significant difference between mung bean genotypes and also fertilization treatments regarding yield and yield components (p < 0.05). The highest biological yield (6555 kg ha-1 ) and grain yield (1558 kg ha-1 ) were obtained from Dezfouli genotype under NPB+PhPB+PPB treatment. The lowest biomass and grain yield were observed for Indian genotype under control treatment with 3518 and 1393 kg ha-1 , respectively. The results showed that the combined application of nitrogen stabilizing bacteria and potassium and phosphate release bacteria, due to increased access to nutrients that is an effective factor in stimulating the growth and photosynthesis of plants, improved conditions for growth and production of photosynthetic materials, and also increased the yield of mung bean plants. Conclusion: It was revealed that the combined application of various biofertilizers not only improves the mung bean yield, but also can reduce negative aspects of chemical fertilizer application in crop production systems. Paying attention to more frequent use of biological fertilizers could be considered as an important agroecological approach, which results in healthier soil and water resources.
Original Article
Mehrdad Mohammadidust; Hossein Houshmand; Mina Ahangarzadeh; Lefteh Mohseninejad; Fatemeh Hekmatpour; Farahnaz Kian Ersi
Abstract
Introduction: Harvesting, transporting, packaging, and storing the farmed shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei are factors that affect the quality of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The physical stress of the harvest leads to red hepatopancreas and eventually reddish color of the shrimp’s head. Vibriosis ...
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Introduction: Harvesting, transporting, packaging, and storing the farmed shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei are factors that affect the quality of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The physical stress of the harvest leads to red hepatopancreas and eventually reddish color of the shrimp’s head. Vibriosis and stressful factors such as high pH of the pool and an increase in the organic load of the pool are also effective in causing the redhead syndrome. Redhead syndrome is a negative factor in the shrimp market. The aim of the study was redhead syndrome reduction strategies in the shrimp farm. Material and methods: Two farms were selected, each having three pools with different treatments. In the last month leading to the capture of shrimps, water parameters were measured. Different methods and speeds of transport were also measured. Transport temperature and percentage of redhead syndrome after freezing were measured and results were analyzed. Results and discussion: The results of different treatments showed that 2 to 5% of the harvested shrimps were redheaded, which was directly correlated with the total organic matter (TOM). The harvesting method and using supplementation and metabisulfite had no significant effect on the percentage of redheaded (P <0.05). Using styrofoam for transportation, the redhead syndrome was significantly less observed than the other treatments. Shrimp with redhead syndrome decreased from 16.47 in normal baskets to 3.5 in styrofoam. The normal transport temperature of shrimp was 11.77 °C, which decreased to -1.38°C in styrofoam transportation. In layered ice treatment, 7.67% redheaded shrimps were observed, which was less than the normal transport. The role of processing was more effective in causing redhead syndrome than the methods of culture and harvesting. The percent of shrimp with redhead syndrome were recorded in two farms 67.50±3.12 to 64.06±2.57 % in different treatments. The post-freezing temperature of shrimps at the two processing centers showed a significant difference (P <0.05). At center one, the temperature of frozen shrimp was -10.11±0.63 °C and the mean shrimps with redhead syndrome was 64.06±2.57. The mean temperature of frozen shrimp in the second processing centers was - 15.03±0.25° C and the mean number of shrimps with redhead syndrome was 67.50±3.12%. Conclusion: According to the results, transport and harvest management were effective in the percentage of shrimps with redhead syndrome. The best way of transport was by using styrofoam that reduced the percent of redheaded shrimps to 3.5%. Harvest management was less effective in the percentage of redhead syndrome. In other words, with good management of harvest, transport with styrofoam, and good processing, we could reduce the redheaded shrimps by 3%, 8 to 11%, and 27 to 36%, respectively, and in total 38 to 50% after freezing.
Original Article
Homayoun Habibi; Hajar Raee Dehaghi
Abstract
Introduction: Human ability to transform the environment raised a new environmental concern all over the globe, namely climate change. Today, global warming and sea level rise resulted from polar ice melting are the most immediate, definitive, and visible effects of climate change. One of the effects ...
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Introduction: Human ability to transform the environment raised a new environmental concern all over the globe, namely climate change. Today, global warming and sea level rise resulted from polar ice melting are the most immediate, definitive, and visible effects of climate change. One of the effects of these changes is the likelihood that coastal states, especially small island states, will be deprived of their former maritime zones. Since the baseline is the basis of determination of the maritime zones of the coastal state, with sea level rise, the validity of previous baselines and countries' eligibility for making use of maritime zones have been challenged. It raises the question of whether such countries are still eligible to use the existing baselines or should redraw baselines based on changes. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effects of climate change on baselines of the coastal and archipelagic states and to provide solutions to these countries to counter such effects. Material and methods: In order to examine the impacts of climate change on coastal countries, we first discussed the effects of climate change on the oceans. Research shows that the most important of these changes is global warming and sea level rise. Then, the impact of such consequences on the normal and direct baselines of the coastal and archipelagic states was analyzed. Results and discussion: We concluded that the most important effects of such changes on the oceans are global warming and sea level rise. Then, the impact of climate change on the baselines and the authenticity of this legal challenge were assessed. It was concluded that however the Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 neglected the potential of future changes to base points, by interpreting the drawing of baselines of unstable coastlines and continental shelf, it is possible to accept the right of coastal and archipelagic states to preserve the existing baselines and maritime zones despite sea level changes. Conclusion: This study concluded that the consequences of climate change undoubtedly lead to widespread changes in baselines, and by interpreting the provisions of the convention, it can provide solutions to counter these changes, and eventually, acknowledge the right of coastal states to preserve their former baselines.
Original Article
Zahra Asadolahi; Mostafa Keshtkar; Zia Badehian
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the importance of ecosystem services mapping in decision making, different approaches have been developed for mapping ecosystem services. InVEST software is based on models that combine land use/cover with ecosystem services, and so land use is considered an essential component of ...
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Introduction: Due to the importance of ecosystem services mapping in decision making, different approaches have been developed for mapping ecosystem services. InVEST software is based on models that combine land use/cover with ecosystem services, and so land use is considered an essential component of all models. Currently, remote sensing technology is one of the top techniques in land use/cover map extraction using both pixel-based and object-oriented methods. While the pixel-based method is based on the classification of numerical values of images, object-oriented image processing is more accurate in the classification process, due to the use of spectral information, texture, and content information, being widely used in all sectors including environmental sciences. In this regard, the present study aimed to apply satellite images and object-oriented processing in land use/cover mapping and habitat services modeling. Material and methods: The research was carried out using eCognition 9.01 and InVEST3.0 software in four steps including preparing information, object-oriented processing of satellite images, object-oriented classification, and finally, habitat modeling. Images of Landsat and Sentinel satellites were fused to the eCognition software and processed in conjunction with ASTER digital elevation model data. Segmentation was performed as the first step of object-oriented classification using multi-resolution segmentation algorithm. Due to the size of the study area and the average spatial resolution of Landsat images, the images were segmented with 30 scales, 0.4 coefficient, and 0.5 compression. Geometry, vegetation (NDVI), Pixel Gray Surface Composition (GLCM), and lighting degrees were classified using the Assign class classification algorithm. Then, by matching the extracted map with 130 teaching points, the accuracy of the kappa coefficient was determined. Next, land use/cover map was introduced into InVEST software. Results and discussion: The results and statistics obtained from object-oriented classification accuracy presented acceptable results with a kappa coefficient of 0.93. In the study area, land use/cover classes were prepared in six categories including irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, forest, rangeland, man-made areas, and water resources. According to the results, rangeland and forest types with an area of 39.8% and 33.0% covered more than 72.8% of Lorestan Province’s area. Major problems with land use mapping were the inability of 30-m pixel Landsat satellite imagery to distinguish between rain-fed agriculture, rangeland, and low-density forest types due to their spectral similarity as well as rural areas due to their small surface area. Hence, we attempted to overcome this limitation by modifying the segment characteristics such as shape, tone, texture, and other information. Habitat suitability was considered for each land use class. The susceptibility of each habitat type to the threats in the study area was also weighted. Human threats affecting habitat quality were classified into three groups of agricultural lands, residential areas, and roads. Finally, the model was implemented and a habitat quality index was obtained with values ranging from zero to one. Conclusion: There are different approaches to ecosystem services mapping, one of which is extracting ecosystem services information directly from land use/cover maps. Such an approach is appropriate for large-scale areas that are restricted in terms of available data and expert knowledge, and the service is directly related to land use.
Original Article
Hadise Asadian; Fariba Tadayon; Sanaz Raeis Farshid
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, the use of green synthesis methods without the use of chemicals to produce biocompatible nanoparticles with specific properties has been widely considered. One of the most important methods of green synthesis is the production of metallic nanoparticles using organisms. Exploiting ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, the use of green synthesis methods without the use of chemicals to produce biocompatible nanoparticles with specific properties has been widely considered. One of the most important methods of green synthesis is the production of metallic nanoparticles using organisms. Exploiting various plant materials for green synthesis of nanoparticles is a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. One of the techniques of the green synthesis method is the use of plant extracts, which reduces metal salts to metal ions by using reductive compounds in them. In recent years, coated magnetic nanoparticles have found new and widespread applications in industry and medicine due to their unique properties. Modifying the surface of these nanoparticles by plant extract enhances their efficiency in absorbing hazardous dyes and mineral pollutants. They also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Material and methods: In order to synthesize the nanoparticles, iron chloride and nickel nitrate salts were mixed with the extract of Terminalia chebula and subjected to severe stirring. The immediate change of color from brown to black at this stage indicated the revival of metal ions to metal salts. The sample was then dried and powdered with mortar. Structure and morphology of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results and discussion: The purpose of this research was to synthesize and develop a novel method for the preparation of super-magnetic nanoparticles using environmental and green chemistry methods. For this purpose, T. chebula was used as a medicinal plant in the preparation of iron-nickel magnetic nanoparticles for the first time. The FTIR method confirmed the surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles using T. chebula extract and SEM determined the morphology and approximate size of uncoated and bio operative magnetic nanoparticles. The results also showed that the nanoparticles were nearly spherical with approximately 26.67 nm average diameter. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed the crystalline nature, high purity, and cube-centered structure of the uncoated and bioactive magnetic nanoparticles. Conclusion: The proposed method in this study makes it possible to synthesize green binary magnetic nanoparticles using the extract of T. chebula. Not using hydrothermal and sedimentary methods in nanoparticle fabrication as well as preparation of a plant extract in the aquatic environment were important advantages of this study. According to this method, phenolic antioxidant compounds in the plant extract simultaneously reduced metal ions and chelating agents and also the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, which also have antibacterial properties.
Original Article
Khosro Azizi; Sajjad Rahimi-Moghaddam
Abstract
Introduction: Heat stress is one of the most important threats and concerns for maize production, which mostly occurs in hot and dry areas. Heat stress reduces grain yield and the plant's photosynthesis rate and increases transpiration. Maize is very sensitive to heat stress and extreme temperatures ...
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Introduction: Heat stress is one of the most important threats and concerns for maize production, which mostly occurs in hot and dry areas. Heat stress reduces grain yield and the plant's photosynthesis rate and increases transpiration. Maize is very sensitive to heat stress and extreme temperatures at the flowering stage because extreme temperatures decrease pollen germination ability, and thus, decrease grain yield. However, there are some strategies to prevent the maize flowering stage from being exposed to heat stress. Careful management practices including adjusting the sowing time and cultivar can be considered as useful strategies to deal with heat stress. Crop simulation models can be used to investigate these practices. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the risk of heat stress (frequency and intensity of heat) on grain maize of Iran and evaluate the risk window for grain maize using the modeling approach. Material and methods: In order to evaluate the risk of heat stress in maize agroecosystems of Iran, a simulation experiment was designed in five regions (Iranshahr, Dezful, Parsabad, Kermanshah, and Kerman), three sowing times (common: farmers sowing time in each region; late: 20 days after common sowing time; early: 20 days before common sowing time), and two cultivars (SC704 and SC260 as late- and early-maturity cultivars, respectively). To do this, the long-term climatic data of each region including minimum and maximum temperatures, rainfall, and radiation were collected from Iran Meteorological Organization. These data were applied as inputs of the crop simulation model. In this study, the APSIM model was employed to simulate the growth and development of the maize plant. In order to assess the risk of heat stress on grain maize, three dimensions including the critical stage of grain maize to extreme temperatures (flowering), frequency of extreme temperatures at the critical stage, and intensity of extreme temperatures at the critical stage were evaluated. Furthermore, the risk window for maize flowering in each region was equal to the first day of the year with a temperature of over 36 °C until the last day of the year with a temperature above 36 °C. Results and discussion: The highest risk window of extreme temperatures was recorded in Iranshahr County (183 days) as a hot and dry region and the lowest risk window was simulated in Parsabad (14 days) as a semi-arid and temperate region. Moreover, the percentage of the number of maize flowering days with temperatures above 36 °C and the mean maximum temperature during the flowering period were 63.5% and 37.09 °C, respectively. This issue reduced the grain yield of maize in Iran so that the grain yield was simulated 6196.5 kg ha-1 . However, in the spring season, the early sowing time and the early-maturity cultivar decreased the percentage of the number of maize flowering days with temperatures above 36 °C (37.2%) and mean maximum temperature during the flowering period (35.1 °C) and increased grain yield (7486.9 kg ha-1 ). Overall, in the summer, the percentage of the number of maize flowering days with temperatures above 36 °C and mean maximum temperature during the flowering period were decreased 38.9% and 35.3 °C, respectively, and grain yield was boosted to 7743.6 kg ha-1 under the combination of late sowing time and late-maturity cultivar. Conclusion: The results showed that grain maize is currently cultivated by farmers under high-risk conditions of heat stress. In order to reduce the risk and increase grain yield, farmers in each region should apply the optimal sowing times and cultivars according to the growing season.
Original Article
Somayeh Sadr; Zahra Movahedi Rad
Abstract
Introduction: The study of the spatial distribution of heavy metals is very important in land management and planning. The geostatistics theory is used to estimate spatial variables in unmeasured points. By using the CoKriging estimator and using information about the correlation between variables, ...
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Introduction: The study of the spatial distribution of heavy metals is very important in land management and planning. The geostatistics theory is used to estimate spatial variables in unmeasured points. By using the CoKriging estimator and using information about the correlation between variables, a more accurate estimation of a variable (main variable) can be obtained using auxiliary information (secondary variables). Due to the importance of Isfahan Province because of the large population living in this province and the extent of agricultural and industrial activities, there is a need for sufficient information on the distribution of selenium in this area. The present study investigated the distribution of selenium and provided maps of its distribution in the surface soils of this province. Material and methods: The study region has an area of about 6800 km2 and covers a large part of the agricultural lands and the major industrial centers of Isfahan. Samples were taken from depths of 0 to 20 cm from the soil surface and 255 samples from the whole area in 4 × 4 km networks by using a stratified random sampling design. All soil samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sand, clay, silt content, and organic matter percentage. Total selenium concentrations were measured by XRF in only 72 samples. Statistical and geostatistical calculations were performed by SPSS and WinGslib, respectively, and maps were drawn by ILWIS and Surfer software. Results and discussion: The mean concentration of selenium in the study area was 0.63 mg/kg with a min and max amount of 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. There was a positive and significant correlation between the selenium concentration and soil’s EC. Therefore, EC was used to reduce the selenium estimation error by the CoKriging method. While toxicity level of selenium starts at 5 (mg/kg) for humans and animals, in this study, deficiency threshold for total soil selenium was 0.6 mg/kg and, therefore, the study area can be identified as selenium-deficient because more than 50% of the area had a concentration of less than 0.6 mg/kg and about 12% of the area has a high concentration of selenium in unpolluted soils. No toxicity of this element to humans and livestock was observed. Large parts of Isfahan Province have an arid climate with alkaline pH soils. Given the low levels of selenium in both agricultural and non-agricultural lands, it seems that the native material of this area, which is often the alluvial constituent of the Zayandehrood River, is poor in selenium. On the other hand, the deficiency of this element in agricultural lands indicates that farmers in these areas do not use selenium-containing fertilizers. The highest concentration of selenium was located in the city of Mobarake. There is a huge steel industry in this area. The dominant wind direction of the region is introduced as a threat factor in the transfer of selenium-containing atmospheric emissions from the industrial areas of Mobarka to more populated areas of the province Conclusion: Industries are more concentrated in the city of Isfahan and its surrounding areas and thus selenium concentration is higher in these areas than the neighboring areas. The steel industry in Mobarakeh is an agent for the introduction of selenium into the atmosphere and finally the soil. Winds probably play a role in transmitting selenium to the northeastern part of the region. However, no toxicity of this element was observed in all the studied areas but even selenium deficiency was observed. Therefore, using selenium-rich fertilizers in the region is recommended.
Original Article
Mohammad Hasan Naseri; Mohammad Rostamian
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the importance of forest roads and their positive and negative effects on the forest ecosystem, in this study, the effects of a forest road on species diversity indices related to trees and shrubs in forests of Pasargad city were investigated. Material and methods: After field ...
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Introduction: Considering the importance of forest roads and their positive and negative effects on the forest ecosystem, in this study, the effects of a forest road on species diversity indices related to trees and shrubs in forests of Pasargad city were investigated. Material and methods: After field surveys, 30 plots of 400 square meters (20×20 m) were placed on both sides of the road perpendicular along the third-grade forest road with a distance of 100 meters in 0 to 20, 40 to 60 and 80 to 100 m intervals and the species of trees and shrubs were investigated. Then, richness and uniformity indices were calculated and the mean of each index was measured at similar intervals. Then, in SPSS software, the data were normalized by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test as well as homogeneity analysis of variance using Leven's test. The effect of distance from the road on diversity, richness, and uniformity was determined using a one-way ANOVA method, and Duncan's test was also used to compare the multiple means. Results and discussion: The results of the census of the trees in the study area showed that Amygdalus lycioides species had the highest and Ephedra foliate species had the least abundance in the plots. According to the results, the mean values of diversity, richness, and uniformity indices at different distances from the road showed no significant difference. Also, analysis of variance for values of diversity, richness, and evenness indices at specified intervals showed that there was no significant difference in the 95% confidence level between the values of these indices at different distances from the road. Conclusion: Light competition is one of the factors affecting the establishment of trees and shrubs. There was no light competition in the study area due to the long distances between trees and, therefore, the presence of roads in these conditions wouldn’t affect the light competition. On the other hand, the results showed that with increasing distance from the road, there were no significant differences between the density of trees and shrubs and species diversity indices. Third-grade forest roads are used during limited seasons of the year due to limited infrastructure and pavement, and so the adverse effects of human presence would be limited. Therefore, increasing the distance from third-grade forest road in the study area did not affect the richness, diversity, and evenness of tree and shrubs species.
Original Article
Hamidreza Jafari; Koshesh Othman Soleiman
Abstract
Introduction: Today, the energy sector has an important role in modern society, and a comprehensive understanding of its performance is needed not only to decide on domestic energy policies but also to develop sustainable economic policies. With more than 60 billion barrels of oil reserves and about ...
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Introduction: Today, the energy sector has an important role in modern society, and a comprehensive understanding of its performance is needed not only to decide on domestic energy policies but also to develop sustainable economic policies. With more than 60 billion barrels of oil reserves and about 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the Kurdistan region has attracted the attention of industrialized nations who need more energy of oil and natural gas. It is the eighth largest oil-producing region in the world that is divided into more than 57 oilfields. Considering the importance of this area and the vast environmental impacts of oil and gas, the purpose of this study was to identify the influential environmental factors in oil and gas policymaking. Material and methods: The present study was applied research that used field evaluating and interviews with experts to obtain the required information. In this research, data were collected by the Delphi method and through a questionnaire. The SWOT & PESTLE model was used to analyze the information and identify the effective environmental factors in oil and gas policymaking. Results and discussion: According to the results of the internal factor evaluation matrix, the number of weaknesses was higher and the oil and gas industry and environmental experts gave it the highest score. Results also indicated that the oil and gas industries, although having different strengths and effectiveness, but weaknesses were more effective. Strengths such as the existence of vast oil and gas reserves in the Kurdistan region, the existence of relative democracy, the preservation of civil and political rights, economic development, and the growth of GNP and GDP, obtained the highest scores. On the other hand, deficiency in strategic planning and macroeconomic policies, lack of a coherent and robust management system in line with financial and contracts transparency, and the ineffectiveness of the tax and customs system were the weaknesses. Therefore, it can be concluded that the oil and gas industry, despite its normal growth and development, needs to use great strategies to prioritize environmental preservation, sustainable development, transparency, and management. Also, according to the results obtained in the external factors assessment matrix, it was observed that the oil and gas industries had more opportunities than threats. According to the scores given by experts, the most important opportunities and threats were the future energy needs of the world and the lack of political boundaries and connection to the free seas of the world. Conclusions: It was observed that the strategic position of the oil and gas industries in the Kurdistan region was in the conservative strategies section (overcoming the opportunities points on threats and weaknesses on the strengths) with the approach of environmental protection and preservation policies to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, macro strategies are proposed in line with the current conditions for the development of oil and gas industries, and the presentation and implementation of environmental policies, so that we reduce the existing threats using existing opportunities and turn the weaknesses into strengths.
Original Article
ِDariush Yousefi Kebria; Ghazal Abaskhanian; ٍٍEbadat Ghanbari parmehr
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the presence of oil resources in the seas, the exploration, extraction, and transportation of petroleum products lead to the formation of hydrocarbon spills on the surface waters, resulting in a decrease in the quality of these waters. Oil leakage into the sea has irreparable environmental ...
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Introduction: Due to the presence of oil resources in the seas, the exploration, extraction, and transportation of petroleum products lead to the formation of hydrocarbon spills on the surface waters, resulting in a decrease in the quality of these waters. Oil leakage into the sea has irreparable environmental consequences and disrupts coastal and offshore ecosystems. As a result, identifying the location and time of oil accidents and recognizing the extent and magnitude of contamination is of great importance for monitoring and protecting the health of the environment and is now facilitated and possible by remote sensing data using optical and radar satellites. In this study, to enhance the detection of oil-contaminated areas in Azerbaijan oil facilities in the Caspian Sea, we simultaneously used the optical satellites LANDSAT8, SENTINEL2, and radar satellite SENTINEL1 because of the high spatial resolution and close period. Material and methods: In this study, oil contamination caused by Oil Rocks facilities was investigated by satellite images between April and June 2017. After detecting contamination spots on the surface of the water around the facility in radar images, to ensure that the identified spots were caused by oil spills , detecting oil contamination from optical images using band ratio method. was used Then, the feature extraction method was applied to band ratio images to distinguish their complications. Results and discussion: The area of oil spills in April 2017 increased within 12 days and considering the covering percentage of classes of oil and oily water in the results, the increase in the spread of oil spills through currents, and the continuation of leakage from its source was evident. Also, looking at the optical images of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 on June 5, 2017 showed the same results in oil contamination areas. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the band rationing method is suitable for quick detection of oil leakage. To identify the details of the area of contamination, the feature extraction method was used to classify the band ratio images to the identified classes. Also, from the environmental point of view, the Oil Rocks settlement put the Caspian seawater in the Republic of Azerbaijan in unfavorable conditions. The northwestern coast of Iran is also exposed to contamination because of current directions in that region. Therefore, actions must be taken to collect and clean up oil spills around this oil facility. In order to do so, oil contamination on the water surface must be removed using existing physical and biological methods.
Original Article
Hossein Talebi Khiavi; Hossein Shafizadeh Moghadam; Mostafa Karimian Eghbal
Abstract
Introduction: Gully erosion is a subtype of water erosion that makes agricultural lands impracticable during its development. Given the geographical and environmental conditions, various factors contribute to the development and expansion of gully erosion. In this study, due to the extensive expansion ...
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Introduction: Gully erosion is a subtype of water erosion that makes agricultural lands impracticable during its development. Given the geographical and environmental conditions, various factors contribute to the development and expansion of gully erosion. In this study, due to the extensive expansion of gully erosion in Jafarabad Moghan, and damaging the agricultural lands and rangelands, the probability of gully occurrence and the spatial effects of its drivers has been investigated. Material and methods: In this study, using a boosted regression tree model, the effect of the following factors on the gully occurrence were investigated: slope, aspect, plan curvature, altitude, clay content of horizon A, clay content of horizon B, sand content of horizon A, sand content of horizon B, surface organic matter, distance from roads, and distance from rivers. Then, the susceptibility map of the gully erosion was created. Results and discussion: The results showed that the distance from river, the sand content of horizon A, the clay content of horizon A, and the surface organic matter with 16.3%, 13.1%, 11.4% and 10.7%. respectively, were the most important influential factors on gully occurrence. On the other hand, aspect (4.5%) and elevation (5.5%) were the least important ones, which could be due to the lack of significant elevation shift in the region. Based on the susceptibility map, 10.63% of the study area was classified as very sensitive to the gully erosion. The AUC value for the boosted tree regression model was 0.81, which indicated a good model performance in the prediction of areas sensitive to gully erosion. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the critical influence of surface soil properties on the gully erosion. Considering the fact that the greatest effect on the probability of gully erosion was related to distance from the river and surface soil properties, it is possible to manage the lands susceptible to gully erosion by effective management of streams and existing gullies, and also by training the farmers and increasing their knowledge regarding gully erosion, land management, and sustainable agriculture. The results indicated the suitability of the boosted regression trees for similar studies.
Original Article
Fazel Amiri; Tayebeh Tabatabaie
Abstract
Introduction: The increase in impervious surfaces due to the urbanization has caused many adverse effects on urban ecological systems, including the urban heat environmental risk. Revealing the relationship between land use/land cover composition and land surface temperature (LST) gives insight into ...
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Introduction: The increase in impervious surfaces due to the urbanization has caused many adverse effects on urban ecological systems, including the urban heat environmental risk. Revealing the relationship between land use/land cover composition and land surface temperature (LST) gives insight into how to effectively reduce the temperature in urban environments. In recent years, the expansion of Bushehr city has resulted in an increase in impervious surface, the decrease of green space and a significant change in the temperature. It is also essential to determine the influence of green spaces on the surrounding environment in urban planning of Bushehr. Material and methods: In order to reveal the comprehensive effects of green space on the urban thermal environment in the severely hot regions, this paper adopts remote sensing technology to extract and analyze green space, land surface temperature (LST), and land cover (LC) from the Landsat spectral imaging data (August 2018) with clear-sky conditions. A field survey was carried out in August 2018 and temperature and relative humidity was recorded for 13 selected green spaces in the Bushehr city. To analyze the field data, a multivariate linear regression model between temperature and relative humidity with three variables of direction, distance, and the size of green spaces was determined and interactions between variables were investigated. By applying a multivariate regression model, the relationship between temperature and relative humidity data was calculated for each point. Tukey test was carried out between the averages of temperature variations and relative humidity for each of the three variables at a 95% confidence level. Results and discussion: The results of the R2 correlation coefficient from the linear regression model between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature equal to 0.72 indicated a high correlation between temperature and NDVI variations. The results of the temperature variation analysis with NDVI changes indicated that NDVI variations, which are actually plant frequency indices, were one of the most important factors in reducing temperature or in improving the most important ecological function of urban green space. The results of the recorded data at different intervals and directions from the green spaces indicated a gradual decrease in temperature and an increase in relative humidity by reducing the distance from the green spaces. Accordingly, the effect of green spaces on temperature and relative humidity was significant up to a distance of 60 meters (p≤0.05). The western direction had the lowest temperature and the highest relative humidity and the eastern direction had the highest temperature and the lowest relative humidity. The R2 correlation coefficient obtained from the linear model between temperature and relative humidity with the interactions between the three variables (direction, distance, and the size of green spaces) were also 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated that urban green space plays a significant role in improving the urban thermal environment. By using remote sensing technology and comparing the thermal environments, we conclude that the location and distance of urban green spaces affect the thermal pattern in an urban environment. We can establish certain rules on the distribution of the urban green space and the cooling ranges in hot seasons in the surroundings of urban green spaces
Original Article
Hamid Azizmohammadlou; Mohammad Nabi Shahiki Tash
Abstract
Introduction: Recent studies have identified social capital as an important and influential factor in improving the management of environmental issues as it facilitates and strengthens the cooperation of environmental activists to solve problems in the field of the environment. This paper aimed to examine ...
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Introduction: Recent studies have identified social capital as an important and influential factor in improving the management of environmental issues as it facilitates and strengthens the cooperation of environmental activists to solve problems in the field of the environment. This paper aimed to examine the role of social and human capital in ways that environmental investments affect the quality of the environment in Iran. Material and methods: In this research, using the Kalman Filter approach and data from 1974 to 2016, the trend of changes in the effecting coefficient of environmental investment on the quality of the environment in Iran was estimated using the Eviews software. Then, in the framework of the Johansson cointegration method, while examining the stationarity of the variables by augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test and determining the number of convergence relationships using the effects and maximum eigenvalues tests, long-term relationships between social capital, human capital, and effecting coefficient of environmental investment was estimated using Maximum Likelihood method in Microfit software. Impulse response functions were also used to examine how the effecting coefficient of environmental investment on the quality of the environment reacts to changes in social and human capital. Results and discussion: The results of estimating the effecting coefficient of environmental investment on the quality of the environment in Iran using the Kalman filter method showed that this coefficient has experienced a fluctuating trend in the studied period. The results of the estimation of long-term cointegration relationships suggest that there was a significant relationship between fluctuations of this coefficient and fluctuations of social and human capital. This means that with the increase in social capital in a society, the effecting coefficient of environmental investment on the quality of the environment will be strengthened and vice versa. The findings of the impulse response functions showed that applying a shock in social capital in a given period leads to stimulation and reaction of the affecting coefficient of environmental investment on the quality of the environment and, ultimately, the formation of a different level of equilibrium for this coefficient in the next periods. The results of the estimation of error correction vectors also indicate that, on average, 26% of each period nonequilibrium in environmental investment impact on the quality of the environment is moderated in the next period. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental investments in improving the quality of the environment depend, to a large extent, on the knowledge and trust of the community in relation to the programs and activities defined in this regard, as well as the level of their effective participation in the definition and implementation of these programs and activities. In other words, the one-way and top-down approach of the government in the field of environmental protection is not enough to guarantee the achievement of the goals set for environmental management. It is necessary to design and provide the mechanisms required to attract the participation and trust of individuals and different stakeholders involved in the environmental management process at all levels.
Original Article
Hadi Zahedi; Yousef Rashidi; Seyed Hossein Hashemi
Abstract
Introduction: Today, noise pollution is recognized as serious health and environmental problem. With the spread of urbanization and migration and the construction of roads, rails, and air transport networks, as well as the rapid development of the industry over time, the issue of noise pollution is ...
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Introduction: Today, noise pollution is recognized as serious health and environmental problem. With the spread of urbanization and migration and the construction of roads, rails, and air transport networks, as well as the rapid development of the industry over time, the issue of noise pollution is considered a serious issue that prompted urban planning officials to provide a suitable solution for it. The use of sound barriers is one of the methods that is used in reducing and controlling the sound propagation path and is effective in reducing the traffic noise due to the movement of tires on the road, air passing rapidly over the vehicle, vehicle traffic, and some intentional anomalies (such as raising the volume of internal speakers, tampering with car exhaust, etc.). Currently, 20 highways in Tehran have noise pollution, and in some cases, sound barriers have been installed. The Sayyad Shirazi Highway is also equipped with three sound walls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of the sound barriers located in the Sayyad Shirazi Highway. Material and methods: In this study, a three-section noise barrier was installed in Sayyad Shirazi Highway using a B&K2236 sound level meter according to the standard of the US-EPA in terms of sound level (at a height of 1.5 meters from the ground) in different positions relative to the wall. The sound level was measured at a distance of 5 and 20 meters behind the wall and then two factors of sound level reduction and the amount of sound loss were evaluated. Also, by measuring the sound level at houses (with a stone facade and double glazing) and in the living room of different floors, the equivalent sound level was compared with the sound standard in houses compiled by the US-EPA. Results and discussion: The equivalent sound level inside the highway varied between 70 to 80 dBs, and at a close distance (5 meters) behind the barrier, a decrease of about 15 dBs, and at a distance of 20 meters, a decrease of about 12 dBs was observed. Although in the barrier of Zanbagh Alley, due to the short length of the barrier and not properly designed barrier, the sound barrier (lack of proper installaion angle) was lower. Nevertheless of the reduction of about 12 dB, the equivalent sound level does not comply with standard limit (55 dB). It is difficult to meet the national standard due to the short distance between the highway and residential houses., Inside the houses behind barriers, measurements also indicated a relative non-fulfillment of standards. Although it seemed that with increasing altitude, the effect of sound barriers in reducing the equivalent level of sound would be less, this was not observed until the third floor, and sometimes even due to the loud noise of the utility room, the noise level in the first floor, was higher than the second and third floors. Due to the 6 meters height of the wall, with increasing height and in the fourth and fifth floors of houses behind the noise barrier, the effect was less, however, buildings with more than three floors were less observed near the barrier and the highway. Conclusion: The performance of the noise barrier was generally positive in reducing the equivalent sound level. The sound barriers of Bustan Vahed between Farvardin and Abuzar and the noise barrier of Zanbagh Alley were able to significantly reduce the noise level caused by traffic to a lesser extent. According to this study, none of the locations complied with the national standard limit (55 dB) of noise pollution.
Original Article
Mohammad Ali Golestani; Mahmoud Shoor; Ali Tehranifar; Mohammad Hossein Neamati
Abstract
Introduction: One of the most important issues in the implementation of interior green walls is choosing an efficient and light medium. In recent years, the use of soilless culture in the world, including Iran, has been developing. In this regard, the use of agricultural organic waste in culture media ...
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Introduction: One of the most important issues in the implementation of interior green walls is choosing an efficient and light medium. In recent years, the use of soilless culture in the world, including Iran, has been developing. In this regard, the use of agricultural organic waste in culture media can play an important role in achieving a sustainable environment in addition to its economic advantages. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of imported media and agricultural organic waste on growth characteristics of Plectranthus plant. Material and methods: In this study, the effect of five different growing substrates on the growth characteristics of Plectranthus was performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications and volume ratios (60 to 40) of 1) peat moss + perlite; 2) compost mixes used by greenhouse growers (rice husk compost + tea waste + leaf soil+ rice hull) + perlite, 3) leaf soil compost + perlite, 4) rice hull compost + perlite, and 5) tea waste compost + perlite. In this study, growth traits such as the number of leaves and shoots, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, physical properties of media, such as bulk and particle density, water holding capacity, and chemical properties including organic matter percentage, pH, electrical conductivity of the substrate, percentage of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and C/N ratio were measured. Results and discussion: The physicochemical analysis of the combined substrates showed that the composition of the tea waste and perlite had superiority over other media in terms of nitrogen content, water holding capacity, organic matter, and organic carbon percentage, as well as cation exchange capacity. In addition, the lower bulk density in the waste tea and perlite medium (0.15 g/cm-3 ) can be an ideal indicator of its application in the interior green walls compared to the other studied media. Results of the analysis of variance showed that different growing substrates had a significant effect (P ≤ 0.01) on the growth characteristics of the Plectranthus ornamental plant. So that, Plectranthus plants grown on tea waste compost + perlite showed superiority in all measured traits in comparison with other media. One of the important indicators for evaluating substrates is the dry weight of the shoots. In this study, plants grown on tea waste compost + perlite media had higher shoot dry weight and leaf number, which could be due to higher cation exchange capacity and nitrogen content in these media. In contrast, the plants grown in the media of rice husk compost + perlite had the lowest growth characteristic compared to other treatments. The decrease in growth parameters in this substrate can be attributed to the low percentage of nutrients, water holding capacity, and cation exchange capacity. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the combined substrate of tea waste compost+ perlite, can be a good substitute for imported peat moss in the interior green walls and sustainable green space development due to its proper nutritional characteristics, and low substrate weight and cost, as well as the abundance of these substrates in factories of northern Iran.
