Original Article
Yasaman Amirsoleymani; Ozeair Abessi; Yasser Ebrahimian Ghajari
Abstract
Introduction: Today, solid waste management is an important problem for urban planners all over the world. The landfill, which is a site for the safe disposal of waste materials by burial, considered to be the core of an integrated waste management strategy in modern cities, when it is accompanied by ...
Read More
Introduction: Today, solid waste management is an important problem for urban planners all over the world. The landfill, which is a site for the safe disposal of waste materials by burial, considered to be the core of an integrated waste management strategy in modern cities, when it is accompanied by other methods. Selecting a suitable site for landfilling is the first and most important phase in the process of waste disposal. Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) became a common tool for the selection of landfill sites. In this research by integrating spatial information systems and a multi-criteria decision-making model, spatial limitations for siting sanitary landfills along the province of Mazandaran were evaluated based on the regulatory compliance mentioned by the Iranian Department of Environment. Material and methods: Municipal solid waste disposal is one of the major problems of the urban environment in almost all northern states of Iran, especially in Mazandaran Province. In this paper, using the analytical hierarchy process a spatial information system has been developed for siting urban waste burial landfills in Mazandaran province. In this study, ArcGIS 10.4.1 software was used to create an information database for spatial analysis and integration of map layers. The AHP model and Expert choice software were also used to compute the weight of criteria. Results and discussion: In this study, first, according to the regulatory requirements of the Iranian Department of Environment, the effective factors for siting urban landfills were extracted. These criteria are slope, distance from fault, flood plain, distance from the sea, distance from rivers, distance from lakes and wetlands, distance from groundwater wells, groundwater depth, distance from the protected areas, distance from urban areas, distance from rural areas, distance from educational and medical centers, distance from historical and ancient centers, distance from local and international airports, distance from industries and also having access to roads. Considering the elimination criteria and by classification and scoring them, maps of the layer of each criterion were produced in the GIS system. As the role of each criterion is different, at the next step, the relative weights of criteria were calculated using AHP and Expert Choice. Finally, by integrating the map layers of each criterion and by deleting layers of limitation, the suitable areas have been classified into three categories. The results show that 16156 KM2 of Mazandaran province (about 68 percent of the total area) is forbidden for any landfilling based on the national regulations of DOE and only 32 percent of the total area has the initial conditions for any disposal. The initial candidate landfill sites were separated into 3 categories, high suitability, moderate suitability and low suitability. So the 2405 KM2 of the province's area has low suitability, 4914 KM2 with moderate suitability and 281 KM2 has high suitability conditions. Conclusion: The comparison of results show that only 2 percent of the province has essentially the optimal conditions for proper landfilling and Mazandaran province is a region with strict restriction from this aspect. This study shows that the combination of GIS and AHP methods for application of regulatory requirements for limitation zone and the priority setting criteria can be considered as a suitable approach for siting urban landfills.
Original Article
ُSeyedeh Kowsar Mousapour; Amir Naeimi
Abstract
Introduction: Environmental sustainability represents material and non-material actions that provide key information on environmental impacts, compliance, stakeholder relationships, and organizational systems and represent definitions of the effectiveness and productivity of environmental actions. Environmental ...
Read More
Introduction: Environmental sustainability represents material and non-material actions that provide key information on environmental impacts, compliance, stakeholder relationships, and organizational systems and represent definitions of the effectiveness and productivity of environmental actions. Environmental performance means the amount of impact that physical activity has on the environment . It highlights the environmental sustainability dimensions and assesses the performance of policies and programs of countries in reducing environmental problems, environmental protection and natural resource management. The purpose of this research was to analysis the effects of villagers environmental performance on their perception toward environmental sustainability in Baghmalek county. Material and methods: The present study is quantitative in terms of its nature and objectives, a descriptive survey in terms of data collection, and a correlation study in terms of analyzing the data. Statistical population of the study was rural households heads in central region of Baghmalek township located at Khuzestan Province (N=3005). Sample size determined via Krejcie and Morgan’s table (n=341). Sampling method was proportional stratified random sampling. Research instrument was questionnaire. Which its face and content validity were confirmed a by panel of experts. To determine the reliability of the research tool, a pilot test was conducted that the Cronbach's alpha values for the main scales of the questionnaire was in the desirable range (0.78 to 0.91). Results and discussion: The results of descriptive statistics showed that the mean of respondents' perception toward environmental sustainability was 3.66 out of 6. Also, the calculated mean for environmental performance was 3.79 out of 6. Among the components of environmental performance, consumption with average (4.36 out of 6) and recycling with average (3.45 out of 6) had the highest and lowest priority, respectively. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the values of composite reliability (CR) and extracted mean variance (AVE) calculated for environmental performance components were obtained at optimum level. Considering the significant correlation between environmental performance components, this structure had logical validity. The results of the measuring coefficients of the items of respondents' perception toward environmental sustainability showed that the value of the AVE was at the appropriate level and the CR was at the optimum level. Also, there was significant correlations between items of perception showed that this variable had acceptable logical validity. The findings of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that environmental performance had positive and significant effect on the respondents perception toward environmental sustainability. So that this variable explained 13 percent of the variance in perception. Also, results showed that three components of environmental performance (consumption, institutional and recycling) had positive and significant effect on the respondents perception toward environmental sustainability. So that these components could explain 24 percent of the of the variance in respondents perception.Conclusion: As a general conclusion, it can be said that in the villages under study, environmental behavior needs to be adequately informed about environmental performance. As a result, as villagers' skills lead to higher levels of positive environmental performance, will perform more environmentally friendly behaviors that can help promote environmental sustainabilityMaterials and Methods: The present study is quantitative in terms of its nature and objectives, a descriptive survey in terms of data collection, and a correlation study in terms of analyzing the data.Statistical population of the study was rural households heads in central region of Baghmalek township located at Khuzestan Province (N=3005). Sample size determined via Krejcie and Morgan’s table (n=341). Sampling method was proportional stratified random sampling. Research instrument was questionnaire.which its face and content validity were confirmed a by panel of experts. To determine the reliability of the research tool, a pilot test was conducted that the Cronbach's alpha values for the main scales of the questionnaire was in the disreable range (0.78 to 0.91).Results and Disscussion: The results of descriptive statistics showed that the mean of respondents' perception toward environmental sustainability was 3.66 out of 6. Also, the calculated mean for environmental performance was 3.79 out of 6. Among the components of environmental performance, consumption with average (4.36 out of 6) and recycling with average (3.45 out of 6) had the highest and lowest priority, respectively. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the values of composite reliability (CR) and extracted mean variance (AVE) calculated for environmental performance components were obtained at optimum level. Considering the significant correlation between environmental performance components, this structure had logical validity. The results of the measuring coefficients of the items of respondents' perception toward environmental sustainability showed that the value of the AVE was at the appropriate level and the CR was at the optimum level. Also, there was significant correlations between items of perception showed that this variable had acceptable logical validity.The findings of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that environmental performance had positive and significant effect on the resopndents perception toward environmental sustainability. So that this variable explained 13 percent of the variance in perception. Also, results showed that three components of environmental performance (consumption, institutional and recycling) had positive and significant effect on the resopndents perception toward environmental sustainability. So that these components could explain 24 percent of the of the variance in respondents perception. Conclusion: As a general conclusion, it can be said that in the villages under study, environmental behavior needs to be adequately informed about environmental performance. As a result, as villagers' skills lead to higher levels of positive environmental performance, will perform more environmentally friendly behaviors that can help promote environmental sustainability
Original Article
Mahnaz Mohammadi; Kamal Siahcheshm; Saeed Mohammad Sorouraddin
Abstract
Introduction: Oxidation of sulfide-mineralized zones during weathering, intensifies by the biological and chemical reactions and the released acidic mine drainage (AMD) mobilizes toxic and heavy elements from the parent rock and concentrates them in soil or water environment. The village of Doustbaglu ...
Read More
Introduction: Oxidation of sulfide-mineralized zones during weathering, intensifies by the biological and chemical reactions and the released acidic mine drainage (AMD) mobilizes toxic and heavy elements from the parent rock and concentrates them in soil or water environment. The village of Doustbaglu is located in a mountainous area to the northwest of Meshgin-shahr city, has numerous farmlands overlooking the extensive alteration zones. Field studies indicate the fact that unfortunately, especially skin diseases, liver and cancer are prevalent in the area. The importance of knowledge of heavy metal enrichment in soil resources and the high potential of Doustbaglu area for the production of agricultural and horticultural crops and its direct relationship with human health reveals the necessity of conducting this study to evaluate heavy metal contamination and identify possible sources. Material and methods: In this study, total concentration and bioavailability of heavy metals including: As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Sb, Ni and Zn in 70 surface soil samples were evaluated by ICP-MS analysis. Calculation of contamination rates of soil samples using different environmental indices including modified contamination index, soil heavy metals ecological risk index, pollution load index and Nemerow’s index indicates high contamination occurrence of these elements. Results and discussion: The results of mCd index show high degree of contamination of Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Sb, Ni, Zn and As in most samples. High values of the ecological risk index (up to 2076/9), indicate the level of serious contamination risk of some samples. The PLI index in 10 samples showed PLI valuesConclusion: Based on the results of geo-environmental indices, all eight studied elements showed highecological risk potential and significant contamination occurrence in stream sediments and surface horizons ofthe Doustbaglu district.
Original Article
Mohammad Rahmani; Tahereh Azari
Abstract
Introduction: The study area is Sari-Neka plain where majority of population are involved with agricultural activities. Sari petroleum products distribution company is situated in the south of the plain with many storage tanks. Storage tanks are rather old and leakage from them is likely to occur. In ...
Read More
Introduction: The study area is Sari-Neka plain where majority of population are involved with agricultural activities. Sari petroleum products distribution company is situated in the south of the plain with many storage tanks. Storage tanks are rather old and leakage from them is likely to occur. In this research the possibility of leakage and transport of dissolved hydrocarbons in Sari aquifer is investigated. Material and methods: Based on geological, geographical and hydrological data the conceptual model of the plain is first constructed then the numerical groundwater flow model of the aquifer is developedusing MODFLOW. The isopotential map of August 2004 is used for the steady state calculation and distribution map of hydraulic conductivity is constructed. At the unsteady state, model calibration is conducted for the next 12 month following August 2004. The velocity field result from the flow model, is used as input to transport model, MT3DMS. Then the model was appliedfor the TPH concentration was measured in a 14-year period. Considering advection process, hydrodynamic dispersion and the process of adsorption, MT3DMS model is calibrated by simulating the plume of TPH and the absorption rate is determined. Based on the value of absorption rate, the fate of pollutant and the natural attenuation potential is evaluated. To predict the aquifer potential for natural attenuation in the next years, the model was run with the obtained absorption rate. Finally, the attenuation potential is presented in form of simple exponential equation. This equation could be a simple tool in the hand of practitioners for predicting the natural changes of concentration of TPH with time. Results and discussion: According to the attenuation equation, the required time for clearing pollution with initial concentration of 10 mg / L in the Sari aquifer was estimated 62 years and if there is no injection of pollutant into the aquifer in the next years, in 2057, the pollution plume will be naturally cleared by the aquifer. Based on the calibrated parameters of the pollution model, the retardation factor in Sari aquifer was calculated 1.57. Also, with model designed can simulate each scenario of the pollutant injection and extraction. In order to predict TPH in the next years with the continuous injection of petroleum pollutants into the aquifer, the TPH concentration measured in March 2009 was considered as the initial concentration of the pollution model. Then continuous injection of petroleum pollutants into the aquifer at constant concentration of 10 mg / L was applied to the model at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 years intervals. Finally, the pollution model was implemented and the distribution of pollution plume in the aquifer was predicted. The pollution model was also implemented by applying three scenarios of (1). increasing the injection concentration to 20,000 mg/m3, (2). 30% reducing the pumping rate of wells around the site and (3). 30% increasing the Tajanriver water level. These conditions caused changes in the concentration of pollutants and the spread of the pollution plume. Conclusion: If there is a leakage and continuous injection of pollutants into the Sari aquifer in the next years, the oil pollution plume develops but can prevent of its expansion by pump and treat.
Original Article
Fattaneh Hajilou; Mohammad Bagher Alizadeh Aghdam; Solmaz Saghali
Abstract
Introduction: The concept of environmental concern has been studied for many years with various theoretical background in the social sciences and psychology, but in recently years this concept separated from other concepts related to the environment and considered as a variable consisting of objective ...
Read More
Introduction: The concept of environmental concern has been studied for many years with various theoretical background in the social sciences and psychology, but in recently years this concept separated from other concepts related to the environment and considered as a variable consisting of objective and subjective concepts and formed of horizontal and vertical dimensions. Material and methods: This manuscript study the constructive components of the horizontal dimension of environmental concerns, including: emotional stimuli, cognitive components, behavioral will, and practical behavior according to Shafferin's theory. The statistical population of the research of Tabriz University students and its statistical sample was determined using 387 Cochran's formula and the quotas of all university faculties were examined using sampling. Data collection tools are questioners that using standard environmental assessment questions, social capital, and life satisfaction from previous research. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Resultes and discussion: The research findings show that the environmental concern of Tabriz University students is 37.17 and it is more than the average can be obtained. According to the findings there is a significant difference between the obtained average of men and women answers. The findings also show that the environmental literacy have standard coefficient 0.281 and has a significant relationship with students' environmental concerns, but the two variables satisfaction of life and social capital have not had a significant effect on the environmental concerns of students at Tabriz University. Conclusion: The type and extent of environmental concerns of individuals depends on their awareness of the processes of their living environment, so the most important factor in protecting the environment is to increase people's knowledge and ecological literacy.
Original Article
Bita Mahdavi Amiri; Jafar Kambouzia
Abstract
Introduction: Concerns about the potential effects of climate change on agricultural products have prompted significant research in the past decade. Cereals are the most important food in the world population and among the various cereals, wheat plays the most important role. In our country, wheat is ...
Read More
Introduction: Concerns about the potential effects of climate change on agricultural products have prompted significant research in the past decade. Cereals are the most important food in the world population and among the various cereals, wheat plays the most important role. In our country, wheat is the most important crop in the country and has a significant role in feeding people. Due to the importance of this plant in providing food security, this study was conducted to investigate the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide on the yield of wheat. For this purpose, meta-analysis method was used to quantitatively compare the effect of CO2 on wheat crop yield. Material and methods: The purpose of meta-analysis is to obtain more information than available information. In order to obtain the necessary data for the present study, the printed sources review method was used. 75 articles were extracted on the effect of increasing carbon dioxide concentration on wheat yield, then duplicate articles and articles that lacked the desired data were removed and among the remaining articles CO2 information, sample size, average and standard deviation was extracted. In the next step, these values were recorded in Excel software and finally, using Stata 16 software, the necessary forest plot and funnel plot were drawn, and to investigate the publication bias among the studies using the trim and fill method and drawing its graphs, this was investigated. Results and discussion: The results of the forest plot showed that after deleting the outlier data, the two groups T2 (15-25) and T3 (35_25) have a greater final size effect (about 1.6), which indicates that with increasing temperature up to Wheat plant yield increased by 35 ° C. Also, group T0, which is not mentioned in the articles of this group, has the lowest size effect (0.38). So, it can be inferred that the yield of wheat plant will increase with increasing temperature between 15 to 35 ° C and with increasing CO2 concentration in this temperature range. Examination of the funnel plot showed that most studies had accumulated at the top of the diagram. These studies have smaller standard error, larger sample size and higher accuracy. Publication bias was also observed in a positive direction. After drawing the funnel plot, the trim and fill method was used to estimate the potential missing studies due to the biased dissemination in the funnel plot and the adjustment of the estimate of their overall effect. After performing the trim and fill method, 6 dots marked in orange are added. These points are missing studies that need to be placed to create symmetry in the graph. This indicates that previous studies have been positive. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the studies conducted in recent years have more reliable results (due to the larger sample size and greater accuracy in the results of these studies). Also, considering that increasing the concentration of CO2 can also cause an increase in temperature, it is suggested that in future studies, studies that have examined the interaction between increasing the concentration of CO2 and increasing the temperature simultaneously on important crops, using the meta-analysis method should be examined.
Original Article
keyvan Aghaei; Mona Bouryaei; Abasali Zamani
Abstract
Introduction: Alfalfa is the most important forage plant in Iran as well as Zanjan province in which it is cultivated in soils contaminated by heavy metals like cadmium(Cd). Infected leaves of these plants can threaten the health of animals and ultimately human. Heavy metals are also among the most important ...
Read More
Introduction: Alfalfa is the most important forage plant in Iran as well as Zanjan province in which it is cultivated in soils contaminated by heavy metals like cadmium(Cd). Infected leaves of these plants can threaten the health of animals and ultimately human. Heavy metals are also among the most important and dangerous ecological contaminants because of their long maintenance and their resistance against decomposition by microorganisms and a high potential for being assimilated by plants then entering in the human food chain. Cadmium is one of the most poisonous heavy metals for plants. So in order to analysis the contamination potential of alfalfa plants which are planted in heavy metals like Cd contaminated fields in Zanjan province, a research project was performed to evaluate the rate of accumulation of Cd in alfalfa plants and its effects on some growth, nutritional biochemical and physiological traits. Material and methods: Seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Hamedani cultivar, were cultured in pots containing perlite and half concentrations of Hoagland’s medium in a hydroponic condition. After three weeks, plantlets with enough growth were subjected to 0(control), 25, 50 and 100 mM concentrations of cadmium nitrate treatments. Then the growth indices such as: root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight and nutritional traits like: Cd concentration, soluble proteins and sugars and chlorophylls contents at different parts of plants and also two antioxidant enzymes activity and proline and carotenoid contents as biochemical factors were being measured. This experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications in a greenhouse condition. Results and discution: Results showed that, shoot and root length and dry weight, the contents of chlorophylls a and b, soluble proteins and also the activity of catalase enzyme in treated plants were decreased at all Cd treatments. This decrease has an upward trend from 25 to 100 m Cd treatment for most of measured traits. The maximum decrease for all measured traits was observed at 100 m Cd treatment. However, the contents of carotenoids, proline, soluble sugars and the activity of peroxidase enzyme were increased in Cd treated plants. The activity of peroxidase enzyme at 100 m Cd treatment increased 1.51 and 1.97 times more than that of control plants in shoot and root respectively. The accumulated amount of Cd in roots of treated plants was much higher than that of shoots. Conclusion: Generally, it can be concluded that: contamination of alfalfa plants by Cd leads to severe decrease of its growth and nutritional indices specially its protein and chlorophyll contents. Although the negative effects of Cd have been relatively moderated in treated plants by increasing of peroxidase activity and proline and carotenoids contents however, the considerable amounts of Cd have been penetrated from root to shoot which is very harmful ecologically. Also decreasing of total soluble proteins among with increasing of soluble sugars and proline showed a considerable decrease in nutritional indices of Cd contaminated alfalfa plants. So consuming of alfalfa plants which are cultivated in Cd contaminated fields by livestock animals is not advised.
Original Article
Mahsa Abdoli; Mohammad Panahandeh
Abstract
Introduction: Over the past few decades, human activity had a significant impact on coastal wetlands around the world. Anzali is one of the 18 Iranian wetlands of international importance listed in Ramsar Convention. This unique ecosystemin the world with high ecological diversity is highly threatened ...
Read More
Introduction: Over the past few decades, human activity had a significant impact on coastal wetlands around the world. Anzali is one of the 18 Iranian wetlands of international importance listed in Ramsar Convention. This unique ecosystemin the world with high ecological diversity is highly threatened by various factors such as pollutants, sedimentation, unauthorized development of urban infrastructure, over-harvesting of wetland resources, land use changes, and invasive species. In this study, we analyze structural and functional changes in the Anzali coastal wetland from 1994 to 2018, using the "drive-pressures-status-effects-responses-(DPSIR)" model and data collected from the Anzali Coastal Wetland. Material and methods: Landsat 5 and 8 TM and OLI sensors for 1994, 2008 and 2018 were used. The land cover maps for these years were prepared in 5 categories of water body, wetland, wetland plants, pasture and agricultural land using the supervised classification with maximum likelihood algorithm in ENVI5.3 software. Changes were identified to assess the current status of the wetland and then the conceptual framework of DPSIR was used to determine the relationship between human activities and environmental activities and to describe environmental problems. Results and discussion: According to the results of the first period (1994-2008), the water body had the highest area change with 7.63% decrease, which was the most influential part of the wetland plants class, with 1045/98 hectares of water body converted into wetland. The wetland plants was second with 3.84 percent. During the second period (2008-2018), the water body had the most change in this period, with a decrease of 14.19%, as in the previous period. Over the entire study period from 1994 to 2018, the water body increased from 4749 hectares in 1994 to 1042 hectares in 2018, the largest conversion to wetland plants. The area of wetland, wetland, pasture and agricultural land uses increased by 10.92%, 0.78%, 4.48% and 5.66%, respectively. The results of maps accuracy assessment show that overall accuracy for year 2018, 96.31, year 2008, 94.14 and for 1994, 90.29% and kappa coefficient were 0.94, 0.92 and 0.87, respectively. Is. Also the driving forces in this research are population growth, industry and tourism. Conclusion: The process of change in the Anzali Wetland is first in a natural sequence and then of human origin. So that the area of the water reservoir is reduced and added to the cover of wetland plants and wetlands and eventually to agricultural lands and the fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture along with domestic wastewater, industrialization through rivers into the Anzali Wetland. It enters the wetland feed, thereby accelerating the process of wetland destruction. Protecting this wetland requires people's participation, education and culture at the grassroots level.
Original Article
Mohammad Taghi Razavian; Ali Rahimi
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, the urban sprawl phenomenon has become one of the most important concerns of planners and policymakers. The lack of attention to this phenomenon has led to irreparable consequences such as threatening natural resources, and social, economic, physical, and environmental constraints ...
Read More
Introduction: Nowadays, the urban sprawl phenomenon has become one of the most important concerns of planners and policymakers. The lack of attention to this phenomenon has led to irreparable consequences such as threatening natural resources, and social, economic, physical, and environmental constraints and disadvantages. In order to better understand such a model, it is necessary to evaluate and identify the socioeconomic factors affecting it. Material and methods: The methodology in this research was a combination of descriptive and explanatory research, the type of research was applied, and its approach was considered quantitative and qualitative. Data collection was done using library and field survey methods. Also, remote sensing and Landsat satellite images of the studied area during the mentioned period was used. In addition, to analyze Zanjan’s urban sprawl, the method of classified classification, land use classification and cross-feasibility model, the extent of changes in different land uses, and the Holdern model were used. In order to predict the trend of changes and to investigate possible changes in land uses for the 2026 horizon, the Markov chains model was used. Results and discussion: In the studied area, the results of the research indicated that over the past three decades, with uneven development in Zanjan City, the urban area has almost tripled. Theoretical analysis of Zanjan’s urban sprawl according to Heldern model indicated significant urban sprawl domination in the physical development of Zanjan, which always had more effect than the population growth. During the studied years, Zanjan’s urban area had a multiplier increase that in contrast to this expansion, had a significant decrease in orchards and agriculture. In this situation, what made a big difference were the changes in orchard and agricultural land uses. Translation errorThere were many factors involved in this matter, most notably the growth of urban population and urban sprawl. Conclusion: Based on the forecast for 2026, the probability of land use changes to the city over the next 10 years is significant, during which Translation errorthe amount of built-up areas in Zanjan will reach 6311.88 hectares. It should be noted that orchards and Translation erroraaaagricultural lands have only a 23.56% possibility of conversion to urban areas. Therefore, necessary actions are required to prevent over-urbanization. In developed countries, considering the importance of sustainable development, environmental protection and the efficient use of various sources, smart growth, and urban development are highly important. Moreover, preventing the excessive growth of the city's boundaries, the high-ranking agenda, and the use of the compact city pattern, as well as the direction of the expansion of the city towards regolith and abandoned lands with the aim of preventing constructions in agricultural land can be considered.
Original Article
Shadman Darvishi; Karim Solaimani
Abstract
Introduction: Monitoring and evaluation of land surface condition is one of the basic needs in investigating the changes occurring at different levels, including global, regional and local, which include environmental changes. Today, the rapid growth of remote sensing technology, GIS and computer science ...
Read More
Introduction: Monitoring and evaluation of land surface condition is one of the basic needs in investigating the changes occurring at different levels, including global, regional and local, which include environmental changes. Today, the rapid growth of remote sensing technology, GIS and computer science has led to the emergence of many models to present current and future patterns of land use change. In order to high population growth in large cities and the population's need for land resources, this provides for the destruction of land use, especially vegetation. Kermanshah city as one of the growing areas in recent years has experienced a large population growth and due to the role of population in land use changes and vegetation cover, this issue requires awareness of the vegetation status of this area for proper management of natural resources. The purpose of this study is to monitor and predict vegetation changes in Kermanshah city using NDVI index and CA-Markov model. Material and methods: In this study, vegetation density of Kermanshah city using NDVI index in four classes of low, medium, dense and highest dense vegetation was extracted from Landsat images in 1987, 2002 and 2017 and then the results were validated using ground control points. Also, in order to predict vegetation density for 2032, vegetation map of 2017 was first simulated by applying CA-Markov model and then results were validated using actual vegetation map of the same year using validate module in IDRISI Terrset software followed by validation results and by applying the mentioned model, vegetation density map was predicted in 2032. Results and discussion: The results of vegetation maps with over 85% accuracy show that the area with low, medium and highest dense vegetation classes had a decreased and dense vegetation class had an increased trend during the period of 1987 to 2017. Changes in vegetation classes in elevation classes over the 30 year period show low vegetation in classes of 1042 to 1587 and 2133 to 2678 meters, medium vegetation in classes of 1042 to 1587, 1587 to 2133 and 2678 to 3224 meters, dense vegetation in classes of 2133 to 2678 meters and highest dense vegetation in classes of 1042 to 1587 and 1587 to 2133 meter had a decreased trend. Also, vegetation density in slope classes showed that slope of 0-25% had the highest and slopes of 50-75% and more than 75% had the lowest vegetation density. Also, CA-Markov model results with more than 80% accuracy show that vegetation density in 2032 will be similar to previous periods and medium vegetation cover will have the highest vegetation area in Kermanshah city. The increasing and decreasing trend of vegetation classes indicates that the medium vegetation class will decrease compared to 2017 and the classes with low, dense and high dense vegetation will increase and assessment of vegetation classes in elevation and slope classes shows that at altitudes of 1042 to 1587, 1587 to 2133 and 2133 to 2678 meters and slopes of 0 to 25 percent, the highest vegetation density was related to medium and dense vegetation classes but at altitudes of 2678 to 3224 meters and the slope of 50 to 75 and more than 75 percent the highest vegetation density will be the low vegetation class. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that using NDVI and CA-Markov models with respect to the validation results of these methods can provide acceptable results from the vegetation status of an area.
Original Article
Amir Moradi; Mahdi Kolahi
Abstract
Introduction: Residence in a village or rural evacuation are phenomena that have affected the socio-biological life in any village or city. One of the reasons that convinces individuals to stay in their villages and solve the problem of rural evasion is the creation of a suitable living environment in ...
Read More
Introduction: Residence in a village or rural evacuation are phenomena that have affected the socio-biological life in any village or city. One of the reasons that convinces individuals to stay in their villages and solve the problem of rural evasion is the creation of a suitable living environment in rural areas. The main purpose of any rural development planning is to improve the quality of life of rural people via the identification of factors that enhance and facilitate its implementation. On the other hand, to tackle problems of migration and overpopulation in cities, one must turn to sustainable ruralism. Rurality can be influenced by some components such as social capital (social trust, social cohesion, and social participation), culture, economic, welfare, and natural attraction. This study investigated the impacts of these factors on villages and their living conditions. It also aimed to identify the factors influencing the sustainability of the rurality phenomenon. Material and methods: The villages at the watershed of Torbat Jam County were selected as statistical pilots in order to survey sustainable rurality. The inquiry was quantitative research based on the type of data collected and analyzed, and a field study in term of the type of problem encountered. According to the Cochran formula, 228 households were selected as the samples. Based on the sample houses on the map, they were random systematically surveyed. Results and discussion: The findings showed that rurality conditions are hard to be sustained because of many social-biological challenges. According to the results, the social, cultural, economic, political, welfare, and natural attractions of the villages are influential factors on sustainable ruralism, which may impose rurality or rural evasion approaches with different ratios. In this study, components’ impacts on rurality were calculated, from high to low, as social trust, cultural, social welfare, natural attraction, social cohesion, economic, and social participation, respectively. For example, one of the factors affecting the quality of life of rural people is the type of relationship they have with other individuals in the villages and their social affiliations. Based on our findings, social trust, which emphasizes on cooperation and cooperation among people, was identified as the most important factor influencing sustainable rurality. Therefore, their participation and positive attitudes can be achieved by increasing social trust. Furthermore, it increases the success of rural development projects and decreases their costs due to high cooperation. On the other hand, participation in social affairs is a form of commitment and acceptance of individual and social responsibility that enhances social trust, and all individuals are forced to accept it in such a way that individuals abandon personal interest for the benefit of the group. Consequently, participation among individuals is a prerequisite in the development of every country, whether in the whole or even in the micro sector. Conclusion: Main conditions for rural development are social trust and the existence of participation among inhabitants in rural areas. Socio-biological attachment and belonging among people can be achieved through education and awareness of people about the basis of social trust and ways of participation and its consequences, creating an open room for criticism and decision-making, as well as encouraging group activities. However, it can be emphasized that identification of factors affecting sustainable rurality is a step towards planning for the sustainability of rural development
Original Article
Hassan Passandideh Tashakori; Parvin Farshchi; Dariush Karimi; Seyed Masoud Monavari
Abstract
Introduction: In many developed countries, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is among the successful waste management programs, has been adopted and implemented as a policy approach. EPR is aimed at reducing the financial load that waste collection and management imposes on local governments, ...
Read More
Introduction: In many developed countries, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is among the successful waste management programs, has been adopted and implemented as a policy approach. EPR is aimed at reducing the financial load that waste collection and management imposes on local governments, especially waste that requires complicated and costly treatment and recovery processes. It is an efficient tool in resource management according to which the responsibility for goods and products rests with their producers until the end of their life cycle. In Iran, in accordance with Article 4 of the Waste Management Act and Article 12 of its Executive Bylaw, the National Environmental Fund is responsible for collecting taxes levied on producers and importers of goods and products that produce waste and for offering facilities to units engaged in resource recovery. Yes, it has not been implemented for various reasons. The present paper seeks to implement the responsibility of producers to manage waste from the consumption of goods in Iran. Material and methods: In this research, using a questionnaire, the opinions of 60 experts and domestic experts in the field of research were used. First, the data and information received from the individual survey forms were validated, and then the best strategies were analyzed according to the SWOT model. To determine the attractiveness, the data entered the QSPM quantitative planning matrix and the priorities were determined accordingly. By examining the legal challenges of implementing waste management regulations and identifying the obstacles of the implementation of expanding the responsibility of the producer in the country, and the results of this research, appropriate strategies for its implementation were also presented. Results and discussion: The most important problems causing the failure to implement EPR in Iran were (1) the lack of an effective and efficient legal mechanism to require cooperation and coordination between the governmental agencies for collecting the taxes levied on producers and importers of goods and products, the consumption of which leads to the production of waste that is dangerous for the environment, (2) the failure in the timely establishment of the National Environmental Fund, (3) the all-encompassing list of goods and products subject to EPR, (4) a large number of goods and products subject to EPR and (5) the identical tax levied on the various goods and products subject to EPR. However, if EPR is implemented in Iran and the National Environmental Fund offers facilities for setting up industrial waste management centers, especially in resource recovery, and investment by the private sector in the industries and technologies related to waste recovery is supported, the environment will be protected and waste will be managed systematically. In addition, business activities will flourish and sustainable jobs and income will be created. Moreover, economic growth will result from resource recovery and conversion of waste into energy and new products. This will play a substantial role in self-sufficiency, resulting in independence from foreign countries for the provision of raw materials and prevention of foreign currency outflows to procure them. Therefore, it is necessary to take the required measures to resolve the problems and difficulties in the way of EPR in Iran and also to launch a comprehensive and integrated information system for producers of goods and products subject to waste management. Moreover, the list of such goods and products should be more limited and more transparent, and the Department of Environment and other related organizations should also supervise the way of levied taxes collection and how the facilities are granted by the National Environmental Fund. They should also supervise the environmental performance of those engaged in resource recovery. Conclusion: When designing products, manufacturers of goods and consumables accept their legal and economic responsibility in order to minimize the environmental effects and take action to reduce the destructive effects of products and waste management of materials and goods in the environment
Original Article
Mehdi khoshnood kia; Mohammad Hossein Adabi; Mahboubeh Hosseini-Barzi
Abstract
Introduction: Geological studies is essential for running a water flooding project. So, understanding the geological factors is important such as sedimentary environment, diagenetic processes, and reservoir fault behavior to obtain a proper understanding of rock / water / oil properties. In this study, ...
Read More
Introduction: Geological studies is essential for running a water flooding project. So, understanding the geological factors is important such as sedimentary environment, diagenetic processes, and reservoir fault behavior to obtain a proper understanding of rock / water / oil properties. In this study, due to the early breakthrough of some wells in west of Ahwaz field as well as the reduction of reservoir pressure in this area, it was decided to perform a water flooding operation, which so far have not been practiced in Iran. Material and methods: Therefore, geological study have done in Ilam reservoir of AZ-116 in view of diagenesis, facies and tectonic. In this study were used polarizing microscope, electron microscope, core data, petrophysical evaluation and reservoir model. Results and discussion: From a sedimentological point of view, the C1 zone of the Ilam reservoir of Ahwaz is composed of components of frequently oligostegina hemiplegic microscopic organisms in the sedimentary environment of the open seas. Such a facies, which is composed of calcareous micritic mud, should not inherently have porosity. But the process of meteoric diagenesis before lithification has increased its reservoir quality. Chalky reservoir with porosity of 5% to 27% (in the western part of the reservoir from 15% to 27% porosity) and Klinkenberg permeability of 1 to 10 milli-darcy and sometimes 100 milli-darcy. It also provides conditions for the porethroats from 20 to often several tenths of microns. But the reason for the development of different meteoric diagenesis across the reservoir has to be follwed to the Zagros tectonic events of the Cretaceous period. During the Cretaceous, extensional basement crust of the Mesozoic period reactivated and affected the paleogeography of the basin. So that along these north-south faults in zone C1 of Ilam reservoir of Ahwaz, we see different diagenetic processes in west area incontrast to other part of reservoir, just before litification. Conclusion: Appropriate impact of geological factors (facies, diagensis and tectonics) has provided ideal conditions for water flooding operation.
Original Article
Seyed Reza Es'haghi; Yosef Hejazi; Seyed Mahmuod Hosseini; Abdolmotaleb Rezaie
Abstract
Introduction: The combination of factors with exacerbation effects on each other has led to drought in Urmia Lake. The community involved and interacting with the Urmia Lake Basin did not fulfill their duties to the extent that environmental degradation has occurred. The purpose of this study was Social ...
Read More
Introduction: The combination of factors with exacerbation effects on each other has led to drought in Urmia Lake. The community involved and interacting with the Urmia Lake Basin did not fulfill their duties to the extent that environmental degradation has occurred. The purpose of this study was Social Network Analysis of Active Organizations in the Urmia Lake Restoration on water related issues, livelihood related issues and crop Pattern related issues of cultivation in the provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan. Material and methods: In this regard, using expert opinion and key information of 40 organizations active in the restoration of Urmia Lake in the provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan, identification and communication and interactions between these organizations using social network analysis in UCINET 6.0 software. The graphs are depicted in the Net Draw software. Results and discussion: According to research results, the density index in the networks of organizations involved in water related issues is moderate, livelihood issues related to near moderate, and crop pattern related issues to poor. The results of the reciprocity index are also fully consistent with the results of the density index, so that organizations have respectively more and less interactions in water related issues (near moderate), livelihood issues related (poor) and crop pattern related issues (poor). Urmia Lake Restoration Program, West Azarbaijan Province, Urmia Lake Restoration Program and Agriculture Organization of West Azerbaijan Province are powerful organizations with more communication and better positioning in the network. Conclusion: It can be concluded that various organizations involved in the restoration of Urmia Lake in two provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan are concerned with water related issues because of their importance and necessity for organizations to restoration the lake with a relatively modest cohesion in planning and implementation. However, they have not been able to coordinate and coherently deal with issues related to rural livelihood and farmers' crop patterns.
