Edris Alang
Abstract
Plastics are widely used in society due to their many benefits, cheapness and availability and global plastic production in 2018 reached 359 million tons per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the cause of Covid-19 virus in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. During the pandemic of ...
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Plastics are widely used in society due to their many benefits, cheapness and availability and global plastic production in 2018 reached 359 million tons per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the cause of Covid-19 virus in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. During the pandemic of Covid-19 disease, the use of disposable face masks was recommended as the simplest solution to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. Unprecedented increase in the production and use of masks and gloves is a new environmental challenge that has led to an increase in plastic waste in marine habitats and environments. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 89 million medical masks are required each month to respond to Covid-19. Improper disposal and disposal of these items has caused them to enter the coastal and marine environment through runoff as well as coastal visitors. Disposable face masks are plastic macro debris that can be broken into smaller pieces called microplastics and Ingestion by sea animals. Proper waste management, awareness and education of people about the proper disposal of these personal protective equipment items, use of washable masks, are strategies that can play an effective role in reducing the presence of this waste in the environment.
Ali Reza Karimiyan; Aslan Egdernezhad
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Because of their high effectiveness and fewer expenses than other methods, groundwater models have been developed and used by hydrogeologists as water resource management tools. In this regard, many models have been developed, which propose better management to protect ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Because of their high effectiveness and fewer expenses than other methods, groundwater models have been developed and used by hydrogeologists as water resource management tools. In this regard, many models have been developed, which propose better management to protect water resources. Most of these models require input parameters that are hardly available or their measurements are time-consuming and expensive. Among them, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models inspired by the human brain are a better choice. Materials and Methods: The present study simulated the groundwater level and salinity in Ramhormoz plain using ANN and ANN+PSO models and compared their results with the measured data. The data collected as inputs of the two models included minimum temperature, maximum temperature, average temperature, wind speed at 2 m altitude, minimum relative humidity, maximum relative humidity, average relative humidity, and sunshine hours gathered from 2011 to 2017. Results: The results indicated that the highest prediction accuracy of groundwater level and salinity was achieved by the ANN-PSO model with the logarithm sigmoid activation function. Thus, the MAE and RMSE statistics had the minimum and R^2 had the maximum value for the model. Conclusion: Considering the high efficiency of artificial neural network models with Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm training, it can be used to make managerial decisions, ensure the results of monitoring, and reduce costs. Keywords: Groundwater Level; Simulation; Groundwater Salinity; Artificial Neural Networks Model
Amir Shojaei; Hossein Ghafourian; Linda Yadegarian; Kamran Lari; Mohammadtaghi Sadatipour
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim :The release of volatile organic compounds from stationary and mobile sources increases the concentration of these compounds in the environment. These compounds are potentially hazardous to the environment and human health. The selection of management and engineering systems ...
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Abstract Background and Aim :The release of volatile organic compounds from stationary and mobile sources increases the concentration of these compounds in the environment. These compounds are potentially hazardous to the environment and human health. The selection of management and engineering systems has become essential for controlling the release of these pollutants. The aim of this study was to use an advanced catalytic ozonation process to reduce the concentration of these pollutants in industrial emissions. Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, the ozonation process in the presence of a catalyst bed containing ZnO nanocomposites coated on zeolite was used to treat the air contaminated with BTEX compounds as indicators of volatile organic compounds on a laboratory scale. In this study, the synthesis of nanocomposites was done using the chemical co-deposition method. SEM, XRD, BET, and FT-IR analyses were performed to investigate the structural properties of the nanocomposites. The initial concentrations of BTEX (50-200 ppm), the flow of the polluted air (5-20 l/h), humidity (0-75%), and ozone dose (0.25-1 g/h) were studied. The concentration of the BTEX compounds was measured by a Gas Chromatography (GC) device according to the NIOSH Guideline 1501. Results:The results of SEM, XRD, BET, and FT-IR indicated the proper synthesis of nanocomposites. Based on the laboratory results, the optimal process conditions were the initial concentration of pollutants equal to 50 ppm, the inlet flow rate of polluted air equal to 5 l/h, relative humidity of 25-35%, and the inlet concentration of ozone equal to 1 g/h. Under these conditions, the removal efficiencies of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were 98, 96, 92, and 91%, respectively. Simple ozonation and adsorption processes had lower efficiencies than catalytic ozonation and the synergistic effect of the process was evident. Conclusion:Based on the obtained results, the process has the ability to reduce the concentration of BTEX compounds to the specified standards. This process can be used to treat polluted air in BTEX emitting industries that threaten human health and the environment. Article type:Research article Keywords: Volatile Organic Compounds; BTEX; Nanocomposite; Zinc Oxide; Ozone; Polluted Air
Abolfazl Rahmani Sani; Aalieh Tabasi; Mohammad Miri
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Increasing wastewater production and increasing waste production are major threats to human health and the environment; therefore, wastewater treatment and waste reuse should be done. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of plastic, rubber, and electronic wastes for ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Increasing wastewater production and increasing waste production are major threats to human health and the environment; therefore, wastewater treatment and waste reuse should be done. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of plastic, rubber, and electronic wastes for municipal wastewater treatment by the microbial electrochemical method. Materials and methods: This experimental-practical research was done on a pilot scale. Impacts of time and initial characteristics (temperature, pH, and EC) on the treatment efficiency were investigated. During the research, sampling (twice a week) was done from the input and output of the reactor, and BOD , COD, TSS, pH, and EC parameters were measured according to the standard methods. The results were analyzed by Excel 2010 software. Results: Mean BOD 5 , COD, and TSS in raw sewage were 227, 302, and 274 mg/l. BOD5 removal efficiencies by electronic, rubber, plastic and control wastes were 72.46, 69.74, 60.82, and 62.17%, respectively. Electronic wastes with 55.52% and 79.96% had the highest removal efficiencies of TSS and COD, respectively. Conclusion: Bed material affects BOD 5 removal efficiency. Substrates with electronic wastes and crumb rubber had a higher efficiency in removing BOD 5 , TSS, and COD, which shows the superior characteristics of wastewater treatment by these wastes. Key words: Municipal Wastewater Treatment; Chemical Electro Microbial Process; Electrobacter; Waste
Mansour Ahmadi Pirlou; Tarahom Mesri Gundoshmian
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Increasing energy consumption has created an energy crisis in the world. Fossil fuels are limited and depleting. Biogas is considered a fuel that has attracted the attention of researchers. To increase biogas production, different pretreatments have been utilized. The purpose ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Increasing energy consumption has created an energy crisis in the world. Fossil fuels are limited and depleting. Biogas is considered a fuel that has attracted the attention of researchers. To increase biogas production, different pretreatments have been utilized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal mixing ratio of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Sewage Sludge (SS), as well as the effects of various conditions of alkaline pretreatment on biodegradability of wastes and the amount of biomethane production. Materials and Methods: This study was done in a laboratory digester with 1 L volume at 37 °C with different concentrations of NaOH in a completely randomized design. Biogas volume, methane volume, and changes in pH were measured daily. Measurement parameters in the anaerobic digestion including total solids, volatile solids, and carbon and nitrogen content in the feedstock were determined according to the APHA standard methods. Results: The optimal mixing ratio of MSW to SS was 60:40 with the highest methane yield of 254.87 mL/g VS. Next, the effects of 2, 6, and 10% NaOH concentrations were evaluated on the amount of gas produced, indicating that 6% NaOH concentration significantly improved waste decomposition. Methane production, VS, and TS removal were compared to the control treatment, and there were increases of 30, 27.94, and 27.25%, respectively. Conclusion:The results showed that the mixing ratio of MSW to SS at 60:40 with 6% NaOH improves the decomposition of organic wastes and increases biomethane production. Keywords: Alkaline Pretreatment; Anaerobic Digestion; Biogas; Municipal Solid Waste; Sewage Sludge
Morad Ali Zareipour; Ehsan Movahed; Ali Asghar Kheirkhah; Fatemeh Seyedi; Mahsa Tahergorabi; Shohreh Shafiei
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: One of the most important issues in maintaining and promoting community health is comprehensive waste management, especially in the COVID-19 epidemic. Failure to pay attention to waste management leaves irreparable damage. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: One of the most important issues in maintaining and promoting community health is comprehensive waste management, especially in the COVID-19 epidemic. Failure to pay attention to waste management leaves irreparable damage. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practice of health workers about the stages of waste management in the COVID-19 epidemic. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 428 health workers working at Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. A convenience sampling method was used. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire on waste management. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and logistic regression tests with SPSS24 software. Results: The mean age of employees was 32.16 7 ±7.03 years. The staff’s knowledge and practice about waste management in COVID-19 conditions were 54.2% good, 32.2% moderate, and 13.6% poor. All stages of waste management had significant positive correlations with each other (p <0.05). Logistic regression results showed that the female gender (OR = 1.8, P = 0.001), place of work (OR = 2.1, P = 0.002), higher education (OR = 2.9, P = 0.001), and good economic status (OR = 2.7, P = 0.001) increase the probability of knowledge and practice of health workers about waste management in COVID-19 conditions. Conclusion: In general, the knowledge and practice of employees about waste management in the COVID-19 epidemic were good, but it is necessary to make educational interventions in accordance with the determinants of waste management to increase and maintain the knowledge and performance of employees. Article type: Original Quantitative Research Article Keywords: Knowledge; Performance; Waste Management; Health Workers; COVID-19
Rayhaneh Shahmohammadi; Tayebeh Rasolevandi; Hossein Azarpira
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Healthy food and nutrition play a key role in overcoming COVID-19 and achieving sustainable development. In most low- and middle-income countries, small companies, especially traditional food suppliers, have a fundamental role in the food supply chain, resulting in food and ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Healthy food and nutrition play a key role in overcoming COVID-19 and achieving sustainable development. In most low- and middle-income countries, small companies, especially traditional food suppliers, have a fundamental role in the food supply chain, resulting in food and nutrition security. Materials and Methods: A checklist with 113 questions was designed including 57 questions on the conditions of COVID-19 derived from the second step guideline of fighting COVID-19 and 56 questions derived from regulation 111/920318. The total number of bakeries was 158 and the answers to the questions were recorded and analyzed as yes, no and not applicable. Results: In this study, based on the results obtained from the analysis of checklists, compliance of health status of different types of bakeries with regulations 111/920318 in Sangak, Barbari, Taftoon, Lavash and Baget (Nan Fantezie) bakeries, was 73%, 79%, 87%, 76%, and 81% respectively Also, the percentage of compliance to the second step of the fight against Covid 19, was 65%, 71%, 69%, 73%, and 84%, respectively, and the compliance of the health status with final checklist in these bakeries was 69%, 75%, 78%, 74.5%, and 82.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Health education and equipment hygiene were the least desirable in Sangak bakeries, food hygiene and health education were the least desirable in Barbari bakeries, food hygiene and health education were the least desirable in Taftoon bakeries, and in Lavash bakeries personal hygiene, food hygiene, and health education were least desirable. In Baget (Nan Fantezie) bakeries, the health conditions were significantly better than in traditional bakeries. Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Checklist; Bakery; Health
Shamim Ramezani Azghandi; Azita Farashi; Mohsen Najjari; Mahshid Hosseini
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Rodents are the largest order of mammals, with a large population on the earth, the source of many economic losses and health problems. Rodents are the reservoirs of some zoonotic diseases. Among these diseases, we can mention leishmaniasis. This study aimed to ...
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Abstract Background and Aim: Rodents are the largest order of mammals, with a large population on the earth, the source of many economic losses and health problems. Rodents are the reservoirs of some zoonotic diseases. Among these diseases, we can mention leishmaniasis. This study aimed to model the habitat suitability of Iranian Jird as a reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Materials and methods:For this purpose, 17 habitat variables including two topographic variables, seven climatic variables, and eight land use/land cover variables as habitat variables along with species presence points were used in MaxEnt modeling. Species distribution models are useful tools in identifying the areas for the presence of wildlife species and therefore are of great importance in species conservation and habitat management. Among these species distribution models, we can mention the MaxEnt model. Results:According to the results of MaxEnt modeling, the suitable habitats of Iranian Jird species cover an area of 430,900 square kilometers, accounting for 30% of Iran. Also, three geological variables, distance from the road, and land use were identified as effective variables in the habitat suitability modeling of this species of rural leishmaniasis reservoir. Another result of this study was the preparation of the habitat suitability map of Iranian Jird in both continuous and categorical forms, which showed the highest distribution in Golestan, North Khorasan, and Mazandaran provinces. Conclusion: Finally, according to the results of this modeling and the effect of biological and anthropological variables as effective variables in the habitat suitability modeling of this reservoir and the possible psychological and economic effects of leishmaniasis and lack of effective vaccines and the presence of rodents in the pathogenic cycle, the identification of reservoirs and their suitable habitats are necessary for better management of this disease. Keyword: Habitat; MaxEnt; Modeling; Leishmaniasis; Rodent; Reservoir