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Assessing Heavy Metals Pollution of the Mangrove Sediments along Tidal Flat of the Mehran River Delta, Persian Gulf
M. Pasandi, H.r. Pakzad, A.m. Halvaie Lengeh, M.r. Taherizadeh,
Volume 26, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
The relationship between the concentration of heavy metals and physicochemical factors was studied in the fine-grained sediments of the tidal section of the Mehran delta where mangrove trees have grown. Surface sediments of the tidal zone of the Mehran delta were sampled. The grain size distribution, calcium carbonate, organic matter contents, pH/Eh, and heavy metals concentration were determined in the mud fraction of the sediments. The presence of high calcium carbonate in sediments is an effective factor in the abundance of Mn, Cd, and Pb. Clay and organic matter as adsorptive have contributed to the high concentration of Zn, Cu, while Fe oxy-hydroxides have affected the concentration of Co, Cr, and Ni. According to the index of Enrichment Factor (EF), the average enrichment of the elements in the studied sediments from high to low order is Cr, Ni, Cd, Zn, Mn, Pb, Co, and Cu. According to the Pollution Load Index (PLI), none of the delta sediments including sediments from inside and outside of the mangrove forestare classified as polluted to the heavy metals. According to the Igeo Index, most samples, and only Cd, Cr, and Ni show slight pollution in some samples. Accordingly, there is no current threat of contamination of potentially toxic elements of natural and anthropogenic origins to the mangrove environment and Mehran delta.

Kinetics and Isotherm Investigation of Benzene Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Ash Pine Cone
J. Abedi Koupaei, Z. Iravani,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract

Water pollution with petroleum products is one of the serious environmental problems in Iran. According to the importance of this issue, refining benzene by bio-absorbent has attracted much attention in recent years. The maximum permissible limit assigned by World Health Organization (WHO) for benzene in drinking water is 0.001 mg/L. In recent years, attempts made to develop inexpensive adsorbents utilizing abundant natural materials. Agricultural waste materials often employed as adsorbent may have potential marketing preference for wastewater treatment among other adsorbent types due to the low cost, environmentally friendly, naturally accessible, and efficiency. The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of benzene by batch and continuous techniques. In this study, the ash cone pine (APC) was used for the removal of benzene from aqueous solutions and its ability as an adsorbent, while the variable initial concentration of benzene, the amount of adsorbent, contact time, temperature, and pollutant's solution pH were investigated. Langmuirand and Freundlich Isotherm models were fitted to benzene adsorption equilibrium data. Kinetic models including pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intra-particle diffusion, and power function were used to describe kinetic data of benzene adsorption. The results showed that optimum benzene adsorption was observed at pH=7, and the optimum amount of adsorbent was 0.1 g. The observed equilibrium time was 10 minutes. The equilibrium adsorption capacities were 366 mg/g at 2000 mg/L initial benzene concentration. Linear and non-linear isotherm studies showed that equilibrium data better fitted the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies showed better applicability of the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Column adsorption experiments were performed to check the absorbent performance during continuously injecting benzene solution into the adsorbent column until the adsorbent has been saturated to complete the studies on the introduced adsorbent. The results for columns with continuous inflow indicated that the maximum capacity of adsorption of benzene for the adsorbent column with a diameter of 3cm, and input concentration of 1000 mg/L, and an input rate of 100 mL/h for ash cone pine (APC) was 295 mg/g. The results of this experiment showed that APC has a high capability for the removal of benzene from aqueous solutions.


Effect of Spatial Resolution of Digital Elevation Model on the Estimation of Geomorphological and Geomorphoclimatic Unit Hydrographs in Amameh Watershed, Iran
F. Esmaeili, M. Vafakhah, V. Moosavi,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
Digital elevation models (DEMs) are one of the most important data required in watershed modeling with hydrological models and their spatial resolution has a significant impact on the accuracy of simulating hydrological processes. In the present study, the effect of spatial resolution of five DEMs derived from the topographic map (TOPO) with a scale of 1:25000, ALOS PALSAR, ASTER, SRTM, and GTOPO with a spatial accuracy of 10, 12.5, 30, 90, and 1000 m, respectively, on the estimation of parameters of geomorphological and geomorphoclimatic unit hydrographs models has been evaluated in Amameh watershed. Thirty-four single flood events were used during the years 1970 to 2015. The results showed that in the GUH method, the application of the TOPO and ALOS PALSAR DEMs had the best results with root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.7 and 1.8 m3/s and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.4 and 0.3, respectively. While the GTOPO DEM had the least efficiency with RMSE of 2.8 m3/s and NSE of -2. Similarly, the lowest and highest RMSE in the GCUH method belonged to TOPO and GTOPO DEMs with RMSE of 3.8 and 18 m3/s and NSE of 0.2 and -6, respectively. Generally, the GUH method had more favorable results than the GCUH method in all DEMs.

Assessment of Effective Factors on Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals in a Part of Sirjan Plain, Kerman Province, Iran
M. Naderi Khorasgani, T. Azarbeig, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil pollution by heavy metals is a significant issue that threatens human health directly and indirectly. The objectives of this research were to map the extension of some heavy metals in soils of a part of Sirjan Plain, Kerman province, to study the role of natural agents on the distribution of heavy metals, and to assess the risk of soil heavy metal concentration for human health. 120 surficial (0-15 cm) compound soil samples were collected during fieldwork. Soil characteristics like soil texture components, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and total soil heavy metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations were measured using standard protocols. The mapping of soil texture components and heavy metals was done by the usual Kriging method. Results indicated significant correlation coefficients between soil texture components (silt and clay) and total soil Fe and Cu concentrations. Dominant wind direction and spatial distribution of Fe, Cu, and Zn strongly induced the possible dust-born origin of such elements. Results revealed that the sources of Fe, Cu, and Zn were different from those of Cd and Pb. Maximum soil Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations were in the southern part of the study area, increasing in an upwind direction while for Cd and Pb, maximum soil concentrations were in the northern part of the study area. The Nemerow integrated pollution index revealed that soils were clean for Cd, lowly polluted for Fe, Pb, and Cu, and moderately polluted for Zn.

Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Magnetic Susceptibility of Street Dust in Several Cities of Isfahan Province and their Relationship with the Concentration of Selected Heavy Metals
B. Akbari, H. Khademi,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Street dust enters the urban environments due to the resuspension of particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The magnetic properties of street dust and their relationship with the concentration of heavy metals have received less attention from researchers worldwide, and not much study has been performed on this issue in Iran. The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the spatial and seasonal changes in street dust, and (ii) to determine their relationships with the concentration of selected heavy metals in several cities in the Isfahan province. Sampling was carried out in the first half of the second month of each season including 20 samples from Isfahan city and 10 samples from Natanz, Shahreza, Falavarjan, Khomeinishahr, and Najafabad. The concentration of selected heavy metals was measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Also, the magnetic susceptibility values of the samples at low and high frequencies were determined and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility was calculated. The results showed that the presence of ferromagnesian minerals in the parent materials could be the reason for the high values of magnetic receptivity in Natanz City. However, the high level of this characteristic in the street dust of other cities could be due to human activities, especially in Isfahan city. Based on the results of principal component analysis, the high correlation of the first component with magnetic susceptibility and the concentration of zinc, copper, and chromium elements most likely indicates the absorption of these elements by particles close to superparamagnetic (SP). The high correlation of the second component with frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility and concentration of nickel and cobalt is most likely related to the adsorption of magnetic elements and heavy metals into coarse polyhedral particles that remained on the street floor after the re-deposition of street dust particles. Also, the high correlations between magnetic parameters and the concentration of copper and zinc confirm their anthropogenic origin. On the other hand, low or negative correlations of Pb, Ni, Cr, and Co concentrations with magnetic susceptibility might confirm their natural or non-anthropogenic origin. The higher values of magnetic parameters of street dust in the spring season reflect the significant contribution of magnetic minerals in this season, compared to autumn and winter, and indicate the higher influence of human activities.

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