Showing 352 results for Ph
M. Dehghanian, H. Tabatabaee, H. Shirani, F. Nikookhah,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
In sustainable agriculture, cow manure is used for greater productivity, a rich source of E-Coli pathogenic bacteria. The objective of this research was to investigate the simultaneous effect of the fractionation size of cattle manure and irrigation water salinity on the retention of E-Coli bacteria in the depths of the sand column with a height of 10 cm under saturated flow. Four different particle fractions of cow manure (1-2, 0.5-1, 0.25-0.5, and smaller than 0.25 mm) were added to the surface of the sand column at the scale of 30 tons per hectare, then leaching was done with different salinities (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5, and 10 dS/m) up to 10 pore volumes, then samples were taken from the depths of 0, 3, 6, and 12 cm. The number of bacteria in each sample was determined by the live counting method. The results showed that the effect of all sources of change and their interaction effects on the retention of bacteria in the soil is significant at the level of 5%. Salinity had a negative effect on the retention of bacteria, and the highest and lowest values of the relative concentration of bacteria (the result of dividing the number of bacteria in each soil depth by the initial number of bacteria in the desired manure treatment) were in 0 dS/m and 10 dS/m salinity of leaching water, respectively. By decreasing the size of cow manure particles due to the increase in hydrophobicity and blocking of preferential pores, the retention of bacteria decreased in all investigated soil depths. The highest and lowest retention of bacteria in the soil were investigated in the largest cow manure particle size (1-2 mm) and the smallest cow manure particle size (less than 0.25 mm), respectively. In addition, the highest relative concentration of bacteria in the soil was seen in the depth of 0-3 cm, and no significant difference was seen in other soil depths.
F. Momeni, A.a. Amirinejad,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
In precision agriculture, a productivity rating system is a significant tool to quantitatively assess soil quality. An experiment was conducted in Bilavar, Kermanshah to evaluate the spatial variability of physical indicators of soil quality of a rapeseed (Brassica napus) field. Spatial variability analysis of soil physical properties measured on a rectangular grid (100 m×100 m) was carried out using a geostatistical analyst extension of Arc-GIS software. Five physical soil quality indicators including bulk density (BD), non-capillary porosity (NCP), field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), available water retention capacity (AWC), and organic carbon (OC) were determined. The physical rating index (PRI) at each sampling point was determined by multiplying the rating values for all five parameters. Results revealed that major ranges of semivariogram for Ks and AWC varied between 137-145 m and for BD, OC, and NCP they were relatively long (161-205 m). Clay and NCP showed moderate spatial dependence (0.68 and 0.28, respectively) whereas the rest of the parameters showed weak spatial dependence. Also, the correlation between PRI and the biological yield of rapeseed was fairly good (R2=0.68). Investigation of zoning maps of soil physical properties showed an increase in BD and a decrease in AWC and NCP parameters depending on changes in soil texture and organic matter content in some parts of the field. In general, the PRI index is an important tool in the quantitative assessment of soil physical conditions, and based on it and zoning maps can improve the physical quality of soil in agricultural fields.
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.
J. Abedi Koupai, A.r. Vahabi,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Awareness of water resources status is essential for the proper management of resources and planning for the future due to the occurrence of climate change in most parts of the world and its impact on different parts of the water cycle. Hence, many studies have been carried out in different regions to analyze the effects of climate change on the hydrological process in the coming periods. The present study examined the effects of climate change on surface runoff using the Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model (AOGCM) in Khomeini Shahr City. The maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation of the upcoming period (2020-2049) were simulated using a weighted average of three models for each of the minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation parameters based on the scenario A2 and B1 (pessimistic and optimistic states, respectively) of the AOGCM-AR4 models. The LARS-WG model was also used to measure the downscaling. The HEC-HMS was used to predict runoff. The effects of climate change in the coming period (2020-2049) compared with the observation period (1971-2000), in the A2 scenario, the minimum and maximum temperatures would increase by 1.1 and 1.6 Degrees Celsius, respectively, and the precipitation would decrease 17.8 percent. In the B1 scenario, the minimum and maximum temperatures would increase by 1.1 and 1.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, and the precipitation would decrease by 13 percent. The results of runoff were different in the six scenarios in the way the most runoff reduction is related to the scenario of fixed land use and scenario A2 (22.2% reduction), and the most increase is related to the scenario of 45% urban growth and scenario B1 (5.8% increase). So, according to increase urban texture in the future and consequently enhance the volume of runoff, this volume of runoff can be used to feed groundwater, irrigate gardens, and green space in the city.
A.r. Hossienpur, M. Barati, M.h. Salehi,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
The kinetics of potassium release may be affected by P When phosphorus (P) fertilizer is applied to soils. The objective of this study was to the effect of Ca(H2Po4)2 fertilizer on the kinetics of non-exchangeable potassium (NEK) release in 10 calcareous soils. The amount of 100 mg kg-1 of P as Ca(H2Po4)2 was added to the soils. Treated and untreated soils were incubated at 70% of field capacity and 25±1°C for 90 days. After that, the NEK release was studied by 0.01 M CaCl2 extractant in 2017 hours by successive extraction methods in the treated and untreated soils. The results showed the NEK released in treated soils less than in untreated soils. The mean cumulative NEK released after 2017 h in the treated and untreated soils was 260.6 and 303.3 mg kg-1, respectively. The release of NEK in all soils was fast in the initial stages and continued at a lower speed in the later stages until the end of the experiment. The kinetics of NEK release was evaluated using kinetic equations. Based on the highest coefficients of determination (R2) and the lowest standard error (SE), the kinetics of NEK release in treated and untreated soils were described by the power function equation. The results of this research could be helpful for the precise fertilizer recommendation for the study in calcareous soils.
J. Abedi Koupai, A. Chehreraz, F. Dadvand,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
The scarcity of freshwater resources increases the importance of seawater and brackish water desalination processes. However, a large amount of specific energy requirements, and high operational costs, present a big challenge in adopting desalination technologies. Due to high expenses of energy, desalination of saline waters by low-cost methods is important. The objective of this research was to investigate the ability of two adsorbents (zeolite and graphene oxide) to remove salinity ions from aqueous solutions in Caspian Sea water and water of the well of the Dark zone in Isfahan. At first, some graphene oxide was made according to Homer's method. Then, the characteristics of graphene oxide were known by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and using an electron microscope. After that, the ability of adsorbents to remove salinity agent cations and anions was evaluated. To investigate a fixed-bed zeolite column with graphene oxide (GO) layer was used to remove Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl– from 50 cc of saline water. Also, Hexadecyl trimethylamine (HDTMA) was used to modify natural zeolites. The results showed that among the adsorbents for the water of the well in the Dark zone, 30 mg graphene oxide with 13 gr zeolite had the highest adsorption rate (23.84 percent of salinity reduction), and for Caspian Sea water, 13 gr zeolite modified by surfactants had the highest adsorption rate (23.43 percent of salinity reduction). Also, the removal of cations and anion followed the sequence: K+ >Ca2+ >Mg2+ >Cl– >Na+.
S. Jalinousi, E. Joudaki, A. Moghadassi, M. Mahdieh,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
This research presents the application of phytoremediation to remove ammonia from effluent possessing high ammonium content and alkalinity in one of the most complex refineries in Iran. The objective of this research was to find new methods to protect and preserve water resources. At first, the algae distribution was investigated. After purifying the samples, Chlorella Vulgaris was selected as resistant algae in the areas that experienced ammonia shocks. A 10-liter container and an airlift photobioreactor with similar laboratory conditions were developed to control biomass production. Experiments were conducted over 20 days and maximum biomass production occurred in the first 16-17 days. Cell density was expressed as dry cell weight in ammonia concentration from 10 mg/L to 500 mg/L. It was also observed that when the Nitrogen content of the culture medium was less than 50 mg/L, ammonia was completely removed in both methods. At a concentration of 10 mg/L, total ammonia in both methods was removed in the first week. At 50 mg/L to 100 mg/L concentrations, about 94% of ammonia was removed in the glass container and about 95% in the bioreactor. In these concentrations, with high ammonia content, the final cell density, and absorption power were significantly low and this was evident at 500 mg/L. Prevention of water evaporation and biomass settling, better control of some vital parameters including pH, temperature, light, and energy intensity, effective mass and heat transfer, and carbon dioxide concentration led to better efficiency of the airlift photobioreactor. A noteworthy point in this result was the extraordinary performance of Chlorella Vulgaris in removing toxic pollutants such as ammonia and possibly using it in the biological systems of sanitary, refineries, and petrochemicals.
A. Barikloo, S. Rezapour, P. Alamdari, R. Taghizadeh Mehrjardi,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil quality is one of the most crucial factors determining crop productivity and production stability. The soil's physical, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics affect its quality. Numerous researchers have concentrated the evaluation on a small number of soil quality indicators because measuring all soil quality indicators would be time-consuming and expensive. This study looked at the spatial autocorrelation of soil quality in the southwest areas of the Urmia Plain to establish the minimal data set for quantitative assessment. To accomplish this, 120 composite soil samples were collected from a depth of 0 to 60 cm, and the soil quality index was then calculated using the IQI method in 4 modes: Total-Linear (IQIwL-TDS), Total-Nonlinear (IQIwNL-TDS), Minimum-Linear (IQIwL-MDS), and Minimum nonlinearity (IQIwNL-MDS). 22 physical and chemical characteristics were used to choose the data set. The characteristics of sand percentage, sodium absorption ratio, cation exchange capacity, Available phosphorus, active calcium carbonate, and nickel concentration were chosen as the minimum data set (MDS) using the decomposition method into principal components. The linear IQIMDS mode produced the greatest soil quality index result, whereas the non-linear IQIMDS mode produced the lowest. The non-linear mode of the IQI index has a greater correlation coefficient (R2=0.85) than the linear mode of the IQI index (R2=0.73), according to an analysis of the linear and non-linear correlation coefficient between the soil quality index with the total category and minimum data. The findings of computing the global Moran's index for study sets of IQI soil quality index data revealed that the soil quality data are not independent of each other and are spatially autocorrelated, distributed in clusters, and have spatial autocorrelation. Getis-ord GI statistics indicated that the eastern and southeastern parts of the research region comprise clusters with poor soil quality, salt marshes produced by Lake Urmia's drying up, and surrounding arid plains.
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.
A.s. Hosseini Khezrabad, A.a. Vali, A.h. Halabian, M.h. Mokhtari,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Desertification is one of the most serious ecological environmental problems in the arid regions. Quantitative assessment of the desertification process is important for the prevention and control of desertification. In this research, the IMDPA model was used to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative desertification situation in the northwest of Yazd. Three criteria of soil, vegetation, and wind erosion were considered in this model. Several indicators were defined for each criterion with a weight of 0 (low) to 4 (very severe). The geometric mean of all three criteria was used to prepare a map of sensitive areas to desertification in ArcGIS. The results indicated that more than 92% of the research area was in the extreme class of desertification, and only the dunes work unit was in a very intense class. Finally, the whole of the research area with a final score of 3.04 was placed in the extreme class of desertification intensity. Also, the soil criterion with the highest weight score of 3.26 has had the greatest impact on the desertification of the northwest region of Yazd. Therefore, it is necessary to implement remedial and revitalization operations in this region according to the expansion of the phenomenon of desertification and the high influence of the soil criteria. The results of the research showed the intensity of desertification, the potential, and the sensitivity of the region to the phenomenon of desertification can be referred to as a departure from the natural functioning of the system.
R. Sargholi, A. Bordbar, A. Asareh, M. Heidarnejad,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
In the past, various methods have been proposed to control beach heel scouring. For shallow rivers (such as mountain rivers), various types of overflows are used. Therefore, the development of scour in cross-vane and w-weir structures for coastal protection was investigated in this study. The results showed that by installing a w-weir structure in a 90-degree position compared to a 30 and 60-degree position, a 37.9% and 19.7% reduction of scouring was observed, respectively. Also, by installing the cross vane structure in the 90-degree position compared to the 30 and 60-degree position, a 35.4% and 21.2% reduction of scouring was observed, respectively. With increasing width (L / B) (ratio of the width of structure to the width of flume), the w-weir structure decreased from 1.5 to 2, scour rate of 7.9%. Also, with increasing width (L / B) (ratio of the width of structure to the width of flume), the cross-vane structure has decreased from 1.3 to 1.7, and the scour rate has decreased by 4.7%. The w-weir structure had an average of 7.3% less scouring than the cross-vane structure.
Z. Naderizadeh, H. Khademi, A. Shamsollah,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
Although several reports are available on the distribution of Palygorskite in the soils of arid regions of Iran, there is not much information about the presence and abundance of this important fibrous clay mineral in the soils of Bushehr Province. This research was carried out: (1) to investigate the distribution of Palygorskite and other major associated clay minerals, and (2) to evaluate the relationship between the relative quantity of Palygorskite in clay-sized fraction and the most important soil properties in Dashtestan County, Bushehr Province. Five geomorphic surfaces including eroded rock outcrop, rock outcrop, dissected hill, alluvial fan, and alluvial plain were identified in the study area using Google Earth images and field observations. After sampling representative pedons, the clay mineralogy of two horizons from each pedon was determined. X-ray diffractograms and SEM images showed that in the studied soils, which were classified as either Aridisols or Entisols, Palygorskite was present in different quantities on all geomorphic surfaces. Moreover, Illite, Chlorite, Smectite, irregularly interstratified Chlorite/Illite, and Kaolinite were the other clay minerals that existed in the soils studied. The relative quantity of Palygorskite and Smectite was variable on different geomorphic surfaces. Regardless of the type of geomorphic surface, petrogypsic and gypsic horizons showed the highest quantity of Palygorskite as compared to other horizons which seems to be due to the suitable geochemical conditions of these horizons for the formation and stability of Palygorskite mineral. The higher correlation of Palygorskite content with gypsum, as compared to that with the carbonates, indicates the importance of gypsum in Palygorskite distribution in the soils of the study area. The findings also indicated that the amount of Palygorskite was positively correlated with soluble Mg/Ca ratio, pH, gypsum, and soluble Mg. These parameters appear to control the genesis and distribution of Palygorskite in the soils studied. In general, it is necessary to pay special attention to their clay mineralogy, especially the significant amount of Palygorskite to manage the soils of the study area and to reasonably predict their behavior.
B. Attaeian, S. Hosseinzadeh Alikordi, S. Mortazavi,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
Mine exploitation has led to the rangeland's destruction. In this study, the phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soils by Chrysypogon zizanioides was investigated in the soil around the lead mine of Lashkar region, located in Malayer county. In the initial measurement, the amount of soil Pb contamination in the rangeland was estimated to be 600 milligrams per kilogram of dry soil. By evaluating the environmental effects of lead in the region, the coefficients of geoaccumulation index, pollution degree, and potential ecological risk were observed in the infinite to very high range. The research was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 Pb pollution levels (0, 300, 600, and 1600 mg/kg) in 4 replications in the greenhouse of Malayer University for 130 days. At the end of the period, lead concentration in soil, root, shoot, BCF bioaccumulation index, TF transfer coefficient, shoot, and root productivity in vetiver plants were measured. The results showed the increasing effect of soil Pb concentration on the amount of root and shoot Pb concentrations. At the level of 1600 mg/kg contamination, the Pb concentration in the shoot and root reached 242.94 and 242.02 mg/kg, respectively. At most levels of contamination except the level of 1600 mg/kg, the BCF indicators in the root and shoot and the TF coefficient were less than one. TF <1 indicates the lack of high concentration of Pb in harvesting organs and the health of the aerial production. So, vetiver is recommended for the rangeland reclamation in the study area.
H. Ebrahimi Golbosi, E. Fazel Najafabadi, M. Shayannejad,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
Surface irrigation is one of the most common irrigation methods. Due to the low efficiency of surface irrigation, water loss is significant in this system. It is necessary to know the characteristics and coefficients of water infiltration rate in the soil for accurate and adequate planning of surface irrigation. One of the equations used in this field is Phillip's infiltration equation. In this study, the infiltration coefficients of Phillip's equation and Manning's roughness coefficient in border irrigation are determined based on the comparison of the actual advance curve with the advance curve calculated with the dynamic wave model, and the results were compared with the double cylinder method and the two-point method of Ebrahimian et al. (5). The actual infiltration volume was obtained from the difference between the inlet and outlet volumes. The error of the mentioned method in calculating the infiltration volume was 5.53%. Meanwhile, the errors in the double cylinder and two-point Ebrahimian (5) method were 59.62% and 19.08%, respectively. In heavy soils, the longer the length of the border increases, the method is more accurate in estimating Philip's coefficients, while in light soils, the advancing time, which in addition to length is a function of permeability, input discharge, and the slope of the bottom of the bed is increased, the accuracy of the method in estimating Philip's penetration coefficients is increased.
A.r Vaezi, Kh. Sahandi, F. Haghshenas,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Water erosion can be affected by land use change and soil degradation by agricultural activities. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of land use change in poor pastures on soil physical degradation and water erosion in semi-arid regions. Experiments were performed in 42 soil samples taken from seven areas covering the two land uses: poor pasture and rainfed agriculture, which have different soil textures (clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay loam, silt loam, loam, sandy loam, and sandy loam). The physical characteristics of soils were measured in the samples of both types of land use and its changes were expressed as physical degradation of the soil. The soil's susceptibility to water erosion was measured under simulated rainfall with 50 mm h-1 intensity for 60 min. The results showed that the land use change in pastures leads to the physical deterioration of soils; so bulk density, porosity, macropore, field capacity, saturated point, aggregate size, and aggregate stability were degraded with a rate of 28, 22, 41, 11, 5, 62, and 63 percentages. The structural characteristics of soil (aggregate size and stability) had the highest physical deterioration due to the land use change in the pastures. The change in land use change greatly increased the sensitivity of soils to water erosion. A significant relationship was found between the susceptibility of water erosion and the soil's physical degradation. The soils with coarser and more stable aggregates have higher physical degradation by the land use change and in consequence show more susceptibility to water erosion.
E. Jafari Nodoushan, A. Shirzadi,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract
The rapid and complex movement of sediments in rivers and coastal areas with highly erosive and unsteady flows presents river engineers with numerous problems in the geomorphology of alluvial rivers. Accurately predicting these complex processes in the water-sediment system (a multiphase, dense, granular flow system) is still a major challenge for mesh-based models. Due to the ability of meshless Lagrangian methods to model large deformations and discontinuities, meshless Lagrangian methods can provide a unique way to deal with this complexity. In the current research, the capabilities of the weakly compressibility moving particle semi-implicit (WC-MPS) model in soil-fluid interaction modeling are developed to enable the modeling of sediment transport and erosion effects behind coastal walls. In this method, granular material is considered a non-Newtonian and viscoplastic fluid. The 𝜇(I) rheological model has been used to predict the non-Newtonian behavior of the granular phase. To verify the application of the present model in simulating the interaction of liquid and solid phases, first, the widely used problem of dam break on an erodible bed was modeled. The NRMSE model was calculated to be approximately 6%, which indicates the efficiency and accuracy of the target model in this problem. At the end, the scouring of coastal walls was simulated by the WC-MPS method using 𝜇(I) rheology model. Investigations show that the processes related to erosion and scouring can be well modeled using the current Lagrangian method. The numerical results show excellent agreement with the laboratory measurements. It should be noted that the mean error of the mentioned model is estimated to be 10%.
T. Mohammadi Arian, G. Rahimi, R. Khavari Farid,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is considered a serious risk to the environment and human health due to its toxicity and indestructibility. Measuring and monitoring little concentration (even lower than the detection limit of the device) in the case of dangerous and biostable pollutants such as cadmium in natural water samples is a necessity. Solid-phase extraction using carbon adsorbents is the most efficient and common method of pre-concentration of heavy metals from environmental samples. The carbon adsorbent used in solid phase extraction must have favorable physical and chemical characteristics, along with low cost and biocompatibility. In this research, Aphanocapsa cyanobacterial cells were used as a cheap precursor to make a microscale absorbent using the hydrothermal method. The qualitative and absorption characteristics of this adsorbent were evaluated using instrumental analysis tests and chemical tests based on cadmium. The absorbent is made in the form of relatively spherical particles (with a size of less than 10 micrometers) with a rough surface and a specific surface area of 382.02 square meters per gram. The efficiency of cadmium absorption of absorbent was in a wide range of pH (3 to 8) and more than 90% due to the buffering effect. The absorbent surface was rich in oxygen and nitrogen functional groups, such as hydroxyl, isothiocyanate, and carbonyl. The cadmium absorption isotherm was the best fit with the Freundlich nonlinear model, and the cadmium absorption rate was the best fit with the pseudo-second-order nonlinear model. The calculation variables related to the Freundlich model, including the inverse of the absorption intensity, showed that the adsorbent has a great tendency to absorb low concentrations of cadmium. Cadmium had the most and least competition for absorption on the adsorbent with alkali metal cations and heavy metal cations, respectively. The resistance of the adsorbent against the increase of ionic strength and the concentration of competing cations was equal to 4 and 20 mg/liter, respectively. The washing efficiency of the adsorbent loaded in the adsorbent-to-solution ratio (1:1000), at a normal concentration of 0.3 and a volume of 160 microliters of detergent (nitric acid), reached its maximum value. According to the findings of this research, the carbon adsorbent originating from the cyanobacterium Aphanocapsa can be an efficient adsorbent to use in the solid phase extraction of cadmium to reduce environmental pollution due to its unique properties.
M. Naderi Khorasgani, R. Amiri, A. Karimi, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
The soils of the Shahrekord plain, part of the Beheshtabad watershed subbasin in Shahrekord County, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, have been used for crop production and domestic animal feeding for centuries, yet the soil quality of this plain has been overlooked. Therefore, assessing the quality of Shahrekord plain soil is essential. This research aimed to evaluate the physical soil quality of the plain using soil quality indices such as the Integrated Quality Index (IQI) and Nemoro Quality Index (NQI). A randomized compound sampling strategy was employed, and 106 surficial (0-25 cm) soil samples were collected during intensive fieldwork. Following pretreatments of the soil samples, several key soil characteristics were measured using standard methods, which were compiled into a Total Data Set (TDS) and used to calculate IQITDS and NQITDS. The minimum effective data set (MDS) was selected, and weights for the quality indices were determined using TDS and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The minimum data set included the soil sand percentage, soil organic matter percentage, mean weighted diameter of aggregates, soil moisture at field capacity, bulk density, soil reaction, and electrical conductivity. The soil quality at each sample site was assessed using the indices and data sets, TDS and MDS. Geostatistical techniques and ordinary kriging methods were utilized to map soil quality. Results indicated that the soil quality of rangelands was significantly higher than that of cultivated soils (irrigated and drylands). Additionally, approximately 71% of the soils were classified as very low, low, and medium quality, highlighting the need for monitoring and managing such soils.
J. Karimi Shiasi, F. Fotouhi Firoozabad, A. Fathzadeh, M. Hayatzadeh, M. Shirmardi,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
One of the main factors contributing to water erosion is the inherent characteristic of soil erodibility. Erodibility depends on particle size distribution, organic matter, structure, and soil permeability. This research aimed to investigate changes in the soil erodibility factor across geomorphological facies. The soil erodibility index was estimated by sampling 58 points within the geomorphological facies of the Dorahan watershed, using the Wischmeyer and Smith method. In the laboratory, soil granularity distribution, organic matter, soil structure, the amount of gravel, lime, salinity, acidity, and sodium absorption ratio were measured. Results indicated that soil erodibility across the entire area ranges from 0.0148 to 0.0661 (t.hr/Mj.mm). The soil erodibility index (K) for the hro-p1 and hro-p2 facies is higher than for others and exhibits the widest range of variations compared to the other facies. The lowest range of changes within geomorphological facies is associated with the hrc facies. The erodibility index decreases from the east to the west of the basin due to the presence of exposed rock faces, which protect the soil as a cover layer.
I. Saleh, S. Zandifar, M. Khazaei,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Groundwater resources are affected by long-term drought conditions and have received less attention than other issues. The current research was carried out to investigate and zone the quantitative fluctuations of groundwater as well as the temporal analysis of groundwater drought using GRI in the study area of Shiraz in the Maharloo-Bakhtegan watershed. The zoning of groundwater table variations was done in the ArcGIS environment, and a representative hydrograph of the aquifer was prepared using 15-year data (2003-2018) of groundwater resources divided into three five-year periods. Also, the drought of the groundwater resources of the studied plain was investigated using the GRI index. According to the results, the highest level of the groundwater table is related to the northwestern area of the plain by 1810.1 m in October 2007, and the lowest water table was observed in the southern study area with the amount of 1423.6 m in October 2017. Also, the results showed that the groundwater table faced a drop of 6 m and an average annual drop of 0.5 m during the studied 15 years. The volume changes of the reservoir also indicated that, in addition to consuming the entire renewable reserve, a large part of the fixed reserve has also been exploited in the past years. The descending trend of GRI and its intensification in the last years of the studied period is one of the most important results of this research, which occurred due to population growth and increasing cultivated area, a decrease in precipitation, and climate change.
