Showing 1604 results for on
S. Ashkevari, S. Janatrostami, A. Ashrafzadeh,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
In this study, a conceptual model based on dynamic systems was developed to optimize the management of water, land, and agricultural production (tea and rice) in the irrigation zones of the Sefidroud irrigation and drainage network. To understand the behavior of the network and create a simulation model of the system, a dynamic systems modeling approach was employed, and the simulation was conducted using MATLAB/Simulink. Subsequently, the optimization model of the studied system was developed as a multi-objective model using a genetic algorithm. Various management scenarios were implemented through the weighting of the objective functions. The results showed that selecting the best response from multi-objective optimization models depends on the weighted values of the objective functions, and by changing these values, decision-makers can provide various responses to complex optimization problems. The optimization model determines the cultivated area and water allocation in such a way as to minimize water scarcity and maximize crop performance through different weighting combinations. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the canals of the irrigation network play a crucial role in meeting water needs, and equitable water allocation is essential to prevent excessive extraction and negative consequences, such as saline intrusion and land subsidence. The study demonstrates that the best solutions are contingent upon local conditions and decision-makers' policies. To achieve maximum economic benefits and address water needs, it is suggested to use a weighting combination close to (w1=1,w2=2). Ultimately, this model assists managers and decision-makers in minimizing water scarcity in the region by adjusting cropping levels and optimizing the use of available water resources.
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.
Sh. Amiri, B. Khalili,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Soils are continuously exposed to large amounts of engineered nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which can affect soil microbial activities and nitrogen cycling. The hypotheses of the present study were: (i) vegetation types would differ in their responses to Ag types and concentrations, (ii) these responses would be linked to changes in soil protein and amino acid concentrations, and (iii) combined plant root systems alongside Ag types and concentrations would have offsetting effects on soil protein and amino acid concentrations. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test these hypotheses using a factorial arrangement of treatments within a randomized block design. Two soil types with loamy sand and sandy loam textures were collected from agricultural fields in Isfahan, specifically from the Badroud (33◦ 44′ 50" N, 51◦ 57′ 55" E) and Femi (33◦ 42′ 17" N, 51◦ 59′58" E) regions. The treatments included: 1) soil types (loamy sand and sandy loam), 2) root systems (non-planted, wheat, and safflower), 3) Ag types (no Ag added, AgNPs, and AgNO3), and 4) Ag concentrations (50 and 100 ppm). The plants were harvested 110 days after sowing, with soil samples collected from both the root zone and non-planted soil, after which the concentrations of protein and amino acids were measured. In the Badroud soil, protein concentration significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing depth. Although depth changes did not show a significant difference in protein concentration in the soil under wheat cultivation, increasing depth resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in protein concentration in the soil under safflower cultivation. In the Fami soil, the addition of silver nitrate led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein concentration, despite the fact that the addition of silver nanoparticles had no significant (p < 0.05) effect on soil protein concentration. In the Badroud soil, the highest concentration of soil amino acids was observed in the silver nitrate treatment, while the silver nanoparticle treatment did not significantly affect soil amino acid concentrations (p < 0.05). However, applying silver treatments at both tested concentrations resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in soil amino acid levels. Overall, the effects of nanoparticles varied depending on the measured parameters (protein or amino acid), soil texture, and type of cultivation. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms by which AgNPs and AgNO3 affect the soil nitrogen cycle in the presence of plants at different soil depths.
M. Zarinibahador,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
The calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) in soil is one of the most important soil properties. Predicting the amount of calcium carbonate equivalent in soil is essential for sustainable soil fertility management. The present study aimed to digitally map calcium carbonate equivalent using auxiliary environmental variables, Landsat 8 satellite images, and predictive models and to present the best models in the Badr watershed in the south of Qorveh district. In the first phase, a geomorphologic map was created using a geologic map and based on the ZINC method in a geographic information system environment. In the second phase, the location of 125 survey profiles was determined using the Latin hypercube technique, and the calcium carbonate equivalent of the soil horizons was measured by acid titration. The auxiliary variables included derivatives of the digital elevation model, remote sensing indices from the Landsat 8 satellite, and a geopedological map. The principal component analysis (PCA) method was used to select suitable auxiliary variables. In the third phase, the modeling was carried out, digital maps of the soil classes and properties were created, and the models were evaluated. Two different cases were investigated in this study to estimate the calcium carbonate equivalent of the soil. In the first case, artificial neural network models, decision tree analysis, random forest, and the K-nearest neighbor model were used for prediction. The multiple linear regression model was also used to combine the results of the models. Among the models used to predict the equivalent amount of calcium carbonate using the 10-fold cross-validation method, the multiple linear regression (MLR) model had the highest prediction accuracy with a coefficient of determination of 0.796 and a mean square error of 6.514. In the 5-fold cross-validation method, the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) model had the highest predictive accuracy with a coefficient of determination of 0.9845 and a root mean square error of 2.1258. Due to the spatial nature of the 10-fold cross-validation method, the use of this method is preferable to the 5-fold cross-validation method. In addition, the most important auxiliary variables in order of importance to predict the calcium carbonate equivalent in soil were the carbonate index, slope direction, geomorphology, the base level of the catchment network, and the slope of the catchment.
H. Ramezani Etedali, S. Koohi,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Agriculture, as a crucial economic and social sector in Iran, has always been significantly influenced by weather conditions, water availability, and farm management practices. Enhancing productivity and optimizing resource management in crop production are essential to achieving sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security. This research aimed to investigate how much wheat, barley, and corn production, separately from irrigated and rainfed crops, will be affected by the severity of climatic drought (based on the CMIP6) in Iran. This research was carried out using the amount of wheat, barley, and corn production in all the provinces, which was provided by the Agricultural Jihad Organization during the years 1371 to 1402. Climate data was obtained from the NEX-GDDP database, and the De Martonne aridity index was calculated to investigate changes in aridity under climate scenarios. The results indicated that during the baseline period, the production of rainfed wheat, barley, and corn under semi-arid to very arid climatic conditions was approximately 2,076, 434, and 15 thousand tons per year, respectively. With the intensification of arid conditions across the country, these production levels are projected to increase to 3,333, 693, and 16 thousand tons under the SSP2 scenario and further rise to 3,558, 842, and 16 thousand tons under the SSP5 scenario. Additionally, the production of irrigated wheat, barley, and corn in semi-arid to very arid climatic conditions during the baseline period stands at approximately 6,240, 1,683, and 5,842 thousand tons, respectively. Under the SSP2 climate scenario, the production is expected to reach about 7,126, 1,757, and 6,253 thousand tons, while in the SSP5 scenario, the estimated production is approximately 7,348, 1,780, and 6,324 thousand tons. The findings revealed notable spatial differences in crop production across the country, highlighting that the climatic conditions, particularly in the central, southern, southeastern, and southwestern regions, are becoming increasingly arid. It is crucial to implement smart planning and policies, adopt advanced technologies, and improve the management of water and soil resources to mitigate the adverse impacts of these changes and better adapt to evolving conditions. Addressing these challenges and implementing effective measures are essential steps toward achieving sustainability in the agriculture and natural resources sectors.
H.r. Zare Guildehi, H.a. Alikhani, H. Etesami, M. Shirinzadeh, Z. Karami, M. Gholami,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Soil and water pollution and waste of resources have occurred due to the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in paddy fields. Considering that the biofilm of periphyton formed in paddy fields is mainly responsible for the exchange of nutrients, the present research was designed to investigate the effect of periphyton in the nitrification process in paddy fields and performed with 12 treatments. The treatments included powerful and weak nitrifiers isolated from periphyton, periphyton, periphyton enriched with nitrifiers, and their combination with a dicyandiamide chemical inhibitor. The research was carried out in a rice greenhouse cultivation for 30 days. The results showed that the simultaneous application of periphyton enriched with low-power nitrifier and dicyandiamide can increase the amount of total soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, soil ammonium, total plant nitrogen, plant phosphorus, plant potassium, shoot length, and dry weight of rice plants. While this treatment reduced the conversion of ammonium to nitrate and subsequently reduced the potential of nitrate formation in the soil, with the increase of ammonium accumulation, it increased the utilization of rice plants. Periphyton can be considered a source for the isolation of nitrifiers. Also, the use of periphyton in paddy fields as a biological and healthy solution to inhibit the nitrification process in front of the use of inhibiting chemicals is placed in the path of future research.
B. Naderi-Samani, M. Ghobadinia1, B. Haghighati, S.m.r. Hosseini-Vardanjani, A.r. Ahmadpour-Samani,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Awareness of the impact of water deficit stress on the quantitative and qualitative performance of agricultural products, considering the recent recurrent droughts and reduced precipitation, is essential for water consumption management. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different irrigation deficit treatments on the yield, yield components, and water use efficiency of autumn wheat in the Shahrekord region. An experiment with three replications was conducted in a completely randomized block design at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province during 2023-2024. The experimental treatments included four irrigation levels: full irrigation (T100), 80% of full irrigation (T80), 60% of full irrigation (T60), and 40% of full irrigation (T40). The application of the T60 deficit irrigation treatment resulted in a reduction of more than 14% in grain yield, while the T80 treatment caused a more than 31% decrease in grain yield. Additionally, the T60 treatment exhibited the highest water use efficiency at 1.22 kg per cubic meter, while the water use efficiency for the T100, T80, and T40 treatments was 1.06, 1.12, and 1.19 kg per cubic meter, respectively. The results showed that water deficit irrigation significantly affected the grain yield, biomass, and water use efficiency of autumn wheat under the climatic conditions of the Shahrekord region. The results of this study indicated that the T80 deficit irrigation treatment could have a more acceptable performance in terms of water efficiency.
L. Babakhah, A. Khoshfetrat, E. Delavari,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Piano key weirs are a new form of labyrinth weirs and exhibit nonlinear characteristics. Due to their high efficiency regarding flow capacity, it is crucial to investigate local scour and identify solutions to mitigate it. Local scour was examined downstream of a trapezoidal piano key weir type B for the first time in this study. The weir was installed 5.50 m from the start of the channel and has a height of 0.20 m, featuring three cycles (three outlet keys, two inlet keys, and two inlet half keys). Three tailwater depths and three different flow rates were also utilized. The maximum scour depth increases with a higher densimetric Froude number and flow rate while decreasing with tailwater depth. The range of the dimensionless parameter for the densimetric Froude number in this study varies between 1 and 2. Additionally, sand and gravel were employed as two types of bed materials. As the diameter of the bed material increases, the maximum scour depth decreases. The scour index for gravel bed material is significantly lower than that for sand material, indicating that the risk of weir overturning is much lower in gravel bed material.
H. Ramezani Etedali, M. Ahmadi,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
change, accurately predicting wheat production is essential for developing precision agriculture. Remote sensing enables the indirect prediction of crop production before harvest. This research investigates the application of the random forest method and support vector regression for simulating wheat production across ten selected farms in Qazvin Plain from 2019 to 2020, employing NDVI, MSAVI, and EVI vegetation indices. Sentinel 2 satellite data was utilized for the vegetation indices. Production data for the ten wheat fields was obtained from the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Qazvin Province. Evaluation of support vector regression and random forest to assess both the observed and simulated wheat production data was conducted using R2, MBE, RMSE, and MAE statistics. To explore the simulation of wheat production using vegetation indices, seven methods were defined: methods 1 to 3 examine each index separately; methods 4 to 6 focus on binary combinations of the indices; and method 7 considers the combined effects of all three indices. The support vector regression model provided good estimates of wheat production in all methods, except methods one and four, in the test phase, with a coefficient of determination of more than 0.98 and a low RMSE. The random forest model showed significant results in all methods except methods two and six during the test phase, achieving a 95% probability (P-value=0.00) with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.8. Overall, this research highlights the importance and potential of machine learning techniques for timely crop production prediction as a strong foundation for regional food security.
F. Zolfaghari, S. Eslamian, A.r. Gohari, M.m. Matinzadeh, S. Azadi,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Drought represents one of the most critical natural disasters, exerting profound impacts on agriculture, society, the economy, and water resources. Various indices are used to monitor drought and its effects. This study aims to monitor drought in the Zayandeh-Rud Basin using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI), the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI). All these indices are based on potential evapotranspiration, incorporating parameters such as precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and sunshine duration. These five indices were calculated and evaluated during the statistical period of 1993–2023 for meteorological stations in Isfahan, East Isfahan, Kabootarabad, Daran, Shahreza, Najafabad, and Mobarakeh. After calculating the indices and using spatial zoning maps, the studied stations were compared in terms of these indices. The continuity of dry and wet periods, as well as the intensity of droughts and wet spells, was analyzed. Subsequently, drought intensities during different years in these stations were ranked using the TOPSIS model based on factors such as precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and station elevation. The results showed that in stations with a dry climate (such as Isfahan, East Isfahan, and Shahreza), drought occurrences (as indicated by higher rankings) have been consecutive over multiple years. Comparing the performance of the indices in the studied stations using spatial zoning maps revealed that the intensity of droughts and wet spells in regions with dry and semi-dry climates was not very significant. However, in areas with humid climates, the fluctuations in drought and wet spell intensities were quite substantial. The findings indicate that the PDSI and EDDI indices are more suitable for evaluating drought in dry climates.
S. Yousefi, S.n. Emami, M. Nekooeimehr, S. Mardanian,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
In the present study, the Road Sediment Delivery Model (SEDMODL) and Geographic Information System (GIS) were utilized to estimate the average annual sedimentation caused by the forest road network in the oak forests in the west of Iran, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Provinces (Nazi forest road with a length of 5171 meters). Sedimentation from the study forest road network was estimated based on three basic factors in the model. Also, 30 erosion benchmarks were installed to measure the erosion and sedimentation rate at different distances from the road and in different parts of the study road and changes were measured during a year. The results showed that the average soil erosion at different distances from the Nazi road based on erosion benchmarks is 5.7 mm per year. In addition, the estimated erosion and sedimentation rate of the entire study road network based on the SEDMODL model is 2875 and 570 tons per year per kilometer, respectively. Model evaluation using erosion benchmarks showed that SEDMODL is a suitable model for estimating soil erosion on forest roads in the west of Iran (R2=0.78 and RMSE=0.73). It should be noted that statistical analysis of erosion hot-spot analysis showed that 39 percent of forest roads in Nazi showed very high erosion. Based on the results of the present study, it is suggested that conservative, protective, and road maintenance measures in areas with high erosion risk should be prioritized by decision-makers.
J. Ghaneiardakani, S.a. Mazhari, F. Ayati,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of agricultural activities on the soils of southern Mehriz by analyzing their geochemical composition and comparing the physicochemical properties of pistachio orchard soils (agricultural soils) with those of undisturbed natural soils. The results indicate that agricultural practices have led to an increase in Total Organic Carbon (TOC), averaging 1.5%, and a reduction in soil acidity. Additionally, phosphorus concentrations have risen in agricultural soils. These soils also exhibit enrichment in elements such as cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), scandium (Sc), and rare earth elements (REE) compared to natural soils, with a more homogenized REE distribution pattern. Although the concentrations of these trace elements remain within national environmental standards and below critical thresholds, the study highlights a significant increase in the bioavailability of heavy metals due to agricultural activity. This finding underscores a potential environmental risk if such changes are not properly managed in the future.
M. Askari Jabarabadi, N. Mirghaffari, J. Abedi Koopaei,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
The water footprint is an analytical tool that offers a better and more comprehensive view of how consumers or producers engage with freshwater consumption. Given the water crisis in the country, particularly in Isfahan Province, this study aims to estimate and compare the direct and indirect water footprints of several large industries, including Mobarakeh Steel, Iron Smelting, Refinery, and Power Plant, located in the Zayandeh River Basin. After identifying the desired objectives and study areas, as well as confirming the availability of the required data, information was gathered from the selected industries. Two methods were then utilized to aggregate the entire chain and the sum of steps to calculate the water footprint in the researched industries. According to the calculations, the direct and indirect water footprint in the iron smelting industry amounts to 196.9 cubic meters per ton of steel annually, of which 4.026 cubic meters is attributed to direct consumption and 17.5 cubic meters to indirect consumption. In a refinery, 18.80 liters of water are consumed directly and indirectly to produce one barrel of product (gasoline or diesel). Additionally, the direct and indirect water footprint of the Islamabad power plant is 1,198,320 cubic meters per terajoule, equating to 4.31 liters per kilowatt hour. The results of this study indicate that the indirect water footprint in the analyzed industries is equal to or exceeds direct water consumption, with both being equally significant. Finally, it is important to note that the results of this study can support decision-makers and policymakers in the industry, including those in the iron and steel, refinery, and power plant sectors, in managing their water footprint.
S. Rezaei, M. Heidarpour, A. Aghakhani,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
The growing concern for environmental protection and increasing demand for green approaches to address environmental problems have prompted researchers to explore a sustainable and reliable method for treating dyeing wastewater. One of the sustainable and reliable methods is the electrocoagulation process. In this study, a batch electrocoagulation reactor was designed to evaluate the efficiency of this process in treating dyeing wastewater. The effects of two parameters, electrode distance and retention time, on pollutant removal efficiency were investigated. Electrode distances of 2, 5, and 7 cm were tested, and retention times of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes were examined. Results indicated that the optimal electrode distance was 5 cm and the optimal retention time was 20 minutes. Under these conditions, the removal efficiency of BOD, COD, TSS, color, and turbidity reached 83%, 85%, 98%, 98%, and 93%, respectively. The results of this research demonstrate the significant potential of the electrocoagulation system for treating dyeing wastewater.
M.r. Shoaibi Nobariyan, M.h. Mohammadi,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of solutes and water quality on evaporation amount and rate in two sandy and clayey soils. Soil samples containing aggregates and sand particles with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 1 millimeter were collected. Six columns were prepared during the experiment; three columns were filled with sandy soil and three with aggregated soil, each measuring 60 cm in height and 15.5 cm in inner diameter. One reference column was filled with distilled water. A saturated calcium sulfate solution was added to two columns, a 0.01 molar calcium chloride solution was added to two other columns, and distilled water was added to the remaining two. The amount of water lost through evaporation was recorded every 8 to 12 hours by weighing the columns. After approximately 130 days, the columns were sectioned, allowing for the establishment of moisture and solute concentration profiles for each soil column. The results indicated that the first and second stages of evaporation were distinguishable in sandy soil, whereas in clayey soil (aggregated soil), only the first stage of evaporation occurred due to the gradual transfer of water and the continuous hydraulic connection from the surface to the water table. The presence and type of solutes affected the evaporation rate and moisture profile, reducing evaporation and increasing water retention in deeper soil layers. Hydraulic connectivity (calcium sulfate > calcium chloride > distilled water) and the resulting capillary rise of and supply of evaporated water from higher layers caused a greater evaporation rate in the calcium sulfate compared to the calcium chloride and distilled water treatments in both soil types. Additionally, the formation of a salt crust on the soil surface due to solutes disrupted the hydraulic connection with the surface, resulting in decreased evaporation rates and cumulative evaporation.
A. Raisi Nafchi, J. Abedi Koupai, M. Gheysari, H.r. Eshghiazeh,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
Rice is one of the most important crops and the primary food source for more than half of the world's population. The present study was conducted to compare the direct-seeded rice (DSR) of three rice varieties (Jozdan, Firuzan, and Sazandegi) using surface (DI) and subsurface (SDI) drip irrigation systems. The experiment was performed as a split–split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two years (2019 and 2020) in the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology in Najaf-Abad. According to the results of the variance analysis, the most suitable cultivar for DSR in the region (among the tested cultivars) is Sazandegi with a grain yield of 3400 kg/h-1. The results of this experiment showed that the amount of water consumed in DI was 20% less than in SDI. Also, DSR reduced water consumption by 40% compared to transplanted rice (TPR) in the region. However, the grain yield also decreased by about 45%.
M. Feyzolahpour, M. Ahmadi,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
Drought is a hazard that can have widespread impacts on biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem stability. The present study investigated the drought situation in the Bonab rural district. To assess the drought situation during the period 2013 to 2024, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Water Index (NDWI), Moisture Index (NDMI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST) were used. The results showed that the maximum value of the NDWI index reached from 0.16 in 2013 to 0.14 in 2024, which indicates an intensification of drought. However, the maximum value of the NDVI increased from 0.53 in 2013 to 0.58 in 2024, and the value for the MSAVI index for the years 2013 and 2024 was 0.69 and 0.73, respectively. All indices except the NDWI index had a negative correlation with the LST index, and the MSAVI index had the highest negative correlation with a Pearson coefficient of -0.39 in 2013. The results are also consistent with the results obtained from the SVM model. It is also observed that the area of barren lands has decreased from 887 square kilometers in 2013 to 851 square kilometers in 2024.
J. Karami, M. Habibi Nokhandan, M. Azadi, A. Rashidi Ebrahim Hesari,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
The present study investigates shoreline changes along the southern Caspian Sea coast in Mazandaran Province over 24 years (2000-2023) using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The images were obtained from the USGS and Google Earth Engine platforms, and after geometric and radiometric corrections were processed using near-infrared and shortwave Infrared bands to accurately detect the boundary between land and water. Shorelines were visually extracted from the imagery and digitized for each time interval. Spatial variations in the shoreline were analyzed using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) within the ArcGIS environment, applying statistical methods including Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE), End Point Rate (EPR), and Linear Regression Rate (LRR). The results indicate a significant shoreline retreat in many areas of the study region, alongside a continuous decline in the Caspian Sea water level during the last decade. The integration of remote sensing analyses with atmospheric and hydrological data (temperature, precipitation, and river discharge) improved the accuracy of the results and suggests that the southern coastlines—particularly in Mazandaran—may experience more severe retreat by 2050, if current trends continue. These findings underscore the need for intelligent water resource management and the adoption of climate-adaptive policies in the region.
A. Akbarian Khalilabad, H. Karami, S. F. Mousavi,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
The reduction of soil permeability due to the sedimentation of suspended particles is a significant challenge to the efficient operation of artificial recharge systems. In this study, the effects of sediment concentration (0.5, 2, and 4 g/L), soil particle size, and vertical distribution on clogging processes were investigated using laboratory soil column experiments. The results showed a two-phase decrease in permeability: a rapid initial drop caused by the blockage of coarse pores during the first 10 minutes, followed by a second phase where the system reached a relative equilibrium. Higher sediment concentrations led to a faster decline and lower equilibrium values of permeability. Fine-grained soils, despite having lower initial permeability, demonstrated greater resistance to clogging, while coarse-grained soils experienced more severe reductions. Vertical analysis indicated that the most significant permeability loss occurred at a depth of 40-50 cm, while deeper layers showed increased permeability due to the limited penetration of suspended particles. These findings can inform the selection of appropriate materials, the design of subsurface layers in recharge basins, the prediction of system lifespan, and the regulation of sediment load in inflows to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of artificial recharge systems.
A. Bagheri, A. Yadegari, K. Khaledi,
Volume 29, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
Wheat is a strategic crop, and boosting its production is vital. This study identifies key factors affecting wheat yield by estimating and selecting superior production functions. The research used panel data from crop years 1400-1385 in Isfahan province counties over 15 years, analyzed with EViews 10 software. Results showed water use had the greatest positive effect; a one percent water increase raised wheat yield by 0.41 percent on average. Cultivated area, fertilizer, seeds, and labor also had positive, significant effects. In contrast, air temperature had a negative effect, and agricultural machinery had no significant effect. Isfahan's arid climate and water's role in yield underscore the need for modern irrigation methods and better water use efficiency to improve production.
