فصلنامه محیط شناسی
سال سی و هفتم شماره 4 (پیاپی 60، زمستان 1390)

An increase in energy prices will decrease the fossil fuel consumption; on the other hand, the cost-push will encourage technology improvement for firms and households. These changes will affect the emission level.This paper studies the changes of yearly pollutant emissions after an energy price reform in Iran. We apply a computable general equilibrium model which consists of 7 energy goods (Electricity, natural gas, liquid gas, gasoline, kerosene, fuel, gasoil) and also 7 pollutants (CO, CO2, SO2, SO3, CH, SPM, NOx). The model is calibrated based on a Micro Consistent Matrix of 2001 from Ministry of Energy. We also assume different scenarios of energy layer elasticity which describe different technology changes in our sensitivity analysis. The findings suggest that by an increase in energy prices, the emission of most pollutants would decrease except for CO and CH. For these two, depending on the technology changes after the policy, their emission may decline or not. The decline in CO2 emission will be between 9 and 16 percent.

Nowadays, issues of environment degradation sourcing in human actions and economic activities are of crucial worldwide subjects that all societies are concerned with them. Its importance is not only of the natural resources systems’ aspects, but it is also crucial from the socio-economic point of view. So, environmental subjects have considerable role in sustainable development process. Iran as a developing country is faced with problems high rate growth of energy consumption, high energy intensity, and high rate of urbanization, weak efficiency and low productivity of energy use in production function. These problems pushes the country towards environment problems, amongst which the air pollution. So, to achieve a sustainable growth along with environment protection she has to pay attention to issues of energy intensity and urbanization problems. This research examines the eventual determinants of air pollution of Iran particularly the energy intensity and urbanization of the country in the period of 1967-2005. Using Johansen-Juselius procedure, a long–run model of interactions of the selected variables is estimated. Results indicate that energy intensity and urbanization growth have had a significant positive effect on CO2 emissions. Also, findings of the research confirm the EKC hypothesis in Iran in the period of the study.

Although individuals knowledge and awareness toward natural resources, especially wetlands had been increased but still social consideration level toward wetland importance, functions and sensitivity are low. Considerable amount of wetlands destruction caused by miscalculation of wetlands functions’ values in a market condition. Estimating the value of wetland’s function is a way in order to understand the importance of investment in preservation and improvement of wetlands. The Ghorigol wetland is one of the most important environmental resources of West Azerbaijan province that had been recorded as an international wetland in Ramsar conventions. Present study applied Contingent Valuation (CV) Method and Dichotomous questionnaire for estimating individuals’ willingness to pay and determining preservation value of Ghorigol wetland. Mean annual individuals WTP for preservation of mentioned wetland was 117240 Rials and total annual wetland preservation value was 34.59 billion Rials. AHP approach had been applied for distinguishing use and non-use values of wetland. According to AHP’s results use value (include direct, indirect and option values) and non-use value (include existence and bequest values) acquired 54.5 and 45.5 percentages of total wetland preservation value, respectively. Due to considerable share of non-use value in total wetland preservation value, policy makers should pay special attention toward preservation and conservation of wetland’s natural condition.

Elm (Ulmus glabra Hudson) is one of the most valuable species which distribute all over the Caspian forests. Nowadays, elm is considered an endangered species due to intensive human activities and outbreak of Dutch elm disease over the last few decades. To suitable management of elm, there is need to have indices which describe; current structure and its changes across the time. This study besides the description of a family of indices based on nearest neighbor is dealt to quantify the spatial structure of elm in Gorazbon district. These indices investigate the positioning, mixture and DBH dimension of elm in relation to neighborhood trees. The data used in this study collected from 243 circular-shaped sample plots with an area of 1000 m2 and the Crancod (Ver. 1.3) was employed to the data analysis. In this research, in addition to the quantifying of elm spatial structure, deviation between observed and simulated forest was calculated using absolute discrepancy algorithm. The mean values of uniform angle, species mingling and DBH dimension indices for elm in studied forest were accounted for 0.54, 0.9 and 0.32, respectively. These values showed random distributions with a little relative tend to cluster and a high degree of competition with other species and also DBH dimension indicated that elm was conquered in relate to other neighbors. Finally, AD values between observed and simulated forest for the above mentioned indices were calculated 21.2%, 32.2% and 13.14%, respectively. Monitoring of management activities and evolution of forest ecosystems with above-mentioned indices is useful for conservation of biodiversity, controlling of extinction process and decreasing of environmental destructive impacts.

Steel industry is one of the most consumption of energy in the world, which is related to melting furnace which result environmental pollution. We calculate the energy consumption and capital cost of dust collectors of Venturi Scrubber (VS) and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) which are connected to melting furnace in respect to industrial ecology for selection of appropriate dust collection system which is comparative to environment. In this research we consider three melting furnace with capacity of 3,6 and 12 tonnages, and based on calculations energy consumption and govern formulas, capital costs in two VS and ESP have been done. The results show annual energy consumption in VS connected to furnace with capacity of 12 tonnages is 18 times of electrical energy consumption in an ESP. In furnace with capacity of 6 tonnages, this energy consumption is 11 times and in furnace with 3 tonnages is 4 times are reduced. The cost of initial capital in ESP system in furnace with different with capacity (3,6 and 12 tonnages) is 1.5 times of a VS system. Hence, Total cost VS in furnace with capacity 12 tonnages of steel industry is approximately 1.5 times total cost of dust collector of ESP in 20 years. While in melting furnace with capacity of 3,6 are 1.6 & 4 times. We conclude that using of VS for furnace with capacity of less than 3 tonnages, with respect to environmental sustainability and industrial ecology are more reasonable and economic.

One of the indicators of sustainable urban growth is the balance of development between different regions of the city, quality of the environment, equality in job opportunities, housing, basic services, social infrastructures, and transportation in urban areas. Urban sprawl has some negative consequences. Some of the consequences that are frequently mentioned are destroying green spaces, high cost of infrastructure, private car dependency and consequently, increasing level of traffic, use of energy, pollution and higher temperature and decreasing water quality. This article examines the relation between urban sprawl, concentration of urban facilities and environmental quality variables. Using satellites images, and other data, indicator of accessibility to urban services, indicators of quality of environment including air pollution, land cover vegetation, temperature, sounds pollution have been obtained. The spatial analysis of the distribution of urban services shows concentration of urban services in center of city and its significant correlation with environmental indicators. The results of study show that urban sprawl, concentration of urban facilities in central parts of city, use of private car to commute to urban facilities, and pattern of infrastructure investments have had numerous environmental impacts. The results of study can help policy makers and decision makers to establish and implement policies to prevent the negative impacts of urban sprawl.

Geotourism or Geological tourism is a kind of tourism derives from Ecotourism, Introducing Geo-heritage to tourists. This paper is done with the aim to study Geotourism capabilities in Kavir national park. This park is located in Tehran, Semnan and Qom province and managed by Semnan Environment Protection Organization.Kavir national park shows valuable natural and geological potentials, among which Salt Domes, Karst lime Dissolution shapes, Barkhans, Sifs, Sand Dunes and salt crystals in different colors can be mentioned. Park also has some historical places like Qasre Bahram caravanserai, Deir citadels, Eynorashid spring, Stone stream and cobblestone way which can attract researchers and geotourists.To analyze the practical planning with the goal of presenting managerial course, this paper applies SWOT planning strategy model which is based on the recognition of strengths, weaknesses from internal circumference and opportunities and treats from external circumference. The results are presented in internal factors analysis summary and external factors analysis summary tables. The final analyses of these findings are incorporated in Freeman matrix in order to providing a quantitative strategic plan for Geotourism development in Kavir National Park. Freeman matrix completed on the basis of economical, social, cultural and ecological priorities in study area and pos loading each development alternatives show the final results. WO strategy model " powerfully management of Environment Protection Organization in order to protect and reanimate of extinct species with +58 scores gains the first grade and SO strategy model " efforts for benefiting from Geotourism capabilities and natural attractions of Kavir National Park in order to attract tourist interested in geoheritage with +46 scores, gain the second grade.

Nowadays, with the development of human societies and more mastery over the environment, to environmental changes caused by the faster and wider than before the occurrence of the joins. So having the necessary information about these changes and to manage the natural order is essential to sustainable ecosystems, metrics of landscape is tools landscape situation are few mechanisms that cause the diversity of their widespread use in planning studies related to ground. These measures are capable in a short time a lot of information about the structure and us components of landscape changes to give. The study were used measures the spatial distribution and composition of patches and landscape-level classes. According to the study aims to examine the basic structure and process of landscape change in the future and also the importance of vegetative Zagros region, province Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad took, the results of this study showed that whatever percentage density residential areas in the region More: 1) increased density of stain, 2) measure the spots increases. 3) Spot size decreases. 4) Landscape connectivity and coherence time decreases. Also, metrics of land cover showed the highest percentage related to the user to arrange user forest, pasture and agriculture is, metric results and distribution of spatial distribution, distribution patterns of the patches in the province shows a pile. Also show Sympsyvn and Shannon diversity index, abundance and diversity of user types over the province for this.

Due to the high value of land, low area of green space and its unsuitable distribution in the regions, the use of green roof technology in Iran’s metropolises seems a suitable option in order to improve the quality of urban environment. Using hierarchical analysis technique (AHP) and a Survey Research, this study identifies challenges which prevent the extension of green roofs in Iran. So by studying different experiences and resources about the development of green roofs and using the comments of relevant professionals, the main aspects of the lack of green roof development were examined that the result was to specify main six viewpoints. Experts’ opinions were evaluated according to priority of criteria and strategies. Then the final priority of strategies was acquired through the results. This model was used to evaluate the efficiency in providing the optimal strategies of green roofs. In this field, obstacles are as follows: different settlement costs, lack of vision as a solution for environmental approach, low cost of energy carriers, as well as the lack of codified standards, normative incompatibility, lack of local green roof industry, and finally applications researches In this context, along with the absence of economic plans, lack of subjective and objective knowledge of green roofs benefits in the minds of citizens including administrative standards and strategies against the development of green roofs. The proposed strategy is to apply successful experiences in using green roofs in the leading countries to promote quality of urban environment along with other advantages of this technology through governmental section for the presence of private sector.

Ports’ activities could result in oil spills occurrences and oil pollution in different ways including the discharges of ships’ oily wastes, discharges of oily ballast water and leaks at oil terminals. In this paper, using the results of the analyses of the hydrocarbon compounds in the samples collected from the sediments in the Anzali Port in the Caspian Sea in Iran, the levels of oil pollution in the sediments, in terms of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Petroleum Aromatic Hydrocarbons, are studied. Also using a number of existing biomarker profiles, the sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons were investigated. The concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons ranged between 7.6 to 29 mg/kg indicated that oil pollution content of the sediments in the area is at a low to medium level. Also the concentrations of PAHs in the sediments were very low (0.62 – 6.12 ng/g). This indicated that the sediments sampled in the study area can be considered unpolluted in terms of aromatic hydrocarbons. Analyses of the samples using a number of biomarkers showed a combination of natural (marine and terrestrial) and petrogenic hydrocarbons in the sediments in the Anzali Port area.

Soil pollution has become one of the main concerns which because of containing chemical and hazardous materials, alerts the whole environment, and finding solutions to overcome this problem would be very important. Many ways have been discovered and examined for soil treatment and one of the most applicable methods is soil washing. In this research, the effect of Saponin biosurfactant in crude-oil removal by the concentration of 10000 and 30000 ppm in a column soil sample have been analyzed. The experimental parameters and their value levels investigated were: concentration of surfactant solutions (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2%-mass); pH (7, 9 and 11); Alkali (NaOH) and polymer (Xanthan Gum) (0.6 and 0.1%-mass) and (0.7 and 0.2%-mass) respectively, as additions for optimum results in case of excessive efficiency evaluation. Results showed that the optimum washing condition for pH was found to be 11 for all the surfactant solutions. And the optimum concentration of surfactant solution for 10000 ppm pollution was 0.1%-mass and for 30000 ppm pollution 0.2%-mass and crude-oil removal efficiency were 69% and 72% respectively. Alkali and polymer in amount of 0.7 and 0.2%-mass (for NaOH and Xanthan Gum respectively) caused the efficiency mount to 71% and 75%. TPH is used as the criterion of this experiment.

The used activated carbon was derived from pine-cone and was used for the removal of Acid Black 1(AB1) and Acid Blue 113(AB113) dyes. A batch sorption study was carried out in order to obtain optimum isotherm model. The study showed the best fit of the adsorption isotherm data was obtained using the Langmuir model for both dyes. The monolayer maximum saturation capacities of AB1 and AB113 dyes based on Langmuir model are 458 mg dye/g carbon and 286 mg dye/g carbon respectively. Sorption of dyes was also studied in a continuous-flow state with a fixed-bed column of activated carbon. The column behavior parameters such as active zone length, active zone fractional capacity, total active zone capacity, active adsorption zone velocity, and active zone formation time, degree of saturation at the breakthrough point and time of passing through active zone were determined. The results showed the dyestuffs, due to their large molecular structures, resistance to internal diffusion is much which this results in dye molecules not having enough contact time to diffuse from the surface of the particle to the adsorption sites and therefore being pumped further up the column to fresh activated carbon. The active zone fractional capacity of AB113 and AB1 dyes was determined 0.271 and 0.369 respectively. Therefore, it is very important to maximize the fractional capacity of the active adsorption zone for the sorption of dyestuffs by activated carbon.

One of the principles for designing and using the various units of water treatment plants is ability of assigning and predicting performance of those units in different and various conditions that could be checked by making pilot and could be modeled by means of available programs and software such as artificial neural network. At this study a model provided for predict performance of pressure filters to remove turbidity, also relationship between turbidity quantity in optimize surface loading removal of bacteria have been investigated. This targets was considerate: (1) Experimental studies on performance of pressure filters for turbidity remove under different conditions, including influent turbidity, filtration rate and filter pressure, (2) extract of statistical analysis results and determine of the minimum and maximum effluent turbidity, (3) Using artificial neural networks for providing the appropriate model in determining filter performance in turbidity remove, (4) determining of the desired model indicators for using in performance of same filters, (5) determining the best influent turbidity and surface loading to receive maximum removal bacteria and coli-form. Appropriate pilot making, sample testing was done with 1300 of sample and then the minimum and maximum effluent turbidity was determined based on calculation and statistical analysis. Finally, the best model was determined and its indicators as one of the major objectives were presented for this study in similar cases.

In this study the environmental problems has been studied in south east of Tehran (Bibi Shahrbanou mount). 31 sediment samples were taken from 10-15 cm extremity of streams and were analyzed by ICP. Toxic elements studied include: Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn. The samples were also investigated for mineralogy using XRD. The clay mineral assemblage encountered in the analyzed samples is composed of kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, dictite, vermiculite, clinochlore. The nonclay minerals are composed mainly of quartz, calcite and dolomite as major minerals with alebite and muscovite as minor minerals. According to the index of geoaccumulation, the sediments of the study area are considered to be extremely polluted with respect to Sb and Ag, strongly polluted with respect to As, Cd, Zn and Cu, extremely to strongly polluted with respect to Pb, moderately to strongly polluted with respect to Cr, unpolluted to moderately polluted with respect to Ni. Except of As and Cr all the toxic elements are positively correlated with the determined physicochemical parameter such as pH, clay content, organic matter content, and carbonate content. Applied principal components analysis on the data makes nine principal components for the data set, the first three components of over 70 percent of the population variability to explain. The first component including Ag, Pb, Zn and Cu. Seems to be the first component in combination with abandoned lead mine and clay content. The second one including Ni and Sb, seems to be affected by organic matter and cation exchange capacity while the third including As and Cr is affected by cement factory. The results of cluster analysis are also fully consistent with the results of principal component analysis.

In recent years, many studies on the agriculture residue for remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions has been made. In addition to, in research Rafsanjan Pistachio shell as a sorbent in native and low-cost for nickel metal removal from aqueous solutions will introduce, change impact absorber dose on balance time and absorption efficiency is also evaluated. To do this, pistachio shell of Rafsanjan Pistachio its preparation and particle size between 600-800 microns and tested for nickel ions Stokes solution (1000 mg/l) by the incorporation of nickel nitrate salt (NiSO4.6H2O) Merck, Germany manufacturing plant with distilled water been produced was used. The results showed that the maximum absorption efficiency at pH=8 equal to 73/3%. Also, it was shown that with increasing adsorbent dose from 1 to 5 g/l, equilibrium time decreased from 120 to 15 minutes. Fitting kinetic models Lagergren, Ho et al (1996), Avrami, Intraparticle diffusion on the absorbance data showed that although Lagrgrn model gives a better estimate of the qe value but Ho et al model based assessment described absorption data better than other models. The comparison rate of nickel absorption showed that Rafsanjan Pistachio shell can be a good absorber of race to other absorbents.