نورالله میرغفاری

Milk and dairy products, due to their high nutritional value and consumption by all ages, are an important part of the human diet in many parts of the world. Nitrate and heavy metals contamination of milk is a danger to humans that is much more common in childhood. The Lenjan county in the southwest of Isfahan province and different industries, such as Esfahan Steel Company and Mobarakeh Steel Company, are located around the region. In addition, because of the intensive agricultural activities in this region, dairy products, including raw milk, could be exposed to nitrate and heavy metals pollution. The objective of this study is to investigate the concentration of lead, nitrate, and nitrite in the raw milk of livestock in the Lenjan region. Raw milk sampling was performed in polyethylene containers from 30 farms including industrial, semi-industrial, and traditional units situated in the different parts of the county. Furthermore, eight samples of raw and pasteurized milk from a dairy processing company in the region were collected in four different working days. The vanadium trichloride reduction and graphite furnace atomic absorption methods were used to measure the nitrate and lead concentrations of the samples, respectively. The results demonstrated that the concentration range of nitrate was 0-12.6 with a mean of 1.41 mg/kg; nitrite was 0-3.3 with a mean of 0.11 mg/kg; and lead was 0.006-0.387 with a mean of 0.03 mg/kg. Nitrite and nitrate levels of the samples were less than the standard of Codex (1 and 10 mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, the amount of lead in 16.7% of the samples was higher than the world standard (0.002 mg/kg). The risk assessment of lead and nitrate for humans through the consumption of raw milk was in the safety range. Risk factors (THQ) for lead, nitrate, and nitrite were 0.14, 0.01, and 0.0, respectively. However, monitoring of various contaminants in dairy products in the areas, which are at high risk of contamination, seems to be necessary.

Nowadays, the compounds known as emerging pollution are increasing in the environment. Pharmaceutical compounds are one of the most important substances in this group. Due to the complexity of chemical structure of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites, removal of these is important. Removal of these compounds by conventional water and wastewater treatment methods is not possible. In the present research, the performance of a hybrid of synthesized zeolite and ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen-codeine from aqueous solutions was investigated. To remove acetaminophen-codeine from aqueous solution, ZnO-Zeolite under UV and solar radiations was used. Final concentration of drug was measured using by HPLC in λmax = 214 nm. The optimal conditions of pH, catalyst dosage, drug initial concentration and reaction time were determined, based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Reusability test was finally performed for this synthesized composite. The results indicated that maximum removal of acetaminophen under UV radiation (48W/m2) was related to 14 mg/L of initial concentration in the neutral pH and a catalyst concentration of 1.7 g/L after 167min and that under the solar radiation (1200W/m2) was related on 5.5 mg/L of initial concentration in the neutral pH and a catalyst concentration of 1.2 mg/L after 143min of reaction start. Optimal initial concentration for codeine remove was 7.5 mg/L in the neutral pH. The maximum removal under UV and solar radiations was related to 1.5 and 1 g/L of composite after 192 and 170 min for codeine photocatalytic degradation. Photocatalytic degradation using this synthesized composite under optimal conditions, is able to completely remove the drug compounds (>99%) under UV and solar radiation. The photocatalytic method of ZnO-Z to remove acetaminophen and codeine from aqueous solutions is recommended. Synthesized composite in this research is a suitable material with reusability. Its efficiency also is acceptable under sunlight.

Every year a great deal of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and sewage sludge used in agriculture soils; this may cause the increase in concentration of Soil heavy metals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of assessment of agriculture activities on accumulation of Cadmium, Cobalt and Chromium; and determines the trend of heavy metal accumulation in soil.

To achieve this purpose 97 soil samples were taken from different agriculture fields with different cultivation archaism in Hamedan province in western IRAN by systematic approach. ANOVA test has been used to compare the concentration of heavy metals in different farms, the trend of accumulation heavy metals obtained in regards to cultivation archaism and the mean of metals concentration in different cultivations. Moreover, contamination Factor Index has been used for comparison of contamination risk in cultivations with various archaisms.

Mean concentrations in 20-, 35- and 65-year-old cultures for cadmium metal were 0.14, 0.16 and 0.19, respectively, for cobalt metal, 17/94, 18/05 and 79/20, respectively and for chromium metal 58.89, 72.99 and 88.09 mg / kg, respectively. The results showed that the longevity of cultivation affected on heavy metal accumulation in soil. The trend of Cd, Co and Cr accumulation in soil was exponential.

Due to the fact that agricultural soils are one of the important routes for the transfer of heavy metals to the human food chain, it is necessary to monitor soils that are potentially exposed to toxic metals.

In this study, the carbonaceous adsorbents were prepared from the waste of crude oil storage tanks using with steam at various temperatures. The optimum adsorbent was selected for further experiments after characterization of specific surface area and textural properties. Batch experiments of nickel adsorption were performed with initial concentration of 25-200 mg/L, pH 2-8, contact time 5-240 min and absorbent dose of 1-5 g/L. The results showed that among the three synthesized absorbents, the obtained adsorbent at 900 ˚C showed the higher surface and best structural properties with a specific surface area of 422 m2/g and a total pore volume of 0.55 m3/g. The results of nickel adsorption showed that the removal efficiency increases with increasing the contact time and absorbent dose. Maximum nickel adsorption efficiency was obtained at pH 5, contact time of 60 min and absorbance dose of 2 g/L. In addition, it was observed that the adsorption data follow the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The results of fitting the kinetic models for all adsorbents indicate that the adsorption process follow the pseudo second order kinetic model. Base on the results of this study, it can be stated that the activated carbon produced from oily sludge can be considered as an efficient and cost effective adsorbent for treatment of industrial wastewater.

Among the heavy metals, arsenic is known as a carcinogen material and its high concentrations in the ecosystem can be a major concern for public health and environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk map of arsenic contamination and the possibility of its entering into the food chain using the fuzzy method in the central part of the Hamedan-Bahar plain. For this purpose, arsenic concentration in 94 points of groundwater and 49 points of surface soil was analyzed and evaluated in the study area. Soil physico-chemical parameters (clay, organic matter and pH), soil and groundwater contamination probability map, and land use map were selected as the input of this method. In the fuzzy method, two operators (and & or) were used. In order to standardize the parameters, the fuzzy linear function was used. Comparing the classified risk assessment using these operators showed that the results of the operator had the maximum trust. So in areas where concentrations of arsenic in soil and groundwater were high, the physico-chemical parameters such as pH, organic matter and clay content of the soil were low and agriculture products had a high ability to absorb heavy metals and ensure its better to use for the operator.

Depending on the fuel type, the main vehicle exhaust emissions are nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon oxides, sulfur oxides (SOx), carbon particles, heavy metals, water vapor and hydrocarbons including aldehydes, single hydrocarbons and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, olefins, alkyl nitriles that along with secondary pollutants such as ozone, have negative effects on plant health. Agricultural lands which are adjacent to urban areas, are increasingly vulnerable to vehicle pollution.
The plants suffer a lot from the pollution caused by exhaust of vehicles because they can not move away from the source of contamination.
Plants exposed to exhaust of vehicles, show many disruptions in their general appearance, which are referred to as "visible injuries". In fact, these visible damages to the plants reflect the physiological changes that come with the contaminants. These physiological changes may be considered as "hidden injuries".
There is concern about the compounds of contaminants, because there is an evidence that the plant response to multi-pollutant mixtures may be different from plant response to a pollutant. For example, one hour exposure to combination of SO2 gases with concentration of 1310 micrograms per cubic meter and NO2 with concentration of 940 micrograms per cubic meter resulted in low leaf damage, while none of the gases do not cause damage alone in this concentrations.
There are many reports on the effects of pollutants on the anatomy, physiology and morphology of different plant species.
The importance of stomata in plant protection against air pollutants has been investigated and it has been shown that the closure of stomata helps to protect plants from pollution damage.
Vehicle contaminants affect photosynthesis and cause oxidative stress in plants.
Air pollution caused a significant increase in membrane peroxidation in Lavandula officinalis Chaix. and Ligustrum vulgare L. planted in the margin of the streets of polluted and cleaned areas of Tehran.
The activity of Antioxidants enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase) increased in different levels in contaminated areas compared to clean areas.
There are not enough researches on the effect of gasoline exhaust pollution on leafy vegetables, especially spinach.
According to the considerable amount of cultivated spinach, especially in Iran are in outdoors and on the side of the roads or contaminated urban areas, therefore, the effects of the gasoline exhaust pollutants on some anatomical, physiological and morphological characteristics of spinach (spinacia oleraceae var virofly) was investigated.
Material and

The experiment was conducted in factorial test based on a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse of Isfahan University of Technology.
12 small chambers (length: 100 cm, width 70 cm and height: 70 cm) and an exhaust generator for transferring the contaminants to the chambers were constructed.
VARIOPLUS MRU device was used to analyze the output gases and determine the concentration of contaminants from burning gasoline.
The seeds of Spinacia oleraceae var. viroflay were directly cultured in pots No. 4 which were filled with sand and soil mixtures of 1:2.
When the spinach seedlings reached to 4-leafy stage, transferred to the chambers and exposed separately to the gasoline exhaust pollution for three hours in three different exposure times (10, 20 and 30 days) and after the exposure time, their anatomical, physiological and morphological traits of plants were measured and compared with control plants.
The relative water content was measured by the method of Ritchie et al. (1990). Electrolyte leakage was measured by Lutts et al. (1995).
The total chlorophyll content and carotenoid content of leaves were extracted by 100% acetone solvent method. The absorbance of light at 661.6 and 168.8 for total chlorophyll and 470 nm for carotenoids were read.
The chlorophyll fluorescence concentration was measured by a chlorophyll meter machine (OS-30P model manufactured by Opti-science, UK) and the Fv/Fm ratio (photochemical effect of photosystem 2) was reported.
Factors related to leaf gas exchange were measured by a portable photosynthesis measurement (LCi model manufactured by ADC Bioscientific Ltd, UK). The amount of proline was measured using the Bates method (1973).
Catalase activity was measured using modified Aebi method (1984) at 240 nm wavelength. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was estimated by modified Nakano and Asada (1981) by absorbance reduction at 290 nm. The activity of the guaiacol peroxidase enzyme was determined by the Chance and Maehli method (1955) with a slight change.
Anatomical traits were observed by optical microscope and measured through the Edn-2 software.
Statistical analysis of data of all traits were performed using statistical software Statistix 8 and comparison of meanings performed based on minimum significant difference test (LSD) at 5% probability level.
Discussion of

Anatomical, physiological and morphological characteristics of spinach plants affected by gasoline exhaust pollution in every three exposure time.
Exposure to contaminants for 10 days, significantly increased total chlorophyll content, CO2 intracellular concentration, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate compared to controls.
No reduction was seen in all anatomical, physiological and morphological characteristics of spinach plants exposured to contaminants for 10 days compared to the controls.
The number of stomata, proline content and antioxidant enzymes activity including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase in plants exposed to contaminants for 20 days showed significant increase compared to the control plants.
Dry weight, relative water content of leaves and stomatal conductance of plants exposed to contaminants for 20 days showed a significant decrease compared to the control plants.
Plants exposed to the pollutants for 30 days, showed significant increases in antioxidant enzymes activity such as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase, proline content, electrolyte leakage and the number of stomata per unit compared to controls. But total chlorophyll content, carotenoid, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight and length of stomata significantly decreased compared to control plants.
Stomata pores in spinach plants that were exposed to the pollutants for 30 days shrinked due to closure of stomata by the pollutants as against other exposure days and control plants.
Significant differences in the xylem and phloem of plants that had the highest and the lowest exposure time to the pollutants were not observed.

Exposure to contaminants for 10 days, significantly increased total chlorophyll content and leaf gas-exchange parameters that are most likely because of the contents in contaminants and also the role of CO2 in photosynthesis process and the presence of nitrogen and sulfur in NO2 and SO2 gases.
Between the three time of exposure in this study, the most trait changes were observed in plants exposed to pollutants for 30 days.
Significant increase in antioxidant enzymes, proline, ion leakage and number of stomata was observed in spinach plants exposed to pollutants for 30 days compared to control plants. The highest increase in this interval was related to the activity of the guaiacol peroxidase enzyme and then the amount of proline.
Among the anatomical traits, the highest change was shown in the number of stoma (62.20%) of plants exposed to pollutants for 30 days compared to controls.
Significant decrease in total chlorophyll, carotenoid, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight and length of stomata in spinach plants exposured for 30 days was observed compared to control plants.
The highest decrease in plants exposed to pollutants for 30 days compared to controls was observed in stomatal conductance (39.21%) and the lowest reduction was observed in the amount of chlorophyll fluorescence (2.56%).
The results showed that the exposure of spinach plants to pollutants, especially 30-days exposure, caused morphological, physiological and anatomical reactions due to contaminants that could be considered these reactions as the adaptation of these plants to the stress of contamination, in order to adapt or to deal with stress conditions and thus to survive the plant under pollution stress conditions.

Clay minerals are one of the most abundant natural materials that have many industrial applications, while their environmental uses has recieved consideration in the past few decades. In this paper, the most important environmental applications of clay mineral such as landfill liner, adsorption of pollutants, reduction of the need to pesticides and fertilizers and so on have been reviewed. One of the most important characteristics of clay minerals regarding their environmental applications is their sorption capacity that increases through different types of surface modification methods such as acid treatment, alkali, surfactant and salt application that changes them into a cheap and effective adsorbent in water and wastewater treatment. Bentonite is the most-used clay mineral due to its special characteristics such as higher surface area and adsorption capacity compared to the sepiolite and kaolin. In Iran, bentonite is mostly used in drilling and foundry, and little attention has been paid to its environmental applications. Hence, we provide a review of the economic and environmental applications of this mineral.

All living organisms, such as plants, animals and humans depends on the water and life may exist in a place where water is available. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for more than 5.1 billion people around the world, especially in arid and semi- arid regions such as Iran. Currently, groundwater provided about 60 percent of the worlds drinking water and 77.8 percent of the Iran's drinking water. In recent years, it has been found that groundwater quality is also important as much as its quantity. Nowadays, pollution of groundwater resources from pollutants, especially heavy metals reduces the quality of these resources. Heavy metals are one of the most important environmental pollutant that its entering into the water is raised by agricultural activities, industrial and urban development. Among the heavy metals, arsenic is a toxic and carcinogenic metalloids which are widely distributed in the environment and it has a twentieth abundance of elements in the Earth's crust with an average of 1.8 mg kg-1. Arsenic has been classified in the first group of cancer-causing compounds. It has different effects such as horny skin, liver, skin and bladder cancer, mental disorders, damage to neurons, blood pressure, lower IQ and reducing white blood cells and red blood. The Maximum permissible arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter which has been identified by the World Health Organization and America Environmental Protection Agency. According to national standards of Iran, limitation of arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter. So far, numerous studies were done to evaluate the environmental contamination of heavy metals, especially arsenic using geostatistical methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of groundwater in terms of Arsenic pollution.
study area is Hamedan - Bahar aquifer with an area of 800 square kilometers that is located on the northern slopes of Alvand Mountains. The central part of Hamadan city, Lalejin, Saleh Abad and Bahar city is located in the study area. To conduct this study, concentrations of arsenic was investigated in 94 groundwater points. To determine the spatial distribution of arsenic, different geostatistical methods were used. Then the results of this methods were compared using cross validation technique and MAE & ¬MBE index and the most suitable method was chosen for this purpose. Eventually RBF method by multiquadric model was used. Moreover Contamination probability map was developed using indicator kriging models.
Arsenic concentrations were in the range between 5 – 79.5 micrograms per liter. Also The average concentration was 12.4 micrograms per liter. While the threshold for arsenic in water defined 10 micrograms per liter by the World Health Organization (WHO). So an average of arsenic in ground water is higher than limits of international standard. The spatial correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of arsenic in groundwater have no strong spatial dependency. So, for zoning this variable, between the nonparametric methods, radial basis function (RBF) by Multiquadric model was used. This method had lowest MAE and MBE index for arsenic in groundwater. The highest concentration of arsenic was in the industrial zone in the north of Hamadan (Hamedan, Tehran road). In general Excessive concentrations of arsenic are visible in the three areas : The first area is between Hamedan and Tehran Road Industrial Estate, that the high rate of abnormalities was found in this area (79.5 μg/L). Also the suburbs of Saleh-Abad and the Bahar city has high arsenic concentration. In these areas, groundwater levels were high and pollutants can penetrate more easily. The results of the contamination map using an indicator kriging method showed that 21.18% of aquifer moderately contaminated and about 10.9% of the aquifer area have a high contamination possibility. Polluted groundwater is matched with agricultural land especially the potato fields.
The results showed that the average concentration of arsenic in groundwater of Hamedan-Bahar basin is more than WHO and Iran department of environmental guidelines. The highest concentration of arsenic in agricultural lands and consequently in groundwater resources is due to the existence of polluting industries, the geological structure of the area where arsenic concentration naturally is high, cultivation of potatoes and other crops in the region and indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture.

Landscape characteristics and land use patterns of watershed demonstrate extension, distribution, density and abundance of human interference. These factors can affect water quality of adjacent aquatic systems within a watershed. Land use changes have caused various environmental problems for Zayandehroud River,turned it as a sink of pollutant. Therefore this is investigated that how would Landscape characteristics and land use patterns change water quality and affect ecosystem management. The main goal of this study was to examine how landscape patterns (including Number of Patches, Edge Density, Percentage of landscape, Total Edge and Largest Patch Index) influence water quality. Indexes (including EC, HCO3, NO3, Cl, K, Ca, COD, Na, DO, P, pH, BOD5 and TDS) were measured in 10 stations along the Zayandehroud river.This is one of the most important rivers of the central plateau of Iran.In this study, Four classes of land use including Cropland, Orchard, Residential and industrial area were identified in a period of eleven years (1997–2008). The results indicated that water quality was significantly correlated with both proportions and configuration of Residential areas. Total edge of Industrial area had negative effects on water quality, especially on TDS and COD. Results of this study can be used not only for resource managers in order to restore the aquatic ecosystems but also for policy makers in evaluating alternate land management decisions.

In present study, besides investigating benthic communities and their demographics in Choghakhor wetland, the water quality has been evaluated and classified. Then, 10 stations were selected and sampling of benthos was done every 45 days since April 2010 to March 2011, with 3 replications at each station. Samples were obtained by Ekman grab Sampler (surface 400 cm2). The collected samples were separated and fixed by formalin (4%). The Macroinvertebrates samples were identified and counted in laboratory. Generally 25 families of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 5 classes and 12 orders were identified. The results were calculated as community measures, including total richness, Shannon - Wiener diversity index and Hilsenhoff Biological index at family level. The results obtained from temporal and spatial changes of data (Statgeraphics software) and water qualitative classification using Shannon diversity index conformed to biological Hilsenhoff index. And finally, water quality of wetland was assessed to be polluted in average to high level. According to this study findings, it seems that, these indicators could be used as useful tools for evaluating water supplies quality.

In the present study, the raw rice husk was used as adsorbent for removal of crude oil from aqueous solution. The sorbent was characterized by CHNS analyzer, ICP-OES spectroscopy, Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).The oil adsorption percent was determined by weighting method. The effect of various parameters including contact time, particle size, initial oil concentration, adsorbent dose on adsorption were investigated.
The results showed that the adsorption kinetics was rapid and the kinetics data for oil sorption were precisely described by the pseudo-second order model. The decrease of particle size of the raw rice hulls reduced the oil sorption percent from 50% to 30%. Also, the adsorption of crude oil on rice hull obeyed the Freundlich isotherm model.The highest adsorption percentage of crude oil on the raw rice hull at optimized conditions was about 55%.

In order to investigation of water quality of the Choghakhor wetland by use of WQI, ten stations were selected. Sampling was done every 45 days since April 2010 until March 2011 with 3 replications at each station. Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using nine water quality parameters (Nitrate, Nitrite, Alkalinity, Hardness, Turbidity, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, pH and Biochemical Oxygen Demand). For this propose, the relative weight assigned to each parameter ranged from 1 to 4 based on the importance of these parameters for aquatic life and their role in use of water resource for human life. The results of analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between different stages (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate two heavy metals (Cd and Cr) concentrations in different tissues including muscle، gill، kidney and intestine of Zayandehrood chub، Petroleuciscus esfahani in different stations along the Zayandehrood River. For this purpose، 80 specimens of the fish were collected from 4 different stations including Cheshmeh-dimeh، Khersoonak، Chamgordan and Pol-e-Safaiyeh (each 20 fish) in autumn 2011. The metals were extracted using dry digestion method and measured by Atomic Absorption. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals increased significantly from up to downstream of the River، with the highest level was observed in Chamgordan station (p<0. 05). The highest concentrations of Cd (22. 7±0. 55) and Cr (50. 69±22. 78) µg/g dry weight (DW) were measured in the kidney of the fish collected from Pol-e-Safaiyeh and Chamgordan stations respectively (p<0. 05). While، the lowest level of Cd (0. 8±0. 11) and Cr (1. 30±0. 19) µg/gDW were determined in the muscle of the fish from Cheshmeh-dimeh station located at upstream. The metals concentrations in the muscle were increased significantly from upstream to the downstream (p<0. 05). In general، in all studied stations، the highest levels of Cd and Cr were observed in the kidney while، the lowest levels were measured in the muscle. By comparison between the results obtained from this study to the international standards defined by WHO or FAO، it was cleared that the concentrations of both metals in Zayandehrood chub (even at the lowest levels in the muscle) were much higher than permitted levels. The results of this study could show inappropriate environmental conditions of the Zayandehrood River، even in the upstream stations

Mangrove forests are of the most sensitive coastal ecosystems to oil pollution especially to Nickel and Vanadium bioaccumulation. The most important aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Nickel and Vanadium in sediments، mangrove roots and leaves in Nayband Marine National Park and Hara Protected Area in Qeshm Island; as well as to analyze the effects of physical and chemical parameters on these concentrations. So، the correlation between Nickel and Vanadium concentrations with sediment texture، EC، pH، and organic material were analyzed. The results showed that mean concentration of Nickel is higher than Vanadium in sediments and leaves of both habitats. It is also revealed that the mean concentration of both Nickel and Vanadium in sediments and roots in Nayband habitat are higher that those concentrations in Harra habitat which can be because of higher portion of soft texture in Harra habitat. However، the concentration of both Nickel and Vanadium in leaves in Nayband is much higher than of Harra habitat (about 2). This can have to explanations as: first، it might be because of more soluble Vanadium available for transferring to the leaves due to lower EC in Nayband sediments; second، higher exposure and absorption of vanadium from the air because of oil and gas activities in Nayband habitat. These findings are so concerning as usually the conservation، control، and monitoring plans are focused the habitats in vicinity of oil polluted areas but this research showed that also there are the other parameters more than distance-to-source controlling the accumulation of Nickel and Vanadium in mangrove habitats.

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is stable in the environment which can enter the living organisms through various ways. Bioaccumulation of mercury in birds has several impacts including nephron toxicity, kidney lesions and can lead to bird death. In the current studybioaccumulation of mercury was investigated in kidney, liver and tail feathers of 40 birds collected at three sites in Isfahan province belonging to three bird orders: Charadriiformes, Passeriformes and Columbiformes. Mercury level in tail feather, liver and kidney of aquatic birds averaged at about 4290, 3056 and 2704 ppb respectively and significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the mercury amount in the same organs (770, 816 and 519 ppb) of terrestrial species. In aquatic birds, tail feather with the average amount of 4290 ppb and in non aquatic birds, liver with the average of 816.64 ppb showed the highest amount of mercury. Charadriiformes had significantly (p = 0.0001) higher amount of mercury in their organs compared to the other two orders. Among the bird's families, Sternidae and Laridae showed significantly higher amount of mercury in their organs. The results can be an indicative of mercury presence in the Zayandehroud River, therefore it is necessary to monitor and manage heavy metals in the river.

Population genetics of Petroleuciscus esfahani in Zayandeh Rood River، Iran were analysed using 120 samples of adult fish from four stations of the river Cheshmeh Dimeh (CHD)، Khersoonak (KH)، Chamgordan (CH) and Safaeye Bridge (SB) and 5 pairs of microsatellite primers. All loci showed polymorphism. A total number of 54 alleles were recorded across loci ranging from 6 at CnaB-030 to 17 at Ca3. The mean number of alleles per populations ranged from 9. 6 in CHD to 8. 6 in others. Mean observed heterozygosity at the five loci detected ranged from 0. 92 to 1. 00 which showed high level of genetic diversity in each population. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was obvious in most combinations (locus × population)، mainly due to heterozygosity excess. The lowest and highest genetic distances were calculated between CHD-KH and CHD-CH populations، respectively. The results showed low but significant FST values between each pair of the populations. This investigation represented at least four separate populations of P. esfahani in the river which showed the effects of river landscape fragmentation on population genetic structure of P. esfahani.

In this study, we investigated the effect of agricultural land concentrations of heavy metals including Copper, Arsenic and Zinc and mapping of soil contamination potential the elements in the areas studied using the collected data, GIS, Geo-statistics and remote sensing were conducted. First, using 135 surface soils (0-20cm) classified random systematic sampling in the region area 7262 square kilometers were collected and total element concentrations, soil characteristics, including the pH and organic matters were measured. Interpolation for heavy metals concentrations were done by geo-statistics methods, and assisting location correlation analysis, interpolation suitable method was chosen using MAE and MBE function. For heavy metals concentration maps, Copper and Zinc, we used Ordinary Kriging and exponential model and for Arsenic Ordinary Kriging and Spherical models. For analyzing the metal's concentration distribution maps of pollution time series satellite images were used. For this purpose, five time series of satellite images of IRSP6 sensor Awifs (6 March, 3 April, 27 April, 9 June, 18 July and 16 August) were prepared. Using conventional classification methods and advanced satellite imagery maps of Land Use in 2009 was prepared. Finally fuzzy classification method map due to having the higher kappa coefficient as a final land use map was selected. Site analysis of studied heavy metal interpolation maps assisted by GIS and remote sensing assistive showed that Copper and Zinc have geological and agricultural origins. And Arsenic has originated from bedrock, but agricultural activities according to excessive consumption of chemical fertilizers can increase most of these elements in soil.

Increasing energy demands associated with economic growth and industrialization have resulted in dramatic increases in air pollution emissions. Air pollution damages the plant mainly by disrupting cell homeostatic conditions. In the present study، diverse plant criteria indicating air pollution from different levels including cell biochemistry، leaf and tree crown in the plane-tree were determined، and their relation to the air pollutants such as ozone، nitrous oxide، nitrogen dioxide، sulfur dioxide، carbon dioxide and particulates was investigated. Results showed that the concentration of Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in the leaf of plane-tree are reduced with increase in the ozone concentration in the air. The concentration of Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are negatively correlated with NO in the autumn (r= -0. 69 and -0. 72، respectively). Specific leaf area showed a positive relation with the concentration of ozone، nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide (p<0. 05). Crown transparency did not show any relation with air pollutants. On the contrary، crown area ratio was positively correlated with NO2 in the summer (p<0. 05). Specific leaf area was a good indicator of air pollution stress and damage to sycamore especially in the spring. Moreover، crown area ratio responded better than crown transparency to air pollutants and can be a suitable indicator of NO2 effect on the plane-tree. This criterion has a large potential as an indicator of various stresses on the tree due to its fast and easy measurement by a consumer-grade digital camera and available image processing software.

Following technological advancements and integrated municipal solid waste management in recent decades، various methods such as recycling، biotreatment، thermal treatment، and sanitary landfills have been developed and employed. Creating sanitary landfills is a major strategy in the integrated solid waste management hierarchy. It is cheaper and thus more common than other disposal methods. Selecting a suitable solid waste landfill site can prevent adverse ecological and socioeconomic effects. Landfill site selection requires the analysis of spatial data، regulations، and accepted criteria. The present study aimed to use the geographic information system and the analytic hierarchy process to identify an appropriate landfill site for municipal solid wastes in Najafabad (Isfahan، Iran). Environmental and socioeconomic criteria were evaluated through different information layers in the Boolean and fuzzy logics. The analytical hierarchy process was applied for weighing the fuzzy information layers. Subsequently، two suitable sites were identified by superimposing the maps from the Boolean and fuzzy logics and considering the minimum required landfill area for 20 years. However، proximity of these two sites to Tiran (a nearby city) made them undesirable landfill sites for Najafabad. Therefore، due to the existing restrictions in Najafabad، the possibility of creating landfill sites in common with adjacent cities should be further investigated.

In this study a cell-based biosensor for measurement of BOD was designed and developed. Activated sludge collected from wastewater treatment plant of Shahinshahr was used as biological receptor and a Clark cell was used as transducer. According to the results obtained from the sensor calibration، a linear relationship between the current changes and glucose-glutamic acid (GAA) standard concentrations up to 50 mg/L was observed. The BOD values of different industrial wastewaters، inlet and outlet of treatment plant of Ardineh Company (Isfahan)، and also inlet and outlet of domestic wastewater treatment plant of Shahinshahr، and outlet of treatment plant of Pegah Company (Isfahan) were measured using this biosensor. Comparison of the results of this biosensor and the results of the standard BOD test (BOD5) showed that the mean percentage error measured by the sensor was +29. 6%. The results concerning the stability of the designed biosensor showed a stability time of 3 days for the response of biosensor.

To investigate water qualityin the Choghakhor wetland using BMWP and ASPT methods, ten stations were selected. Samples were collected every 45 days from April 2010 to March 2011 with 3 replicates at each station. The BMWP and ASPT were calculated after identification and counting benthic specimens using the BMWP and ASPT score system. The average BMWP measured in various sites and sampling times indicate that the water qulity of the Choghakhor wetland is classified as bad condition. However the eighth site and the first stage of sampling were found to be in the moderate quality class. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between all stations and stages (P < 0.05). The ASPT index takes the water quality of wetland in two pollution categories: moderate and severe. The ASPT index for different stations and stages agrees with the BMWP index as they have a positive correlation at the confidence level of 0.01

Heavy metals are very important from environmental consideration due to their toxicity and accumulative properties. The aim of this study is the evaluation of spatial distribution of Cr, Co and Ni in the surface soils of Hamadan province. For this purpose, the surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected using systematic random sampling method and the concentration of heavy metals and some of the soil parameters such as pH, EC, the percentage of organic matter, sand, clay and silt were analyzed. For interpolation and mapping the spatial distribution of heavy metals, the accuracy of Kriging methods and their models were compared by the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) values and Mean Bias Error (MBE), and the method with the lowest error was selected. Maps of chromium and nickel distribution were prepared by ordinary Kriging with a spherical model, and that of cobalt by disjanctive Kriging with exponential model. The western regions of Hamadan province had the highest concentration of chromium, cobalt and nickel. According to obtained maps, the regions with the highest concentrations of heavy metals corresponded to the igneous and metamorphic bedrocks. It seems that the geology is the main factor influencing the concentration of heavy metals in the soil.

Any change in the environmental characteristics such that the normal functions and biological balances are disrupted and life of organisms is threatened directly or indirectly is called environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to determine the contamination with heavy metals Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc in soils of Nahavand city, Hamadan Province using different indicators. A total of 39 soil samples were taken systematically and concentrations of Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc were measured using a spectrophotometer. Geo-accumulation index, contamination actor and Nemero comprehensive pollution index were used to determine the extent of contamination in the study area. Results showed that the Cobalt concentration in the region is at the maximum allowable concentrations based onr other countries. The Geoaccumulation index results showed that the rate of accumulation of the index is between 0 and 1 for all metals. Concentration of heavy metals in soil was related to their natural origin. Contamination factor results showed that most samples were moderately to highly polluted. Contamination factor for Chromium was the highest and 10.26% of the data showed they were moderately to highly polluted. Analysis of interpolation maps of comprehensive pollution index showed that the metals Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc have geological and agricultural origins. These metals are present naturally in soil, but human activity has caused the accumulation of these metals in the soil.

Inorganic pollutants, heavy metals and trace elements such as nickel, cadmium, mercury, lead and copper was studied. Generally, heavy metal is a chemical element with a density higher than 5.5(g/mol). Cadmium is produced through the consumption of refined cadmium, copper and nickel smelting and fuel combustion. This project aimed to examine the distribution of cadmium in the urban areas of Isfahan Province and evaluate soil contamination and the effect of various factors in this regard. Traffic was studied in the City and 14 samples were taken from surface soil with a minimum distance of 750 m in an area of 10177 hectares and transferred to the laboratory. Then, using the standard methods of soil analysis parameters CEC, EC, pH and Cd were measured. The highest amount of cadmium was 10.5 (mg/kg) in Khorram Street and the lowest 1(mg/kg) in the three-way Hakim Nezamy and the average concentrations of cadmium was 3.7 (mg/kg). The sparsely populated areas and the residential areas between the two sides of the river namely Bozorgmehr Bridge and Nazhvan Bridge and Parvaz Square showed a very low contamination.

Among the environmental pollutants, heavy metals according to their irresolvable and physiological effects on living organisms at low concentrations, are of special importance These elements due to low mobility are gradually accumulated in soil Being accumulated in soil, they eventually enter the food chains and threaten human health and other creatures Therefore, studying concentration distribution of heavy metals for soil pollution monitoring and maintaining environmental quality is essential In this study we investigated the effect of agricultural land use and geology on the concentration of heavy metals contamination of soil and spatial distribution map, using collected data, GIS and GeostatisticsUsing systematic stratified random sampling, 135 surface soil samples(0-20 cm) from an area of 7262 sq km area and we measured total concentration of elements Nickel, Chromium and Cobalt and soil characteristics including pH, organic matter and texture. The mean value of elements concentrations turned out to be Cr: 88.9+22.7; Co: 17.6+3.5; Ni; 63.1+17.7 mg per kg and the mean acidity is 7.8 which in the area is an indication …… property. Formetal concentrations interpolation procedures, Geostatistics was used. By the aid of spatial correlation analysis, appropriate interpolation method using functions mean absolute error and bias average error were selected. Interpolation map concentrations of heavy metals Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel with ordinary kriging method and the exponential model were developed Interpolation map analysis of heavy metals by the aid of geological and land use maps show that the distribution of the elements Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel are consistent with the geology classes However, they did not match the agriculture pattern Findings of this study in the area give us appropriate information about the concentration distribution of heavy metals Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel which can be used in monitoring and evaluation processes of heavy metals pollution in agricultural lands area. But on the other hand sampling in the areas far away from human effects, showed that the heavy metals concentration is naturally high.