Journal of

Background: Air quality modeling can be considered as a useful tool to predict air quality in future and determine the control strategies of emissions abatement. In this study, AERMOD dispersion model has been applied as a tool for the analysis of the values of CO emissions from the stacks and flares of South Pars fourth Gas Refinery located in Asaluyeh.

Methods: First, the values of CO  emissions from the refinery's stacks and flares were investigated by measurement and using the emission factors in four seasons of 2013. Then, dispersion of pollutants was predicted by using the AERMOD model in the region with area of 10×10 km²  in each direction of x and y, in average times of 1, 3, 8, 24-hours and for the annual statistical period. Then the predicted and field measurement values in 9 receptors have been compared.

Results: Statistical evaluation showed that the correlation coefficient values for CO were 0.85 in spring, 0.89 in summer, 0.96 in fall, and 0.95 in winter. The maximum concentration of CO was occurred in local scale of 10×10 km².

Conclusion: Comparison of maximum 1-hour and 8-hour concentrations of the predicted results with the national and international standards showed that CO concentration is higher than standard values. In total, according to the evaluation of the predictions made, the performance of AERMOD model was acceptable in prediction of CO concentrations in the study area.

Background: humans are always trying to improve the lives and comfort, and in this way with the acquisition of materials, equipment, devices and technology as well as the additional and new risks exposure. Identification of these risks could have a role in reducing complications. PHA method implementation can help to identify and classify the risks and the events.

Method: This cross - sectional study was conducted in Kermanshah Oil Refinery. The most important tools used in the study preliminary risk analysis, is risk checklist. In this regard, valuable resources are identified and listed, and then the acceptable risk levels and the scope of the assessment were defined. In the next phase, the system hazards were identification, and levels and numbers of risks were calculated.

Results: This study examined 23 refinery units, and a total of 447 risks were identified. The results showed that unacceptable risk levels with 6.4% and the adverse risk levels with 49.22% was lowest and highest risk percent, respectively. The highest number of risk associated with the refining unit with 81 and the lowest was in the Electrical warehouse unit with 2 cases.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that were the most of risks identified in the adverse levels. To reduce risk level and improve safety, the use of appropriate methods and corrective measures to eliminate, reduce or control risks is essential.

Background: Air pollution in large cities is one of the main difficulties that have harmful effects on humans and the environment and cause various diseases including cardiovascular disease. So, present study with aim of Estimation of Cardiovascular Death, Attributed to CO Exposure in Tehran Megacity in during a five-year period (2010-2014) by using AirQ Model were performed.

Materials and Methods: This Study was a descriptive–analytic at first, hourly data of pollutants were taken from the environmental protection agency Tehran and Air Quality Control Company and validated according to the WHO guidelines. Required statistical parameters calculated for health effect quantifying and finally processed data converted to input and requirements AirQ model data and health effects quantifying were performed using this model. The final results on deaths due to cardiovascular disease were presented in tables and graphs format.

Results: Results showed annual average concentration of CO in Tehran in 2010-2014 are 49, 31, 11,12,21,76 mg/ m3 respectively. In addition, the number of cardiovascular deaths in 2011-2015 is 52,37,29,31,42 respectively

Conclusion: According to the results, CO as well as other pollutants can adversely affect human health. Due to high levels of air pollution and its related health consequences, particularly cardiovascular disease, should take appropriate measures to reduce air pollution.

Background and Goal: Refineries are the main source of various pollutants, including Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S). Therefore distribution and control processing to meet the environmental standard limits is an important issue in industrial units.The present study was carried out to investigate H₂S concentrations and dispersion patterns originating from incinerators of sulfur recovery units in a gas refinery located in Asaluyeh.
Materials and Methods: In this study, H₂S concentrations exhausted from two incinerators’ stacks and also ambient H₂S concentrations at five monitoring stations in and around the refinery were measured in four seasons from summer 2014 to spring 2015. Moreover, the ambient concentrations and dispersion of H₂S were simulated at average times of 1-hr and 8-hr on 50×50 km² scale using  AERMOD model and the simulated results were compared with the measured ones. Meanwhile, the concentration contour plots and the sensitive regions were determined using GIS.
Results: The simulation results indicated that maximum ambient H₂S concentrations were in 1-h average. Assessment of model performance was performed by comparison of H₂S simulated and measured concentrations using statistical analysis and showed that the correlation coefficients in summer 2014, autumn 2014, winter 2014 and spring 2015 were 0.77, 0.89, 0.75 and 0.8, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the variations of measured concentrations were consistent with those of simulated ones. Meanwhile, the contribution of neighbor industries was determined. Comparision of 8-h H₂S concentrations with OSHA and NIOSH standard limits indicated that there was no significant health risk in this refinery.

Background& Objective: Swimming is great exercise and entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages, especially in the hot season. Due to health issues and ways to ensure the health and welfare of people, swimming pools are very important. Therefore, in this study, relationship between the capacity and area of the pool with microbial contamination and heterotrophs were investigated.
Materials and Methods: This study, based on applied research and analytical - descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional survey was conducted. In this project, we studied 35 swimming pools in the city of Karaj. For this purpose, samples were collected every month for 9 months, turbidity, pH, free residual chlorine was measured at the sampling time and testing for total coliform, E.coli coliform and counting of hetrotrophic organisms in the laboratory of water and wastewater was performed. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software and peyerson analytical.
Results: Frome the 315 coliform samples about 90.2% was pure. Of the 315 tested HPCs, 99.7 percent was found in the clean range. The minimum HPC reported is zero, at most 250 with an average of 18/11 and a standard deviation of 266.68. Peyerson correlation test between heterotrophic bacteria with water turbidity and area to swimmer also has a significant relationship. In this study, there was no significant relationship between swimming pool pollution with pool area.

Background and Objective: Nowadays, people for various reasons, including a lack of good quality drinking water, ease of access, relatively low cost and a positive attitude of bottled mineral water is used. Nitrate and nitrite levels in mineral water supplies are important indicators of water quality; Therefore, The aim of this study was to determine the amount of nitrite and nitrate in bottled mineral water available in the city of Babol.
Materials and Methods: This cross –sectional  study was the second half of 2015 of 27 bottled mineral waters recognized brand available in the city of Babol, just random two samples of each brand were collected and sent to the laboratory and  were analyzed by Spectrophotometer DR2000.
Results: The results showed that samples to be analyzed as nitrate the range of 1 to 29/7 and nitrite concentrations in range of 0/003 to 0/05 mg were reported. Brands S5 and S4 have the highest and lowest levels of nitrate and samples S5 and S15 was the highest and the lowest nitrite. Also significant differences was observed between test results with sample labels (p <0.05).

              Conclusion: All brands were marked with the national standard and Due to lack of compatibility with labels of samples analyzed parameters is                  required Endorsing organizations, constant monitoring of the production process and product quality monitoring and factory manufacturers                       Required to comply with all standards, labeling and registration are complete and consistent with real water samples

Background: Cr (VI) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic contaminant and that are used in the steel industry and other chemical industries such as the leather industry, pigment production, electroplating of metals and the production of anticorrosive compounds. Its waste enters the environment and subsequently enters the water and food sources. Therefore, in order to protect the environment as well as human health, it is necessary to remove this pollutant from the environment, including soil, using appropriate methods.
Material and Methods: Chromium resistant bacteria were isolated from the chromium contaminated soil and adapted by serial culture in Cr (VI) concentrations of 50-400 mg/L and microorganism growth and Cr (VI) reduction were measured. Then the soil was artificially contaminated at the laboratory by Cr (VI) compound (CrO₃) and Organic compounds were added to soil at the Specified amount. Finally, a separated bacterial mix was added to the soil to initiate the bioaugmentation process.
Results: After 3 stages of sampling and data analysis, the results of the study showed that Cr (VI) reduction efficiency by the bacterial mix reduced decrease by Cr (VI) concentration increase. So, under similar conditions, the efficiency of Cr (VI) reduction of soil, at a concentration of 50 , 200 and 350 mg / l, is about 86%, 51% ,and 26% respectively .Organic compound adding also increase bioaugmentation efficiency.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that optimizing soil conditions could improve the biodegradation process, especially in low concentrations of contaminants.

Background: Unsustainable development of agriculture and aquaculture has reduced the water quality of rivers. The most important aim of this study is assessing of water quality in the Ghezel Özan basin in Zanjan province.
Method: 18 sites were selected based on standard criteria including land use, geology, biodiversity points, accessibility and standard distributions. Content of Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, Turbidity and Electrical Conductivity were measured in-situ while number of Fecal Coliform, amount of BOD, COD, Phosphate, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, Sulfate and Chlorine were measured at laboratory.
Results: One-sample T.test showed a significant difference between the Coliform and its standard. Results have illustrated the remarkable impacts of agricultural and aquaculture activities on the river health. Also, among all quality parameters, Nitrate and Fecal Coliform show a significant difference in two regions, Tarom and Mahneshan. There is the best water quality in site 7 (upstream site) located far from human access. IRWQI index (Iranian water quality index for surface water) shows the best results because of more overlap with land-uses and the trend of variables.
Conclusion: Olive cultivation and unsustainable aquaculture development in Tarom and Mahneshan, respectively, are main reasons for decreasing of water quality. So, integrated water resources management, training local people, assessing environmental impacts and determining the ecological potential are highly recommended to improve the water quality of the studied river.

Background and Aims: Nowadays, soil pollution with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is one of the major environmental issues caused serious problems to human and other living organisms. One of the best and most reliable methods of bioremediation is the use of earthworms known as vermin-remediation. In this study, bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil using Eisenia Fetida, the mixture of activated sludge and compost was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: In order to determine the efficiency of bioremediation to removal gasoline from contaminated soil, cow compost and urban sewage sludge with a weight ratio of 1: 0.35:0.25, was used. Experiments were carried out in 6 reactors with different concentrations of diesel (10 and 30 g / kg soil), a different number of Eisenia Fetida earthworm (10 and 20) at ambient temperature during 90 days. To compare the performance of biodegradation of gasoline using Eisenia Fetida earthworm, two control reactors that contained only contaminated soil with two ratios of gasoline, vermicompost and activated sludge, were used. The (TPH) decomposition rate was measured by GC-FID. Results of this study were analyzed by Minitab version 17 software.
Results: Results indicated reactor No.3 has the best removal efficiency of light hydrocarbons during 90 days. the removal efficiency of average hydrocarbons was  70% and heavy hydrocarbons with the highest removal efficiency of 68% in reactor No. 4 with characteristics Soil polluted with 10 g / kg of soil + 20 number of Eisenia Fetida, With a significant difference of other reactors.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the degradability of hydrocarbons has increased significantly with the addition of organic modifying materials and the increase in the number of earthworms.

 
Background: With the increase in recent droughts and shortage of drinking water resources led to planning to desalinate water and set up mobile stations. The purpose of this study is to determine the microbial and physicochemical quality of water discharged from desalination plants and tankers in Qom.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for one year with monthly sampling of water from domestic water purifiers and mobile tankers. Samples were analyzed for microbial contamination and physicochemical quality (pH, TDS, turbidity and chlorination) according to standard methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel software and compared with the standards.
Results: Positive values of fecal coliform contamination was 13.34% in tankers and 4.35% in domestic water purifiers. The pH, TDS, turbidity was in accordance with the national and WHO standards. T-TEST statistical analysis showed, microbial quality of water had a significant relation with variables of dewatering containers (P<0.021), tank washing (P<0.001), outlet valve contamination (P<0.011), contact with dust (P<0.014), the personal health of the distributor (P<0.026), temperature (P<0.033), water retention time (P<0.019) and environmental sanitation (P<0.003). ). . But there was no significant difference in the distribution of water between tankers and desalination plants (P < 0.068).
Conclusion: By preventing secondary pollution, the water quality of these places can be considered desirable. Therefore, periodic and regular water evaluation and training on maintenance and health issues should always be considered

Background: Air pollution in large cities is one of the main difficulties that have harmful effects on humans and cause various diseases including cancers. So, present study with aim of determination the relation between air pollution and Incidence rate of two most common cancer in Tehran were performed.
 Methods: at first, hourly data of pollutants including of CO, NO2, O3, SO2, PM10 were  taken  from  the  environmental  protection  agency  Tehran  and  Air  Quality  Control  Company and Archived documents of Disease data were acquired from Iran University of Medical Sciences .Then, descriptive studies were performed on criteria air pollutants and dependent variable . Finally, inferential tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to determine the relationship between air pollution and the incidence rate of Lung and Hematologic Neoplasms.
Results: Results showed there was significant relationship between PM10/O3 and among men and women. The correlation of coefficients between PM10 and O3 with Number of cases of disease in men  and women were 0.904, 0.882, 0.924, 0.931, 0.856, 0.949, 0.976, 0.860 respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, there were positive relationship between PM10/O3 and incidence rate of Lung and Hematologic Neoplasms among men and women. Due to the high level of ozone and airborne particles and their health consequences, Continuous and further prevention and control measures should be developed to alleviate the situation of the two air pollutants.

Background: Nowadays, the growing population has increased the demand for food especially for protein triggering the aquaculture industry's expansion. However, unplanned and unregulated farm will caused be at the subsequent yield failure and cost of environmental stress in the aquaculture farm. Accordingly, ecological potential evaluation and site selection of suitable areas for establishment of aquaculture farms can be prevent the interference of different land uses, minimize the environmental impact of aquaculture development and prevent disruptions in development. Therefore, the currentstudy was conducted to ecological potential evaluation of rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss (culture as coldwater fish species in Hamedan province, west of Iran.
Methods: In the current study, biological requisites of rainbow trout, socioeconomic factors, springs information, water flow, water temperature, pH, slope, protected areas and antiquities were used for ecological potential evaluation and site selection of suitable sites for rainbow trout culture. In so doing, 'Makhdoum Aquaculture Model' and ArcGIS 10.3 were used.
Results: Based on the results obtained, 1420 ha of Nahavand county, 571 ha of Razan county, 472 ha of Bahar county, 311 ha of Hamedan county, 263 ha of Malayer county, 145 ha of Toyserkan county, 121 ha of Asadabad county and 84.0 ha of Kabudarahang county were identified as the suitable areas for establishment of rainbow trout culture farms.
Conclusion: Ecological potential evaluation and site selection for aquaculture by considering the land suitability could be taking to sustainable development and reduce of environmental stress of the aquaculture farm.