Review of environmental aspects and waste management of stone cutting and fabrication industries

Iran is the second largest stockholder of construction stones with 10 % of world production ;and there are more than 4000 stone cutting and fabrication industries (SCFIs). In the processing of raw stones, a considerable part of stone is turned into waste. Generated wastes include excess parts of different stones and sludge. The present paper reviews the state of SCFIs waste management using multiple data sources including site, analysis of effluent and sludge samples, and conducting interviews with people who are involved in 286 SCFIs in Qom and Tabriz. The results revealed that currently almost 35 to 52.5 % of raw stones were converted to solid wastes depending on stone cutting and processing methods, type of stones and their quality, which seemed a high percentage. Also, the effluents between 0.8 and 2.8 m³ were generated per ton of processed stone. Based on the analysis of heavy metals with atomic absorption spectroscopy, sludge samples contained a considerable amount of Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd. It was also found that the lack of specific recycling, reuse and disposal programs and suitable supervision has led to uncontrolled disposal of stone wastes and sludge in different areas. However, there are good opportunities for reuse and recycling of the SCFIs wastes.     

A pragmatic approach to study the groundwater quality suitability for domestic and agricultural usage,Saq aquifer,northwest of Saudi Arabia

The present study deals with detailed hydrochemical assessment of groundwater within the Saq aquifer. The Saq aquifer which extends through the NW part of Saudi Arabia is one of the major sources of groundwater supply. Groundwater samples were collected from about 295 groundwater wells and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, CO₃ ^?, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, and NO₃ ^?. Groundwater in the area is slightly alkaline and hard in nature. Electrical conductivity (EC) varies between 284 and 9,902?μS/cm with an average value of 1,599.4 μS/cm. The groundwater is highly mineralized with approximately 30 % of the samples having major ion concentrations above the WHO permissible limits. The NO₃ ^? concentration varies between 0.4 and 318.2 mg/l. The depth distribution of NO₃ ^? concentration shows higher concentration at shallow depths with a gradual decrease at deeper depths. As far as drinking water quality criteria are concerned, study shows that about 33 % of samples are unfit for use. A detailed assessment of groundwater quality in relation to agriculture use reveals that 21 % samples are unsuitable for irrigation. Using Piper’s classification, groundwater was classified into five different groups. Majority of the samples show Mix-Cl-SO₄- and Na-Cl-types water. The abundances of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ over alkalis infer mixed type of groundwater facies and reverse exchange reactions. The groundwater has acquired unique chemical characteristics through prolonged rock-water interactions, percolation of irrigation return water, and reactions at vadose zone.     

Evaluation of practicing safety features for hospital waste collection among Iran’s public hospitals

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Hospital waste management is imperative due to its impending health hazards. This study was meant to evaluate the strong safety awareness of...     

Fluoride removal by a continuous flow electrocoagulation reactor

Long-term consumption of water containing excessive fluoride can lead to fluorosis of the teeth and bones. Electrocoagulation (EC) is an electrochemical technique, in which a variety of unwanted dissolved particles and suspended matter can be effectively removed from an aqueous solution by electrolysis. Continuous flow experiments with monopolar aluminium electrodes for fluoride removal were undertaken to investigate the effects of the different parameters such as: current density (12.5-50A/m(2)), flow rate (150-400 mL/min), initial pH (4-8), and initial fluoride concentration (5-25mg/L). The highest treatment efficiency was obtained for the largest current and the removal efficiency was found to be dependent on the current density, the flow rate and the initial fluoride concentration when the final pH ranged between 6 and 8. The composition of the sludge produced was analysed using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum. The strong presence of the aluminium hydroxide [Al(OH)(3)] in the above pH range, which maximizes the formation of aluminium fluoride hydroxide complex [Al(n)F(m)(OH)(3n-m)], is the main reason for defluoridation by electrocoagulation. The results obtained showed that the continuous flow electrocoagulation technology is an effective process for defluoridation of potable water supplies and could also be utilized for the defluoridation of industrial wastewater.     

Markers of oxidative stress and toxicant exposure among young waterpipe smokers in the USA

Waterpipe (aka hookah) tobacco smokers are exposed to toxicants that can lead to oxidative DNA and RNA damage, a precursor to chronic disease formation. This study assessed toxicant exposure and biomarkers of DNA [8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)] and RNA [8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo)] oxidative damage during smoking of flavored and non-flavored waterpipe tobacco. Thirty waterpipe smokers completed two counterbalanced 2-h lab waterpipe smoking sessions (flavored vs. non-flavored waterpipe tobacco). Urinary concentrations of 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGuo and expired carbon monoxide (eCO) were measured before and after the smoking sessions. A significant increase in the urinary concentrations of 8-oxodG (from 2.12 ± 0.83 to 2.35 ± 0.91 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.024) and 8-oxoGuo (from 2.96 ± 0.84 to 3.45 ± 0.76 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.003) were observed after smoking the non-flavored and flavored waterpipe tobacco, respectively. Our results also showed that the mean ± SD of eCO increased significantly after smoking the flavored (from 1.3 ± 1.1 to 20.3 ± 23.6 ppm, p < 0.001) and non-flavored waterpipe tobacco (from 1.8 ± 1.2 to 24.5 ± 26.1 ppm, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the means of 8-oxodG (p = 0.576), 8-oxoGuo (p = 0.108), and eCO (p = 0.170) between the flavored and non-flavored tobacco sessions. Smoking non-flavored and flavored waterpipe tobacco leads to oxidative stress and toxicant exposure. Our findings add to the existing evidence about the adverse effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) and the need for strong policies to inform and protect young people from the risks of WTS.

     

Characterization of titanium oxide optical band gap produced from leachate sludge treatment with titanium tetrachloride

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the coagulation performance of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) for leachate treatment and preparation of titanium oxide (TiO2)...     

The effect of weather data on the spread of COVID-19 in Jordan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to analyze the correlation between the daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jordan and metrological parameters including the average...     

The evolving trends of landfill leachate treatment research over the past 45 years

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Landfilling is one of the most prevalent waste management strategies on a global scale. However, one major drawback of landfills is the production of...