Direct capture of carbon dioxide from air via lime-based sorbents

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - Direct air capture (DAC) is a developing technology for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or from low-CO2-containing...     

Sustainable forest management in Iran: a factor analysis

Since 1996, several Forest Resources Management Plans (FRMPs) have been launched by the Iranian government in order to approach sustainable forest management in the Zagros area in west and south-west Iran. This survey study aimed to provide some policy recommendations in order to launch more successful FRMPs. Using a proportional cluster random sampling method, data were collected from 208 forest-dwellers (beneficiaries) and 90 practitioners. The results showed that the FRMPs are far from satisfactory. There are several reasons for this failure. First, the financial resources allocated to these plans are being used for other purposes. Second, the inputs and supplies needed for effective forest management interventions were not in place in a timely manner. Third, the forest management in the area is far from being decentralized. Both the beneficiaries and practitioners believe that forest-dwellers play a weak role in forest management interventions. Factor analysis revealed that three main factors influencing the Zagros management effectiveness are “the management capabilities of forest-dwellers”, “the professional capabilities of practitioners in forest management”, and “public support for forest-dwellers”. The correlation analysis revealed that all the three factors are also positively and significantly associated with the success of the government’s forestry programs. Accordingly, the main recommendation of this study was to reformulate forest management policies in the Zagros area by highlighting participatory approaches, not only as a tool, but also as a goal of FRMPs.     

Evaluation of nitrate and trace elements concentration in drinking water:Bottled,tap and well

Concentrations of nitrate and trace elements such as arsenic,cadmium,chromium,copper,manganese,nickel,lead,selenium,antimony and mercury in 18 different brands of bottled water were investigated.For comparison,samples of tap and well water from three different places of Tehran were also analyzed.UV/VIS spectrophotometer and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer were used for the analysis of nitrate and trace elements,respectively.Results obtained were compared to Iranian,World Health Organization(WHO)and Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)guideline for drinking water.Nitrate concentration in bottled,tap and well water samples were in maximum safe nitrate concentration of Iranian and WHO standards.However,70%of bottled water samples and one sample of tap water were below the standard level proposed by EPA and probably remedial action should be taken.Concentration levels of all analyzed elements investigated in all examined water samples were below the maximum contaminant level prescribed by Iranian,WHO and EPA regulations.