全球重要农业文化遗产的保护与适应性管理

全球重要农业文化遗产 联合国粮农组织（FAO）于2002年发起一项全球性计划,即全球重要农业文化遗产（GIAHS）。并将其定义为：“农村与其所处环境长期协同进化和动态适应下所形成的独特的土地利用系统和农业景观,这些系统与景观具有丰富的生物多样性,而且可以满足当地社会经济与文化发展的需要,有利于促进区域可持续发展。”     

A hybrid statistical decision-making optimization approach for groundwater vulnerability considering uncertainty

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recognizing the vulnerable areas for contamination is a feasible way to protect groundwater resources. The main contribution of the paper is...     

Application of magnetic field and iron in order to change medicinal products of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum basilicum</Emphasis>

In the present research, the effects of static magnetic field, with or without iron on the growth, the activity of certain enzymes (like polyphenol oxidase and phenyle alanine ammonialyase), the content of phenolic compounds and the essential oil composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) were studied. Treatment of plants with static magnetic field with or without iron led to decrease of the growth of plants as well as decrease in the activity of phenyle alanine ammonialyase and of phenolic compounds content. In addition in those plants exposed to magnetic field the amount of essential oils, notably of methyl chavicol, was increased. Exposure of plants to the magnetic field decreased the activity of polyphenol oxidase, whereas treatment of plants with iron when exposed to magnetic field increased polyphenol oxidase activity. In this group the content of essential oil was reduced.     

Solid phase extraction for evaluation of occupational exposure to Pb (II) using XAD-4 sorbent prior to atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Lead is an important constituent widely used in different industrial processes. For evaluation of workers' exposure to trace toxic metal of Pb (II), solid-phase extraction (SPE) was optimized. SPE using mini columns filled with XAD-4 resin was developed with regard to sample pH, ligand concentration, loading flow rate, elution solvent, sample volume, elution volume, the amount of resins, and sample matrix interferences. Lead ions were retained on a solid sorbent and then eluted, followed by a simple determination of analytes with flame atomic absorption spectrometery. The obtained recoveries of metal ions were greater than 92%. This method was validated with 3 different pools of spiked urine samples; it showed a good reproducibility over 6 consecutive days as well as 6 within-day experiments. This optimized method can be considered successful in simplifying sample preparation for a trace residue analysis of lead in different matrices when evaluating occupational and environmental exposures is required.     

Facile Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Grafted with Fe3O4-Chitosan for Efficient Removal of Amoxicillin from Aqueous Solution: Application of Central Composite Design

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In this study, Fe3O4 nanoparticles and chitosan along with silver nanoparticles was synthesized to apply for the rapid and simple removal of amoxicillin...     

Land resources potential and sustainable land management: an overview

Land degradation continues to be a major threat to local and national food security. With limited potential to develop new land, any increase in agricultural production must be sought largely through the better use of land already under cultivation. Concerns for the global environment associated with agriculture worldwide have also increased in recent years and require more coordinated efforts at global and national levels with decentralisation of activities at the local level.
This article presents an overview of land resources potential for food production, the processes and extent of land degradation and its economic and environmental costs and impacts, and highlights some macro-economic policies and institutional measures for the prevention of land degradation and rehabilitation of degraded lands. A people-centred programme is presented as a basis for decentralising activities for sustainable land use and land management. Finally, the need for better coordinated efforts of concerned UN, multinational agencies and NGOs for the implementation of Agenda 21 and related conventions is stressed.     

Effects of social interaction between Afghan refugees and Iranians on reproductive health attitudes

Afghan refugees in Iran, like many Muslims around the world, think that using contraceptives is against their religious beliefs. The majority of Iranians also thought so until a decade ago. Since then an all-encompassing social movement has emerged in Iran in which women and young people have played decisive roles. This movement has led to an attitude shift towards acceptance of family planning across Iranian society. High-ranking clerics, responding to the social movement, issued progressive edicts indicating that poor families could practise family planning. This paper reports the findings of focus group studies carried out among Afghan refugee men in two communities in Iran. The findings indicate that exposure to Iranian life, especially the rulings of Iranian clerics, have influenced Afghans' views on family planning. The findings also indicate that a system of justification is needed to help people avoid both social sanctions and individual stresses resulting from a controversial practice regarded as a sin for centuries.     

Study the effect of static magnetic field on chromosomal aberrations on Vicia faba in area with high natural radioactivity

This investigation was performed to evaluate the influence of the static magnetic field (SMF) on chromosomes in Vicia faba cultivated in soil from high background natural activity. Fourteen soil samples were collected from Ramsar area, in north of Iran, which the annual radiation absorbed dose from background radiation is substantially higher than the 20 mSv/year. The specific activity of the radionuclides of ²³²Th, ²³⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K was measured using gamma spectrometry. The collected soil samples were then divided into 2 separate groups including HR (high natural radioactivity) and LR (low natural radioactivity). The cultivated Vicia faba in both groups were continuously exposed to SMF of 15 mT for 8 days, each 8 h/day starting from 2nd day. The chromosomal aberrations were counted in both groups with and without SMF from root of samples using chromosomal aberration method. The results showed a significant difference between treated and control plants. Chromosomal aberrations including bridge, fragments, and lagging chromosomes in prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase enhanced significantly in treated groups compared with controls.     

Determining heavy metals in spent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and their waste management challenges: Some strategies for improving current conditions

From environmental viewpoint, the most important advantage of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is reduction of green house gas emissions. But their significant disadvantage is disposal of spent lamps because of containing a few milligrams of toxic metals, especially mercury and lead. For a successful implementation of any waste management plan, availability of sufficient and accurate information on quantities and compositions of the generated waste and current management conditions is a fundamental prerequisite. In this study, CFLs were selected among 20 different brands in Iran. Content of heavy metals including mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was determined by inductive coupled plasma (ICP). Two cities, Tehran and Tabriz, were selected for assessing the current waste management condition of CFLs. The study found that waste generation amount of CFLs in the country was about 159.80, 183.82 and 153.75 million per year in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Waste generation rate of CFLs in Iran was determined to be 2.05 per person in 2012. The average amount of mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was 0.417, 2.33, 0.064, 0.056 and 0.012 mg per lamp, respectively. Currently, waste of CFLs is disposed by municipal waste stream in waste landfills. For improving the current conditions, we propose by considering the successful experience of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in other electronic waste management. The EPR program with advanced recycling fee (ARF) is implemented for collecting and then recycling CFLs. For encouraging consumers to take the spent CFLs back at the end of the products’ useful life, a proportion of ARF (for example, 50%) can be refunded. On the other hand, the government and Environmental Protection Agency should support and encourage recycling companies of CFLs both technically and financially in the first place.