Using Design-Expert to Optimize the Properties of a Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membrane Through the Incorporation of NH2-MIL-53(Fe) and PVP for Maximum Cr(VI) Removal and Flux

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In this study, an NH2-MIL-53(Fe) functionalized membrane was fabricated for Cr(VI) removal from contaminated groundwater. Design-Expert was employed to...     

Phosphorus removal and recovery: state of the science and challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Phosphorus is one of the main nutrients required for all life. Phosphorus as phosphate form plays an important role in different cellular processes....     

Seasonal trend and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with fine particulate matters (PM2.5) in Isfahan City,Iran, using diagnostic ratio and PMF model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Particulate matters (PMs) and their associated chemical compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important factors to evaluate...     

Behavioral intentions toward genetically modified crops in Southwest Iran: a multi-stakeholder analysis

This study examined the influencing factors of the self-reported behavioral intentions toward genetically modified (GM) crops using a multi-stakeholder approach in the Khuzestan Province in Southwest Iran. The study focused on three different groups, including: “agricultural students,” “agricultural private firms’ managers” and “rich-resource farmers.” Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and was analyzed by SPSS (V20) and AMOS (V20). Results indicated that the respondents perceive more benefits than risks for GM crops and that the perception of benefits and risks, respectively, had positive and negative impacts on the self-reported behavioral intention of the respondents. The knowledge of the respondents regarding these crops had positive impacts on perception of benefits. The results showed that both managers and students worried about the food safety and impact of GM crops on human health while farmers worried about the environmental risks of GM crops. The results also revealed that those who are the most conscious about GM crops are more trusted. The findings also showed that the majority of the respondents hold a positive view of the potential of GM crops.     

Carbon dioxide capturing technologies: a review focusing on metal organic framework materials (MOFs)

In this study, a relevant literature has been reviewed focusing on the carbon dioxide capture technologies in general, such as amine-based absorption as conventional carbon dioxide capturing technology, aqueous ammonia-based absorption, membranes, and adsorption material (e.g., zeolites, and activated carbons). In more details, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as new emerging technologies for carbon dioxide adsorption are discussed. The MOFs section is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of MOFs including material characteristics and synthesis, structural features, CO₂ adsorption capacity, heat of adsorption and selectivity of CO₂.     

Fingerprinting of High Boiling Hydrocarbon Fuels,Asphalts and Lubricants

Fingerprinting of hydrocarbon products requires high resolution differentiation of individual hydrocarbon compounds in any mixture. This requires the applications of various measuring techniques. In this paper, we have chosen the heavy hydrocarbons in fuels, lubricants and paving material as examples to discuss the methods for chemical characterization and differentiation. In the category most frequently termed "semi-volatile hydrocarbons" with boiling points from about 500°F to 1200°F or higher, there are several families of hydrocarbons, both natural and refined that are not easily distinguished by conventional EPA tests. Among the groups which we will use as examples are asphalts, hydraulic fluid, transmission oil, motor lubricating oils, heating oils, crude oil and coal. These hydrocarbon families are best studied using combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in full scan mode and characterizing various homologous series of hydrocarbons at known fragment ions. The hydrocarbon series providing the best information are: (1) N -alkanes; (2) iso-alkanes; (3) steranes; (4) terpanes; (5) polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons; (6) aromatic steranes; and (7) specific polycyclic compounds.     

Organochlorine pesticides in soil under irrigated cotton farming systems in Vertisols of the Namoi Valley, north-western New South Wales, Australia

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as DDT and DDE have been detected in the surface 0.2 m of Vertisols in the lower Namoi Valley of north western New South Wales, Australia even though they have not been applied to crops since 1982. However, their presence in the deeper soil horizons has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine if OCPs were present to a depth of 1.2 m in Vertisols under irrigated cotton farming systems in the lower Namoi Valley of New South Wales. Soil was sampled from the 0-1.2 m depths in three sites, viz. the Australian Cotton Research Institute, ACRI, near Narrabri (149°36′E, 30°12′S), and two cotton farms near Wee Waa (149°27′E, 30°13′S) and Merah North (149°18′E, 30°12′S) in northern New South Wales, Australia. The OCPs detected and their metabolites were α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, DDD, DDE, DDT and endrin. The metabolite DDE, a breakdown product of DDT, was the most persistent OCP in all depths analysed. Endosulfan sulphate was the second most persistent followed by endrin > α-endosulfan > β-endosulfan > DDT and DDD. DDT was sprayed extensively in the lower Namoi Valley up to the early 1980s and may explain the persistence of DDE in the majority of soil samples. Dicofol and Dieldrin, two OCPs previously undocumented in Vertisols were also detected. The movement of OCPs into the subsoil of Vertisols may occur when irrigation or rain transports soil colloids and organic matter via preferential flow systems into the deeper layers of a soil profile. Persistence of OCPs was closely correlated to soil organic carbon concentrations. The persistence in soil of OCP’s applied to cotton crops grown more than two decades ago suggests that they could enter the food chain. Their presence at depths of 1.2 m suggests that they could move into groundwater that may eventually be used for domestic and stock consumption.     

Decolouration of azo dyes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis> immobilised into alginate beads

Background, aim and scope  

Because of high discharged volumes and effluent composition, wastewater from the textile industry can be considered as the most polluting amongst all industrial sectors, thus greatly requiring appropriate treatment technologies. Although some abiotic methods for the reduction of several dyes exist, these require highly expensive catalysts and reagents. Biotechnological approaches were proven to be potentially effective in the treatment of this pollution source in an eco-efficient manner. The white-rot fungi are, so far, the most efficient microorganisms in degrading synthetic dyes. This white-rot fungi’s property is due to the production of extracellular lignin-modifying enzymes, which are able to degrade a wide range of xenobiotic compounds because of their low substrate specificity. In this paper, we studied the ability of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilised into Ca-alginate beads to decolourise different recalcitrant azo dyes such as Direct Violet 51 (DV), Reactive Black 5 (RB), Ponceau Xylidine (PX) and Bismark Brown R (BB) in successive batch cultures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the immobilisation of P. chrysosporium into Ca-alginate beads for its application in dye decolouration.     

Performance evaluation of a bipolar electrolysis/electrocoagulation (EL/EC) reactor to enhance the sludge dewaterability

The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of a bipolar electrolysis/electrocoagulation reactor designed to enhance the sludge dewaterability. The reactor was 15 L in volume, with two series of plates used in it; Ti/RuO₂ plates for the electrolysis of the sludge, and also aluminum and iron plates for electrocoagulation process. The dewaterability of the sludge was determined in terms of its capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistance to filtration (SRF), while the degree of sludge disintegration was determined based on the value of degree of sludge disintegration (DD_SCOD). The maximum reduction in CST and SRF was observed at a detention time of 20 min and a voltage of 30 V. However, increasing of both detention time and voltage significantly increased the values of CST and SRF even to an extent that they both exceeded those of the untreated sludge. The optimal degree of sludge disintegration achieved by the present study was 2.5%, which was also achieved at a detention time of 20 min and a voltage of 30 V. As reported previously, increased DD_SCOD values led to increasing CST and SRF values, due primarily to the disruption of the sludge flocs. According to the results from the present study, it can be concluded that simultaneous application of electrocoagulation and electrolysis is effective in enhancing the sludge dewaterability, because electrocoagulation helps to achieve a higher degree of sludge disintegration while maintaining the desired sludge dewaterability.     

Evaluating the use of Social Impact Assessment in the context of agricultural development projects in Iran

The utilisation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in Iran is analysed in terms of its policy context and its application in practice. Five case studies where SIA was employed in conjunction with Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for agricultural development projects are evaluated. In addition, the performance of the policy context is assessed. This research revealed that there are legal and institutional constraints to the effective functioning of SIA in Iran, and that there are deficiencies in the operating guidelines. There were serious problems associated with the way SIA was undertaken in all five case studies. Recommendations to improve the policy framework for the conduct of SIA are made. The recommendations advocate for a higher profile of SIA within legislation, for social issues to have greater emphasis in official guidelines for the conduct of EIA and SIA, and for a range of measures to increase the professionalism of SIA practice.