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Estimation of Benzene from Storage Tanks and Determination of the Permissible Distance from Gas Stations Full text
2023
Chehrehei, Maryam | Mirzahosseini, Seyed Alireza | Mansouri, Nabiollah | Behzadi, Mohammad Hassan | Rashidi, Yousef
Benzene is considered a toxic and hazardous pollutant in Tehran metropolis. The storage tanks of petroleum products and refueling in gas stations are among the main sources of benzene emissions. Using the software AERMOD and reviewing the benzene dispersion maps at different distances from 412 storage tanks at 148 gas stations, it was found the permissible distance of the emission source is dependent on various variables such as the number of loading times and the storage capacity. When, storage capacity in the range of 60,000 L to 96,000 L and the number of loading is in the range of 675 to 1328 times a year, the concentration of benzene at a distance of 30 m of the emission source reaches the annual standard of 5 μg/ m3. While, storage capacity in the range of 80,000 L to 128,000 L and the number of loading is in the range of 1329 to 1834 times a year, the concentration of benzene at a distance of 40 m of the emission source reaches the annual standard of 5 μg/ m3. Also, based on the analysis of data and the linear regression equation, the permissible distance of the emission source can be predicted.
Show more [+] Less [-]Application of Ti3C2(OH)2 MXene Nanosheets as a Potential Adsorbent and Photocatalyst for Degradation of Organic Dye in Aqueous Media Full text
2023
Hasani Khaneghahi, Batool | Dehghan Abkenar, Shiva | Gilnejad, Javad | Ganjali, Mohammad Reza | Hosseini, Morteza
In this work, single layered Ti3C2(OH)2 MXene nanosheets have been successfully prepared through a facile approach by etching Ti3AlC2 with alkaline solution treatment (KOH with minimum amounts of water). The structure and morphology of the produced nanosheets were evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis and the chemical composition was determined using an energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) spectrometer. Methylene Blue (MB) as a target pollutant adsorption and photocatalytic degradation tests were subsequently performed to assess the functionalities of hydroxyl-terminated MXene. MB removal using Ti3C2(OH)2 MXene in the dark in 20 minutes achieved an absorption-desorption balance of 51.2%, and then MB was degraded within 80 minutes under UV light irradiation with great efficiency. Our results presented that the powder of as produced exhibited good photocatalytic activity for three cycles photodegradation. The first-order rate constant (k) was calculated to be 0.0372 1/min. About 97% degradation of Methylene Blue dye in the solution was confirmed within 80 min of exposure to ultraviolet light.
Show more [+] Less [-]Prediction of Air Pollutants Concentration Emitted from Kirkuk Cement Plant Based on Deep Learning and Gaussian Equation Outputs Full text
2023
Ajaj, Qayssar | Mohd Shafri, Helmi Zulhaidi | Ramli, Mohammad | Wayayok, Aimrun
Researchers are interested in developing techniques to monitor, manage and predict the risks of gases and particles emitted from cement factories, which have a direct and negative impact on human health. Deep learning (DL) is a critical component of data mining, which further involves statistics and prediction. In this study, we developed a deep learning prediction model called the Deep Pollutant Prediction Model (DPPM). The data used for DPPM are separated into two types: observed data from a pollution monitoring station of the Institute of Mental Health in Ahmedabad City, India coded as (GJ001), to validate the model and simulated data generated using the Gaussian Plume Model for the hypothetical receptor (Laylan District, Kirkuk, Iraq) to predict the pollution that emitted from Kirkuk Cement Plant 5 km apart from the study area. The findings indicated that the DPPM has high efficiency in both Allahabad and Laylan stations, with more closed results for the data in the Laylan station, which is based on the Gaussian equation simulated data. Since the highest loss function value in the Laylan is 0.0221 of the CaO parameter, while it is 4.466 of the AQI parameter for the Allahabad Station, and the smallest loss function value in the Laylan is equal to 0.0041of both Fe2O3 and MgO parameters, it corresponds to 0.038 of Xylene for the Allahabad station. The results of the study proved that data continuity and non-volatility produce excellent outcomes for DPPM.
Show more [+] Less [-]Uranium in Groundwater: Distribution and Plausible Chemo-Radiological Health Risks Owing to the Long-term Consumption of Groundwater of Panchkula, Haryana, India Full text
2023
Tanwer, Naresh | Anand, Poonam | Batra, Neha | Kant, Krishan | Gautam, Yogender | Sahoo, Sunil
A comprehensive investigation was engaged to determine the spatial distribution of Uranium (U) and the consequential chemical and radiological health risk associated due to the consumption of groundwater containing U, in Panchkula district. A well-accepted technique of fluorescence of U estimation in an aqueous medium was employed having a detection limit of 0.50 µgL-1. The chemo-radiological health risk and water quality index was computed using a standard equation of concerned agencies to determine the suitability for human health. The concentration of U was observed to vary from 1.70 – 12.28 µgL-1 with the mean value of 5.89 µgL-1 The concentration of U was far below the standard prescribed limits as per World Health Organisation, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and United Nation Environmental Protection Agency. Except nitrate and total alkalinity in few samples, all water quality paramters were within the recommended limit of BIS. The annual effective dose (AED), excess cancer risk (ECR), and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) indicated no potential health issue due to the consumption of groundwater of studied locations. The correlation was computed between U and various macro-anions and cations present in water samples. U was observed to have a significant weak positive correlation with total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity.
Show more [+] Less [-]Experimental Investigation of Pb Release Characteristics in Zn-Pb Mine Tailings under Simulated Leaching Conditions, Anguran, Iran Full text
2023
Akhavan, Ahmad | Golchin, Ahmad
The aim of this research was to use a variety of leaching methods to see how different parameters affected the amount of lead leaching from tailings. Synthetic precipitation leaching procedure, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, leachate extraction procedure, and field leach test protocols were utilized to assess the toxicity of the tailings. The impact of the liquid-solid ratio, particle size, contact time, and pH on lead release from tailings was also investigated. According to the findings, pH entirely effects on the release of lead from the tailings, and amphoteric leaching behavior was observed. The tailings were classified as hazardous material as a result of the TCLP leaching protocol's findings. S1 and S2 samples had lead mobility indexes of 51% and 5.6%, respectively. The solubility process influenced the discharge of lead from the tailings. In the particle size ranges of 0.3-0.5 mm and 0.6-1.0 mm, respectively, the maximum amount of lead was released from S1 and S2 samples. Various experiments have shown that the interaction between different factors will have complex and strong effects on the leaching process. To that end, managing of tailings and preventing lead emission into the environment necessitates a unique technique. Leachability is affected by a number of factors and often multiple factors can produce synergistically different releases than would be predicted by each factor alone. However, validation of the leaching approaches to field-collected and monitored cases indicates that combined effects are either captured by the test data or can be considered through fate and transport modeling.
Show more [+] Less [-]Natural Extraction of Dyes from Saffron ‘Crocus sativus L’ Flower Waste, Cotton Dyeing, and Antioxidant Effectiveness Full text
2023
Lachguer, Khadija | Boudadi, Imane | Fayzi, Lahbib | El Merzougui, Soumaya | El Bouchti, Mehdi | Cherkaoui, Omar | Serghini, Mohammed Amine
The production of saffron, the spice obtained from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae family) flowers, generates, after pruning, considerable quantities of waste containing natural dyes. Saffron flower waste could be a source of extraction of natural dyes with antioxidant activity. In this study, we investigate the possibility of using saffron flower waste for dyeing cotton and evaluating the antioxidant effect of this dye by the DPPH free radical, reducing power and β-carotene bleaching assay. The dye has been evaluated for the composition of the color by the UV-visible spectrum and tested for the dyeing of cotton. The results indicate the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. The dyeing conditions have been optimized at 6% dye concentration, dye bath pH of 3, dyeing temperature at 98 °C and dyeing time of 60 min. 2% dye concentration with 5 to 10% mordant concentration remains sufficient for dyeing with pre-mordanting. The exhaustion of the bath after dyeing has been improved by a rate of 20% in the case of addition of mordants which have produced a shade of green color. The dye contributes to the significant antioxidant activities with more DPPH scavenging capacity, FRAP reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching inhibition. Cotton fabrics dyed with bio-dyes obtained from saffron flower waste show good color fastness properties and could be a potential source of natural antioxidant agent. It presents an important eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes for large-scale application in textile and food industries.
Show more [+] Less [-]Ecological Risk Assessment of the Soil around Odo Iya-Alaro (Iya Alaro River) at Ojota, Lagos States, Nigeria Full text
2023
Adio Hassan, Isiaka | Abdul Raheem, Wahabi Olaitan | Adejoke Obalola, Aishat | Oluwole Bello, Isiaq
Human developmental activities always result to waste generation; that invariably pollute the environment, if not properly managed. The aim of this study is to determine soil quality around Odo Iya-Alaro at Ojota, Lagos. A total of 12 soil samples were collected from 0 -15 cm and 15- 30 cm at three different spots of 100 and 500 m (control) away from the bank of the river. Samples were analysed for pH, EC, NO3, TOC; Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb using standard analytical methods. The results were subjected to both differential and inferential statistics using statistical package (SPSS 22.0 version). Subsequently, the data were compared with Earth crust values. The soil pollution was evaluated using pollution, ecological risk, and geo-accumulation index. Cr (50.43), Ni (29.47), and Cu (104.10) mg/kg at 100 m were higher than their controls; (12.09), (8.14), and (86.06) mg/kg respectively, but lower than their respective Earth crusts; (100), (80) except (50) mg/kg. The soil was moderately polluted with pH (1.15), Na (3.00), K (2.11), Mg (1.87), Ca (1.26) and Cu (1.21); considerably polluted with EC (3.82), TOC (3.39), and Ni (3.62); and very highly polluted with Fe (8.26). Fe (711.73) had a very high ecological risk. The Geo – accumulation index was moderately - strongly polluted with Zn (2.61), and very strongly polluted with pH (5.37), EC (14.90), NO3 (9.66), Na (15.41), K (11.31), Mg (9.51), Ca (17.08), Fe (15.32), Cu (12.54), Cr (8.67), and Ni (7.32). The soil was polluted. and urgently needs reclamation for Garden Park (relaxation).
Show more [+] Less [-]Contamination Levels, Source Apportionments, and Health Risks Evaluation of Heavy Metals from the Surface Water of the Riruwai Mining Area, North-Western Nigeria Full text
2023
Badamasi, Hamza | Olusola, Johnson | Durodola, Solomon | Akeremale, Olaniran | Ore, Odunayo | Bayode, Ajibola
Mining is one of the most environmentally damaging human activities, having long-term health effects on humans. In this research, the levels of contamination, source distribution, and health risks of heavy metals to residents from drinking surface water near Riruwai mining sites were investigated. The findings of the study indicated that the heavy metal levels ranged from As (0.00–0.04 mg/L), Cd (0.00–0.04 mg/L), Cr (0.02–0.06 mg/L), Mn (0.02–0.07 mg/L), and Pb (0.00–0.05 mg/L), with mean levels of 0.02, 0.013, 0.03, 0.02, and 0.04 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of all metals, with the exception of Mn and Cr, are higher than acceptable limits. The values of the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) for all the metals, with the exception of Mn, exceed the threshold limit of 100, indicating serious pollution of the surface water. This was confirmed by the results of Nemerow’s pollution index (NPI). Multivariable analysis revealed anthropogenic and natural sources as the main sources of heavy metal contamination, with Cd, As, Cr, and Pb originating from mining activities and Mn possibly coming from parent materials. The total hazard index (HI) and non-cancer risk (HQ) values in children and adults are within acceptable limits. However, the total life cancer risks (TLCR) of As and Cd were higher than the tolerable limit of 1.00E-06. Therefore, heavy metals in surface water, particularly As, Cd, and Pb, should be properly monitored and a treatment program implemented to safeguard the health of local residents, especially children.
Show more [+] Less [-]Analysis of the Effect of Green Packaging on Attracting and Retaining Environmentally Friendly Customers with the Mediating role of Green Brand Image Full text
2023
Seifollahi, Naser
Increasing the level of environmental knowledge of consumers and their level of concern towards the environment and green brands are among the important factors that have been considered in the discussion of consumer behavior in recent years. Marketing managers also try to attract customers' attention to their green products and brands in order to succeed in selling and marketing their products. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of green packaging on attracting and retaining environmentally friendly customers with the mediating role of green brand image. In terms of the purpose of the research, the type of applied research, the method of collecting descriptive data is of the correlation type. The statistical population of this research is the students of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, 373 of them were selected as a sample by referring to Morgan's table and using the available sampling method. The required data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed based on the structural equation modeling method and using SPSS and Smart PLS software. The results of the research showed that green packaging has a positive and significant effect on attracting and retaining environmentally friendly customers as well as the image of the green brand. On the other hand, the image of the green brand has a positive and significant effect on attracting and retaining environmentally friendly customers. Finally, green brand image acts as a mediating factor in the relationship between green packaging and attracting and retaining environmentally friendly customers.
Show more [+] Less [-]Organic Pollutants Removal from Olive Mill Wastewater using a new Ecosystem Treatment Full text
2023
Bougassa, Rim | Tahri, Latifa | Nassri, Ilham | Fekhaoui, Mohammed
Olive mill wastewater is the main by-product derived from olive mills using the three-phase extraction process,displaying a serious environmental risk due to its notable content in organics and phenolics Olive oil production, an agro-industrial of vital economic particularly in Mediterranean countries, is unfortunately associated with the generation of large quantities of OMW (Olive Mill Wastewater) and solid wastes. The OMW is considered a major environmental problem, it is a powerful pollutant rejected in nature without any prior treatment. This research work aims to study the treatment of OMW by a new ecological and economic system, which consists of the use of the following components: gravel, sawdust, soil, activated carbon, bamboo, and the valorization of the solid residues. HPLC analysis showed that hydroxytyrosol is the most abundant biophenol. Many other biophenols were identified (Tyrosol, gallic acid, and eleonic acid). The comparison between before and after filtration by the new system showed an essential degradation of phenolic compounds after treatment and found a new compound resulting from their degradation.
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