International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Techniques for environmental monitoring of predatory fauna on branches of Bramley apple trees in Northern Ireland

1*A. G. S. Cuthbertson and 2A. K. Murchie

Ranges of trapping devices were investigated for their ability to sample predatory mites and insects on branches of apple trees. Straw traps caught significantly more predatory mites whereas corrugated cardboard traps proved better for larger predators such as the common earwig, Forficula auricularia. The most abundant predatory species sampled on the trees was the 'whirli-gig' mite Anystis baccarum. The efficiency of the various trapping devices and the potential of incorporating A. baccarum within environmentally based management strategies for invertebrate pest control within the Bramley apple orchards are discussed.

Response of wheat plants to sodium and calcium ion interaction under saline environment

1B. Zaman, 1B. H. Niazi, 2*M. Athar and 1M. Ahmad

Wheat being a glycophyte crop, responds differently to saline-sodic soil environmental conditions. The application of calcium is multidimensional with respect to sodium ion and plant part response. This study was conducted to record the response of shoot and root to sodium and calcium interaction under saline environment. Wheat seed of variety Punjab 85 were raised in quartz sand. Later on the seedlings were transplanted to pots containing Hoagland's nutrient solution along with NaCl at 0 mM. and 50 mM. Calcium was applied as CaSO₄ 2H₂O at 3 mM. and 6 mM. Under saline conditions shoot showed positive response to sodium ion in the presence of higher calcium. Relative water contents were higher in the root system at 6 mM of CaSO₄. 2H₂O under saline condition. Growth responses to potassium and Magnesium in the presence of sodium induced salinity with calcium ion interaction remained variable.

Modeling of thermal pollution in coastal area and its economical and environmental assessment

1*M. Abbaspour , 2A. H. Javid, 2P. Moghimi and 3K. Kayhan

The Persian Gulf is one of the aquatic ecosystems which has recently faced with different pollutions. Cooling water discharges due to various industries such as power plants can cause important disorders on present ecosystem balance because of its high temperature. Obviously, due to thermal pollution, a great number of aquatic creatures face with a new situation that they can not tolerate. Thermal pollution leads to their migration, creates a potential for new coming species which in turn can thoroughly change the marine ecosystem feature. The other impacts of this phenomenon are: disorders in reproduction, nourishment and other biological habits. In this research, thermal pollution due to Bandar Abbas Thermal Power Plant (BATP) development plan was modeled using MIKE21 software. In order to avoid a decrease on the power plant efficiency in development plan, the distance between inlet and outlet was determined by comparing the results of different scenarios and economical aspects. After determining the distance between inlet and outlet, the water temperature in the coastal area was compared with standards of Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE). The model results represent that the water temperature, in Bandar Abbas coastal area, exceeds than the permissible limit (3 oC) in a distance equal to 200 m. far from the discharging location, and in order to reduce its harmful impacts, some suggestions are made to reduce the associated thermal pollution.

Evaluation of advanced rice germplasm under water stress environment

*Y. Ali, G. Sarwar, Z. Aslam, F. Hussain and T. Rafique

Thirteen genotypes of rice comprising of approved varieties and elite candidate lines were studied at three different water regimes by supplying 12, 8 and 4 numbers of irrigations at different intervals/ stages. The experiment was conducted at NIAB Farm Faisalabad, Pakistan on a clay loam soil applying normal doses of N and P fertilizers during 2002-2003 keeping varieties in the main plot while treatments in sub plot. The data for twelve morphological characters i.e. days to flower, days to mature, plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers, number of primary and secondary branches, 1000 grain weight, sterile grains per spike, number of total grains per spike, fertility percentage, grain yield were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared following DMR test. Effect of water stress on different morphological attributes in all treatments showed significant differences. Plant height, branches per plant, number of grains and grain yield reduced at less number of irrigations while sterility percentage was increased at less moisture conditions. Maximum grain yield (5349 Kg/ha) was achieved at T1 where 12 number of irrigations were applied at T2 (8 irrigations) and T3 (4 irrigations). The yield reduction was observed from 30.32% to 42.53%, respectively as compared to T1 (12 irrigations). Rice variety DM 64198 produced the highest seed yield (4766 Kg/ha) followed by DM-3-89 (4770 Kg/ha).This might be due to different genetic make up of the breeding lines and their behavior and interaction in water stress environment. Furthermore, high irrigation level made possible the appropriate water availability possible at proper time for performing different types of physiochemical processes of development that hindered at less number of irrigation or water stress environment. It may be concluded that for achieving maximum economic yield, at least 12 irrigations were essential otherwise the production will be reduced to a considerable extent.

Toxic effect of Pb, Cd, Ni and Zn on Azolla filiculoides in the International Anzali Wetland

1*M. Khosravi, 1M. Taghi Ganji and 2R. Rakhshaee

The limitation of plant growth in the polluted mediums can be used as a factor to determine of plant tolerance and the toxic effect of these mediums. In this work, the effect of Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+and Zn2+ (individually) on Azolla filiculoides growth in the aqueous solution and using this method to water post treatment were studied. During 15 days the biomass the fresh Azolla with initial mass of 20 g was grown on the nutrient solution containing these metal ions, each in a concentration 4 mg/l. The presence of these ions, caused about 25%, 42%, 31% and 17% inhibition of biomass growth, respectively, in comparison to Azolla control weight which had not heavy metals. The water salinity of 1, 2 and 4 g. NaCl/l decreased the removal of these heavy metals about 4-7%, 20-24% and 40-55%, respectively. The addition of total dissolved solids (TDS) from 50 to 300 ppm. (as CaCO3) into the samples of containing heavy metals increased Azolla growth, but decreased the control Azolla growth.

Agricultural activities impact on groundwater nitrate pollution

*A. H. Mahvi, J. Nouri, A. A. Babaei and R. Nabizadeh

Concern over agricultural diffuse pollution sources in integrated water quality management has been growing recently. High nitrogen fertilizers application rates may increase the potential groundwater pollution. These effects were investigated in Andimeshk and Susa plains that cover an area of 1100 km² between the Dez and Karkhe rivers in north of Khozestan-Iran. This region divided to 4 sub-regions A, B, C, and D. Additionally 168 groundwater samples were collected from 42 water wells during the months April, May, August, and September of 2004. The Hack-spectrophotometer nitrate test was used to measure the NO₃- concentration in water samples. Information about further nitrate data was obtained. A questionnaire procedure was used for collection N-fertilizers application rate data in studied area. The results demonstrated that all of the groundwater samples have NO₃- concentration below the EPA MCL (44.27 mg/l) and WHO guideline (50 mg/l). The mean nitrate concentrations are 16.1, 19.5, 13.3, and 7.9 mg/l in sub-regions A, B, C, and D respectively. There are different amount of N-fertilizers applied in sub-regions A, B, C, and D. Correlation between NO₃- concentrations and N-fertilizers rate suggests a inverse correlation between N-fertilizers application rate and ground waters nitrate concentrations in studied area (r=-0.69).

Varietals differences in agronomic performance of six wheat varieties grown under saline field environment

1M. Ahmad, 1B. H. Niazi, 1B. Zaman, and *2M. Athar

Six wheat varieties (SARC-1, SARC-2, SARC-3, SARC-4, LU26S and Punjab-85) were planted in the field to evaluate their comparative performance under saline conditions. LU26S appeared the most salt-tolerant variety and gave the highest grain weight due to its low Na+ uptake, high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, higher dry weight of shoots and spikes and better grain development. Better exclusion of Na⁺ and other ions from the leaves of salt-tolerant variety LU2 6S could also be a reason for its ability to maintain a higher grain weight in the saline soil. Punjab-85 appeared the most salt-sensitive variety as its dry weight of main shoots and spikes were also found to be the lowest. High Na⁺ uptake, lower K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, lower dry weight of main shoots and spikes and lower 100 grain weight were the main reasons for salt-sensitivity in Punjab-85. Dry weight of shoots, spikes and grain weight of SARC-3 under saline soil conditions was almost similar to the salt-sensitive variety Punjab-85 and could be classified as salt-sensitive. Flag leaf area decreased drastically due to salt stress in all the varieties and this could be a major cause for low yield. There was however, a very low linear correlation between the flag leaf area and the grain weight in pooled data for all the six wheat varieties.

Environmental importance of rhamnolipid production from molasses as a carbon source

1*H. Rashedi, 2M. Mazaheri Assadi, 1B. Bonakdarpour, 1E. Jamshidi

Rhamnolipid has been known as biosurfactant which is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in fermentation process. Several carbon sources such as ethanol, glucose, vegetable oil and hydrocarbon have been used to produce rhamnolipid. In this study, we are trying to use molasses which is a waste product from sugar industry as carbon source to produce rhamnolipid. The bacterium which was previously isolated from Iranian oil over years Glycolipid production by isolated bacterium using sugar beet molasses as a carbon and energy source was investigated. Result from the study showed that the growth of the bacteria using molasses as carbon sources is growth-associated. The specific production rate of rhamnolipid with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of molasses are 0.00065, 4.556, 8.94, 8.85, and 9.09 respectively. The yield of rhamnolipid per biomass with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% molasses are 0.003, 0.009, 0.053, 0.041 and 0.213 respectively. The production of rhamnolipid (0.0531 g. rhamnolipid/g biomass) is higher compare to the culture grown in aerobic condition (0.04 g. rhamnolipid/g biomass). These studies indicate that renewable, relatively inexpensive and easily available resources can be used for important biotechnological processes.

Bioaccumulation of Cu, Zn and Ni from the wastewater by treated Nasturtium officinale

*Y. Kara

Aquatic plants are well known in accumulating and in concentrating heavy metals. In this study, several physiological responses of aquatic vascular plant, Nasturtium officinale (watercress), which were elevated concentrations of copper, zinc and nickel have been investigated. It was found that Nasturtium officinale were able to accumulate both copper and zinc at upper levels, but was able to accumulate to nickel at low levels. The final goal of this work was to examine the copper, zinc and nickel uptake using this aquatic plant from their solutions.

Simulation of biofilter used for removal of air contaminants (ethanol)

1M. Ardjmand, 2A. Safekordi and 3*S. Farjadfard

Mathematic modeling and simulation of a biofilter system was developed for biofilters filled by three different packing materials such as granular activated carbon (GAC), compost mixed with diatomaceous earth (DE), and compost, respectively, and the effects of biofilter length, packing material, biological activity and the operation time of system on the removal of ethanol (influent contaminant) were studied. The mathematical model for analysis of mass transport phenomena in the biofilter was solved using a two-step, explicit finite difference approximation technique and computer simulation was carried out. The obtained results show that at the early stage of biofiltration the dominant mechanism is adsorption and after saturation of packing by contaminant, biological processes became the dominant mechanism. GAC packed biofilter needs more time to reach to steady state in comparison to the two other packing. GAC is the best adsorbent for contaminant removal; however, compost provides a better environment for microbial growth and activity. The proposed procedure is applicable to analyze the behavior of a biofiltration system used in removal of volatile organic compounds.

Sustainable transport indicators: Definition and integration

1*A. A. Rassafi and 2M. Vaziri

In this paper, a different interpretation of sustainable transportation, is introduced, in which sustainability with respect to transportation sector for the selected countries is evaluated. This interpretation characterizes 'sustainable development' through 'harmonic development'. It means sustainable development with special focus on transportation can be measured by the degree of conformity between environment, economy, and social aspects on one hand, and transportation on the other hand. The best indicator to perform such a measurement is elasticity. The database used for the study encompasses a series of national indicators for each country Seventy nine countries were initially selected for detailed analysis for the period of 1980 - 1995. The data have been extracted from centralized information sources of international agencies. The key dimensions of sustainable development i.e. social, environmental, and economic characteristics are used. Firstly, a set of sustainable transportation indicators is introduced. These indicators, which in fact are elasticities, show the relative change of non-transportation variables with respect to transportation ones. Second composite indices of three non-transportation groups with respect to four transportation modes are calculated. The composite indices are then aggregated by the Concordance Analysis Technique to achieve comprehensive transportation sustainability indices of countries, and according to these values, the countries are compared, ranked, and classified. Mathematical and statistical analyses of the database support the study quantitatively. The results for the selected indicators and countries show that from sustainable transportation point of view and based on the above-mentioned interpretation of sustainable development, United States is in the ranked first, and Sierra Leon is last among the subset of 79 countries with non-missing data. The results of the study depict an overall scheme for comparative assessment of transportation sustainability of the countries.

Use of environmental friendly fertilizers in saline and saline sodic soils

*Y. Ali and Z. Aslam