نشریه پایداری، توسعه و محیط زیست
سال دوم شماره 1 (بهار 1394)

The current research was conducted to reduce the environmental problems associated with solid wastes producted in cities. The main objective of this research were to investigate : a) The applicability of recycling of the city of Mashhad municipal solid wastes through its conversion to vermicompost and b) The effects of different substrate mixtures on the process efficiency, the quality of the final composting product, and on the trend of change in number and biomass of the earthworms. This research was performed in a complete randomized design with five types of substrate mixture and with three replica for each type of treatment. The substrate mixtures included municipal solid wastes and cow manure (both pretreated) in percent ratios of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20 and 100%, respectively (on the basis of total dry matter). The units with 100% municipal solid wastes were considered as control units. The earthworms Eisenia fetida was used in this work. The experimental period lasted 80 days. During the course of this study, various physical, chemical and biological parameters such as TVS, TOC, TKN, TP, TK, TNa (all measured as percentage of total dry matter), C/N ratio, pH, EC as well as the number and biomass of earthworms were measured regularly. Statistical assessment of the results was done using SPSS software. The results showed a significant reduction in TOC, TVS, pH, and the C/N ratio of the substrates in all treatment units, as compared to their initial values. However, the change in substrate TKN, TP, TK, TNa, and EC followed a significant increase during the experimental period. Moreover the measurements indicated a considerable increase in the number and biomass of Eisenia fetida in every treatment units. The treatment units consisted of 100% municipal solid wastes showed the best results from the viewpoints of stabilization of organic matter, fertilization value of the final compost produce, and the amount of earthworms biomass produced. This indicates that in such units the environmental conditions were more suitable for the biological activities of the earthworms and microorganisms. As a result for vermicomposting of municipal solid wastes there is no need for addition of additives such as cow manure to the substrate.The results of this research also showed that the process of vermicomposting in all treatment units were accomplished during the first 60 days of the experimental period.

Photovoltaic systems have several unique advantages including pollution-free industrial processes, small off-grid applications, and low cost of repair and maintenance. In this research with the aid of SWOT model, the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) of photovoltaic systems in Iran were analyzed. Based on 30 expert comments, 7 strengths, 7 weaknesses, 15 opportunities and 14 threats were identified and used in Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) and External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrixes. The expert assessments resulted in IFE and EFE numbers of 1.9 and 1.93, respectively. The results indicate significant weaknesses and threats in Photovoltaic systems of Iran. However, the potential opportunities are not utilized properly to offset the shortcomings. Consequently, the strengths and weaknesses were cross-examined with the opportunities and threats in order to develop meaningful strategies. Finally short, medium and long term recommendations were provided based on the developed strategies. Prominent recommendations included enhancement of domestic capabilities, commercialization of solar energy, promotion of free market and governmental support.

In recent years, owing to the increasing growth of world population, there has been a dramatic improvement in technology. Unfortunately, producing new chemicals has resulted in the large amounts of hazardous wastes which not only have some chronic and acute harm to human’s life, but also are one of the most serious environmental threats. Hence, organizations in charge of supervising their control and scientific management should put needed regulations into practice. The current paper consists of a brief introduction of industries producing hazardous wastes, danger specification and also disposal and recycling approaches based on Basel protocol. According to Basel convention, different wastes produced in various industries can be classified in 45 categories each which is represented by abbreviated sign of Y (Y1-Y45), and each Y is demonstrative of wastes of an industrial process. In addition, danger properties of different wastes representing their phyico-chemical features are shown by D and R codes, respectively. The use of clean technologies has been purposed fordecreasing the rate of hazardous waste production and eliminating their horrible effects. It is noteworthy that in these methods, firstly the use of hazardous chemicals is reduced and in the case of possibility their use is eliminated, resulting in omitting the existing concerns.

Assessment of land response to certain land uses by comparison of its potentialities with existing limitations is necessary to reach the sustainable land management. In this study Almagra model from MicroLEIS decision support system and remote sensing technology were used to determine the suitability of land for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Melon (Cucumis Melo) in Eivanekey arid region. Land and soil characteristic data were obtained from representative soil profiles in each land mapping unit, through digital classification of ASTER Satellite images and stored into SDBm plus, the database manager of microLEIS program. The mean average of land characteristics between 0 to 100 cm was calculated by soil layer generator of SDBm plus and entered to the model. Land suitability maps for each crop were presented as thematic maps by integrating soil map with determined land suitability classes in GIS environment. The results of this study showed that %55 of the area has moderate to high suitability for wheat, alfalfa, maize and melon. Salinity, alkalinity and soil texture are considered as the main soil restrictions for studied crops in this area. According to the obtained results, the priority of the selected crops should be considered as wheat, alfalfa/ melon and maize, respectively. Application of remote sensing technology accompany with land suitability models helped to enhance the abilities of this model by both saving the data compilation time and generating georeferenced data to overlay with other information layers and spatialization in GIS.

Growth and development of tourism causes to many of programmers believe that tourism is one of the basic foundations for sustainable development. This industry can be sustainable if it is managed by a systematic and comprehensive management approach. One of the important aspects which are a key factor in the development of tourism and its success or failure, in every place, is tourists’ behavior and their demand and recreational requirements. In the other words be aware of tourists’ behavior and considering as well as directing demand and supply through paying attention to potentials and limitations of the region can cause provision of suitable services and be a turning point in the sustainability of tourism. In this research tourists’ behavior and their characteristics in Karaj-Chalous road has been analyzed by information collected through 140 questionnaires with 42 questions enabled by field study. The results showed that families and men are the major visitors of the region whose age ranged from 26-35. In addition, natural landscape was the most important attraction for the visitors. Tourists were often unsatisfied to public awareness factor and the problems with roads and transportation, lack of development assistance for tourist’s sites, high costs, and lack of adequate safety, pollution and dispersion of wastes were all introduced as the major obstacles for development of tourism in this area. Almost all of the tourists were in favor of preserving ecological features of the region.

Gavkhooni Region is one of the most attractive recreational regions in Iran. It has several tourism attractions such as wetland, Shakhkenar dam, various wildlife species and migrant birds, sand dunes, historical monuments, special native culture and so on. These characteristics have potential to provide many recreational opportunities for tourists. Unfortunately poor management caused many destruction in this region, hence a comprehensive management plan is highly essential. This study aimed to offer applicable management strategies for improving overall ecotourism statues in the region. This regional planning developed with regard to the region strengths and weaknesses. The most influential parameters on ecotourism status were identified using literature review, recurrent field observations and interviews with experts. These parameters were categorised in three main groups including tourism attractions, socio-economic status and services. In the next step, an ecotourism management model was developed using Bayesian Belief Networks and entered to Netica software. The influence diagram used in this modelling approach indicated how parameters are related and affect Gavkhooni ecotourism status. According to sensitivity analysis results, tourism attractions was identified as the most important factor in tourism status of Gavkhooni region. Also some guidelines for improvement of Gavkhooni ecotourism status were offered accordingly.