فصلنامه محیط شناسی
سال پنجاهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 111، زمستان 1403)

The development and expansion of road transport causes a great impact on the development of a biological community. Today, rollovers and road accidents are considered as one of the most important man-made hazards in the field of transportation. Accidents that happen during the transportation of dangerous materials always have a great potential to become a disaster and a widespread crisis. This research focuses on assessing the risks caused by the transportation of dangerous substances, identifying the consequences and providing the optimal traffic route in order to reduce the effects on environmental assets in different seasons of the year. The ultimate goal of the research is to provide a comprehensive and generalizable model to be able to be used in achieving the practical purpose.

In this research, the risk of man-made hazards in the transportation of hazardous materials in the study area was calculated considering criteria such as "the number of accidents and rollovers on each road”, “the number of traffic intersections according to the number of lanes”, “the severity of the accident, the number of deaths per kilometer”, and “the travel time on each route" and a mathematical model was desinged. Then, considering the risk of each route and their ranking using the Dijkstra algorithm, the best route for transporting hazardous materials was prioritized in order to reduce the possible consequences.

Most of the studies related to the transportation of hazardous materials are usually conducted based on two general sections, including "determining and assessing transportation risk and identifying and analyzing asset vulnerability" in order to provide a solution to reduce risk. However, in this study, by utilizing the Dijkstra method to reduce possible consequences after calculating the risk of each route, the optimal traffic route was determined as the route with the lowest risk in different seasons of the year. In addition, in this research, in line with the main goal, a comprehensive conceptual model with generalizability has been presented in the form of a flowchart.

In the study process of this research the risk of man-made hazards of carriers of dangerous substances in transportation networks according to various criteria, including the adjusted number of injured on each road, the inherent risk of each route, the number of injured due to heavy vehicle accidents and the population around the route are estimated. Therefore, it is suggested that in future studies, indicators such as the inherent risk of vehicles and the inherent risk of drivers should also be considered.

This research investigates the chemical quality of water at the hydrometric stations of the Sarni Dam in the southeast of Minab County for agricultural, drinking, and industrial purposes using Aq.QA software. The percentage of cations and anions has been investigated using quantitative, statistical, and graphical methods.

Method :

In this study, data from the hydrometric stations of Kalat-Rostam, Minab, Mazabi, Brentin, Joghin, Gro, Abnama, Shamil, Ab-Moksam, and Joumahleh along the route of Sarni Dam were used, and 11 different chemical parameters of water including electrical conductivity, acidity, hardness, chlorine, bicarbonate, sulfate, sodium, potassium, magnesium, sodium absorption ratio and sodium percentage were determined in the quality control laboratory of Regional Water Company of Hormozgan. Aq.QA software was used to draw Wilcox, Schuler, and Papier diagrams. The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and Rayznr Stability Index (RSI) were used to evaluate water quality for industrial purposes. The LSI and RSI indices were calculated by the Calculator LSI and RSI software.

The findings showed that the water from the hydrometric stations of the Sarni Dam was in the C3S2, C4S3, and C4S4 classes for agricultural and irrigation uses and varied from good to non-potable in terms of drinking. The quality of water for industrial uses in all stations was sedimentary and the water type was mostly chlorinated and sulfated and its facies was sodium. The water type and facies in 60% of the stations were chlorinated-sodium and 40% of the stations were sulfated-sodium. According to the obtained relationships, the electrical conductivity showed a very strong relationship with sodium, chloride, sulfate and calcium ions, and did not show a strong relationship with magnesium and bicarbonate ions. Based on the concentration of the main ions present in the waters of the stations in the study area, the prevailing cationic and anionic conditions were  Na+> Ca2+>Mg+2  and  Cl->So42->Hco3-.

The causes of the increase in dissolved salts and the decrease in water quality for various uses in the hydrometric stations of the Sarni Dam were the construction of earthen dams in the waterways, the entry of agricultural drainage upstream of the stations, the lack of proper management of exploitation, and recent droughts that have affected the water flow of the rivers leading to the dam.

This study investigates vegetation degradation across Iran by utilizing Soil Temperature (ST) and Soil Water Volumetric (SWV) data, with a focus on understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and relationships among these variables.

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from MODIS satellite products, served as the primary indicator for vegetation health and coverage. Concurrently, ST and SWV data were sourced from the ERA5 reanalysis dataset, spanning a temporal range from 2001 to 2022 and offering a spatial resolution of 10 km. To ensure robust analysis, the Mann-Kendall nonparametric test and Sen’s slope estimator were employed, enabling the detection of statistically significant trends in the time series data. Additionally, Pearson correlation tests were conducted to assess the relationships between NDVI, ST, and SWV.

The results revealed intriguing patterns in the temporal and spatial behavior of NDVI, SWV, and ST across Iran. Specifically, NDVI demonstrated a positive trend in 81.75% of the study area, predominantly in the northwest and southeast regions. Similarly, SWV and ST exhibited positive trends in 47.09% and 75.84% of the country’s area, respectively. These trends highlight notable regional variations in vegetation response to soil moisture and temperature conditions over the two-decade study period. The correlation analysis provided deeper insights into the interplay among these variables. NDVI and SWV were positively correlated in 90.49% of the study area, with strong positive correlations observed in 42.25% of the regions, indicating that vegetation health improves with increasing soil water content. Conversely, negative correlations were noted in only 9.5% of the area, with strong negative correlations accounting for a mere 0.82%, emphasizing the overall beneficial role of soil water availability. In contrast, the relationship between NDVI and ST exhibited predominantly negative correlations, covering 71.16% of the study area. Strong negative correlations were found in 16.26% of the regions, suggesting that rising soil temperatures could adversely affect vegetation health, particularly in temperature-sensitive ecosystems. Positive correlations were limited to 25.84% of the area, with strong positive correlations observed in just 1.87%. Land-use-specific analysis further refined these results. NDVI displayed a positive correlation with SWV in grasslands, barelands, croplands, and pasturelands across all altitude classes. However, in forested regions situated at altitudes between 1500–2000 meters and above 2000 meters, the correlation turned negative, reflecting unique hydrological and ecological dynamics. Similarly, NDVI correlated positively with ST in barelands and grasslands but showed a negative correlation in forests, croplands, and pasturelands, underscoring the complex interaction of vegetation types with soil temperature and water dynamics in varying environmental contexts.

Combining remote sensing and reanalysis data provides a reliable database for monitoring and modeling vegetation coverage, soil moisture, and temperature, and consequently, desertification and land degradation. It is important to note that this research was conducted over an annual timescale. Further investigations are warranted to explore the monthly relationships between the analyzed indices and their implications for land degradation.

The gas refining industry, as one of the most important industries and economic production sectors in Iran, is both influenced by and impacts the global economy. However, attention to economic factors should not overshadow the environmental impacts of these industries, including greenhouse gas emissions, which represent one of the most critical environmental issues today. Measuring and assessing greenhouse gas emissions requires carbon footprint management education, which is a key element in this area. Therefore, this study aims to apply the meta-synthesis technique in policymaking for environmental education based on carbon footprint management in gas refineries.

By employing a systematic review and meta-synthesis approach, the findings and results of previous studies were analyzed. Through the seven-step method of Sandelowski and Barroso, key factors were identified. Out of 579 articles, 42 were selected based on the CASP method, and the validity of the analysis was confirmed with a Kappa coefficient of 0.886. Data analysis using ATLAS TI software identified 84 initial codes grouped into 16 categories and five concepts.

Based on the meta-synthesis technique, five main concepts, encompassing 16 categories and 84 codes, were identified. The identified concepts include educational content, environmental education infrastructure, organizational environmental performance, external organizational challenges, and the effectiveness of environmental education. The identified categories include: analysis, design, implementation, evaluation, technological and technical infrastructure, planning, identification of individual characteristics, supervisory factors, carbon footprint management, environmental culture, interorganizational collaboration, environmental factors, planning and policymaking, organizational performance improvement, employee satisfaction, and organizational growth and maturity.

The application of the meta-synthesis technique in environmental education policymaking based on carbon footprint management in gas refineries enables the identification, integration, and comprehensive analysis of various studies and findings. This technique, by combining up-to-date and diverse data from reliable sources, systematically examines different dimensions of environmental education, including educational methods, performance indicators, and environmental impacts. Utilizing meta-synthesis can lead to the extraction of best educational practices and the design of programs tailored to the specific needs of the refinery industry. Consequently, policymaking based on this technique not only optimizes educational and managerial processes but also paves the way for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing environmental sustainability in this critical and sensitive industry. The effectiveness of environmental education can also be assessed through continuous evaluation of refinery performance and operations. These evaluations can be conducted by comparing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the reduction of other environmental pollutants in refineries before and after implementing educational programs. Such evaluations highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these programs, enabling their improvement and optimization. Consequently, enhancing the quality of environmental education to better manage carbon footprints in gas refineries can significantly improve the environmental and economic performance of this industry. Developing environmental education policies based on carbon footprint management in gas refineries is essential for ensuring environmental quality and mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

Airborne particulate matter, especially the fine particles, is known as a potential source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) for people living in urban communities and can lead to adverse effects such as adhering to the surface of pulmonary epithelial cells and lung alveoli, acute inflammatory reaction on human health through inhalation, oral, and dermal contact routes, and also oxidative stress. Therefore, concern about the quality of dust and atmospheric depositions is vital. Since the similar studies in terms of the ecological risk assessment of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in atmospheric dry deposition have not been previously conducted in the city of Hamedan, this study was performed to assess the spatiotemporal variations and ecological risks of PTEs in the dry deposition of Hamedan Megacity in 2023.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 144 dry deposition samples were collected from 12 sampling sites across four seasons. Following sample preparation and acid digestion, the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Pb were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Additionally, various indices, including the pollution index (PI), integrated pollution index (IPI), ecological risk (Er), and the comprehensive potential ecological risk index (RI), were calculated to assess the pollution and ecological risks associated with these elements. Statistical analyses of the results were performed using SPSS statistical software.

The results of determining the content of the elements revealed the significant impact of human activities, particularly those of industrial origin and traffic. The PI values indicated that the pollution levels of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Pb ranged from "low" to "high." Furthermore, the average IPI value of 1.73 suggested "moderate" pollution conditions in the study area. Ecological risk assessments demonstrated that in all sampled regions and seasons, the Er values for As, Cr, Mn, and Pb were categorized as "low risk," whereas Cd exhibited a "moderate" to "high" risk level. Additionally, the average RI value of 113 indicated a "moderate" level of hazard posed by dry deposition in the studied area. Notably, Cd, accounting for 68.3% of the ecological risk, had the most significant contribution to the overall ecological risk assessment.

In conclusion, it is recommended to conduct regular monitoring the concentrations of PTEs and perform ecological and health risk assessments of contaminated dry deposition. Such measures are essential for safeguarding the health of both the environment and the residents.

The aim of this study is to understand the characteristics of urban biotopes in order to establish an ecological framework for mapping biotopes and creating spatial and biological databases.

Biotope mapping is typically carried out by two main approaches: the comprehensive mapping method and the selective mapping method. In the comprehensive mapping method, the entire area is systematically mapped by identifying all biotopes and collecting precise environmental and biological data, a process that requires considerable time and financial resources. In contrast, the selective mapping method focuses on a smaller area that represents the main land uses and urban corridors, primarily emphasizing the recording of biological data for individual biotope units, thus requiring fewer resources. This research employs the method of selective mapping. Districts 9 and 11 of Mashhad city were chosen as samples for this study. The primary data and information include land use maps, land use classification in the comprehensive plan of Mashhad city, urban street design regulations, standards for the creation of urban green spaces, Google Map satellite images, vegetation cover information, and data obtained from field surveys. The identification of biotopes in the study area was carried out in six strategic stages, following spatio-temporal guidelines: (1) preparation of information resources and field surveys (collection of spatial and vegetation data); (2) creation of a database of the current vegetation cover in each land use; (3) establishment of a biotope classification framework (biotope identification); (4) data analysis, biotope classification, and segmentation of each biotope unit; (5) creation of a spatial database of biotopes and urban sub-biotopes in ArcGIS 10.8 software, along with the dominant vegetation cover in them; (6) mapping of the main biotope types and sub-biotopes.

In this study, spatial information of biotopes, along with the dominant vegetation within them, reflecting the current ecological and biological characteristics and values in the study area, were presented. According to the results, 16 main types of biotopes and 44 sub-biotopes were identified. Of the total dominant plant species identified in the biotopes, 103 species were classified as trees and shrubs, 19 species as hedges, 51 species as ground cover plants, 41 species as seasonal plants, and 33 species as other plants.

Based on the information obtained from this study, the groundwork for creating an ecologically sustainable city was established. This is because identifying urban biotopes as ecological-spatial units and collecting data on their current vegetation cover provides the necessary information for ecological reconstruction of cities. Additionally, by establishing an appropriate framework for categorizing biotopes and sub-biotopes, it enables the biotope map to be updated according to the defined framework in case of land-use changes.

This study attempted to identify and investigate the effective factors and provide a model for the development of Eco-camps in Iran. The findings of the research lead to the formation of a paradigm model for the development of Eco-camps in Iran.

Qualitative approach with grounded theory method is used in this research. Field method with in-depth interview technique has been used to collect the required data while studying library resources. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. A total of 12 experts were interviewed in this field. MAXQDA software was used for content analysis.

The findings of the research indicate that 29 sub-topics in the form of 17 main topics constitute the development model of Eco-camp in Iran.

The results of this research showed that the development of ecotourism camps in Iran requires national commitment in all sectors related to tourism in Iran. Environmental protection and sustainable development, increasing invisible exports and international credit, economic prosperity of local communities are the consequences of the development of environmentally responsible nature tourism camps (Eco-Camp).Considering the natural features, unique and pristine opportunities that exist in Iran, it should be noted that unfortunately, basic and important planning and work has not been done to benefit from these unique natural attractions.

Global and regional environmental issues have become increasingly significant because of rapid population growth and socioeconomic development. Problems such as soil erosion, ecological pollution, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and diminished ecosystem services pose serious threats to human living conditions and sustainable development of economies and societies. Consequently, as the population increases and economic activities expand, leading to greater consumption of ecological resources, assessing environmental security becomes crucial. This study aims to develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to evaluate the environmental security of Fars Province by utilizing an ecological footprint method.

Typically, this evaluation employs two fundamental concepts: ecological footprint and ecological capacity. In this context, the per capita ecological footprint and ecological capacity of Fars province were analyzed for the years 2011 to 2021. After determining the per capita ecological footprint and capacity, four indices were calculated: ecological deficit (ED), ecological footprint diversity index (EFDI), ecological pressure index (EPI), and ecological coordination coefficient (ECC).

The results of this study showed that the per capita ecological footprint of Fars province increased by more than 17% during the study period, which, along with the population growth of the province, indicates an increase in pressure on the natural resources. Additionally, pollution levels and agricultural production contributed significantly to this strain. On the other hand, the per capita ecological capacity of the province, dropping from 1.23 gha in 2011 to 1.11 gha in 2021 has increased by 10%. It was also concluded that the per capita ecological capacity of Fars province is significantly lower (less than one-fourth) than its per capita ecological footprint, underscoring the region's vulnerability in terms of its capacity to absorb and regenerate natural resources. The findings indicated that throughout the study period, Fars Province consistently experienced an ecological deficit, which has been rising over time. Furthermore, the assessment of four environmental security indicators all indicate the province's environmental insecurity and the lack of coordination between development and the environment.

According to the results obtained using the investigated indicators in this study, the environmental condition of the province is not suitable and it has worsened over time. Therefore, if the policymakers are looking for sustainable economic development, it is necessary to pay more attention to the province's environment. In other words, it is imperative to implement dynamic and periodic environmental monitoring and to evaluate management strategies to enhance environmental health.