The objective of this research is to study the effects of refinery effluent of Alborz Industrial City (Iran) on the soil and plant growth including
Robinia pseudoacacia
,
Cercis siliquastrum
, and
...Caesalpinia gilliesii
. Firstly, samples were taken from soils irrigated with wastewater. The results of initial soil test revealed that the concentrations of Pb and Zn in the agricultural soils irrigated with treated wastewater showed significant differences (
P
< 0.01). The highest concentrations of Pb and Zn in the agricultural soils irrigated with treated wastewater and in the vicinity of industrial sites were 49.91 and 85.62 mg/kg, respectively. Secondly, the effect of wastewater treatment on the absorption of heavy metals by plant species was studied under greenhouse conditions. Treatments included four levels of effluent (100, 50, 25, and 0%) and three plant species. At the end of the experiments, concentrations of Pb and Zn in the soil and in the plant organs were measured. The results showed that there were significant differences between metal concentration in the soil and in the plant roots and shoots. Under 100 and 50% of industrial wastewater,
R. pseudoacacia
and
C. gilliesii
had the highest efficiency regarding RF
Zn
(remediation factor), TF
Pb
(translocation factor), BCF
Zn
, and BCF
Pb
(bioconcentration factor). Overall, two species of
R. pseudoacacia
and
C. gilliesii
had the highest Pb concentrations (15 and 32 mg/kg) in the shoots and thus have the ability to remediate contaminated soils. Therefore, they can be an appropriate choice for the phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soils.
The idea of living streets has recently evolved and is currently being considered in urban planning and development for cities. The main purpose of the living streets concept is to provide safe ...access for all types of traffic, thus focusing on the overall sustainability of a city. This study investigates the characteristics of urban arteries in Peshawar’s central business district (CBD) from the perspective of the living streets concept to form a basis for policy measures that can be adopted to improve the CBD. The study hypothesizes that the living street infrastructure in the CBD does not accommodate the needs of various users (shoppers, residents, employees and those visiting for recreation). A field survey, including an observational survey and questionnaire, was conducted to identify and analyse basic public infrastructure in the CBD. Issues such as noise, air pollution, litter, a lack of appropriate public transit and pedestrian infrastructure, and poor traffic management were discovered. Strong dissatisfaction was recorded when the respondents were asked about current pedestrian and on-street parking arrangements. The field survey also found that the current pedestrian arrangements were insufficient for pedestrian needs, and the absence of street furniture discouraged community engagement in the study area.
Zamisel o skupnem prometnem prostoru (ang. living streets) se je razvila šele nedavno, upošteva pa se predvsem pri prostorskem načrtovanju in razvoju mest. Njena glavna namena sta zagotavljanje ...varnega dostopa za vse vrste prometa in s tem osredotočanje na splošni trajnostni razvoj mesta. Avtorji v članku proučujejo značilnosti glavnih prometnih žil v poslovnem središču Pešavarja z vidika koncepta skupnega prometnega prostora, na podlagi česar bi se lahko sprejeli ustrezni ukrepi za izboljšanje tega mestnega območja. Predpostavljajo, da trenutna infrastruktura skupnega prometnega prostora v poslovnem središču mesta ne zadovoljuje potreb različnih uporabnikov (nakupovalcev, stanovalcev, zaposlenih in ljudi, ki območje uporabljajo za rekreacijo). Da bi določili in analizirali osnovno javno infrastrukturo v poslovnem središču mesta, so opravili raziskavo, ki je vključevala opazovanje in anketo. Raziskava je razkrila težave, kot so hrup, onesnažen zrak, smeti, pomanjkanje ustrezne javne prometne infrastrukture in površin za pešce ter slabo upravljanje prometa. Anketiranci so izrazili močno nezadovoljstvo z zdajšnjo ureditvijo za pešce in parkiranje na ulici. Terenska raziskava je poleg tega pokazala, da površine za pešce ne zadovoljujejo potreb pešcev, pomanjkanje ulične opreme pa prebivalce odvrača od tega, da bi se bolj družili.
The main aim of this study is to identify total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and nickel contents in soil as well as to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of native petroleum-resistant plants of ...Pazanan-E-Gachsaran (Iran). Firstly, soil samples were taken from depth of 0–30 cm in three ranges (0–500, 500–1000, and 1000–1500 m) from the center of pollution area of soil to outer part, and plant samples were taken by a linear transect from the same place. According to the results, there are 24 frequent species from 12 families in this region including Poaceae (25%), Asteraceae (20.83%), and Chenopodiaceae (12.50%). The results of initial soil test revealed that more distance from the core, leads to more decrease in the content of TPHs. Comparing total nickel content of soil showed a reduction trend from span (0–500 m) to 3 (1000–1500 m). The maximum nickel was found in the roots of
Stipagrostis plumosa
while lowest amount was observed
in Cynodon dactylon
. According to the frequency of
Sipagrostis plumosa
,
Calotropis procera
, and
Sinapis arvensis
, and their ability to resist in improper circumstances of the study area, these species were recognized as tolerant species that can be developed to decrease soil contamination of Pazanan. Therefore, they can be an appropriate choice for the phytoremediation of TPHs and nickel-contaminated soils.
This research was carried out to assessing the potential of Bromus tomentellus for phytoremediation with biochar and municipal waste compost amendments to improving the clean-up efficiency of soils ...contaminated with chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn). Soil amendment was added to contaminated soil in three levels (%0: Control; without organic fertilizer, biochar and compost 1%, biochar and compost 2%). It also determines the applicability of artificial neural network (ANN) in the modeling of the extraction process. The physiochemical properties of the contaminated soil, including pH, Electrical Conductivity (ECe), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) were determined. After validation of the applied artificial neural network, the effect of municipal waste compost and biochar treatment on the absorption of heavy metals in different parts of the plant was investigated. Also, the range of adding amending factors to the soil through the neural network increased from 2% in experimental data to 5% in predicting data. The neural network was taught for heavy metals in soil and plant, so the amount of Correlation coefficient (R2) value in most cases was higher than 0.9 and close to 1 which means the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) and artificial neural network was usable for over-predicting data. The results indicated that by adding compost percentage, the absorption of Zn is also increased. The highest concentration of Zn (274.82 mg/kg) and Cr (26.66 mg/kg) was observed by adding 0.8% compost and 0.52% biochar, respectively. The maximum Cr concentration for compost (25.19 mg/kg) was detected by adding 1% compost.
•Application of urban waste compost and biochar are more efficient on the potential of Bromus tomentellus to accumulate chromium and zinc•Biochar has a potential of improveing soil properties•The highest concentrations of Zn was observed by adding 0.8% compost•The highest Cr concentration for compost was detected by adding 1% compost
The main aim of this study is to investigate the physical and chemical properties, including soil salinity, acidity, concentrations of macro-nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, and Calcium-Magnesium) ...and sodium adsorption ratio to the soil, physiological and nutritional traits of three plant species including Caesalpinia gilliesii, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Cercis siliquastrum. First, some sample were taken from the agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater. The results of initial soil test revealed that the irrigation with wastewater significantly increased sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity (ECe), cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil (p < 0.05). Secondly, the effect of industrial wastewater on the responses of three plants were investigated. According to the results, the highest shoot fresh weight was observed in C. gilliesii seedlings treated with T100%, which is 35% higher than the control treatment. The highest concentration of shoot phosphorus in the three plants was respectively 0.54, 0.72, and 1% in those treated with T100% and 0.41, 0.48, and 0.83% in the control treatment. The amount of shoot potassium in the three plants treated with T100% was respectively 0.84, 0.48, and 1%, while it was 0.43, 0.4, and 0.1 in the control treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). According to the current concerns about increased EC, SAR, and Na in C. gilliesii treated with T100%, as compared to the control treatment (50, 386, and 412), and the positive effects of wastewater on soil properties (CEC, pH, and K) and morpho-physiological responses of the plant, it is recommended to use wastewater with continuous monitoring to prevent the pollution of water and soil resource.
•The highest shoot fresh weight, EC, SAR, and Na were observed in Caesalpinia gilliesii treated with T100% Wastewater.•Irrigation with wastewater is more efficient than the use of normal water.•Wastewaters usually are a good source of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other essential elements for plant growth.•Application of treated wastewater for irrigation, may supply water for ornamental plants and greenery trees, add organic matter and nutrients required by the plant to the soil.
Compost and biochar have strong adsorption capacities for various metallic pollutants present in the soil. The current study aimed to investigate the potential of two shrub species treated with ...compost and biochar for the phytoremediation of heavy metals lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). The experiment was carried out in a factorial trial arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors and four replications. The first factor consisted of five levels of organic amendments (B
0
C
0
: control, without organic fertilizer; B
1
: biochar 1%; B
2
: biochar 2%; C
2
: compost 2%; and C
4
: compost 4%), and the second factor comprised two shrub spices (
Ailanthus altissima
and
Melia azedarach
). Plants were grown for 7 months under greenhouse conditions and then harvested. The potential of the plants for the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) was assessed by measuring different parameters including the concentrations of Pb and Ni in shoot and root, remediation factor (RF), translocation factor (TF), and bioconcentration factor (BCF). According to the results, the lowest concentration of soil Pb (46% lower than that of the control) belonged to the
M. azedarach
grown in the soil treated with B
2
, in which root Pb concentration increased by 176%. The maximum remediation factor (RF
Ni
) was observed in
A. altissima
seedlings treated with B2
.
Based on the results,
M. azedarach
treated with B
2
showed the highest Pb remediation factor (RF
Pb
), while B
2
and C
2
showed the highest Ni remediation factor (RF
Ni
). Overall, the optimal values for the tested parameters belonged to the
A. altissima
, and organic amendments (both biochar and compost) improved its phytoremediation capabilities. Hence, it can be considered to be an appropriate plant for soil phytoremediation.
A massive amount of power is required to meet the worldwide need for gratifying human aspirations. As a result, the possible effect on the energy storage equipment is crucial to ensure a steady ...supply of energy. However, a supercapacitor is a potential device that provides a sustainable source of energy. In the current work, we presented a fabrication of Ag2Te at different concentrations of 0.006, 0.012, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 M via a hydrothermal approach for energy storage devices. A variety of analytical techniques were employed to assess its structure, morphology, and textural property regarding the fabricated electrode. Among different electrode materials, the Ag0.025Te electrode exhibited the large Cs of 711.86 F g–1, Ed of 35.12 W h Kg–1, and Pd of 298.4 W Kg–1 at a current density of 1 A g–1 . The stability test of Ag0.025Te shows 92.96% retention of capacitance over 5000 GCD cycles with little destruction in the structure as determined by XRD. EIS responses indicated that the improved performance in 1.0 M KOH is because of low hydration sphere radius, strong ionic conductivity of K+, and less electrode resistance. The encouraging results suggest that the Ag0.025Te nanorod might provide an ideal cathode material for supercapacitor applications.
This review tries to introduce the novel and promising technology of the nonthermal plasma against different viruses and virus surrogates, which can trigger food infections and gastroenteritis. It ...has been reported that the noroviruses are responsible for 21 million cases of gastrointestinal illness annually just in the United States. The article is divided into the introduction for nonthermal plasma, its antiviral mechanism, and the most effective parameters on its antiviral functionality. This technology offers many advantages, including simple in designing, leaving no toxic residues, fast processing, and no thermal degradation of samples. According to the accomplished studies, the exposure distance, processing time, and generated amount of reactive species, particularly singlet oxygen are the main parameters affecting the performance of nonthermal plasma against food viruses. Especially, the capsid and genome of viruses seem to be under influence of nonthermal plasma. Deformation of the capsid envelope through oxidation and damage to the sugar phosphate backbone of viral RNA and DNA are considered the most important factors of reactive species generated by nonthermal plasma on viruses.
The article is divided into the introduction for nonthermal plasma, its antiviral mechanism, and the most effective parameters on its antiviral functionality. This technology offers many advantages, including simple in designing, leaving no toxic residues, fast processing, and no thermal degradation of samples. According to the accomplished studies, the exposure distance, processing time, and generated amount of reactive species, particularly singlet oxygen are the main parameters affecting the performance of non‐thermal plasma against food viruses.
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