GJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Microclimate land surface temperatures across urban land use/ land cover forms2312422484810.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.001ENS. AliDepartment of Ecosystem and Environment Management, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, IndiaS. PatnaikDepartment of Ecosystem and Environment Management, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, IndiaO. MadguniDepartment of Ecosystem and Environment Management, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, IndiaJournal Article20161220Urbanization brings biophysical changes in the composition of the landscape. Such change has an impact on the thermal environment locally. The urban mosaic of land use and land cover is thus characteristically composed of local climate zones. The spatial variation in the land surface temperature across specific zone is studied for Bhopal city. The objective of the study was to understand how the surface temperature varies with the spatial characteristics of the landscape. The green spaces had the lowest surface temperature that reaches to about 30.5 °C in parks with dense tree cover and highest mean normalized difference vegetation index value of about 0.5. The surface temperature was 36.1 °C for built up/barren areas. The study documents the correlation that exists between surface vegetation and surface temperature across the landscape of Bhopal city. The extent of tree cover and land surface temperature exhibited a strong negative correlation. A decrease in vegetation cover and successive increase in urban built up area were found to be related with high surface temperature. This implies that land surface temperature is an effective tool and may help city planners to make appropriate strategies for improving the tree resources of the urban landscape.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24848_0a7d107bd69bce61100d6cce9655e128.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Spatio-temporal changes of water quality variables in a highly disturbed river2432562477010.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.002ENZ. AbdollahiDepartment of Watershed Management, College of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, IranA. KavianDepartment of Watershed Management, College of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, IranS.H.R. SadeghiDepartment of Watershed Management Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, IranJournal Article20161116Quality of river varies widely depending on the land use in the catchment and environmental factors. Many rivers in developing countries are unhealthy because they contain harmful physical, chemical and biological agents. Zanjanrud River, located in Zanjan Province, Iran, where recently faced human intervention needs a regular monitoring from upstream to downstream for sustainable management. Hence, the current study aimed to assess spatial and temporal variations of pollutant in Zanjanrud River in different stations from headstream to tail of the river. To achieve this goal, semi-monthly samples were collected from October 2015 to Jun 2016 at 5 stations along the river. The physicochemical variables were monitored and analysed using two-way analysis of variance. The results showed the highest values of suspended and dissolved solids and total solids (220.13±5.57, 641.6±39.63 and 793.6±34.5mg/L respectively) were at the tail site in low-flow period. Nitrate-nitrogen and nitrate were also highest (5.39±02.44 and 23.90±10.85 mg/L) at the middle of the river where was vicinity to farm lands. The values of pH and dissolved oxygen ranged from 6 to 8.15 and 0.5 to 4mg/L respectively with the highest values in high-flow period at most of the study sites. The maximum and minimum values of electrical conductivity (1439 and 256µs/cm) were recorded at tail site and headstream site respectively. Hardness had an increasing trend from upstream to downstream (189.60±53.53 to 515.83±64.77mg/L). Phosphorus was also lowest (0.09±0.04mg/L) at upstream. Results illustrated the high degree of pollutant in studied river. So, an effective management of erosion, domestic waste and agricultural activities in watershed is highly recommended. https://www.gjesm.net/article_24770_873476ffbaba85e32091432ad846aac2.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Antimicrobial test of five ethnomedicinal plants in an ancestral forest area2572662466610.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.003ENM.B. BandibasEcosystems Research and Development Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4030 PhilippinesP. RoxasMindanao State University at Naawan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, 9003 PhilippinesJournal Article20161123The basic premise of this research was to assess the ethnomedicinal uses of plants in an ancestral forest area at Naawan, Misamis Oriental and determine its inhibition effect against bacterial strains. The assessment of plants was conducted using the transect-plot method. Ethnomedicinal uses and the mode of preparations were obtained using a semi-structured interview questionnaire. Five ethnomedicinal plants<em>: Crinum asiaticum </em>L.<em>,</em> <em>Pavetta indica</em> L.<em>, Bauhinia purpurea </em>L.,<em> Mollugo pentaphylla </em>L., and <em>Cinnamomum mercadoi</em> S. Vidalwere selected for the anti-microbial test against cultured bacterial strains; the <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> using the disc diffusion method. These species are commonly used by the indigenous people and known to cure stomach disorder and wounds. The mode of preparation of the extracts follows the traditional method of the indigenous people. Chloramphenicol, on the other hand, was used as positive control. Thirty-three out of 61 identified species were locally claimed to have medicinal value and are known to cure stomach disorders, poisoning, bleeding, cough, fever and wounds, among others. Antimicrobial test showed greater inhibitory effect of <em>Pavetta indica</em> and <em>Bauhinia purpurea</em> against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Escherichia coli, </em>correspondingly; however, the synthetic chloramphenicol exhibited greater antibacterial action than any of the plant extracts. In areas where civilization is afar, importance of forest in terms of medicinal uses is highly acknowledged by the local community. Indigenous people, in particular, know the importance of the forest especially in relation to health care system and they believe that there is a need to conserve the resources to sustain the services it provides.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24666_f24b47e11822d1d2bed6bdd710e6426c.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Synthesized chitosan/ iron oxide nanocomposite and shrimp shell in removal of nickel, cadmium and lead from aqueous solution2672782429610.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.004ENM. KeshvardoostchokamiEnvironmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science,
University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranOrganic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranL. BabaeiEnvironmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science,
University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranA.A. ZamaniEnvironmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science,
University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranA.H. ParizanganehEnvironmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science,
University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranF. PiriOrganic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IranJournal Article20160930In this study, an easy synthesized method for preparation of chitosan/iron oxide nanocomposite as a bio-sorbent has been applied. Analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction; Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to survey of morphological structure and the functional groups characterization. The histogram of frequency of particle size confirmed that medium size of the synthesized nanoparticles was 50 nm. Beside the obtained nanocomposite, application of chitosan as the precursor and shrimp shell as natural chitin and a natural polymer were assessed as adsorbents for decontamination of Ni<sup>2+</sup>, Cd<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> as examples of heavy metals from drinking water. Batch studies were performed for adsorption experiments by changing variables such as pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. Based on the experimental sorption capacities, 58, 202 and 12 mg of Ni, Cd and Pb per g of Chitosan-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanocomposite as adsorbent respectively, confirm that combination of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles with chitosan makes a more efficient adsorbent than chitosan and chitin. Adsorbents in uptake of the mentioned heavy metals are in the order of Chitosan-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanocomposite > chitosan> chitin. In addition, the kinetics and isotherm investigations were surveyed. Moreover, it has been shown that the synthesized nanocomposite significantly reduces the amount of the mentioned ions from the real wastewater sample.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24296_0df66f3ea3b9eecbadc0b0988167ac57.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Assessment of willingness to pay for improved air quality using contingent valuation method2792862469210.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.005ENS. AkhtarDepartment of Environmental Science, Kinnaird College for Women, 93- Jail Road, Lahore, Pakistan00000000000000000W. SaleemDepartment of Environmental Science, Kinnaird College for Women, 93- Jail Road, Lahore, PakistanV.M. NadeemDepartment of Environmental Science, Kinnaird College for Women, 93- Jail Road, Lahore, PakistanI. ShahidDepartment of Environmental Science, Kinnaird College for Women, 93- Jail Road, Lahore, PakistanA. IkramDepartment of Environmental Science, Kinnaird College for Women, 93- Jail Road, Lahore, PakistanJournal Article20161024Rapid urbanization and severe air quality deterioration in Pakistan have increased citizens’s concern towards air pollution. This study, conducted in November, 2016, aimed to develop relationship between degraded air quality and resident’s willingness to pay for improved air quality in city of Lahore, Pakistan through contingent valuation method to quantify an individual’s willingness to pay for improved air quality. Hypothetical market was created and 250 respondents, selected through random sampling, were asked to respond to pre tested questionnaire. Results revealed that 92.5% of respondents showed positive willingness to pay and average predicted willingness to pay by each person was $9.86 per month. Respondents were willing to pay $118 per year which was 1.27% of their mean monthly income. Stepwise regression model was used to develop relationship between independent variables and willingness to pay. Most parameters accompanied by econometric analysis elaborated expected results. Results disclosed that annual household income, symptoms of respiratory diseases and self observed air pollution pointedly impact willingness to pay. It is concluded that despite of the fact that Pakistan is among the lower income countries with no rigid budget allocation for improvement in air quality, people of Pakistan are willing to pay to reduce air pollution load. One of the factor which effected the positivity of willingness to pay is that, a quite large number of people were suffering from pollution related respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, wheezing, cough, and chest congestion. Only 7.5% of respondents were not interested to pay for improved air quality which reported unconcerned attitude and lack of environmental awareness.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24692_feadd09a34a7cbd8872e4dfe46e33712.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Pesticide pollution status in cocoa plantation soil2872982477110.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.006ENE. AtuanyaDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, NigeriaW. AborisadeDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, NigeriaDepartment of Biosciences and Biotechnology, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria0000-0002-3530-6291Journal Article20161028Management of cocoa plantation field relied on the use of pesticides over the years; hence, the fate of such chemicals is one of the most debated issues among the stakeholders. Young and old cocoa plantation fields from 4 major cocoa producing States in Nigeria were selected as the study area. Eight composites soil samples collected from 3 portions of 6 transect measured area (100 x 50m) of the field were transported to the laboratory in sterile glass jar for analysis. A total of 19 organochlorine pesticides residues; (aldrin, α-hexachlorohexane, β-hexachlorohexane, γ-hexachlorohexane, δ-hexachlorohexane, α-chlordane, γ-chlordane, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan-II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin aldehydes, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and metoxychlor) were analyzed with gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector. The results revealed the variation in the number of residues detected among the study fields. Endosulfan-I had the highest value g organochlorine pesticides residue detected. Most of the residue concentrations were within the European Union regulatory standard of Czech Republic. Other-cyclodine group had the highest concentration value among the evaluated organochlorine pesticides groups. The significant (P < 0.05) higher concentration of total organochlorine pesticides were observed in old fields. Composition quotients values indicate that most of the observed organochlorine pesticides residues were products of historical usage. There were strong correlations among the total organic carbon contents of soils and the total organochlorine pesticides compounds. Government regulatory agencies are encouraged to vigorously embark in further monitoring and ensuring the safety compliance of farmers towards the use of pesticides in Nigeria farms.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24771_7bd4617e36f33a830694bd8bbf92131b.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Reactive dye extraction utilizing regenerated bleaching earth2993102442510.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.007ENM. ShahiDepartment of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranM.R. SabourDepartment of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranG.A. DezvarehDepartment of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranJournal Article20161118Bentonite bleaching earth is utilized for purifying used motor oil through a recovery process in order to improve the quality and stability of the final product. Indeed, spent bleaching earth is generated due to adsorbing oil impurities. Polluted spent bleaching earth contains 20-40% (w/w) oil and is flammable. Its disposal without pre-treatment leads to loss of oil along with environmental impacts. Accordingly, similar studies have been conducted since 1979 until now. This research was a laboratory study on reactive dye adsorption. Cleaning bleaching clay, thermal remediation and acid washing activation methods were utilized. Response surface methodology was used to design the experiments and determine the optimal parameters in order to run the dye adsorption process. The main experimental parameters have been concluded as temperature (200-800 °C), acid solution concentration (0.1-3 M), dye solution concentration (1-35 ppm), and ratio of activated earth to dye solution (0.1-2 %, w/w). Results revealed that dye adsorption process along with oil removal at a temperature of 650 °C, acid solution concentration of 0.83 M, dye solution concentration of 11.75 ppm and ratio of activated earth to dye solution of 1.52 % (w/w) results in an adsorption efficiency of 68.57%. This removal efficiency is a bit higher than activated virgin bleaching earth and much higher than virgin bleaching earth, which has adsorption capacities of 66.75% and 51.56%, respectively. Considering this recycling process, the purified material is quite acceptable technically, environmentally and economically.https://www.gjesm.net/article_24425_8004896bae7e5f56a5e221209a16076c.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Growth of olive saplings in different media containing artificial and natural super absorbents at two irrigation intervals3113222377810.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.008ENA. Mohammadi TorkashvandDepartment of Soil Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranH. ShahinDepartment of Horticulture, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, IranM. MohammadiDepartment of Soil Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20161123A factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of super absorbents and organic wastes of rice, olive marc, vermicompost and farmyard manure on the soil water holding capacity and the growth of plant based on <em>randomized complete block design</em> with 13 treatments at two irrigation intervals 5 and 10 days. The olive saplings with same heights and better appearances were planted in an open space roofed with a plastic cover with a height of 3 m to avoid the effects of rainfall and snowfall on the results. Stockosorb superabsorbent and weighted zeolite and the rest of bulk materials were mixed. Results showed that the substrate containing 10 g/kg soil of zeolite and the substrate including 20% vermicompost +15% rice wastes +15% manure +50% soil had the best yield and can modify the effect of 10 days irrigation interval compared to the 5 days.https://www.gjesm.net/article_23778_acb81a2feed4a79d258f973beb56f427.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Sublethal effects of copper nanoparticles on the histology of gill, liver and kidney of the Caspian roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus3233322391610.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.009ENSh. AghamirkarimiDepartment of Marine Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranA. Mashinchian MoradiDepartment of Marine Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranI. SharifpourIranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, IranSh. JamiliDepartment of Marine Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranIranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, IranP. Ghavam MostafaviDepartment of Marine Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20161101The current study has determined the toxicity effects of copper nanoparticles on the some vital organs such as gill, liver and kidney of Caspian Roach; <em>Rutillus rutillus caspicus</em>. For this purpose, 120 fishes were used as experimental samples and exposed to 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L of Cu nanoparticles for 21 days, and 30 fishes assumed as the experiment control. The mean water temperature of the aquaria was 22±2 ºC, dissolved oxygen 5.2 mg/L, pH at 7±0.004 and the concentration of calcium carbonate was 270 ppm. On 7, 14 and 21 days after exposing the fishes to copper nanoparticles, three fishes were randomly selected from each aquaria, sacrificed and samples from their gill, liver and kidney were taken and fixed in cold 10 % buffered formalin. Then microscopic sections were prepared and examined by light microscope which showed histological alternations in the gill, liver and kidney tissues. Evaluation of these changes could be useful in estimating the harmful effects of copper nanoparticles. Histological alternation in gills included: hyperplasia, fusion and detachment of secondary lamellae, blood congestion in vascular axis of primary filaments, reduced secondary lamellae length and cellular degeneration. Histological changes in liver included blood congestion in the central veins, cytoplasmic vacuolation of the hepatocytes, cellular degeneration and congestion in the blood sinusoids and necrosis of the hepatocytes. Histological changes in kidneys included glomerular shrinkage, severe degeneration in the tubules cells, interstitial tissue and glomerulus, increase in interstitial tissue cells and macrophages aggregation. The degree of damages was more intensive at higher copper nanoparticles concentrations. The result of the study showed that copper nanoparticles could cause severe damages in the vital tissues of Caspian roach; <em>Rutillus rutillus caspicus</em> and have lethal effects for fish.https://www.gjesm.net/article_23916_fb6e0ef674129671042a752adbe9ea03.pdfGJESM Publisher (Professor J. Nouri)Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35723320170901Artificial neural network forecast application for fine particulate matter concentration using meteorological data3333402307910.22034/gjesm.2017.03.03.010ENM. MemarianfardDepartment of Civil Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranA.M. HatamiDepartment of Civil Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranM. MemarianfardDepartment of Civil Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160924Most parts of the urban areas are faced with the problem of floating fine particulate matter. Therefore, it is crucial to estimate the amounts of fine particulate matter concentrations through the urban atmosphere. In this research, an artificial neural network technique was utilized to model the PM<sub>2.5</sub> dispersion in Tehran City. Factors which are influencing the predicted value consist of weather-related and air pollution-related data, i.e. wind speed, humidity, temperature, SO<sub>2</sub>, CO, NO<sub>2</sub>, and PM<sub>2.5</sub> as target values. These factors have been considered in 19 measuring stations (zones) over urban area across Tehran City during four years, from March 2011 to March 2015. The results indicate that the network with hidden layer including six neurons at training epoch 113, has the best performance with the lowest error value (MSE=0.049438) on considering PM<sub>2.5 </sub>concentrations across metropolitan areas in Tehran. Furthermore, the “R” value for regression analysis of training, validation, test, and all data are 0.65898, 0.6419, 0.54027, and 0.62331, respectively. This study also represents the artificial neural networks have satisfactory implemented for resolving complex patterns in the field of air pollution.https://www.gjesm.net/article_23079_e3b575506205de32a43eea8e244ad182.pdf