Abstract: The problems associated with wind predictions of
WAsP model in complex terrain are already the target of several
studies in the last decade. In this paper, the influence of surrounding
orography on accuracy of wind data analysis of a train is
investigated. For the case study, a site with complex surrounding
orography is considered. This site is located in Manjil, one of the
windiest cities of Iran. For having precise evaluation of wind regime
in the site, one-year wind data measurements from two metrological
masts are used. To validate the obtained results from WAsP, the
cross prediction between each mast is performed. The analysis
reveals that WAsP model can estimate the wind speed behavior
accurately. In addition, results show that this software can be used
for predicting the wind regime in flat sites with complex surrounding
orography.
Abstract: In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) numerical
model for the tidal currents simulation in Persian Gulf is presented.
The model is based on the depth averaged equations of shallow water
which consider hydrostatic pressure distribution. The continuity
equation and two momentum equations including the effects of bed
friction, the Coriolis effects and wind stress have been solved. To
integrate the 2D equations, the Alternative Direction Implicit (ADI)
technique has been used. The base of equations discritization was
finite volume method applied on rectangular mesh. To evaluate the
model validation, a dam break case study including analytical
solution is selected and the comparison is done. After that, the
capability of the model in simulation of tidal current in a real field is
represented by modeling the current behavior in Persian Gulf. The
tidal fluctuations in Hormuz Strait have caused the tidal currents in
the area of study. Therefore, the water surface oscillations data at
Hengam Island on Hormoz Strait are used as the model input data.
The check point of the model is measured water surface elevations at
Assaluye port. The comparison between the results and the
acceptable agreement of them showed the model ability for modeling
marine hydrodynamic.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper primarily intends to develop GIS interface for estimating sequences of stream-flows at ungauged stations based on known flows at gauged stations. The integrated GIS interface is composed of three major steps. The first, precipitation characteristics using statistical analysis is the procedure for making multiple linear regression equation to get the long term mean daily flow at ungauged stations. The independent variables in regression equation are mean daily flow and drainage area. Traditionally, mean flow data are generated by using Thissen polygon method. However, method for obtaining mean flow data can be selected by user such as Kriging, IDW (Inverse Distance Weighted), Spline methods as well as other traditional methods. At the second, flow duration curve (FDC) is computing at unguaged station by FDCs in gauged stations. Finally, the mean annual daily flow is computed by spatial interpolation algorithm. The third step is to obtain watershed/topographic characteristics. They are the most important factors which govern stream-flows. In summary, the simulated daily flow time series are compared with observed times series. The results using integrated GIS interface are closely similar and are well fitted each other. Also, the relationship between the topographic/watershed characteristics and stream flow time series is highly correlated.
Abstract: Computer based geostatistical methods can offer effective data analysis possibilities for agricultural areas by using
vectorial data and their objective informations. These methods will help to detect the spatial changes on different locations of the large
agricultural lands, which will lead to effective fertilization for optimal yield with reduced environmental pollution. In this study, topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (20-40 cm) samples were taken from a
sugar beet field by 20 x 20 m grids. Plant samples were also collected
from the same plots. Some physical and chemical analyses for these
samples were made by routine methods. According to derived variation coefficients, topsoil organic matter (OM) distribution was more than subsoil OM distribution. The highest C.V. value of
17.79% was found for topsoil OM. The data were analyzed
comparatively according to kriging methods which are also used
widely in geostatistic. Several interpolation methods (Ordinary,Simple and Universal) and semivariogram models (Spherical,
Exponential and Gaussian) were tested in order to choose the suitable
methods. Average standard deviations of values estimated by simple
kriging interpolation method were less than average standard
deviations (topsoil OM ± 0.48, N ± 0.37, subsoil OM ± 0.18) of measured values. The most suitable interpolation method was simple
kriging method and exponantial semivariogram model for topsoil,
whereas the best optimal interpolation method was simple kriging
method and spherical semivariogram model for subsoil. The results
also showed that these computer based geostatistical methods should
be tested and calibrated for different experimental conditions and semivariogram models.
Abstract: The value of emission factor was calculated in the
older type of Diesel engine operating on an engine testing bench and
then compared with the parameters monitored under similar
conditions when the EnviroxTM additive was applied. It has been
found out that the additive based on CeO2 nanoparticles reduces
emission of NOx. The dependencies of NOx emissions on reduced
torque, engine power and revolutions have been observed as well.
Abstract: Based on the field investigation and long term remote
sensing data, the dynamics of the alpine wetland in the river basin and
their response to climate change were studied. Results showed the
alpine wetlands accounted for 3.73% of total basin in 2010. Lake and
river appeared an increasing trend in the past 30 years, with an
increase of 34.36 % and 24.57%. However, swamp exhibited a
tendency of decreasing with 233.74 km2. Annual average temperature,
maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation in the
river basin all exhibited an increasing trend, whereas relative humidity
exhibited a decreasing trend. Ice and snow melting are main reasons of
lake and river area enhancement and swamp area descend. There
existed 91.78%-97.86% of reduced swamp converted into lakes on the
basis of remote sensing image interpretation. China-s government
policy of implementing development in the river basin is the major
driving force of artificial wetland growth.
Abstract: Addis Ababa is a seat of African Union (AU), United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA) and hundreds of
embassies and consular representatives. Addis Ababa is one of the
highest capitals in the world with an average 2400 meters above sea
level. It is dichotomous city with a blend of modern high-rise and
deteriorating slum quarters. Water supply and sanitation, waste
management and housing are continuing to be serious problems.
Forest wood based domestic energy use as well as uncontrolled
emissions from mobile and fixed sources has endangered the state of
the urban environment. Analysis based on satellite imagery has
revealed the deteriorating urban environment within the last three
decades. The recently restructured city administration has brought
improvements in the condition of the urban environment. However,
the overwhelming size of the challenges faced by the city dwarfed
their fairly good results.
Abstract: Taking the provincial capital, labor and energy as
inputs, regional GDP as output from 1995 to 2007, the paper
quantifies the vertical and lateral energy saving potential by
introducing the radial adjustment and slack adjustment of DEA. The
results show that by the vertical, the achievement of energy saving in
2007 is better than their respective historical performances. By
horizontal, in 2007 it can be found that Tianjin, Liaoning, Shanghai
and Yunnan do better in energy saving than other provinces. In
national wide, the higher of energy efficiency, the larger of per capita
GDP and the proportion of the tertiary industry in the national
economy, the more open to the outside, the lower the energy saving
potential demonstrates, while the energy endowment has negative
effect on energy saving potential.
Abstract: Nitrogen loss from irrigated cropland, particularly
sandy soils, significantly contributes to nitrate (NO3
-) levels in
surface and groundwaters. Thus, it is of great interest to use
inexpensive natural products that can increase the fertilizer efficiency
and decrease nitrate leaching. In this study, the ability of natural
Iranian zeolite clinoptilolite (Cp) and surfactant modified zeolite
clinoptilolite (SMZ) to remove NH4
+ and NO3
-, respectively, from
aqueous solutions was determined. The feasibility of using Cp and
SMZ as soil amendment to reduce nitrate leaching from soil using
lysimeters was also investigated. Zeolite showed 10.23% to 88.42%
NH4
+ removal efficiency over a wide range of initial NH4
+
concentrations. Nitrate removal efficiency by SMZ was 32.26% to
82.26%. Field study results showed that Cp and SMZ significantly (p
< 0.05) reduced leachate NO3-N concentration compared to control.
There was no significant difference between maximum and mean
leachate NO3-N concentration of SMZ lysimeters and those of Cp
lysimeters.
Abstract: The present research focus on the processing of mullite-based ceramics from oil refinery industrial wastes and byproducts of agricultural industry and on the investigating of silane modified surface of ceramics. Two waste products were used as initial material – waste aluminum oxide and waste rice husk. The burning - out additives used were waste rise husk. It is known that the oxide ceramics surface is hydrophilic due to the presence of – OH groups in it. The nature of ceramic surface regarding permeation of water and hydrocarbons can be changed by further treatment with silanes. The samples were studied mainly by X-ray analysis, FT-IR absorbance measurements and microscopic analysis. The X-ray analyses showed the phase composition depends on the firing temperature and on the purity of the starting alumina. Two kind of silanes were used for the transformation of surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic – trimethoxymethylsilane (TMMS) and trimethylclorsilane (TMCS).
Abstract: Shirvan is located in plain in Northern Khorasan province north east of Iran and has semiarid to temperate climate. To investigate the annual changes in some qualitative parameters such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and chloride concentrations which have increased during ten continuous years. Fourteen groundwater sources including deep as well as semi-deep wells were sampled and were analyzed using standard methods. The trends of obtained data were analyzed during these years and the effects of different factors on the changes in electrical conductivity, concentration of chloride and total dissolved solids were clarified. The results showed that the amounts of some qualitative parameters have been increased during 10 years time which has led to decrease in water quality. The results also showed that increased in urban populations as well as extensive industrialization in the studied area are the most important reasons to influence underground water quality. Furthermore decrease in water quantity is also evident due to more water utilization and occurrence of recent droughts in the region during recent years.
Abstract: Anaerobic digestion process is one of the alternative
methods to convert organic waste into methane gas which is a fuel
and energy source. Activities of various kinds of microorganisms are
the main factor for anaerobic digestion which produces methane gas.
Therefore, in this study a modified Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR)
with working volume of 50 liters was designed to identify the
microorganisms through biogas production. The mixture of 75%
kitchen waste and 25% sewage sludge was used as substrate.
Observations on microorganisms in the ABR showed that there exists
a small amount of protozoa (5%) and fungi (2%) in the system, but
almost 93% of the microorganism population consists of bacteria. It
is definitely clear that bacteria are responsible for anaerobic
biodegradation of kitchen waste. Results show that in the
acidification zone of the ABR (front compartments of reactor) fast
growing bacteria capable of growth at high substrate levels and
reduced pH was dominant. A shift to slower growing scavenging
bacteria that grow better at higher pH was occurring towards the end
of the reactor. Due to the ability of activity in acetate environment the
percentages of Methanococcus, Methanosarcina and Methanotrix
were higher than other kinds of methane former in the system.
Abstract: The principal purpose of this article is to present a new method based on Adaptive Neural Network Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to generate additional artificial earthquake accelerograms from presented data, which are compatible with specified response spectra. The proposed method uses the learning abilities of ANFIS to develop the knowledge of the inverse mapping from response spectrum to earthquake records. In addition, wavelet packet transform is used to decompose specified earthquake records and then ANFISs are trained to relate the response spectrum of records to their wavelet packet coefficients. Finally, an interpretive example is presented which uses an ensemble of recorded accelerograms to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: The environmental performance of rapeseed oil (RO)
and rapeseed methyl ester(RME) from winter rape as fuels produced
in Romanian agroclimate is analyzed in this paper. The proposed
methodology is life cycle assessment (LCA) and takes into
consideration the influence of grain production and agroclimatic
conditions. This study shows favorable results first for RO and then
for RME. When compared to diesel fuel, both studied biofuels show
better results in the following impact categories: Abiotic depletion
potential (ADP), Ozone layer depletion (ODP) and Photochemical
ozone creation potential (POCP).Furthermore, the environmental
performance of the two biofuels studied can be improved by
changing the type of fertilizer used and also by using biofuels instead
of diesel in the field works.
Abstract: The shelf life of fish was extended using disinfection
properties of ozone. For this purpose, Trout specimens were exposed
to ozone in the aqueous media for two hours and their microbial
growth and biochemical properties were measured over time.
Microbial growth of ozone treated fish was significantly slower than
control sample, resulting in lower counts of bacteria. According to
the biochemical tests; ozone treatment had no negative effects on fat,
protein and humidity of fish. Peroxide and TVN (Total Volatile
Nitrogen) measurements showed that treatment by ozone increased
the trout shelf life from 4 days to 6 days. According to the sensory
analysis, no changes were observed in color or flavor of the ozone
treated trout.
Abstract: The use of contour strips of perennial vegetation with
bio-fuel potential can improve surface water quality by reducing
NO3-N and sediment outflow from cropland to surface water-bodies.
It also has economic benefits of producing ethanol. In this study,
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied to
a watershed in Iowa, USA to examine the effectiveness of contour
strips of switch grass in reducing the NO3-N outflows from crop
fields to rivers or lakes. Numerical experiments were conducted to
identify potential subbasins in the watershed that have high water
quality impact, and to examine the effects of strip size on NO3-N
reduction under various meteorological conditions, i.e. dry, average
and wet years. Useful information was obtained for the evaluation of
economic feasibility of growing switch grass for bio-fuel in contour
strips. The results can assist in cost-benefit analysis and decisionmaking
in best management practices for environmental protection.
Abstract: Researchers have long had trouble in measurement of
Exchangeable Sodium Ratio (ESR) at salt-affected soils. this
parameter are often determined using laborious and time consuming
laboratory tests, but it may be more appropriate and economical to
develop a method which uses a more simple soil salinity index. The
aim of this study was to determine the relationship between
exchangeable sodium ratio (ESR) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)
in some salt-affected soils of Khuzestan plain. To this purpose, two
experimental areas (S1, S2) of Khuzestan province-IRAN were
selected and four treatments with three replications by series of
double rings were applied. The treatments were included 25cm,
50cm, 75cm and 100cm water application. The statistical results of
the study indicated that in order to predict soil ESR based on soil
SAR the linear regression model ESR=0.2048+0.0066 SAR
(R2=0.53) & ESR=0.0564+0.0171 SAR (R2=0.76) can be
recommended in Pilot S1 and S2 respectively.
Abstract: Considering the serious health hazards of air pollutants from automobiles, the present study was aimed to estimate the genotoxic/tumor inducing potential of three soil samples collected from junctions of Bus stand (BS), Crystal (CT) and Railway station (RS) of Amritsar, Punjab (India) using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay (AlRCAA) and potato disc tumor assay (PDTA). The genotoxic potential in AlRCAA was 41.27% and 41.26% for BS; 37.89% and 43.38% for RS and 33.76% and 37.83% for CT during in situ and root dip treatments, respectively. The maximum number of tumors were induced in RS sample (64) followed by BS (21) and CT (9) during PDTA. The physicochemical parameters of soil sample were also studied and the concentration of lead was found to be 95.21 mg/Kg in RS, 35.30 mg/Kg in BS and 24.59 mg/Kg in CT samples.
Abstract: High building constructions are increasing in south
beaches of the Caspian Sea because of tourist attractions and limitation of residential areas. According to saturated alluvial fields transfer of load from high structures to the soil by piles is inevitable.
In spite of most of these piles are under compression forces, tension piles are used in special conditions. Few studies have been conducted
because of the limited use of these piles. Tension capacity of openended pipe piles in full scale was tested in this study. The length of the bored piles was 420 up to 480 cm and all were in 120 cm
diameter. The results of testing 7 piles were compared with the results of relations given by researches.
Abstract: Due to the growth of the urban area towards lands
contaminated with ancient tails, in this work we evaluated if the
leaching with calcium thiosulfate (CaS2O3) for the recovery of silver,
gold and mercury from this soil, also dissolves arsenic, cadmium and
lead; for this, we determined their quantity per each fraction of size
of particle of the soil before and after the dissolution. Half of the soil
samples were leached in the plant Beneficiadora de Jales del Centro,
S. A. de C.V. and the rest of them remained in the laboratory. The
ICP-OES technique was used to determine the amounts of arsenic,
cadmium and lead, in the samples of both lots. The soil samples were
collected in a neighboring area at El Lampotal, Vetagrande,
Zacatecas, México, with an extension of 600 m2 at 22º52' 37.69'' N,
102º25' 11.73'' W. The amount of arsenic, cadmium and lead found
in nonleached soil and for a particle size of 47 μm was 203.72±3.73,
33.63±1.31 and 3480.99±20.4 mg/kg respectively.