Assessment of ecological integrity in a landscape context using the miankale peninsula of northern Iran

Identification of rapid degradation of ecological resources requires effective environmental monitoring including ecological integrity assessment .Our first aim is to analyze ecological integrity in a landscape context while developing a method to assess integrity in spite of a dearth of historical data. We used a Spatial-Temporal Reference Framework for land cover maps for assessing ecological integrity change, emphasizing changes in patch types and configuration. Land cover is used as a surrogate for habitat. Habitat condition is the main point of this research in assessing ecological integrity. Our second aim is to recognize, through a case study of the above, the ecological integrity of the Miankale peninsula of Miankale Biosphere Reserve on Iran's Caspian Sea coast in the east latitude of 53, 24,50 and north altitude of 36,56,45. Land cover data were obtained from Landsat TM5 of 1985 and compared with current condition images from LandsatTM5 of 2010. Landscape metrics show that Minakale's natural semi-dense shrub lands are fragmented; with the number of patches increasing and average patch area decreasing. This implies a fall in habitat available to its dependent bird species. In conclusion, considering birds' habitat and its aggregation as a measure of integrity, landscape metrics show ecological integrity of Miankale has decreased and signals of habitat loss have appeared in study area. More detailed analysis in ecosystem scale is suggested as the complementary research to find the best indicator for assessing the integrity of the ecosystem

Evaluation of anthropogenic impacts on soil and regolith materials based on BCR sequential extraction analysis

This study was conducted in Assaluyeh region, southwest of Iran to show utilization and efficiency of sequential extraction analysis in environmental impact studies using soil and related regolith materials as sample media. In order to investigate distribution of heavy metals, optimized BCR [Community Bureau of Reference] sequential extraction analysis method was used. In this case eight representative samples which state all types of different regolith materials in the area were investigated. Total concentration and chemical partitioning of a number of elements [Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe] were studied to cover all spectral from typical anthropogenic elements, lead and copper, elements of assumed mixed origin, chromium and zinc, to mostly lithogenic elements, iron and manganese. Results stated that the concentrations of each chemical phase extracted from samples are below the total concentration of each element.The results could be used to establish best media indicators for environmental studies with dependence on type of elements determined in regolith material. Using sequential extraction analysis, the association of particular elements with geochemical phases in soils and related materials was investigated as well as the importance of particular phases in the scavenging of heavy metals. Results showed that the organic and sulphide phase was less important in scavenging mechanism -in spite of industrial and petrochemical activities in the study area- than exchangeable and carbonate fraction, which showed to be most important phase with respect to metal scavenging capacity

[Indirect inguinal hernia without torsion of greater omentum [a case report]]

Inguinal hernias account for 75-85% of abdominal wall hernias. Inguinal hernias are often classified as direct and indirect. The sac of hernia can include intestines, bladder, colons, ovary and appendices. The torsion of greater omentum with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia is a rare condition. In the present study a different rare case of inguinal hernia is reported. An abnormal swelling was seen on the right scrotal sac of a 50-year old man's cadaver in dissection room of Rafsanjan Medical School. Before dissection of cadaver, and with regard to the age of the case, the cause of swelling was diagnosed as direct inguinal hernia. Dissection of cadaver showed that the greater omentum is normal and without torsion, but a part of it was placed on the right inguinal canal. This part of omentum had entered the deep ring first and then had gone into canal and finally reached scrotal sac causing mentioned swelling and atrophy of testis. After the dissection of other body parts, some variations were seen. This type of inguinal hernia formed by greater omentum is a rare variation because firstly the involved testis was atrophied. Secondly; there was no torsion in the greater omentum and lastly, with regard to atrophied testis, the hernia was from the embryonic period and had remained from the vaginal process. Diagnosis of this type of hernia is difficult for the surgeons especially when there are no clinical signs and pain involved

Reduction of environmental pollution through optimization of energy use in cement industries

Industrial development has lead to higher energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases, as well as air pollutants. Cement factories play an important role in over all greenhouse emissions. This study aims to investigate the role of Iranian cement industries and their contribution of greenhouse gases contribution. The measured emission factors for oil and fuel gas shows that carbon dioxide contribution from fuel oil based cement industries is almost 2.7 times higher than gas based cement factories. The strength, weakness, opportunity and threat technique analysis showed that the best strategy to combat greenhouse gases from Iranian cement factory is to implement energy efficiency measures. Further, strategic position and action evaluation matrix analysis indicates that Iranian cement industries fall within invasive category. Therefore, exploitation of opportunities must carefully be used. One of these opportunities is the utilization of financial assistance provided by clean development mechanism. The results show that replacement of ball mills with vertical roller mill can reduce the electricity consumption from 44.6 to 28 kWh/ton. As a result of such substitution about 720 million kWh/y of electricity would be saved [almost a power plant of 125 MW capacities]. Though implementation of new mills may not be economic for the cement industries' owner, but the overall gain for the government of Iran will be about US$ 304 million. If the duration of such efficiency measure is considered as about 12 y, then the overall CO2 reduction/phase-out would be around 4.3 million tons

Evaluation of hospital waste management process in Karaj's Hospitals

In this paper different a,lternatives for hospital waste disposal in Karaj are compared with respect to practicability. The objective of this study is to conduct a survey of present practices [e.g. available procedures, techniques, and methods of handling and disposing of hospital waste], and determine the generation rate of hospital wastes. The study was performed in city of Karaj. Karaj is one of the largest cities in the country. There are 11 hospitals in Karaj [8 governmental hospitals and 3 private hospitals] with a total of 1443 active beds. All the hospitals selected for surveying. Several methods were used to collect data. Survey questionnaires were distributed by the author in each hospital. These questionnaires were based on Likert style. The questionnaires contained information regarding the generation of waste and the core aspects of segregation, collection, internal and external storage, transport, treatment, and ultimate disposal. On-site inspections and interviews were conducted by the author after being authorized by hospital management. To support and supplement information collected in the survey, interviews were conducted with the managers responsible for environmental healthcare in each hospital, as well as with all levels of employees who work in collection, handling and disposal of waste within the hospital. SPSS Software program was used to analyze the collected data. One of the first and most important steps in the development of risk or cost analyses in the field of medical waste management involves understanding the generation rates and quantity of the waste that needs to be managed and treated. Waste is produced from the various activities performed in the hospitals. Domestic waste is generated from food preparation, administrative departments, housekeeping and so on. These wastes have the same composition as municipal solid waste and should be segregated correctly and dealt with by the municipal waste disposal system. Infectious waste is a byproduct of diagnostic and experimental activities and therapeutic methods such as surgery, dialysis, biopsies, injections and chemotherapy. The results of the survey indicate that in these hospitals 4505 kg solid waste is produced each day that 46.67% of them were Domestic like waste, 52% was infectious waste and 1.37% was sharp cutting materials. The mean of daily waste generation was 3.12 Kg per active bed. The Domestic like and infectious wastes were not segregated properly

[Child safety in parks' playgrounds [a case study in Tehran's sub-district parks]]

Safety is a complex concept and multidisciplinary science which is included some difference areas from industrial sectors to urban public arenas. Parks and playgrounds as important public places should be considered in terms of health and safety, especially for kids as prominent social vulnerable citizens. According to CPSC, 147 deaths have been reported for under 15 year old child during Jan 1990 to Aug 2000. Every 2.5 minute, kid suffers playground related accident. The main objective in this study is safety assessment of playgrounds among the selected parks. In this case study, deductive approach and cross-sectional survey was followed, and some parks and playgrounds were selected among five urban counties in Tehran. Our volunteered samples were 160 parents. Playgrounds and related equipment were assessed in terms of safety, as well. Our findings show that more than 68% of playground equipment might create hazardous condition for kids. Lack of sustain maintenance for both of equipment and playground surface make some risky area for the mentioned group. Statistical analysis by SPSS Win 1 3 showed that more than 78% of parents are worry about their child in terms of playground safety problems. Safety assessment of swings and slides showed that there are safety based problems in 89% of cases. Due to statistical reports of Tehran Emergency center, 10-12 and 8-10 year old kids suffer play based accident more than others. Reported traumas showed that face and skull and then feet suffered mechanical injury more than other limbs. Surely, safety and health considerations are known as Municipality responsibilities, so for safety improvement in parks an integration safety system should be happened. HSE_MS seems a reliable approach for the mention goal. For improvement of exist parks and playground some related standard should be follows such as CPSC standards, EN I 176, and EN 1177. Also anthropometric data development for child should be considered

spatial valuation pattern of Co2 absorption function in caspian forests of Iran

Ecosystems provide goods and services that contribute to human welfare, and provide an environment in which ecological process take place. Economic theories predict that ecosystem goods and services for which there are inefficient markets, trend to be underrepresented in management decisions and their supply will be sub-optimal. Ecosystem Degradation not only has many negative impacts on economic condition, but also has many negative effects on future sustainable economic growth. One of the most important reasons for this degradation is lack of market for ecological goods and services. On the other hand, estimating the real value of these functions is an essential need for achieving the appropriate allocation of natural resources. Valuation can be effective in obtaining the social decisions, in the assessment of cost and benefit, accept or reject of the project, or determine appropriate and acceptable level of damages to the environment. Also in national income calculations in macro level, awareness of the value is required, because usually in the process of economic development ecosystem goods and services are not entered in the calculations and often results in wrong patient to provide statistics such as GDP indices. Knowing the values plays an effective role in people's and policy makers' attention to the environment. In fact, the fundamental point is that the value of ecosystem service is not the solely aim but it is a [decision support tool] to a better decision making in environmental filed. Forests as one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems provide the highest number of ecosystem services and there is no market to present their values. Among these non market services, gas regulation is the most important issue. Forests are carbon stores, and they are carbon dioxide sinks because plants absorb co[2] and use it in photosynthesis process. This process, in addition to producing plant biomass and releasing O[2], has an effective role in reducing the greenhouse effect. In the recent years there are a lot of concerns with this phenomena and it causes global warming with a lot of significant effects. Amongst the world forests, tropical forest stands the highest in carbon absorption. There is not a spatial similarity in co[2] absorption because of the difference in plant concentration, tropical situation, kinds of specious and the amount of plant annual growth per hectare. Therefore, spatial valuation can distinguish between these differences and shows the heterogeneity in these areas. In this study we introduce a pattern to achieve spatial distribution of co[2] absorption with geographical information system in a part of Caspian forests of Iran