Kurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801A survey on the performance of moving bed biofilm reactor and rapid sand filter in wastewater treatment1471534019610.22102/jaehr.2015.40196ENMostafa HadeiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranMohammadreza AalipourDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranNezamaddin MengelizadehDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran0000-0003-1974-2314Amirhossein FatemifarDepartment of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Islamic Azad University, Parand Branch, Tehran, IranSamad Hasanpour-BarijanyDepartment of Water Resources, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, IranJournal Article20150704Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is a process in which attached growth is utilized for wastewater treatment. This process does not require sludge recycling or backwash. Activated sludge processes can be promoted to an MBBR by adding media to an aeration tank. Rapid sand filter is a physical method for the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) in advanced wastewater treatment. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of effluent reuse feasibility of MBBR and rapid sand filter in agricultural irrigation. Results showed TSS, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations in effluent were 10, 7.7, and 85.75 mg/l, respectively. Removal efficiency of TSS, BOD5, and COD was 98%, 98.8%, and 94.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the value of chemical parameters was less than the standard limitations. Average removal efficiency of total coliform, fecal coliform, and nematode was 100%. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) in effluent were 960.5 mg/l and 1200.63 μs/cm, respectively. The Wilcox diagram showed that effluent was in the C3-S1 class, which means effluent quality was appropriate for irrigation. The results showed that effluent quality was completely compatible with the national standards in agricultural irrigation. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40196_c797ce7c47b50e24b03e13080dc999a2.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Application of experimental design approach for optimization of the photocatalytic degradation of humic substances in aqueous solution using immobilized ZnO nanoparticles1541634019810.22102/jaehr.2015.40198ENHooshyar HossiniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranMahdi SafariEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-0347-9283Reza RezaeeEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-2314-6697Reza Darvishi Cheshmeh SoltaniDepartment of Environmental Health, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IranOmid GiahiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranYahya ZandsalimiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-5193-5442Journal Article20160110Degradation of humic substances in water is important due to its adverse effects on the environment and human health. The aim of this study was modeling and investigating the degradation of humic substances in water using immobilized ZnO as a catalyst. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized through simple coprecipitation (CPT) method and immobilized on glass plates. The immobilized ZnO nanocatalyst was characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) were used to create an experimental design for humic degradation and color removal efficiency. The most important parameters including initial concentration, pH, and contact time were optimized. The optimum conditions were initial concentration of 7.68 mg/l, pH of 4.42, and contact time of about 125.6 minutes. Under optimal conditions, maximum humic substances and color removal of about 100 and 82.37% were obtained, respectively. These results illustrate that an immobilized form of ZnO can be used as an efficient nanocatalyst for effective degradation of humic substances in water. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40198_b4e6ddda27c9c6f5aec9ec2c464a777a.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Reproductive health indicators of immature common carp exposed to municipal wastewater of Behbahan, Iran1641714019910.22102/jaehr.2015.40199ENMahdi BanaeeDepartment of Aquaculture, School of Natural Resource and Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranSomayeh TaheryDepartment of Aquaculture, School of Natural Resource and Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranMaryam VaziriyanDepartment of Aquaculture, School of Natural Resource and Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranShima ShahafveDepartment of Aquaculture, School of Natural Resource and Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranBehzad Nemadoost-HaghiDepartment of Aquaculture, School of Natural Resource and Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranJournal Article20150812Exogenous estrogens or pollutants with estrogen-like activity can induce vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis in male and juvenile fish, making this protein a useful indicator of chemicals that mimic estrogenic activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of municipal wastewater on blood biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Under experimental conditions, biomarkers such as sex steroid levels, alkali-labile phosphate levels, cholesterol and triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed in immature fish exposed to municipal wastewaters collected from a sewage canal in Behbahan, Khuzestan Province, Iran. No significant changes were found in testosterone levels on day 21; however, estradiol, alkali-labile phosphate, triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol significantly increased in the fish exposed to municipal wastewater compared with the control group. A significant decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels was observed in the fish exposed to municipal wastewater at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that sewage effluent of Behbahan may contain endocrine disrupters and exposure to sublethal concentrations of municipal wastewater may cause dysfunction in reproductive health indicators of common carp.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40199_2120417296be479dda045777e3511b06.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Evaluation of corrosion and scaling potential of drinking water supply sources of Marivan villages, Iran1721784020010.22102/jaehr.2015.40200ENShouresh AminiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranReza RezaeeEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-2314-6697Ali JafariDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran0000-0001-8761-6323Afshin MalekiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-8261-8717Journal Article20160213Corrosion and scaling in drinking water sources can lead to economic and health damages. These processes produce by-products in distribution systems, reduce chemical water quality, and are the cause of health issues among consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the corrosion and scaling potential of water supply sources of Marivan villages, Iran. In total, 106 water samples were collected through grab sampling from 64 wells and 42 springs in Marivan villages. The values of the Langelier saturation index (LSI), Ryznar stability index (RSI), Aggressive index (AI), and Puckorius index (PI) were calculated using parameters such as temperature, calcium hardness, total alkalinity (TA), total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH according to the last edition of the standard methods. Based on the RSI, 3% of the springs and 9% of the wells were in stable condition, 97% of the springs were corrosive and 90% of the wells had scale forming potential. The LSI was positive for 57% of the springs and 78% of the wells. The AI value of 40% of the springs and 64% of the wells was higher than 12 and the PI value was lower than 6 for all the springs and wells. The results of this study indicated that most of the springs were corrosive and a few of them had scale-forming potential. It was also found that the wells had scaling tendency. Thus, routine monitoring of the sources is necessary to control corrosion and scaling and maintain water quality. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40200_2c24fab608dbaf03dc35b8e399933579.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Adsorption of Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions using NiFe2O4 nanoparticles1791874020110.22102/jaehr.2015.40201ENSoheil SobhanardakaniDepartment of Environment, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran0000-0002-6038-0514Raziyeh ZandipakYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, IranJournal Article20160107In this study, <span>NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> </span>nanoparticles (<span>NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> </span>NPs) were prepared through co-precipitation method and subsequently used for the removal of Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The <span>NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> </span>NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. In batch tests, the effects of variables such as pH (2-10), adsorbent dose (0.006-0.08 g), contact time (0-90 minutes), and temperature (25-55 ◦C) on Co(II) ions removal were examined and optimized values were found to be 7, 0.02 g, 70 minutes, and 25 ◦C, respectively. In addition, the experimental data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 322.5 mg/g. Kinetic experiments were also conducted to determine the rate at which Co(II) ions are adsorbed onto the <span>NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub></span> NPs. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40201_e55a2ade67b036dd679e1873406ada12.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Effect of temperature on pH, turbidity, and residual free chlorine in Sanandaj Water Distribution Network, Iran1881954020210.22102/jaehr.2015.40202ENAsad NouriEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranBehzad ShahmoradiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-2120-4518Saeed Dehestani-AtharEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-8236-3598Afshin MalekiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-8261-8717Journal Article20151017One of the parameters responsible for decreased water quality in a distribution system is temperature changes. This study was conducted to examine the effect of temperature on pH, turbidity, and residual chlorine in Sanandaj, Iran, Water Distribution System. The required water samples were taken from 85 stations during April to October 2014. Sampling was carried out over 6 months and twice per month. The average amount of residual chlorine measured at these stations was 0.58 and 0.52 mg/l, and turbidity was 0.86 and 0.98 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) in winter and spring, respectively. The temperature did not have any effect on pH, the amount of pH in winter and spring were 7.56 and 7.57, respectively. The results showed significant differences in the concentration of residual chlorine and turbidity of Sanandaj Water Distribution Network between winter and spring (P ≤ 0.01). Thus, the concentration of residual chlorine and turbidity varies in warm and cold seasons. However, no significant difference was observed in pH (P ≥ 0.01). The research results indicated that temperature does not have any effect on the qualitative parameters measured in the study area. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40202_aa9a927fa78119ae6fed3ce630907276.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Simultaneous degradation and adsorption of cyanide using modified fly Ash and TiO2/UV1962034020310.22102/jaehr.2015.40203ENShima RezaeiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-6449-8395Hadi RezaeiSanandaj Health Center AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranMeghdad PirsahebDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranSaeb AhmadiDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranHooshyar HossiniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranJournal Article20160217Due to the present water shortage and environmental problems associated with industrial effluent, investigation of novel treatment technologies is an essential approach. Being a highly toxic chemical of asphyxiating characteristics, cyanide is seen as a major environmental pollutant in a wide range of industrial effluents. The present study aimed to address the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of cyanide using activated fly ash and TiO<sub>2</sub>/UV. To investigate the removal efficiency of cyanide, two sets of experiments were designed. First, cyanide was absorbed by activated fly ash and degraded via a photocatalytic process, individually. Second, simultaneous adsorption and degradation was examined. The removal efficiency of cyanide by modified fly ash (MFA), TiO<sub>2</sub>/UV, and their combination (MFA-TiO<sub>2</sub>/UV) was 76.1%, 81%, and 86.6%, respectively. Optimal conditions for the combination of activated fly ash AFA-TiO2/UV were contact time of 6 hours, temperature of 100 °C, and AFA: TiO<sub>2</sub> ratio (w/w) of 1:1. Under these conditions, a maximum removal rate of 92.4% was obtained when 1.2 g of MFA/TiO<sub>2</sub> was used with a pH value of 3 in the presence of UV light. Based on the results of cyanide removal, it can be concluded that the combination of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation with MFA-TiO<sub>2</sub>/UV can be utilized to improve the removal of cyanide from wastewater. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40203_af11ed1a5a7fabb09c0ea6fd8ec53a4c.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34783320150801Photocatalytic degradation of phenol in water solutions using zno nanoparticles immobilized on glass2042134020410.22102/jaehr.2015.40204ENSedigheh SaeediDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranHatam GodiniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranMohammad AlmasianDepartment of English Language, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranGhodratollah Shams-KhorramabadiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranBahram KamarehieDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences,
Khorramabad, IranParvin MostafaieDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranFatemeh TaheriDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranJournal Article20160223Phenol and its derivatives are pollutant compounds that are present in the wastewater of many industries. The objective of this study was to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of phenol in water containing various concentrations of sodium chloride. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the performance of UV/ZnO process on the efficiency of phenol removal from saline water with ZnO nanoparticles fixed on glass using UVC radiation. The effects of pH, contact time, sodium chloride concentrations, and the initial concentration of phenol on the photocatalytic removal of phenol were studied. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol showed suitable efficiency under the absence of sodium chloride (100% phenol removal at a concentration of 5 mg/l and during 120 minutes). However, the removal efficiency decreased in the presence of a concentration of 30 g/l of sodium chloride (92.4%). Additionally, phenol photocatalytic degradation efficiency decreased as a result of an increase in the initial concentration of phenol and the efficiency increased as a result of a decrease in pH (pH = 3). The results obtained from this study indicated that ZnO nanoparticles or ultraviolet rays alone cannot remove phenol fully and have a much lower efficiency in comparison with the photocatalytic degradation of phenol. Thus, the photocatalytic degradation process (UV/ZnO) is an effective method of removing phenol from saline water solutions. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40204_8a9916d8a3d4b18b7f1722567fdf45c7.pdf