Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering

The level of groundwater resources is changing rapidly and this requires the discovery of newer groundwater resources. Drought is one of the most significant natural phenomena affecting different aspects of human life and environment. During the last decades, the application of artificial intelligent techniques has been recognized as effective approaches to forecast an annual precipitation rate. In this study, the association analysis of climate drought and a decline in groundwater level is addressed using Gaussian process classification (GPC) and backpropagation (BP) artificial neural network (ANN). This methodology is proposed to create a framework for decision making and reduce uncertainty in water resource management calculations, and in particular to optimize the management of groundwater drinking water sources. Underground water levels in 609 study plains in Iran were used to predict drought over the test period, extending from 2017 to 2021. The artificial intelligence methods were implemented in the Python programming environment to achieve an annual precipitation rate. A statistical summary of the Rasterized Cells of the zoning maps was used to validate the prediction results. Considering the relationship between water quality reductions and drought in Iranian aquifers due to the occurrence of groundwater drought periods, the results were validated by analysis of the effect of climate drought using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) on the occurrence of observed droughts with the Groundwater Resources Index (GRI). The results are well-illustrated by the observation of the predicted digits in the third dimension of the Gaussian distribution. According to the SPI indicator, the southern regions of the country, and especially the central parts of the plain, can be considered the most affected areas by the most severe future droughts. The prediction results indicate a decrease in drought severity as part of a two-year sequence involving a recurrence of drought exacerbation and relative decline, as well as a failed state after the critical condition of aquifers.

Biological wastewater treatment is mostly used in many industries to treat industrial influents. Treated water is consisting of an extremely high concentration of pathogenic microorganisms. Present work demonstrate the treatment of biologically treated sugar industry wastewater (BTSWW) using a low-frequency ultrasound (US). BTWSS consists of Enterobacter, Salmonella, and Escherichia Coli with a total coliform concentration of 2500 ± 300 CFU/mL. Experiments were performed using the individual effect of US, H2O2, and O3 and the combined effect of US with H2O2, O3, and H2O2 + O3. The complete removal of total coliform was obtained for the synergy effect of US with H2O2 and O3. The performance of the process was analyzed based on pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant and synergy coefficient. The pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant was 21.6 and 22.3 × 10–2 min−1 with a synergy coefficient of 2 and 1.9 for a combined effect of US with H2O2 and O3, respectively. Another advantage of the synergy of US and O3 was lower requirement of the initial dose of H2O2 (2.1 mM/L). The operational cost of the process was found to be $ 1.5 × 10–2 /MLD. • Complete microbial disinfection achieved in 20 min. • The pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant: 22.3 × 10–3 min−1 and synergy coefficient: 2 for US + O3. • The operational cost of $ 1.5 × 10–2 /MLD for US + O3

The organochlorines (OClPs) and organophosphates (OPPs) pesticides in surface and ground water having intensive agriculture activity were investigated to evaluate their potential pollution and risks on human health. As per USEPA 8081 B method, liquid-liquid extraction followed by Gas-Chromatographic technique with electron capture detector and mass selective detector (GC-MS) were used for monitoring of pesticides. Among organochlorines, α,β,γ,δ HCH’s, aldrin, dicofol, DDT and its derivatives, α,β endosulphan’s and endosulphan-sulphate were analysed; dichlorovos, ethion, parathion-methyl, phorate, chlorpyrifos and profenofos were determined among organophosphates. As compared to ground water, higher concentrations of OClPs and OPPs were found in surface water. Throughout the monitoring study, α - HCH (0.39 μg/L in Amravati region),α - endosulphan (0.78 μg/L in Yavatmal region), chlorpyrifos (0.25 μg/L in Bhandara region) and parathion-methyl (0.09 μg/L in Amravati region) are frequently found pesticide in ground water, whereas α,β,γ-HCH (0.39 μg/L in Amravati region), α,β - endosulphan (0.42 μg/L in Amravati region), dichlorovos (0.25 μg/L in Yavatmal region), parathion-methyl (0.42 μg/L in Bhandara region), phorate (0.33 μg/L in Yavatmal region) were found in surface water. Surface water was found to be more contaminated than ground water with more number of and more concentrated pesticides. Among pesticides water samples are found to be more contaminated by organophosphate than organochlorine. Pesticides in the surface water samples from Bhandara and Yavatmal region exceeded the EU (European Union) limit of 1.0 μg/L (sum of pesticide levels in surface water) but were within the WHO guidelines for individual pesticides.

The water scarcity threatens environmental health and human development. Membrane distillation (MD) is one of the most applicable processes for purifying water using a hydrophobic membrane. In this study, the synergetic effect of SiO2 nanoparticles as well as employing the dual coagulation bath on physical and mechanical properties of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) flat-sheet membranes produced by dry-wet phase inversion (DIPS) technique has been investigated. The results of microstructural analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) demonstrated that by adding nanoparticles while the pore size decreased noticeably, the percentage of porosity significantly increased. Also, it has been revealed that by utilizing isopropanol as the first coagulation bath the finger-like macro-voids became smaller in size, and the share of sponge-like structures rose remarkably. The membrane performance was tested by Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) for measuring the flux and Liquid Entry Pressure (LEPw) laboratory setup. It can be seen that by increasing the content of SiO2 nanoparticles to 6 wt.% while the LEPw approximately halved, the flux soared to about 10000 g/m2h. Moreover, mechanical testing showed that although the tensile strength of nanocomposite samples fabricated in isopropanol dual coagulation bath was improved by up to 66%, their ductility slightly declined. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity of each membrane was examined via contact angle measurements. Finally, it was found that all membranes completely rejected the NaCl in rejection test.

Hierarchical distance-based fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making was served as a tool to evaluate the drinking water supply systems of Qom, a semi-arid city located in central part of Iran. A list of aspects consisting of 6 criteria and 35 sub-criteria were evaluated based on a linguistic term set by five decision-makers. Four water supply alternatives including “Public desalinated distribution system”, “PET Bottled Drinking Water”, “Private desalinated water suppliers” and “Household desalinated water units” were assessed based on criteria and sub-criteria. Data were aggregated and normalized to apply Performance Ratings of Alternatives. Also, the Performance Ratings of Alternatives were aggregated again to achieve the Aggregate Performance Ratings. The weighted distances from ideal solution and anti-ideal solution were calculated after secondary normalization. The proximity of each alternative to the ideal solution was determined as the final step. The alternatives were ranked based on the magnitude of ideal solutions. Results showed that “Public desalinated distribution system” was the most appropriate alternative to supply the drinking needs of Qom population. Also, “PET Bottled Drinking Water” was the second acceptable option. A novel classification of alternatives to satisfy the drinking water requirements was proposed which is applicable for the other cities located in semi-arid regions of Iran. The health issues were considered as independent criterion, distinct from the environmental issues. The constraints of high-tech alternatives were also considered regarding to the level of dependency on overseas.

Bisphenol A as an endocrine-disrupting chemical is widely used chemical in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin and has become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Human exposure to Bisphenol A is widespread and recent studies have been shown to be associated with a higher risk for self-reported adverse health outcomes that may lead to insulin resistance and the development of type-2 diabetes mellitus. In this context, we sought to confirm the association between Bisphenol A and diabetes in a community-based analysis of Bisphenol A urinary concentrations investigation in adult population of Iran. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, Body Mass Index, serum triglyceride level and serum cholesterol level and serum creatinine concentration. Main outcomes were reported diagnoses of diabetes that defined according the latest American Diabetes Association guidelines. The median age of the 239 participants was 51.65 years and 119 people had type-2 diabetes mellitus. Urinary Bisphenol A was categorized into two groups based on the median for Bisphenol A (≤0. 85 to >0.85 μg/L). The results of statistical analysis revealed a clear association between hypertension, and type 2 diabetes (P < 0.05). The multi variable-adjusted odds ratio for type-2 diabetes mellitus associated with the group 1 (referent), of urinary Bisphenol A was 57.6 (95% confidence interval: 21.10-157.05; P-value < 0.001). A positive correlation between HbA1c and urinary BPA concentration was observed (r = 0.63, P = 0.001). Urinary Bisphenol A levels are found to be associated with diabetes independent of traditional diabetes risk factors. Higher Bisphenol A exposure, reflected in higher urinary concentrations of Bisphenol A, is consistently associated with diabetes in the general adult population of the Iran. Studies to clarify the mechanisms of these associations are urgently needed.

The validation of chromatographic methods is a costly process, however necessary, especially with regard to the validation of methods that accurately determine concentrations of pesticides in different environmental compartments. This research aimed at the development and validation of a simple and fast method for the determination of chlorpyrifos concentrations in water by means of a gas chromatograph with electron capture detection (GC/ECD), and to investigate chlorpyrifos dynamics of adsorption in a Rhodic Ferralsol in Southern Brazilian conditions. The developed chromatographic method was based in EPA 8141 method. Parameters to be checked for method validation were: Selectivity/specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ). Were employed the following methodologies for the validation process: ANVISA Resolution 899, DOQ-CGCRE-008 and FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guide. Also, through laboratory tests, the sorption dynamics of chlorpyrifos in Rhodic Ferralsol was evaluated. Thus, the soil was contaminated with increasing concentrations of chlorpyrifos, which were subjected to solid-liquid extraction with SPE cartridge Chromabond® C18 ec. The obtained results were submitted to the models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Sips. By this method, chlorpyrifos peaks are obtained at 16.9 min, demonstrating practicality and low cost. This method exhibits precision and sensitivity, with satisfactory LQ and LQ values. The models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Sips suggest the occurrence of simultaneous adsorption in mono and multilayer of chlorpyrifos in Rhodic Ferralsol colloids, as well as the predominance of a chemical, high energy binding process (irreversible). However, the chemisorption of chlorpyrifos is more related to the good fit found for Dubinin-Radushkevich sorption energy values (9.861 and 11.079 KJ mol−1) and Qm values estimated by Langmuir (485.55 and 389.61 μg g−1 for linear and nonlinear model).