Iranian Journal of

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Backgrounds and Objectives: Phenol and phenolic compounds are widely used in industry and daily liFe, and are of high interest due to stability in the environment, dissolution ability in water and health problems. In this regard, phenol removal from water is of high importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of photodegradation process for removal of phenol from aqueous system by use of Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method.
Materials and Methods: Phenol concentrations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L were prepared and exposed to UV and Fe-doped TiO2, separately and simultaneously. Also the effect of initial phenol concentration, Fe-doped TiO2 loading and pH were studied. Various doses of photocatalist investigated for Fe- doped TiO2 were 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/L. pH was studied at three ranges, acidic (pH=3), neutral (pH=7) and alkaline (pH=11).
Results: Maximum degradation was obtained at acidic pH, 0.5 g/L of Fe-doped TiO2 for all of phenol concentrations. With increasing initial concentration of phenol, photocatalytic degradation decreased. In comparison with Fe-doped TiO2/UV process, efficiency of UV radiation alone was low in phenol degradation (% 64.5 at 100 mg/l of phenol concentration). Also the amount of phenol adsorbed on the Fe-doped TiO2 was negligible at dark conditions.
Conclusion: Results of this study showed that Fe(III)- doped TiO2 nanoparticles had an important effect on photocatalytic degradation of high initial phenol concentration when Fe(III)-doped TiO2/ UV process applied.

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Backgrounds and Objectives: The Atrak River is an important water supply resource in the Razavi Khorasan, Northern Khorasan and Golestan provinces. This river is the line border of Iran and Turkistan countries. Unfortunately, lack of water quality and quantity data due to nonexistence of a proper surface water quality monitoring station network is one of the main problems for water quality evaluation in the Atrak River. The main objective of the research is to offer a proper framework for surface water quality evaluation regarding to the mentioned limitations.
Materials and Method: In the first step, proper surface water quality monitoring stations along Atrak River are selected and water quality conditions are indicated using water quality index (WQI) model. The second step is allocated for determining trophic states of the river. Finally, the river water quality modeling is carried out for one of the most important index of water quality in the Atrak River i.e. total dissolved solids (TDS) based on proposed method by Oconnor (1976).
Result: Results of WQI model showed that most of the stations were in the moderate class. The result also showed that most parts of this river had trophic condition. Finally, based on findings of O'Conor model it is demonstrated that the salinity status observed in these four stations originated from the base flow and therefore, salinity is affected by the natural sources.
Conclusion: This methodology in the research can be used in rivers which don't have the proper surface water quality monitoring stations and therefore encountered with lack of water quality data. It can provide the proper strategy and management tasks to reach the good water quality conditions.

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Background and Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of Titanium Oxide (TiO2) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as two of most widely used nanoparticles. The result of this study can help to designing environmental standard and legislations for nanoparticles.
Materials and Methods: Different concentrations of nano ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles were added to nutrient Agar culture media. Then, definite numbers of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were added to culture media and inhibition of these bacteria growth was measured in comparison to controls. Obtained data were analyzed to determine nanoparticles' EC50 and NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) using SPSS ver.16 and Probit standard test.
Results: 24-hours EC50 of nano ZnO using E. coli and S. aureus determined to be 5.47 mg/L and 2.38 mg/L respectively. In addition, 24-hours EC50 of nano TiO2 using E. coli and S. aureus determined to be 5366 mg/L and 3471 mg/L respectively. In the case of ZnO nanoparticles, no observed effect concentration determined to be 1.15 and 3.28 mg/L for E. coli and S. aureus respectively and in the case of TiO2 nanoparticles no observed effect level determined to be 1937 and 1184 mg/L for E. coli and S. aureus respectively.
Conclusion: This study showed that acute toxicity of nano ZnO is by far more than that of nano TiO2. Regarding the EPA acute toxicity criteria, nano ZnO is categorized as moderately toxic and nano TiO2 is categorized as practically non toxic. Hence, regarding the acute toxicity, in recommending exposure criteria and environmental disposal standards, compared to nano TiO2, nano ZnO requires more attention.

 

 

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Background and Objectives: Water pollution by pesticides has adverse effects on the  environment and  human health, as well .In recent years, advanced oxidation processes,  have been gone through to a very high degree for pesticides removal. Poly-Aluminum chloride (PAC) used  for water treatment, can be effective on pesticides removal. The aim of this research was to study the use of UV/O3 and PAC in the removal of pesticides from drinking water.
Materials and Methods: In  this descriptive- analytical survey, specific concentrations of pesticides (1,5,10,15,20 ppm)namely Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos, Carbaril were prepared through addition to deionized water. Dichloromethane was used for samples&apos extraction, samples extracted with Liquid- Liquid & Solid-phase extraction ,  finally entered  bath  reactor at pH (6,7,9)  .The samples then exposed to UV/O3at contact time  of (0.5,1,1.5 and 2 hours) . In the PAC pilot , the effects of various concentrations of  pesticides, and PAC - ranging (12/24 and 36 ppm)  were  investigated  for the efficacy of pesticides removal. All samples analyzed by GC/MS/MS and HPLC.
Results: It was found that  in UV/O3 reactor, with the rise of  pH, decrease in  pesticides concentration, and rise of contact time, the efficiency of removal  increased too. In  the PAC pilot, increase in  PAC concentration  and decrease  in pesticides concentration , both increased the efficiency. Besides, both of the methods  showed high efficiencies in the removal of both pesticides,i-e. halogenated Organophosphorus (Chlorpyrifos) , non- halogenated Organophosphorus (Diazinon) at the degree of over (%80 ) In case of carbamate pesticides (e.g. Carbaril) efficiency was over (>%90). One-Way Anova & Two -Way Anova were used to analyze the obtained data.
Conclusion: According these results these two methods  are suggested for the removal of pesticides from aqueous solutions.

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Background and Objectives: Effluent generated in several industries contains phenolic compounds, which have been classified as priority pollutants. Due to its toxicity, the conventional systems are inefficient for treatment of phenol-Laden wastewater. Biological processes using pure microbial culture, including fungi and yeast, are environmentally friendly techniques capable of complete destruction of contaminants.
Materials and Methods: This work was aimed at investigating the efficiency of a fungi specie in the decomposition of high concentrations of phenol ranging from 500 to 20000 mg/L. Several batch reactors were operated at different phenol concentration. The concentration of residual phenol was monitored over time using colorimetric method 4-aminoantipyrine. The removal efficiency was calculated considering the initial phenol concentration.
Results: Experimental data indicated that the phenol could efficiently degrade using the selected culture. The developed granules could completely degrade phenol at concentrations up to 20000 mg/L.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from the experimental data that the biodegradation using the Fungi granules is a very efficient and thus promising technique for treatment of wastewaters containing phenolic compounds.

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Background and Objectives: Many industrial effluent plants contain amounts of hard biodegradable compounds such as  β-naphthol which can be removed by conventional treatment systems. The objective of this research is to treat wastewater containing naphthalene by nano titanium oxide coated on activated carbon.
Materials and Methods: Photocatalytic experiments were carried out for different concentrations of β-naphthol using time and pH as dependent factors.  Nano TiO2 coated on activated carbone in one liter batch reactor and the resultants compounds' concentration were measured in a photocatalytic reactor  with UV-C of 12 Watt. 
Results: The experimental results indicated that UV/ nano TiO2  coated on activated carbone removed 92% of β-naphthol with concentrations of 100 mg/L within an overall elapsed time of three hours. β-naphthol total removal with concenteration of 25 mg/L was observed in two hours.
Conclusions: UV/ nano TiO2  process is very fast and effective method for removal of β-naphthol and  pH 11 was indicated as the optimum pH.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Phenols in trace quantities are usually present in the treated effluent of many wastewater-treatment plants. Phenol compounds even at low concentration can cause toxicity, health and significant taste and odor problem in drinking waters. This research focuses on understanding the sorption process and developing a cost-effective technology for the treatment of water contaminated with phenolic compounds, which are discharged into the aquatic environment from a variety of sources. In order to remove phenolic compounds from water, a new natural sorbent, rice husk ash, was developed.
Materials and Methods: Removal of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol were characterized by spectrophotometric technique at wavelengths of 269.5, 274 and 280 nm, respectively, under batch equilibrium conditions and via changing the parameters of contact time, initial pH, and initial concentration of adsorbates and dosages of sorbent. Finally, the results were analyzed by the kinetic and isotherm models.
Results: in this study, the equilibrium time was found to be 240 min for full equilibration of adsorbates. Removal percent of 2-chlorophenol was lower than two others. The maximum removal of phenol, 2-CP and 4-CP was observed at an initial pH of 5. The percentage removal of these phenolic compounds increased with increasing adsorbent dose and decreasing initial concentration. In kinetics studies, correlation coefficient and ARE factor showed that the sorption of phenol (R2=0.9999), 2-chlorophenol (R₂=0.9992) and 4-chlorophenol (R₂=1) fitted by pseudo second order model. Isotherm studies also revealed that, Langmuirmodel for phenol (R₂=0.9499), Freundlich model for 2-chlorophenol (R₂=0.9659) and 4-chlorophenol (R₂=0.9542) were the best choices to describe the sorption behaviors.
Conclusion: Sorption process is highly dependent on the pH and it affects adsorbent surface characteristics, the degree of ionization and removal efficiency. At high pH hydroxide ions (OH-) compete for adsorption sites with phenol molecules. The sorption was done rapidly and a plateau  was reached indicating the sorption sites occuupied till  they were saturated. Since the increasing sorbent dose would improve sorption site, its increasing enhances phenolic compounds removal.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Nosocomial infection is the cause of deaths, morbidity, higher costs and increased length of stay in hospitals. Correct and appropriate use of antiseptic and disinfectants play an important role in reducing infections. In this study the efficacy of antiseptics on bacteria causing hospital infections has been studied.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the laboratory of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Uremia. In this study the Antimicrobial activity of Descocid, Korsolex basic, Mikrobac forte and persidin 1% was studied against bacteria causing hospital infections such as Enterobacter aeruginosa 1221 (NCTC 10006), Staphylococcus epidermidis (PTCC: 1435 (Cip81.55) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain PAO1. Sensitivities of bacteria were determined by Minimum inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal Concentration (MBC) antiseptics. In the second stage, the concentration of antiseptics was prepared according to the manufacturer's suggested protocol and the effect of antimicrobial agents were studied at the certain concentration and contact time.
Result: All disinfectants (Descocid, Korsolex basic, Mikrobac forte) concentration and contact time, Accordance with the manufacturer's brochure, had inhibitory effect on all bacteria. That this is consistent with the manufacturer's brochure. Persidin one percent in concentration of from 2 and 4 V/V % and exposure time 5 minutes could not inhibit the growth of bacterial. But at concentrations of 10 and 20% respectively 15 and 30 minutes exposure time, all three types of bacteria can be inhibited, which is consistent with the manufacturer's claims.
Conclusion: In this study, the efficacy of antiseptics was determined with the Micro-dilution method recommended by the NCCLS. Korsolex basic, weakest antiseptics (the highest MIC) for the inhibition of three bacteria was determined. But Between all four antiseptics (according to manufacturer concentration), Only one percent Percidine 2 and 4 V/V %  in consumer dilution and 5 minutes exposure time failed to inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterobacter aeruginosa.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Existence of Heavy metals in water resources is one of the most important environmental problems in many countries. These metals have dangerous effects on human health. The purpose of this study is  to investigate and compare lead removal by nanometer and millimeter absorbents of Zizyphus Spinachristi fly ash.
Materials and Methods: This study was non-continuous experiment which was implemented under laboratory conditions with and by changing effective factors such as pH (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), contact time (5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 minutes) and adsorbent concentration (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/ L). The data was fitted based on four models including Ho et al, Lagergern, Lungmuir and Freundlich which the first two models used for absorption kinetic and the latter two considered as absorption isotherm.
Results: The Result of this study showed that as the pH increases from 3 to 5 adsorption efficiency increased as well. Furthermore, when pH was over 5, the metal ions settled down. With increasing contact time, adsorption efficiency increased as well. With increasing the amount of nanometer as an adsorbent, removal efficiency increased and then decreased. Also the adsorption process followed precisely Ho et al kinetic and Langmuir isotherm, for both absorbents.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, specific area of the nano particles was more than millimeter particles (29.56 m2/g & 17.80 m2/g), therefore adsorption capacity of nano absorbent was four times more than adsorption capacity of millimeter (19.93 mg/g & 17.80 mgr/g). Furthermore, the findings concluded high capability of nano particles towards Sorption of lead ions (Pb) from aqueous solutions.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Phenol is one of the aromatic compounds, which due to its high toxicity and its presence in the industrial effluents, should be removed and prevented it, to the receiving water resources. The natural biological plant has been accepted as one of the most feasible, eco-friendly and cost-effective options for the treatment of pollutants such as Phenol. The aim of this study is efficiency evaluation of the anaerobic stabilization pond performance in removing phenol and other organic compounds from Kermanshah oil refinery wastewater.
Materials and Methods: The method of study was experimental and analytical, a laboratory scale anaerobic stabilization pond, with dimensions of 1 × 1 × 0/2 m, using fiberglass sheet with a thickness of 6 mm was designed and built up. In this study The hydraulic retention time and hydraulic loading rate were expected 2 days and 95 liters per day respectively. Organic loading rate for anaerobic pond was 100 g/m³. After starting, seeding and biological stability, samples were taken. Initial phenol concentration was added about of 100 mg/l to pilot input, then the parameters such as NH₃, PO₄ and Phenol were measured by Varian spectrophotometer model UV-120-02 in the wavelength 425, 690, 500 nm respectively.  TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD, pH and ORP were measured according to the standard methods of water and wastewater.
Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency of NH₃, PO₄, phenol, TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD in the anaerobic pond were obtained 91.51%, 64.34%, 89.82% 74.99 % 73.34% 71.75%, 68.9% respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that the ability for phenol and other organic compounds removal in anaerobic pond using petroleum refinery wastewater is higher than the other systems which are expensive and complex.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Heat stress is considered as a serious threat to the health and safety of workers in many industries, including petrochemical and steel. Assessment of the heat stress is important from the disease prevention point of view and also for the safety and performance of workers at workplace. Although there are many indices to evaluate the heat stress, it is hard to select an applicable index for a wide range of weather conditions. The purpose of the study was to develop an optimal index based on physiological parameters in a petrochemical industry. 
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a petrochemical industry located in Assaluyeh (south of Iran). Twenty one healthy young men at different levels of fitness and heat acclimation volunteered to participate in the study. Physiological parameters including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, skin temperature and oral temperature were measured during the working day over two consecutive weeks. Simultaneously, we measured the climatic parameters required to calculate the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), required sweat rate (SWreq), and the discomfort index (DI) indices.
Results: All the measurements took place on 2 sites: Kar (working place) and Paziresh (resting room). Our results showed  that the mean values of indices and physiological parameters   in Kar    for both acclimated and unacclimated groups were significantly higher than Paziresh (P<0.05). There was the strongest linear correlation between WBGT and heart rate (0.731), systolic blood pressure (0.695) and diastolic blood pressure (0.375) and skin temperature (0.451) respectively. The amounts of DI were 0.725, 0.446, 0.352, and 0.689 respectively. But the strongest linear relationship existed between SWreq and deep body temperature (0.766).
Conclusion:  There were significant differences in the present indices and physiological parameters of Kar and Paziresh, confirming the previous studies findings. Finally, WBGT was considered optimal index and the results revealed the almost perfect linear correlation between WBGT and heart rate. We propose WBGT can be the most applicable index for evaluating heat stress in this climate.  

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Aniline has been used in different processes of chemical industries, however due to its side effects on the environment, several methods have been considered for its removal. In this study, we evaluated the performance of photocatalytic process using ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for removal of Aniline from a synthetic effluent.
Materials and Methods: A 5L photocatalytic reactor made from Plexiglas, which the UV lamp (20w) installed in the center of that (inside a quartz jacket), was designed and nZnO (0.2-0.5 g/l) was being added into synthetic effluent with Aniline concentration of 250 ppm. After retention times of 30, 60, and 90 min, samples were centrifuged and supernatant was filtered using a 0.2 µ PTFE filter. The liquid-liquid method and Gas Chromatography instrument was used for extraction and analysis respectively.
Results: Results showed that the photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could effectively remove Aniline from effluent. Increasing trend in the removal efficiency of Aniline using nZnO = 0.5 g/l was slower in comparison with other nZnO concentrations and the ANOVA analysis shows no significant difference between removal efficiency of Aniline in different concentrations of nZnO. The most removal efficiency of Aniline (76.3%) was observed in alkaline pH, retention time of 90 min and nZnO of 0.5 g/l.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could be suitable technique for Aniline removal from effluents.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: The presence of chemical dyes in the water resources not only pollutes them, but also brings about death of organisms and serious indemnities to the environment through stopping oxygen production and preventing penetration of the sunlight. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of the electrolysis process for decolonization of phenolphthalein and phenol red from aqueous environment.
Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted in an electrochemical reactor having a working volume of 1 liter equipped with 2 graphite electrodes. This study was conducted at laboratory scale. Samples were prepared by dissolving two phenol red and phenolphthalein dyes in drinking water. Then, the effect of operating parameters such as voltage, inter-electrode distance, and NaCl concentration on the complete dye removal was determined considering optimum retention time using  Factorial variance analyses and the graphs were plotted using MS Excel software.
Results: the results showed that the optimum conditions for completely removal of phenolphthalein was achieved applying a voltage of 48 V, the retention time of 9 minutes, 5 cm inter-electrode distance, and the salt concentration of 1.5 g/l, whereas, complete removal of phenol red was achieved applying a voltage of 48 V, the retention time of 8 minutes, 5 cm inter-electrode distance, and the salt concentration of 2 g/l. Under these conditions, COD removal efficiency for phenol red and phenolphthalein was 85 and 80 percent respectively.
Conclusion: This study revealed that electrolysis process is an effective method to remove both phenolphthalein and phenol red dyes from effluent, because it can completely remove the dyes in a short time.

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Background and Objectives: Pollution of water resources to nitrate is an environmental problem in many parts of the world. This problem possibly causes diseases such as methemoglobinemia, lymphatic system cancer and Leukemia. Hence, nitrate control and removal from water resources is necessary. Considering that application of nanomaterials in treatment of environmental pollutants has become an interesting method, in this research use of Ag-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized through photodeposition produced under UV irradiation was studied for removal of nitrate from aqueous solutions.
Materials and Methods: Three nitrate concentrations of 20, 50, and 100 mg/L were considered. In order to determine the effect of Ag-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles on  nitrate removal, dosages of  0.1, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 g/L nanoparticles were used pH range of 5-9 was also considered. The effect of Ag-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles both in darkness and under UV irradiation was studied. Moreover, the presence of chloride and sulfate anions on the system removal efficiency was investigated.
Results: The optimum performance of nitrate removal (95.5%) was obtained using nitrate concentration of 100 mg/L, in acidic pH and 0.8 g/L Ag-TiO₂. Increase of nanoparticle dosage up to 0.8 g/L, increased the removal efficiency, but for 1.2 g/L dosage of nanoparticles, the removal efficiency decreased. Maximum reduction performance without nanoparticles, under UV irradiation and under darkness conditions were 32% and 23.3% , respectively. In addition, we found that presence of sulfate and chloride anions in aqueous solution reduced efficiency of nitrate removal.
Conclusion: Results of this study showed that Ag-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles may be efficiently used for nitrate removal from aqueous solutions.

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Backgrounds and Objectives: The base structure of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is made of hydrogen and carbon. Widespread use, improper disposal and accidental spills of this compounds lead to long term remaining of contaminations such as organic solvents and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil and groundwater resources, resulting in critical environmental issues. In this study, an oil-contaminated soil was washed using Tween 80 surfactant and the application of photo-Fenton process (UV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) for treatment of the produced wastewater was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: Tween 80 is a yellow liquid with high viscosity and soluble in water. In order to determine of the photo-Fenton process efficiency, we studied effective variables including Fe concentration, pH, H₂O₂ concentration, and irradiation time. The UV irradiation source was a medium-pressure mercury vapor lamp (400 w) vertically immersed in the solution within 2L volume glass cylindrical reactor.
Results: The results showed that efficiency of COD removal depends on the initial Fe concentration, pH, H₂O₂ concentration and irradiation time.
Under optimum conditions, (Fe: 0.1mM, H₂O₂: 0.43 mM, pH: 3 and UV light irradiation time: 2 hours) the removal efficiency of COD was 67.3%. pH plays a crucial role in the photo-Fenton process such that the removal efficiency increased with decreasing of pH.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, under acidic condition, this process is an efficient method for COD removal from the wastewater studied.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Contamination of drinking water sources with nitrate may cause adverse effects on human health. Due to operational and maintenance problems of physicochemical nitrate removal processes, using biological denitrification processes have been performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate nitrate removal efficiency from drinking water using autotrophic denitrifying bacteria immobilized on sulfur impregnated activated carbon in a fluidized bed bioreactor.
Materials and Methods: After impregnating activated carbon by sulfur as a microorganism carriers and enrichment and inoculation of denitrifying bacteria, a laboratory-scale fluidized bed bioreactor was operated. Nitrate removal efficiency, nitrite, turbidity, hardness and TOC in the effluent were examined during the whole experiment under various conditions including constant influent nitrate concentration as 90 mg NO3--N/l corresponding to different HRT ranging from 5.53 to 1.5 hr.
Results: We found that  the denitrification rates was depended on the hydraulic retention time and the nitrate removal efficiency was up to 98%  and nitrite concentration was lower than 1mg/l at optimum HRT=2.4 hr respectively. Moreover, there was no difference in hardness between influent and effluent due to supplying sodium bicarbonate as carbon source for denitrifying bacteria.  However pH, TOC, hardness, and turbidity of the effluent met the W.H.O guidelines for drinking water. 
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that an innovative carrier as sulfur impregnated activated carbon could be used as both the biofilm carrier and energy source for treating nitrate contaminated drinking water in the lab-scale fluidized bed bioreactor.

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Phenol is one of the most important organic chemicals presenting in water and other environments. It not only brings about hygienic problems but also results in forming 11 toxic priority pollutants in aqueous environments. Hence, the performance of electrocoagulation process using iron and aluminum sacrificial anodes was investigated for removal of phenol.
Materials and Methods: We used a glass tank in 1.56 L volume (effective volume 1 L) equipped with four iron and aluminum plate electrodes to do experiments (bipolar mode). The tank was filled with synthetic wastewater containing phenol in concentration of 5, 20, 40, and 70 mg/l and to follow the progress of the treatment, each sample was taken at 20 min intervals for up to 80 min. The percent of phenol removal was measured at pH 3, 5, 7, and 9 electrical potential range of 20, 40, and 60 volts and electrical conductivity of 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 µs/cm.
Results: It was found that the most effective removal capacities of phenol (95 and 98 %) could be achieved when the pH was kept 7 and 5 for iron and aluminum electrodes, reaction time  80 min, electrical conductivity 3000 µs/cm, initial concentration of phenol 5 mg/l, and electrical potential in the range of 20-60 V.
Conclusion: The method was found to be highly efficient and relatively fast compared with existing conventional techniques and also it can be concluded that the electrochemical process has the potential to be utilized for the cost-effective removal of phenol from water and wastewater.

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Background and Objectives: The development a low-cost and high efficiency water treatment technology to decolorize the organic dye effluents is desirable due to overwhelming discharge of organic synthetic dyes into the natural water cycle during the dying process. In this study, the decolorization of Acid Black 26, as the model organic contaminant, was investigated using immobilized nano-sized TiO2 particles as the photocatalyst. Material and Methods: Sackcloth fiber was used as a support to immobilize TiO2 nanoparticles. The structural properties of the immobilized photocatalysts were characterized by XRD and SEM. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and the measurement of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) were also used for the process performance studies. Moreover, we investigated the effects of the oxidant H2O2, initial dye concentration, the presence of anion and pH on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. Results: The XRD results did not show significant changes in the structure of TiO2 as a consequence of the immobilization procedure. The formation of titania crystallites in the sackcloth fiber was confirmed by SEM. Experimental results showed that after 60 min, the degradation percentage of Acid Black 26 with the immobilized TiO2 particles was about 60%, which was higher than that with TiO2 slurry. Based on the COD results, after 3 h, the TiO2-coated sackcloth fiber effectively decomposed 94% of the organic compounds presenting in dye solution during the degradation of Acid Black 26. Conclusion: The titania nanoparticles immobilized on the sackcloth fiber can be used as an effective and environmental friendly photocatalyst in the degradation of colored wastewater.

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Background and objectives: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical that releases to the environment through effluents of its producing factory, pulp and paper mill factories, and plastics industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate adsorption isotherms of removing BPA from aqueous solutions using single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Materials and methods: This study was an empirical investigation. Our experiments were conducted discontinuously using 50 mL of sample in each test. The variables of this study were the contact time (5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min), the initial concentration of BPA (2, 5 , 20, 50 mg/L), and pH (3, 5, 6, 9, 11). The concentrations of BPA were measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Results: The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 71.42 mg/g. The results of our experiments showed that maximum adsorption capacity at equilibrium was achieved at t = 60 min and pH = 9. Moreover, increasing the initial concentration is associated with an increase in adsorption capacity until it becomes constant. Conclusion: The BPA adsorption on SWCNT follows Freundlich-Langmuir isotherm.

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Background and objectives: Nowadays, landfilling is most common method in many countries owing to lower cost and adaptation to wide range of solid waste. Site selection of landfill requires evaluating several parameters such as municipal government requirements, environmental regulations and a large number of quantitative and qualitative criteria. The aim of current study was to compare AHP and TOPSIS in landfill site selection. For this purpose, two mentioned methods were applied to select suitable site in Karaj. Materials and methods: In present study, 4 candidate sites in south of Karaj were selected for landfill by overlaying data layers (digital maps) and query functions in Arc GIS 9.2. Prioritizations between alternatives were conducted by AHP and TOPSIS technique according to the criteria mentioned. Eventually, we compared and evaluated the AHP results and TOPSIS results with each other. Result: According to AHP, site prioritization was 3,2,4,1 respectively whereas, in the case of TOPSIS, it was ranked 4,3,2,1, respectively. These results showed that both methods are suitable to determine site priority. Conclusion: As in AHP, alternatives are compared with respect to goal and criteria, consequently it has better precision and higher accuracy and confidence compared with TOPSIS.