Esmaeil Fattahi, Naser Ostovar, Hami Kaboosi,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide used in agriculture for pest control. It is a relatively persistent poison and an environmental pollutant with adverse effects on human health. This study was conducted to isolate and characterize chlorpyrifos-degrading bacteria from rice field soils in Amol City, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, soil samples were collected from rice fields with a history of toxic pollution. A minimal salt broth (Msb) medium containing 100 mg/l chlorpyrifos as the carbon and energy source was used for isolating pesticide-degrading bacteria. The colonies were characterized by Gram staining and biochemical tests and sequencing was done using the PCR method.
Results: Four chlorpyrifos-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from the soils. They included Bacillus licheniformis strain IARI-M-12, Bacillus pumilus strain MS42, Bacillus cereus strain ESB15, and Delftia tsuruhatensis strain SJ113. The effects of temperature and pH on the bacterial strains were investigated. The Bacillus strains showed the fastest growth at a temperature of 35o C and a pH=7 in a Msb medium containing chlorpyrifos.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that bacteria in the farmland can degrade the chlorpyrifos poison. Thus, these bacteria can be used to reduce the environmental problems resulting from soil contamination with chlorpyrifos in the ecosystem.
Amineh Naderi, Shahram Fattahi, Somayeh Azami,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The trade-off between monetary wealth and fatal safety risks is explained by the value of statistical life, an efficient tool widely used to evaluate projects and allocate appropriate resources for road safety. The objective of this study was to estimate the statistical significance of life in order to improve road safety in the city of Ardabil, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected, in 2017, using a questionnaire for interviewing 300 drivers traveling daily in the city and analyzed using the stated choice method and the mixed logit model. First the purpose of the interview was explained to the drivers and, after they agreed to collaborate, the interviews were conducted. The authors pledged to keep the information confidential.
Results: The statistical value of life and of the injury for road safety improvement were estimated to be 1,077,551,000 and 1,178,570 Iranian Rials, respectively. The richer people, older people and those with university education were more willing to pay for road safety improvements.
Conclusion: One of the strategies for economic investment in improving road safety can be conducting collaborative research projects with other institutions, as well as using the experiences of countries successful in this field. In addition, road safety improvement projects can, in order to absorb capital, target richer people.
