Environment and Interdisciplinary Development, is an open access double-blind peer reviewed publication which is published by Research Center for Environment and Sustainable Development (RCESD) concerned with new concepts and innovative technologies in environmental engineering. This journal is a quarterly publication, which publishes original research papers related to journal scope. This journal is following of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and complies with the highest ethical standards in accordance with ethical laws. All submitted manuscripts are checked for similarity through Hamyab software to ensure their authenticity and originality and then rigorously peer-reviewed by the expert reviewers. (Read More...)
Abstract Background and Objective Today, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is one of the fundamental challenges, particularly in oil-rich countries. Climate change studies have shown that climatic changes exacerbate income inequality both within and between countries, such that poorer populations are more vulnerable to climate impacts. This article aims to assess the effects of wealth inequality on the carbon footprint in four countries—Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—during the period from 1995 to 2023. These countries, due to their vast energy resources and high economic dependence on oil and gas exports, have a significant share in carbon emissions. Examining the factors influencing this trend can play an important role in formulating pollution-reduction policies. Materials and Methods In this study, the wealth shares of the top 1% and 10% of the population are used as indicators of wealth concentration, while the shares of the middle 40% and bottom 50% are used as indicators of more equitable wealth distribution. In addition, variables such as per capita income, energy intensity, and total energy production are considered control variables. To estimate the effects, the fixed effects method and robust regression were used to ensure the stability of the results. Robust Least Squares (RLS) refers to a set of regression methods designed to be more resistant or less sensitive to outliers. Results and Discussion The results of the study showed that wealth inequality, per capita income, energy intensity, and total energy production all have a positive and significant effect on the carbon footprint in Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In particular, an increase in the wealth share of the top 1% and 10% leads to higher carbon emissions, while an increase in the share of the middle 40% and bottom 50% has a negative effect. These findings indicate that economic inequality and wealth concentration among high-income groups have negative consequences not only in terms of social justice but also from an environmental perspective. Additionally, per capita income has also acted as a key factor in increasing the carbon footprint, which may be linked to higher energy consumption and increased use of fossil fuels. Energy intensity and total energy production have shown a consistently positive and significant impact on carbon emissions in all models. These results suggest that the energy-intensive and inefficient economic structure in these countries has led to high energy consumption and increased pollution. Based on the findings, three policy recommendations are proposed; First, reforming the wealth distribution system and reducing economic inequality. By implementing policies such as taxing wealth and high incomes, supporting the middle and lower classes, and investing in public services, inequality can be reduced, thus mitigating the environmental effects of wealth concentration. Second, increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy intensity. Investment in energy-efficient technologies, optimizing consumption in industry and transport, and gradually removing fossil fuel subsidies can reduce energy intensity and help control carbon emissions. The findings suggest that reducing wealth inequality, improving energy efficiency, and developing renewable energy can contribute to lowering the carbon footprint and enhancing environmental sustainability in these countries.
Abstract Introduction The increasing energy demand has led to the development of large energy-related industries such as oil and gas and power plants. The combined cycle power plant is one of the most efficient, flexible and cost-effective industrial projects for electricity generation that is currently being built and operated in many parts of the world, including Iran(Karyab et al., 2020). Combined cycle power plants, despite their high energy efficiency, are considered one of the considerable environmentally damaging facilities due to the production of various types of waste, air and water pollution. This has led to the need for comprehensive management of sustainable environmental development. One of the most important considerations for achieving sustainable development is to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of electricity generation (Strezov & Cho, 2020). Environmental impact assessment is a process that evaluates the effects of human activities on the environment. The EIA goal is to maintain sustainable development to ensure the protection of the ecosystem and human well-being(Banihashemi et al., 2021). In recent years, Many studies have been conducted on environmental impact assessment of power plants. For example, Motahari et al. in 2023, Hosseini, in 2023, and Malakutian and Ghasemi in 2019 have evaluated the environmental impacts of Combined cycle power plants.This paper aims to assess the actual environmental impacts caused by activities of the Ghadir Combined cycle power plant using the RIAM method and rank them by the Shannon Entropy and CoCoSo techniques. It has also been attempted to verify the accuracy of the predicted impacts by comparing the results of the impact assessment of the power plant that is currently in operation with the results of the environmental impact assessment report that was conducted in 2016. The results showed that the effect of industrial and sanitary waste disposal on aquatic life with a score of 16, the effect of emission of contaminating gases on the personnel health with a score of 15.9, and the effect of the disposal of industrial and sanitary effluent on the water habitat with a score of 14.4 are the most important. Finally, considering the identified effects and the type of power plant activities, an environmental monitoring program as well as corrective and control measures were presented to reduce environmental impacts. This study was conducted to identify and assess the actual environmental impacts of a combined cycle power plant. The results show that the most significant impact is related to water pollution due to the discharge of power plant wastewater into the environment. The most important factors affecting water pollution are related to the use of chemicals and extensive water consumption in steam and cooling units, which lead to the pollution of surface water resources. Therefore, a proposed program has been presented to monitor the parameters affecting the quality of the environment within the power plant. Studies conducted by Malakutian and Ghasemi (2019) and Hoseini (2023) show that the most important environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of power plant projects are water pollution and emission of combustion gases, which from this perspective is consistent with the results of the present study.
Abstract Introduction: Industrial development is the result of changes in methods and development of new machines that have been created in order to provide the needs of human societies, failure to impact assessment of these issues can leads to serious risks for humans and environment. Therefore, it is necessary and essential to achieve management and purposeful tool that accurately identifies and effectively controls potential and actual threats to health, safety, and the environment. Among various industries, the pulp and paper industry is a growing industry due to the high per capita production of paper to provide the needs of society and has been identified as the sixth most polluting industry in the world. In addition to environmental impacts, this industry may pose many risks to the workforce that are working in it, which has led to greater attention to the issue of health-safety and especially environmental risk assessment. Therefore it is necessary to identify the risks that threaten human resources and the environment and to propose solutions to reduce these risks to this industry.
Material and methods: In this study, the EFMEA (Environmental Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) method, which is an efficient method of the environmental risk assessment, was used to identify and assess the environmental risks of the Golestan Persia Paper Company. Initially, the risks of process units (including the pulping unit, production line, and steam boiler unit) were identified. In the next step, the impacts of the identified risks were evaluated using the components of consequence severity, probability of occurrence, and probability of detection and identification. After determining the confidence limit, environmental risks were classified and finally control/corrective measures were proposed to eliminate or reduce the risks. In the final step, a secondary assessment of environmental risks was conducted after corrective actions, and the priority of implementing the corrective measures was determined according to the degree of feasibility.
Results: Of the 16 environmental risks identified, 3 were at high risk level, 11 at medium risk level, and 2 at low risk level. The highest risk level is related to the formation of sediment in the steam boiler, which leads to higher fuel consumption and air pollution. soil contamination resulting from the entry of wastewater from the production line and pulping unit into a soil pond for sedimentation before treatment is performed as well as Condensate flashing (conversion of the liquid phase to vapor) are also considered to be other major risks of the plant under study. By providing corrective solutions, all risks were reduced to a low-severity risk level.
Discussion: The results of the present study and a review of similar research conducted in different industries showed that conducting risk assessment studies and providing corrective actions can significantly reduce risk levels. Combining of the methods of health, safety, and environmental risk assessment by systematizing the process of identifying aspects can increase the accuracy and precision of risk assessment results. And finally, the identified solutions can be used in the form of risk management guidelines in the study area. After identifying solutions and adopting the desired strategy to control each of the risks, it will be possible to design operational scenarios appropriate to each of these strategies and in accordance with the crisis management guidelines.
Abstract Abstract Introduction:Unrestricted urbanization has driven the rapid expansion of cities, posing significant challenges to natural resources and environmental integrity. Iran, like many other nations, has experienced this trend, undergoing substantial changes as a result. To minimize biodiversity loss, it is crucial to analyze the impacts of urbanization on biodiversity and implement targeted, effective policies. These policies should focus on identifying vulnerable species and areas where the effects of urban expansion are highly concentrated, enabling informed and conscientious urban planning. The primary objective of this study is to identify key indicators of degradation within Bamou National Park. This includes determining the interdependencies among these indicators and, ultimately, ranking the factors contributing to degradation to facilitate effective management and planning strategies for the area. Data collection was conducted using a survey-based research approach, with the statistical population defined by a panel of environmental experts and specialists. Materials and Methods:To analyze and establish the relationships between urban growth policies and the management of Bamou National Park, a 5 kilometer buffer zone surrounding the park was initially delineated using Google Earth Engine. This delineation allowed for the monitoring and measurement of changes in land cover and land use patterns. Subsequently, expert opinions gathered from the region, coupled with a review of relevant literature, were used to develop a hierarchical DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-State-Impact-Response) model. Concurrently, an evaluation index system was designed across four domains: physical/chemical, biological, economic, and socio-cultural. An initial matrix containing over 60 criteria was developed, and the criteria and sub-criteria were ranked using the Delphi method to prioritize relevant indicators. Additionally, the DANP (DEMATEL- ANP) model was employed to determine and estimate the influence and interrelation of factors affecting Bamou National Park. Results:The findings reveal that the economic environment ranks highest among the evaluation criteria. The sub-criteria were ranked as follows, with their respective weights: agricultural and horticultural development (weight = 0.071), land-use change and illegal occupation (weight = 0.069), tourism and recreation (weight = 0.068), and increased construction (weight = 0.067). Based on these results, specific strategies for achieving a favorable outcome have been proposed. Discussion:A significant disparity in the physical growth patterns of cities surrounding Bamou National Park (within the 5-kilometer buffer zone) is evident, highlighting the neglect of a critical potential resource – imminent habitat loss. A thorough review of existing policies, laws, and regulations, coupled with their rigorous implementation, is essential. Also critical are targeted conservation efforts, continuous public education campaigns emphasizing the importance of protecting these areas, the promotion of sustainable ecotourism initiatives, the adoption of environmentally sound agricultural practices, encouraging responsible natural resource use, and active public participation in conservation efforts. These measures can mitigate habitat fragmentation and prevent the extinction of plant and animal species within the region. Furthermore, it is recommended to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange with similar and more developed countries. Additionally, leveraging the resources and mechanisms of international environmental institutions to assign economic value to managed areas is crucial. This valuation can serve to reduce encroachment, prevent land-use conversions, and safeguard these areas from further degradation.
Abstract Waste management primarily focuses on waste disposal, with three main methods: incineration, landfilling, and recycling. Among these, recycling holds greater significance due to its environmental and economic benefits, and is divided into formal and informal sectors. Although formal recycling is more sustainable, it faces challenges due to high costs, whereas informal recycling, although less costly, has negative environmental impacts. The Theory of Planned Behavior suggests that environmental attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral control influence recycling participation, and barriers such as insufficient awareness and lack of social encouragement can be analyzed within this framework. The Circular Economy Theory emphasizes waste reduction and reuse, yet challenges such as raw material shortages and competition with producers of virgin materials make its implementation difficult. The Institutional Theory highlights the role of government policies and institutional support, indicating that the absence of subsidies, tax exemptions, and bureaucratic complexity are key institutional barriers in the recycling industry. Additionally, the Transaction Cost Theory explains that high costs of collection, processing, and distribution of waste make recycling a difficult competitor to cheaper methods such as landfilling. This study employed Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) to analyze barriers to waste recycling. This method identified 15 key barriers through a review of literature and field studies. Subsequently, a Structural Self-Interaction Matrix (SSIM) was created by surveying 9 waste management experts, which clarified the relationships among barriers based on causal and influential criteria. In the next step, an initial reachability matrix was created and modified using Boolean logic to obtain the final reachability matrix. This matrix formed the basis for the level classification of barriers and the MICMAC analysis. The software output classified the barriers into 7 levels. At level 1, barriers such as the absence of government subsidies, lack of tax exemptions, excessive bureaucracy, shortage of skilled labor, water scarcity, and budget deficiencies were identified. At level 2, barriers like low profitability and lack of landfill space for residuals after waste processing were recognized. At level 3, the high cost of environmentally sustainable operations and fierce competition with producers of virgin materials emerged. At level 4, barriers like the high cost of raw material procurement and low quality of recycled products were evident. At level 5, high technology costs were identified, while improper capacity planning and high waste processing costs appeared at level 6. Finally, raw material shortages were classified at level 7, being a key factor in the recycling process. The ISM results showed that the barriers were divided into two categories: independent factors and autonomous factors. Independent factors, such as raw material shortages, high technology costs, and improper processing capacity planning, had the greatest impact on other system elements and were considered key drivers for structural reforms. In contrast, autonomous factors, such as the absence of government subsidies or tax exemptions, had limited short-term impact but played an important supportive role in the long term. Therefore, ensuring sustainable raw materials, reducing technology costs, and implementing supportive policies could facilitate the development of the recycling industry. Independent factors, such as raw material shortages, high technology costs, and improper processing capacity planning, had the greatest impact on other system elements and were considered key drivers for structural reforms. In contrast, autonomous factors, such as the absence of government subsidies or tax exemptions, had limited short-term impact but played an important supportive role in the long term. Therefore, ensuring sustainable raw materials, reducing technology costs, and implementing supportive policies could facilitate the development of the recycling industry.
Abstract Background and Objective: In the contemporary world, the environmental attitudes of senior managers are recognized as key factors in the success of organizations and the realization of environmental sustainability. Managers who adopt a proactive approach to environmental preservation will institutionalize competitive advantage and reputation in green product design, supply chain management, ecological branding, environmental accounting and disclosure, and product life cycle management. In this context, a deep understanding of the impact of environmental attitudes on organizational behaviors and strategic decision-making can lead to identifying solutions to improve the environmental and competitive performance of organizations. Accordingly, the aim of this research is to analyze the impact of senior managers' environmental attitudes on environmental management accounting and green production strategy to achieve a green competitive advantage in organizations. This study uses upper management theory as a framework to analyze the behaviors of senior managers and examines their psychological impacts on strategic decision-making. This research is the first study to investigate the relationship between CEOs' attitudes toward the environment, the choice of green production strategy, the implementation of environmental management accounting, and green competitive advantage within the framework of a single study in Iran. Additionally, the moderating role of regulatory pressures is considered in the two relationships: the attitude of managers toward the environment with the choice of green production strategy, and the attitude of managers toward the environment with the implementation of environmental management accounting. Materials and Methods: This research is descriptive-correlational and survey-based, aiming to examine the impact of senior managers' attitudes on environmental management accounting, green production strategy, and competitive advantage. Data were collected through a 25-question questionnaire based on a Likert scale. The statistical population of the research includes senior managers of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or over-the-counter market in 2024, classified into 14 groups based on the severity of pollution and other environmental issues according to Article 2 of the regulations for the establishment of industrial and production units approved on 29/03/2011, comprising 436 companies. To assess the validity of the questionnaire, both ordinary content validity and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis were employed. To evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha method was used, confirming the reliability of the questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Smart PLS software. Discussion: The findings of the research indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between senior managers' attitudes toward the environment and green production strategy, the implementation of environmental management accounting, and green competitive advantage. This means that as senior managers' positive attitudes toward the environment increase, the willingness to adopt environmental management accounting and green production strategies also increases, resulting in greater competitive advantage. Furthermore, legal pressure as a driving factor can assist in the adoption of sustainable practices and improve environmental performance. Additionally, this research shows that the selection and implementation of green production strategies require an effective and efficient environmental management accounting system to support these strategies. Ultimately, by changing attitudes and increasing awareness of environmental issues, organizations can achieve sustainable competitive advantage and, consequently, contribute to improving their financial and social performance. These findings can guide senior managers to improve organizational performance and create sustainable value by adopting environmental approaches.
Abstract Introduction: The largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) is an economically important species widely distributed in tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems, including the coastal waters of Makran. Investigating biometric parameters along with feeding and growth patterns in fish is a vital tool for fisheries management and for understanding dietary habits from juvenile to adult stages. Moreover, understanding the biological characteristics of this species in local habitats lays the groundwork for developing effective strategies for sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in marine ecosystems. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the biometric features, growth patterns, and feeding habits of T. lepturus to enhance fishery management practices in the coastal waters of Makran. Materials and Methods: For this purpose a total of 120 specimens of T. lepturus were collected seasonally over one year, from autumn 2021 to summer 2022, from three fishing sites along the Makkoran coast in Sistan and Balouchestan Province, namely Chabahar, Beris, and Ramin. The specimens were immediately fixed in 10% formalin and transported to the laboratory. In the lab, biometric parameters including total length, body weight, and growth pattern were measured. The digestive tracts were dissected to identify stomach contents for dietary analysis. Additionally, the relative gut length index was calculated by dividing gut length by total body length to assess dietary characteristics. Results: The average total length and body weight of the samples were estimated at 73.53 ± 21.33 cm and 501.72 ± 270.7 g, respectively. The highest and lowest mean values for length and weight were recorded in autumn and summer, respectively, although no significant seasonal differences were observed (p > 0.05). Length and weight distribution analysis indicated that the highest frequency was within the 73–83 cm length class and the 150–250 g weight class. The length-weight regression yielded a b value of 2.293, indicating negative allometric growth. Stomach content analysis revealed a diverse diet composed of digested material, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Digested material accounted for the highest dietary proportion (58%), while mollusks had the lowest (9%). The relative gut length index varied across length groups and seasons, with the highest value recorded in fish over 107 cm in length. These findings suggest feeding plasticity and a consistent growth pattern in this species. Discussion: The results indicate that T. lepturus in the coastal waters of Makran exhibits negative allometric growth, wherein weight increases at a lower rate than length. This pattern is commonly observed under nutritional, habitat, or physiological constraints. The species' diverse diet, with a substantial portion of digested material and notable contributions from fish and crustaceans, reflects an opportunistic and active feeding strategy consistent with its role as a top predator in the food web. This feeding flexibility plays a crucial role in seasonal adaptability and coping with fluctuating food availability. Furthermore, variations in the relative gut length index with body size and season support potential changes in metabolic requirements and diet composition across growth stages. These findings, combined with the uniform distribution in length and weight, provide useful indicators for monitoring population health and establishing guidelines for size and season-based fishing regulations.
Abstract Formaldehyde (formalin) is a preservative that is widely used in surfactants, dishwashing liquids, cosmetics and health products, especially shampoos and care products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified formaldehyde as a strong carcinogen. Therefore, the detection and measurement of this compound with high speed and sensitivity in various samples is of great importance. Various methods for measuring formalin have been reported in scientific literature, but they have not been accepted due to long analysis time, high cost, and low sensitivity. Among the methods, electrochemical methods have been considered due to their high sensitivity, high analysis speed, low cost, and miniaturization. In this study, the surface of the pencil lead electrode was graphitized by applying a direct voltage in a sulfuric acid solution. After activating the electrode surface, it was floated in nickel chloride solution and nickel nanoparticles were deposited on the electrode surface using chronoamperometry technique by applying a potential of -1.2 for 100 seconds. Then, by scanning the potential in alkaline medium, the graphenized pencil lead electrode (GPLE) modified with nickel hydroxide nanoparticles was obtained. The morphology of the GPLE/Ni(OH)2 was examined by scanning electron microscopy and the average particle size was calculated to be about 52 nm. The structure of the modified electrode was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The important parameters including the electrodeposition time, electrodeposition potential and electrode activation conditions were optimized. After electrochemical experiments, the prepared electrode was used to measure formaldehyde as a hazardous environmental pollutant in various types of detergents. Based on the experimental results, the simultaneous presence of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets on the electrode surface increases the electron transfer rate and also increases the electrochemical active surface area of the modified electrode. The results of the experiments conducted under optimal conditions show that the GPLE/Ni(OH)2 has a linear range of 5-175 μM, a detection limit of 2.04 μM, and a sensitivity of 0.20496 μA μM-1 cm-1 for the measurement of formaldehyde. Compared to similar studies, the efficiency of the GPLE/Ni(OH)2 in the measurement of formaldehyde is acceptable and it can be used with high accuracy and reliability in the measurement of formaldehyde in various detergents. In order to investigate the effect of interference of some species on the response of the fabricated sensor, the interference of compounds such as betaine, coconutate, texapone, urea and glycerin, which are widely used in detergents, was investigated. According to this study, the change in the response of the GPLE/Ni(OH)2 electrode for 25 μM formaldehyde in the presence of interfering species was less than 5%, indicating good selectivity of the designed sensor. Also, the fabricated electrode maintained its efficiency for long periods of time, which indicates its commercialization. The results obtained from the spiking and the recoveries obtained indicate the high accuracy of the results obtained. The results obtained using the proposed method were compared with some other methods which indicated the high sensitivity and capability of GPLE/Ni(OH)2 for measuring formaldehyde with high accuracy and precision.
Abstract Urban land uses, including educational institutions, especially universities, have a significant share in the consumption of natural resources and the production of pollutants, and consequently exert considerable impacts on the environment. Due to the service-oriented nature and the wide range of educational, research, and support activities, universities consume large amounts of energy, water, and other resources. Therefore, accurate and comprehensive assessment of their environmental impacts through indicators such as the ecological footprint is an undeniable necessity for sustainable resource management and reducing environmental consequences. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the ecological footprint of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in the new campus area, using the life cycle assessment approach. In this study, by identifying the consumed resources and related environmental flows, an attempt was made to provide a quantitative picture of the impacts resulting from university activities. The results of this research can be used as a basis for optimizing consumption patterns, developing environmental strategies, and moving towards green universities. Considering the significant share of universities in resource consumption and pollutant production, and the lack of comprehensive and scientific assessments of the environmental impacts of educational institutions in the country, conducting this research with a life cycle approach is an important step towards improving sustainable management and enhancing the environmental performance of universities. In this study, in addition to the ecological footprint by the EF method, the water footprint by the AWARE method, and also the carbon footprint by the IPCC method in 2023 were examined. The total number of staff and students of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in the campus unit is 4,121. The final estimated ecological footprint score of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is -2.75 pt. The greatest negative impact on the university’s ecological footprint relates to electricity consumption, and in the impact categories, to climate change, followed by resource consumption, while the greatest environmentally compatible effect on the university’s ecological footprint is related to water storage and the university’s water recycling system. The results obtained from examining the carbon footprint show that the final value obtained for the carbon footprint of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is -2.17 × 104 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. Water storage is one of the most effective solutions in reducing the carbon footprint, since this action, by reducing dependence on pumping operations, significantly reduces energy consumption and ultimately leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity consumption at the university has increased its carbon footprint. The total estimated score for the water footprint of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is -1.06 × 104. The measures presented, such as creating water storage and recycling systems and green spaces at the university, have positive and environmentally compatible effects. Analysis of the ecological footprint of universities using the life cycle approach can be used as a model for other educational institutions to reduce environmental impacts and for effective planning. This study shows that accurate and comprehensive assessments are an effective step in optimizing resource consumption and protecting the environment. Overall, this research, through a multidimensional evaluation of environmental impacts, reveals the importance of resource management and the implementation of sustainable solutions in universities and can pave the way for improving the environmental performance of educational institutions.
Abstract Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) has been a major concern for the scientific community in recent decades. These compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands, including paints, varnishes, wax, many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products, as well as fuels. The chemical diversity of VOCs can cause both cancerous and non-cancerous health effects. Among the numerous VOCs, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (collectively known as BTEX) are the major contributors, which have adverse effects such as headaches, eye irritation, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, respiratory problems, and carcinogenicity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified 189 air pollutants, of which97 are VOCs. Benzene, in particular, is a well-known carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified Benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen due to its strong link to leukemia. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia. Exposure to VOCs, especially Benzene, can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.Therefore, this study evaluates the cancer risk of benzene in the South Pars region, a major hub for natural gas extraction and petrochemical industries in Iran. Data were collected using passive sampling methods from January 2020 to January 2021 across ten sampling stations located in both industrial and residential zones. Samples were analyzed using GC (Gas Chromatography), and the maximum, minimum, and average concentrations were calculated over the one-year period. Results showed that the average annual concentration of benzene fluctuated between 1.4 µg/m³ (at sampling satation NO.8) and 26.3 µg/m³ (at sampling satation NO. 2). This average annual concentration served as the basis for cancer risk assessment. According to the locations of the sampling stations, which are located in three industrial zones and seven in residential areas, including two near schools, exposure assumptions such as daily exposure time (ET), exposure frequency (EF), exposure duration (ED), and average lifespan were considered for seven population groups to calculate cancer risk. Findings showed that cancer risk from benzene is higher for non-resident industrial workers compared to resident workers. Moreover, urban-official areas posed significantly higher risks for permanent residents and industrial workers living in those areas than for people who only commuted there during working hours. Despite the maximum Benzene concentrations being recorded at industrial sampling stations, the cancer risk in residential-urban areas is high due to longer exposure time (ET), exposure frequency (EF), and exposure duration (ED) for the native population compared to satellite workers, even though the levels are within the Department of Environment (DOE) of Iran's limits. The maximum level of Benzene cancer risk in the urban area for native people is 23 x 10⁻⁶, for non-resident industrial workers in the industrial zone is 22 x 10⁻⁶, and for industrial employees who live in urban areas is 15.6 x 10⁻⁶. Therefore, because of the high level of Benzene cancer risk for industrial employees, it is necessary to reduce Benzene emissions from industries located around Sampling Station No. 2 immediately and effectively. Moreover, it is essential to implement an action plan for the residential-urban population, similar to the specific monitoring plan for staff health in the industrial units.
Abstract Introduction: The D-8 Countries was established to promote regional agreements, strengthen economic relations, and increase the collective influence of its member states in global markets. The D-8 group includes Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Bangladesh, which exhibit diverse ecological and climatic conditions. One of the group’s strategic goals is to enhance food security and ensure energy supply through joint investments in agriculture and natural resources. Data on greenhouse gas emissions indicate that environmental quality in these countries has declined rapidly over the past two decades. In this context, the present study investigates the impact of natural resource extraction on environmental quality, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions in the D-8 Islamic countries. This research can contribute to a clear understanding of the current state of resources, support future studies, and promote accurate, evidence-based planning in the environmental field. Materials and Methods: In this study, based on the stationarity properties of the variables, the panel cointegration approach was applied. Furthermore, according to the results of the Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests, the short-run relationship was estimated using the Error Correction Model (ECM), while the long-run relationship was estimated using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method. Results and Discussion: The results reveal a long run relationship between the studied variables and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, increases in rents from forest harvesting, mining, and fossil energy sources lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions and a decline in environmental quality. In the long run, a 1% rise in rents from forest harvesting, mining, and fossil energy sources is associated with an approximate increase of 0.05%, 0.08%, and 0.01% in per capita greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor forest cover by imposing taxes and customs duties on wood exports and utilizing remote monitoring tools. Additionally, mining activities should be regulated under environmental laws, with a portion of mining revenues allocated to enhancing vegetation cover. Moreover, the most effective way to mitigate the impact of fossil energy consumption on pollution emissions is to implement a policy that diversifies energy sources. Utilizing renewable energies, such as solar and wind power, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor forest cover by imposing taxes and customs duties on wood exports and utilizing remote monitoring tools. Additionally, mining activities should be regulated under environmental laws, with a portion of mining revenues allocated to enhancing vegetation cover. Moreover, the most effective way to mitigate the impact of fossil energy consumption on pollution emissions is to implement a policy that diversifies energy sources. Utilizing renewable energies, such as solar and wind power, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Therefore, developing appropriate infrastructure to support renewable energy use is essential. The study’s results showed that increasing exports and imports have positive and negative impacts on pollution emissions, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that trade policies focus on preserving biological capacity by regulating the export of polluting goods. More broadly, the environmental consequences of research on the effects of natural resource extraction and the trade of goods on pollution emissions should be carefully considered.
Mohadeseh Alizadeh-Nanagi, Moslem Daliri, Ali Salarpouri
Abstract Introduction: The Pharaoh Cuttlefish (A. pharaonis), due to its high commercial and export value, is harvested in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea using various fishing gears, including trawl nets, traps (Gargoor), and gillnets. Although comprehensive stock assessments are lacking, available evidence suggests that this species is under increasing fishing pressure in the region. This study aimed to investigate the growth and mortality parameters of A. pharaonis based on age-based models in the waters of Hormozgan Province. The findings can inform fisheries managers in developing effective conservation and exploitation strategies for this valuable stock. Materials and Methods: A total of 109 specimens (76 males and 33 females) were collected from Bandar Lengeh, Qeshm, and Bandar Abbas between October 2023 and March 2024 using trap and small-scale trawl fishing methods. In the laboratory, the morphometric features of the specimens were measured. The specimens were dissected to extract cuttlebones and prepared for age reading. Age was determined through a standardized three-step reading process under a dissecting microscope. Growth parameters (L∞ and k) were estimated for both sexes using the Gulland and Holt method. Total mortality (Z) and natural mortality (M) were calculated using a catch curve and the Chen and Watanabe age-based mortality model, respectively. Results: Mantle length ranged from 62 to 330 mm in males (mean ± SD: 135.4 ± 67.1 mm) and from 57 to 300 mm in females (mean ± SD: 104.4 ± 54.2 mm). The von Bertalanffy growth models for mantle length-at-age Lt(mm) = 342[1 – exp (-0.27(t - 0.00))] for Males and Lt(mm) = 316[1 – exp (-0.30(t - 0.00))] for Females. The difference in growth models between sexes was statistically significant (Likelihood Ratio Test, p < 0.05). Estimated mortality rates for males were Z=3.14 yea r-¹, M = 1.73 year-¹, F= 2.73 year-¹, and for females Z= 4.46 year-¹, M= 1.79 year-1, and F= 2.35 year-¹. The exploitation rates (E) were also estimated at 0.61 for males and 0.43 for females. Discussion: The findings indicate a rising trend in fishing mortality for A. pharaonis in the Persian Gulf compared to earlier studies. Given the overlap between the species' spawning season and peak fishing activity, continued high exploitation may pose a serious risk to stock sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that fishing efforts and gear types targeting this species be regularly monitored. Establishing a robust database could support stock modeling and provide forecasts to guide adaptive fisheries management. Discussion: The findings indicate a rising trend in fishing mortality for A. pharaonis in the Persian Gulf compared to earlier studies. Given the overlap between the species' spawning season and peak fishing activity, continued high exploitation may pose a serious risk to stock sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that fishing efforts and gear types targeting this species be regularly monitored. Establishing a robust database could support stock modeling and provide forecasts to guide adaptive fisheries management.arlier studies. Given the overlap between the species' spawning season and peak fishing activity, continued high exploitation may pose a serious risk to stock sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that fishing efforts and gear types targeting this species be regularly monitored. Establishing a robust database could support stock modeling and provide forecasts to guide adaptive fisheries management.
Abstract Introduction: Biodiversity has gained significant attention in recent decades due to growing awareness of its ecological role, global importance, and projected large-scale declines. The rapid pace of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss underscores the urgent need to protect areas that comprehensively represent regional biodiversity. Effective conservation requires establishing adequate networks of protected areas within each country, aligned with global strategies, to serve as refuges safeguarding diverse flora and fauna while ensuring their long-term survival. At a global scale, amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates. Currently, habitat degradation and destruction constitute the primary drivers of species and population declines. This study evaluates the efficacy of existing protected areas in conserving the Lorestan newt (Neurergus kaiseri), an endangered endemic species, across Lorestan and Khuzestan provinces in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study utilized 62 presence points collected from historical literature, official records of the Lorestan Department of Environment, and local ecological knowledge. Habitat suitability was modeled using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) in RStudio. Spatial statistical methods—including the Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis, Anselin Local Moran’s I (for spatial autocorrelation), and Natural Breaks (Jenks) classification—were compared to identify critical habitat patches. The efficacy of existing protected areas for conserving the Lorestan newt was then evaluated by spatially overlaying these habitat hotspots with current protected area boundaries. Results: The MaxEnt habitat suitability model demonstrated high reliability and predictive accuracy for Lorestan newt distribution, as evidenced by an AUC (Area Under the Curve) value of 0.95. Jackknife analysis identified the most influential environmental variables as: minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), annual precipitation (Bio12), precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19), isothermality (Bio3), and elevation. Comparative evaluation of spatial analysis methods revealed that the Getis-Ord Gi* approach achieved superior performance in hotspot detection, with an AUC of 0.96. Species distribution modeling has become an increasingly vital tool for supporting biodiversity conservation management. This study integrated maximum entropy modeling with spatial data mining techniques to identify habitat hotspots for the Lorestan newt and evaluate their overlap with existing protected areas. The results revealed that only 6% of critical habitat hotspots (31,520.16 out of 579,106.35 hectares) currently fall within protected area boundaries. Notably, Khuzestan Province - containing 54% of all identified hotspots - lacks any designated protected areas for this species. In contrast, two regions in Lorestan Province demonstrated high conservation efficacy: Shadabkuh 1 (98% overlap) and Tang-e Haft (93% overlap). These findings highlight three urgent conservation priorities: (1) comprehensive revision of the current protected area network, (2) establishment of new protected zones in northern Khuzestan, and (3) creation of habitat connectivity corridors to ensure long-term species survival...... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
Abstract Introduction: Wind erosion is one of the major environmental challenges in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran, particularly in desert areas such as Aran and Bidgol and Kashan, where low precipitation, poor vegetation cover, and fragile soils intensify the phenomenon. Mulching is a common method for stabilizing mobile sands; however, petroleum-based mulches are limited due to high costs and adverse environmental impacts. Accordingly, bio-based mulches derived from agricultural and industrial by-products are considered safe, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternatives. The present study aimed to develop an eco-friendly mulch based on zeolite, bentonite, and molasses (a by-product of the sugar industry). Materials and Methods: The research was conducted at the laboratory scale using a D-Optimal mixture design approach. Sand samples were collected from the deserts of Kashan and characterized according to ASTM standards. The proposed mulch was formulated from calcium bentonite (mesh 200), micronized clinoptilolite zeolite, and concentrated industrial molasses. The mixing ratios were designed and tested using DX11 software. Five performance indices were used to evaluate mulch quality: shear strength (SS), compressive strength (CS), impact resistance (IR), abrasion resistance (AR), and crust thickness (CT). The experimental results were analyzed using ANOVA, Duncan’s test, and Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses. Polynomial models were developed to fit the responses and determine the optimal formulation through mathematical optimization. Results: ANOVA results showed that mulch treatments had significant effects (p < 0.05) on all performance indices. Maximum shear strength was recorded in treatments 28, 14, and 15, at 8.27, 8.20, and 8.17 N/cm², respectively. The highest compressive strength was observed in treatments 1 and 15, at 3.17 and 3.15 kg/cm², respectively. The greatest impact resistance was found in treatments 15, 28, 33, and 18, with values of 0.75, 0.71, 0.71, and 0.71, respectively. The highest abrasion resistance (value = 1) was recorded across treatments 4, 2, 9, 19, 21, 22, 24, 29, 26, and 30. Maximum crust thickness was obtained in treatments 21, 16, and 30, at 1.92, 1.91, and 1.89 cm, respectively. A strong and significant correlation was found between shear, compressive, and impact strength, while abrasion resistance showed weak and insignificant correlations with the other variables. The optimized mulch formulation aimed at maximizing SS, CS, IR, and CT consisted of 50% molasses, 23% bentonite, and 27% zeolite. Model validation results indicated a good agreement between experimental data and model predictions. Discussion and Conclusion: Molasses, due to its adhesive properties and ability to bind soil particles, combined with bentonite as a calcium source for improved water retention and zeolite for its high cation exchange capacity, resulted in the development of a sustainable mulch with favorable physical and mechanical properties. Increasing molasses content directly enhanced mechanical strengths and crust thickness. Zeolite was more effective in improving abrasion resistance, whereas bentonite played a key role in impact resistance and crust thickness. The findings are consistent with previous studies. The proposed optimized formulation, due to its accessible raw materials, simple preparation process, non-toxicity, and potential for field application, can serve as an effective alternative to petroleum-based mulches in Iran’s desert regions. However, final performance validation requires field trials under actual climatic conditions. This study serves as a successful example of synergizing natural materials and industrial residues to develop environmentally focused technologies within a circular economy framework.
Abstract Introduction: Protected areas are the last genetic reserves of each country and represent unique ecosystems in pristine and natural areas, whose protection is essential. Management planning or zoning is an appropriate solution to create a balance between the protection of natural resources and sustainable development in these areas. The main goal of establishing protected areas is to maintain the integrity of habitats and life-giving systems, support biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable use of species richness and ecosystem services. Therefore, documented planning in the form of zoning and the development of conservation objectives for protected areas is of particular importance. The basis of management of protected areas is based on the recognition of zoning and a productivity program by applying temporal, spatial, and operational restrictions and prohibitions in each zone, considering its ecological sensitivities. Therefore, in order to utilize the capabilities of these areas, planning and zoning must reflect characteristics such as intactness, protection of biodiversity hotspots, and a wide range of pristine and scenic landscapes, and be able to respond to the development of various human activities in appropriate areas. Materials and Methods: In the present study, with the aim of identifying areas with the highest ecological sensitivity and high priority in conservation, the Jajrud protected area was zoned using spatial indicators and multi-criteria decision-making methods in the form of linear relationships. Also, the habitat integrity in this protected area was evaluated and analyzed using landscape metrics. Results: According to the results obtained, 7 main zones can be identified in this area, including Zone 1 (restricted nature), Zone 2 (conservation), Zone 3 (utilization), and Zone 4 (recreational use). (extensive), Zone 4 (concentrated use), Zone 7 (special use), Zone 8 (shield) and Zone 11 (other uses). Thus, in terms of sensitivity and vulnerability, Zones 1 and 2 were placed in the sensitive category due to their lower flexibility against the development of human activities and biological limitations and a higher degree of protection, and Zones 3, 4, 7, 8 and 11 were placed in the non-sensitive category due to their lower biological limitations and higher flexibility. Zoning results showed that in the Jajrud protected area, the largest area among the identified zones is related to zone 8 (23,078 hectares), and the smallest area is related to zone 4 (475 hectares). The results of the habitat integrity assessment and changes in landscape metrics also indicate that the metrics of class area, percentage of class area, and average patch size have increased at the level of built-up land, water areas, and agricultural and garden lands. While they have decreased in high-density pastures, low-density pastures, and forest land classes, the decrease in these metrics indicates an increase in patch fragmentation and a decrease in their size. Discussion: Habitat fragmentation and reduced integrity are one of important threats to the protection of natural ecosystems. Therefore, restoring connections and maintaining corridors between habitat patches are effective strategies to control the fragmentation and destruction of natural ecosystems, which requires adopting coherent and integrated management planning and providing appropriate tools to reduce the effects of these threats. The results of the zoning and habitat integrity assessment in this study can serve as a management strategy to inform proper conservation and planning, aligning with the development of human activities within the identified zones and subsequently mitigating environmental hazards and consequences.
Seyed Kamal Sadeghi, Suhd Qasim Ghantab Al-magsoosi
Abstract Introduction: Economic growth is one of the main goals of all countries in the world and plays a prominent role in increasing income and improving the welfare of society. For this reason, identifying the causes and factors of economic growth has always been an important concern of researchers and policymakers. The importance of this issue is more prominent in regions that have lower economic growth such as developing countries. One of the factors that can affect economic growth is environmental quality, and in particular, greenhouse gases emissions. Environmental quality can affect economic growth through several channels. The most important of these channels include health, FDI, and technological innovation. Accordingly, considering the importance of economic growth and the increasing growth of carbon dioxide emissions in developing countries on the one hand, and its probable direct and indirect impact through potential channels on economic growth on the other hand, this study aims to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on economic growth by emphasizing on three channels of health, foreign direct investment and technological innovation in Iran during the period 1981-2023 applying a time series data regression approach based on two-stage generalized method of moments. Materials and Methods: In this study, first, the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on economic growth is examined. Then, in three separate GMM models, the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on three mediator variables of health status, foreign direct investment and technological innovation is examined. The general form of the four models used in this study is an improved form of Acheampong and Opoku (2023) model. The reason for using GMM is that this approach has high flexibility and requires few initial assumptions, which has made it popular. In addition, this estimator is used in models in which endogeneity resulting from estimating specific unobservable effects and the inclusion of lagged dependent variable as an explanatory variable is a fundamental problem. After estimating the four models in question, the Sobel test is used to examine the mediating role of the three variables Results: According to the results, the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on economic growth is inverted U-shaped. This means that up to a certain level of pollution, a decrease in environmental quality leads to an increase in economic growth, and after reaching a threshold level, an increase in pollution is associated with a decrease in economic growth. Also, an increase in carbon dioxide emissions leads to an increase in mortality and thus reduces economic growth. In addition, carbon dioxide emission decreases foreign direct investment and thus has a negative impact on economic growth. Carbon dioxide emissions also reduces economic growth through a decrease in technological innovation. Therefore, according to the results of this study, carbon dioxide emission leads to a decrease in economic growth through health, foreign direct investment, and technological innovation. Discussion: According to the results, the following policy recommendations are presented: • Policymakers should be careful in combating environmental pollution so that their tools and strategies for reducing greenhouse gases emissions do not lead to distortion of production activities and reduced economic growth. • Policymakers should consider the complexities associated with environmental degradation and its link to economic growth in designing environmental policies.
Abstract Introduction: In Iran, with the growth of e-commerce performance across various cities, the future outlook for e-commerce appears promising. However, a critical question requiring immediate attention is how environmental sustainability in the e-commerce sector would be achieved, given the escalating environmental challenges in Iran. This significant issue has not been deeply explored in existing e-commerce research, both in Iran and globally. Moreover, stakeholders and decision-makers in this field lack sufficient in-depth knowledge of the dimensions and influencing factors necessary to implement environmental sustainability in e-commerce. Therefore, this study aimed to design a paradigmatic model for the environmental sustainability of e-commerce and identify the key influencing variables. Materials and Methods: This applied research adopts an exploratory and descriptive approach in terms of data collection. The first phase involved a comprehensive literature review, focusing on credible scientific sources related to the research topic. The findings from this phase helped establish the theoretical foundations and analyze prior research, ultimately identifying and extracting influential variables. The second phase involved surveying experts through exploratory interviews to gather insights on the variables affecting environmental sustainability in Iran's e-commerce sector. These interviews aimed to refine and supplement the identified factors and develop an optimal paradigmatic model. The collected data were analyzed using “content analysis” and a three-stage coding process. This three-stage coding process, comprising open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, to systematically extract and interpret the findings. After identifying the variables through literature review and interview analysis, relevant indicators were extracted and reviewed by experts. To examine the relationships between variables, a two-dimensional matrix known as the cross-impact matrix was employed. In this matrix, variables listed in the rows influence those in the columns. Thus, the row sum indicates the degree of a variable's influence on others. The column sum reflects the degree of its dependence on other variables. For N identified variables, an N×N matrix was constructed, explicitly mapping the directional impacts between variables. At the end of this process the final set of indicators was used to examine variable relationships and interaction effects matrix by using MICMAC software. Results: The findings indicate that the paradigmatic model includes: Contextual factors including of economic and social elements. Intervening factors, including of organizational, legislative, and environmental policy aspects. Causal conditions, such as resource and environmental crises, as well as climate and energy challenges. Strategies, involving sustainable transportation and logistics, sustainable supply chain networks, digital transformation, smart systems, and stakeholder collaboration. Outcomes, manifest at both the corporate and macro levels of environmental sustainability in e-commerce. Discussion: The most critical variables influencing the implementation of environmental sustainability in e-commerce include: Raw material and natural resource scarcity, Conservation efforts, Environmental accountability, Eco-consciousness and future-oriented thinking, Top management commitment, Cost management, National and international environmental protection laws, Government incentives for waste reduction, Sustainable transportation and logistics policies, Optimal delivery routes, Supply chain software, and Social branding. To effectively implement this model, key variables such as: Corporate social responsibility strategies, Ethical and cultural imperatives, Organizational sustainability training, Biodiversity loss risks, Supplier selection, Geographic distribution of facilities, Storage and warehousing, Shared economy principles, and Collaborative innovation; must be prioritized by e-commerce managers and policymakers. Therefore, present study provides a foundational framework for enhancing environmental sustainability in Iran's e-commerce sector, offering actionable insights for stakeholders.
Fereshteh Haji Aghaei Ghazi Mahalleh, Javid Imanpour Namin
Abstract Abstract Microplastic pollution and potentially toxic elements in aquatic environments pose significant environmental threats to marine ecosystems and human health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microplastic pollution and potentially toxic elements in the surface waters along the southwestern coasts of the Caspian Sea. In this study, the elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were selected due to their toxic potential, bioaccumulation ability and widespread presence in aquatic environments contaminated by industrial, agricultural and urban activities. To achieve this aim, sampling was conducted at three selected stations: Kiashahr, Anzali and Astara. These stations were chosen to assess the distribution and concentration of microplastics and potentially toxic elements in the region. For microplastic sampling in surface waters, a plankton net with a mesh size of 0.35 mm was used. The net was towed by a boat at a depth of 25 cm from the water surface at a constant speed of 5 km/h for 5 minutes. In the microplastic separation process, organic matter in the water samples was first digested using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 30%). Then, microplastics were separated from other suspended particles by density-based flotation in saturated NaCl solution. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that the highest mean concentrations of elements at the Kiashahr and Anzali stations were Cu > As > Hg and at the Astara station were As > Zn > Cu > Hg. The Anzali station showed the highest abundance of microplastics with 57.66 ± 5.50 particles per m³. The extracted microplastics were classified into two morphological types: fibres and fragments, appearing in six colors: blue, brown, red, transparent, black and green. Among them, blue was the dominant color with a frequency of 78%. The highest abundance of microplastics was observed in the size ranges of 4 to 5 mm and greater than 5 mm. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy identified four types of polymers in the microplastic samples: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polystyrene, among which polyethylene was identified as the dominant polymer with the highest frequency. Comparison of the concentrations of potentially toxic elements against global standards revealed that the levels of the measured elements in the surface waters of the southwestern coasts of the Caspian Sea are generally within the established standard limits. However, the concentration of mercury in this region, considering the prohibition on discharging this element into marine ecosystems, exceeds the permissible environmental standards and pollution management principles. This result indicates the presence of mercury pollution in the coastal waters, which could have negative and long-term impacts on marine ecosystems and the health of aquatic organisms. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the abundance of microplastics and mercury concentration at the Kiashahr station. These findings highlight the potential role of microplastics in the adsorption, transfer and accumulation of pollutants in aquatic environments. Overall, the results of this study emphasize the need for more precise monitoring and management of pollutant sources, as well as the evaluation of risks associated with the accumulation of microplastics in the coastal waters of the Caspian Sea. This is crucial for developing effective management strategies aimed at preserving ecosystem health and reducing pollution, particularly in coastal areas impacted by human activities.
Abstract In recent decades, with the rapid increase in population, industrialization of societies, changes in lifestyle, and the growing diversity of human needs, the production of waste and residues have increased, resulting in negative consequences for human health and the environment. Rural areas have also faced various types of waste and their adverse impacts, making waste management one of the fundamental challenges for sustainable rural development aimed at environmental preservation. In this context, the present study was conducted with the objective of identifying challenges, analyzing problems, and proposing strategies for rural waste management (a case study of villages in Shahroud city) to provide a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles, issues, and limitations that have led to improper rural waste management in the study area. This comprehensive understanding of the current situation will pave the way for targeted programs to overcome barriers and properly manage rural waste among the villages studied. This research is field-based in terms of data collection, applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of methodology. The statistical population included village heads, council members, and residents of the villages in Shahroud County, from which 380 individuals were selected using Cochran’s formula. Data collection was conducted through two methods: documentary and survey. The documentary method was used to review background information and clarify the issue, while the survey method involved data gathering using observation, interviews, and questionnaires completed by residents. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and exploratory factor analysis techniques. The results from the exploratory factor analysis indicated that waste management in these villages faces multiple problems. Overall, seven factors—disposal management (variance percentage 25.2%), environmental (variance percentage 18.1%), health (variance percentage 12.2%), educational (variance percentage 11.1%), facilities and equipment (variance percentage 9.7%), cultural (variance percentage 6.3%), and awareness (variance percentage 4.9%)—explained 87% of the total variance related to rural waste management problems in the study area. These factors can lead to consequences such as soil and water pollution, increased diseases, and threats to residents’ health. Achieving sustainable development in the rural areas of Shahroud requires a comprehensive approach to waste management, integrating cultural, social, economic, and institutional measures, and actively engaging local people and officials. This approach not only helps preserve the environment and the health of rural communities but also fosters economic growth and improves the quality of life for residents in these regions. To realize sustainable development in Shahroud’s rural areas through improved waste management, a set of key actions and strategies must be pursued, which can be categorized into three dimensions: infrastructural, cultural-social, and institutional-economic. Planning for proper waste management and paying attention to the harmful effects of waste on the environment are essential principles for securing the long-term benefits of the country’s sustainable development. Finally, composting is proposed as a low-cost and effective solution for managing organic waste in rural communities. Increasing public knowledge about waste separation and the importance of recycling through educational programs and informational sessions, along with developing infrastructure aimed at reducing environmental impacts, enhancing economic efficiency, and improving the quality of life in rural areas, is strongly recommended. the rural areas of Shahroud requires a comprehensive approach to waste management, integrating cultural, social, economic, and institutional measures, and actively engaging local people and officials. This approach not only helps preserve the environment and the health of rural communities but also fosters economic growth and improves the quality of life for residents in these regions. To realize sustainable development in Shahroud’s rural areas through improved waste management, a set of key actions and strategies must be pursued, which can be categorized into three dimensions: infrastructural, cultural-social, and institutional-economic.
Babak Khorsandi, Ahmad Taheri, Mohammad Reza Alavi Moghaddam
Abstract Air pollution is considered as one of the most significant environmental challenges resulting from unsustainable urban development, with profound adverse economic and public health impacts. The economic burdens include increased healthcare costs, reduced labor productivity, and damage to agricultural crops, while health effects range from respiratory diseases to cardiovascular problems and premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO pollution guidelines, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Effective air pollution management fundamentally relies on comprehensive air quality monitoring data, which serves as the critical and first step in air pollution mitigation plans, tracking spatial distribution patterns, and analyzing temporal variations. Beyond traditional ground-based monitoring methods including air quality monitoring stations, satellite remote sensing has emerged as an indispensable tool for examining pollutant dynamics across metropolitan areas. This study investigates the spatiotemporal trends of ground-level ozone concentrations in Tehran using integrated datasets from both ground-based monitoring stations and satellite observations. The analysis incorporates data from 21 air quality monitoring stations inside the city (belong to Air Quality Control Company-subsidiary of Tehran municipality) spanning 2017 to 2025, supplemented by tropospheric ozone measurements from the AIRS sensor aboard NASA's Aqua satellite. The AIRS dataset was specifically selected for its unique capability to differentiate tropospheric (ground-level) ozone from stratospheric ozone, with satellite-derived concentrations being converted to ground-level equivalents through integration with atmospheric dispersion models. The results reveal several critical patterns in Tehran's ozone pollution. Most notably, the number of unhealthy ozone days has shown a dramatic increase from just one day in 2017 to 39 days in 2025, indicating a concerning upward trend. Diurnal and seasonal variations follow expected photochemical patterns, with peak concentrations occurring during the hours with the highest sunshine radiation (13:00-15:00) and summer months (July and August), directly correlating with maximum solar radiation intensity. These patterns confirm that ozone formation in Tehran is primarily driven by photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under strong sunlight conditions Furthermore, a distinct weekend effect has been identified by the weekly trend analysis, where ozone concentrations are consistently 20% higher on weekends compared to weekdays, a phenomenon which shows the NOx saturation state in the most regions inside the city and the high levels of the ratio of nitrogen oxides to volatile organic compounds and consequently prolonging ozone formation in the weekends. Validation analysis of satellite remote sensing data using the data belongs to the air quality monitoring stations demonstrates strong agreement between satellite-derived ozone concentrations and ground-based measurements, with statistical indicators (R² = 0.94, RMSE = 6.2) confirming the reliability of satellite data for areas lacking ground-based monitoring infrastructure. Spatial distribution patterns show the highest ozone concentrations occurring in areas outside the city, influenced by regional transport mechanisms and favorable atmospheric conditions for ozone accumulation due to lower ratio of nitrogen oxides to volatile organic compounds. These findings underscore the necessity for ozone management strategies that address both local emissions and regional contributions for the pollution measures inside the city, while highlighting the value of combined ground-satellite monitoring systems for comprehensive air quality assessment.
zahra yosefi, vahid rahdari, saeid mohammadi, roghayeh kara mi
Abstract Abstract
Introduction: The Sistan Plain, located in southeastern Iran, has a hyper-arid climate and is highly dependent on limited water resources, especially the Himand River. Agriculture has historically been the dominant land use in this region, but in recent years it has experienced severe instability due to a sharp decline in water inflow. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying agriculturally sustainable areas in the Sistan Plain over the period from 1991 to 2021 based on changes in the volume of water entering the region. Considering the drastic reduction in water inflow into the Sistan region, planning for agriculture in the most sustainable areas is essential in order to achieve agricultural sustainability and prevent environmental degradation and financial losses for farmers.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the Sistan Plain, located in the northern part of Sistan and Balouchestan Province. The data used in this research included Landsat satellite images from five time periods (1991, 2000, 2019, 2020, and 2021), Google Earth imagery, field data, and interviews with local residents. The area of water-covered lands in hamoun wetland and the Chahnimeh reservoirs of Sistan was considered as the amount of water entering the Sistan region. Land use and land cover maps were produced at two spatial scales: one covering the entire Sistan region including the hamoun wetland, and another focusing specifically on agricultural lands. These maps were generated using supervised classification of the satellite images into four categories: agricultural land, abandoned land, bare land, and water-covered land. The accuracy of the classifications was assessed using an error matrix and by calculating the Kappa coefficient and overall accuracy.
Results: The findings showed that in 1992 (1371 in the Iranian calendar), more than 280,000 hectares of land in the region were covered by water. However, this area decreased to less than 3,000 hectares in 2000 (1379), indicating a reduction in the inflow of the Helmand River. Similarly, in 1992, the cultivated agricultural land in the region amounted to 98,504 hectares, but by 2000 it had decreased by 31,689 hectares compared to 1992. In 2020 (1399), with the inflow of water from the Helmand River, an area of 102,506 hectares was inundated, and 105,948 hectares were cultivated by farmers. However, in 2021 and 2022 (1400 and 1401), with the complete cutoff of the Helmand River’s flow, only 45,552 and 27,899 hectares, respectively, were cultivated
Discussion: An analysis of land cover maps at a broad scale showed that in 2000, the hamoun wetland had dried up, water-covered areas decreased by 278,800 hectares, and bare land increased to more than 394,000 hectares—clear indicators of the direct consequences of reduced water resources. In 2000, vegetation cover declined from 281,000 to 139,000 hectares on a broad scale. The extent of cultivated lands in 1991 was the highest during the study period, at 98,504 hectares. Despite 2000 being the year with the least water coverage during the study period, the extent of agricultural lands still ranked third, amounting to 66,815 hectares. Results from field interviews and literature reviews showed that most wells in the region contained fresh water. In 2019, following sufficient water inflow, farmers resumed cultivation, and the highest cropping activity since 1991 occurred. With the continued reduction in water from the Helmand River during 2020 and 2021, cultivated land area also declined, and agriculture remained sustainable only in areas near the Chahnimeh reservoirs, where fresh water wells are present. Analysis of maps showing agricultural lands revealed that farmlands—especially those located in western Sistan exhibited the greatest instability during this period and were abandoned as water availability declined.
Abstract Introduction: Freshwater ecosystems are valuable ecosystems that support a significant biodiversity, from microscopic to macroscopic organisms, in these dynamic habitats. Streams and rivers are freshwater environments that are essential for maintaining a variety of aquatic organisms and ecological balance. Fishes of these ecosystem are important part of the diverse range of organisms that live in these environments. Fish, especially those found in tropical rivers, play an important role in the entire ecosystem. Aquatic organisms, including fish, require a number of physical and chemical factors for their survival and successful reproductive cycle in an aquatic ecosystem. The Sistan basin, located in southeastern Iran, is separated from all internal waters of Iran due to its geographical location and is shared with the Hirmand basin with Afghanistan. The Anjak fish is exclusively native to the Sistan basin, in the waters of the east of the country. The triple Hamun wetlands and the Chah Nimeh reservoirs of Sistan, including Chah Nimeh 1, 2, 3, and 4, with an area of approximately 15,000 hectares and a volume of approximately 1.5 billion cubic meters of fresh water, are one of the habitats of the Anjak fish, which has become rare in this habitat due to recent droughts.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, to investigate the habitat preference of Anjak in the Hamun Dam (Sistan Basin), sampling was conducted from 6 stations with 3 replicates each, for a total of 18 stations. A total of 9 physical and chemical variables of the water, including pH, water depth, river width, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), Altitude, bed slope, and total dissolved solids, were measured and recorded simultaneously with sampling at each station. Also, the Sodium absorption rate (SAR), Sodium, Magnesium, and Calcium ions were recorded.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the suitability of the studied species increased with an increase in all the factors studied except water depth, altitude, and pH. Increasing EC and TDS values led to a decrease in the suitability values of the studied species. In other words, the highest suitability was at a certain value and no significant fluctuation was observed. The results showed that the EC and TDS with values of 0.99 had the highest SI and Na absorbed in water with a value of 0.74 had the lowest SI index among the studied factors. The calculation of the total habitat suitability index for Anjak showed that the total value was 0.82. The results also showed that all the habitat variables studied had a significant relationship and high correlation with the suitability indices of habitat characteristics. According to the obtained results, it can be stated that the floodplain habitat of the Hamun (Adimi) wetland is a suitable habitat for the Anjak. Our finding showed with increasing depth, the suitability of the habitat for the studied species increases, given that Anjak has a large body height and depth, therefore such a mechanism is efficient and suitable for deeper parts of the habitat. Species with greater body depth prefer deeper parts of the habitat, which prevents body washing in aquatic environments and consumes less energy to cope with the water velocity.
Abstract In recent decades, the Tehran metropolitan area, under the pressure of rapid and dense urban development, has faced a profound crisis of green space fragmentation and severe weakening of ecological networks. This process has not only disrupted key ecosystem services such as air pollution mitigation, temperature regulation, groundwater recharge, and urban flood control, but has also directly affected spatial justice and the overall quality of urban livability. Consequently, redesigning and strengthening the ecological network of Tehran has become an inevitable necessity for enhancing urban resilience. Drawing on the principles of landscape ecology and integrating remote sensing, spatial analysis, and modeling techniques, this study proposes a strategic framework for identifying, redesigning, and managing Tehran’s ecological network.
Urban green cover was extracted from satellite imagery, and a new composite index was developed to assess structural connectivity. This index enabled a more precise analysis of patch linkages and facilitated comparison across elevational belts. Accordingly, Tehran was stratified into three major belts—upland, midland, and lowland—to reveal the influence of topographical heterogeneity on the spatial pattern of green space connectivity. Based on these analyses, ecological cores, stepping stones, and connecting corridors were identified, and an ecological network plan was formulated with explicit consideration of interactions with urban access networks and the city’s river-valleys.
The findings demonstrate that the upland belt, owing to its large natural patches and foothill river-valleys, possesses the highest level of connectivity and should be prioritized for protection. In contrast, the midland belt, with the highest density of population and built-up areas, exhibits severe fragmentation and weak structural linkages, making it the most fragile part of the city. Despite this, it also holds the greatest potential for ecological restoration through the strengthening of stepping stones and the establishment of new green corridors. The lowland belt, characterized by high heterogeneity, offers further opportunities for improving ecological connectivity, particularly through the integration of urban parks and river-valleys. These patterns highlight the need for belt-specific management interventions.
From a planning perspective, the proposed strategy comprises 15 ecological cores, along with networks of corridors and stepping stones aligned with the city’s transportation system. The incorporation of protective buffer zones along river-valleys and designed corridors supports the creation of a continuous and functional network that not only enhances ecological processes but also ensures more equitable access to green spaces for residents.
The main innovations of this study lie in three aspects: (1) introducing a new index of connectivity applicable at neighborhood, district, and metropolitan scales; (2) integrating elevational, hydrological, and infrastructural data within a unified design framework; and (3) prioritizing spatial justice by identifying the midland belt as the critical missing link with both the greatest need and potential for ecological restoration. Overall, this research not only fills the gap left by previous descriptive studies but also offers a strategic roadmap for urban green space management. Its framework is generalizable to other metropolitan areas, and its outcomes provide a scientific basis for urban decision-making and environmental policy, contributing to improved ecosystem service delivery and greater spatial justice in Tehran.
Abstract Introduction: Despite their crucial role in preserving biodiversity, national parks and protected areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to growing human pressures, such as land-use change, the expansion of settlements, and local economic activities .The Sarigol national parks and protected areas, with their rich ecosystem and high biodiversity, are no exception. It faces serious local threats like mining, agriculture, and excessive livestock grazing, which endanger its long-term sustainability . Therefore, a precise vulnerability assessment of this region, with a focus on local threat factors, is a management necessity. The primary objective of this research is to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the ecological vulnerability of the Sarigol Protected Area using the DPSIR model and to propose suitable management strategies to mitigate these threats.
Materials and Methods: This research employed a descriptive-analytical and mixed-methods approach to assess the vulnerability of the Sarigol Protected Area. The *DPSIR conceptual framework* was used to systematically analyze the interactions between human activities and the ecosystem. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, which was designed based on the input of 20 local experts and specialists. The questionnaire items used a Likert scale to identify and prioritize the driving forces and environmental pressures .To ensure data reliability and validity, content and logical validity were confirmed through a Delphi process, and reliability was assessed using internal consistency measures. The vulnerability assessment was conducted by quantitatively measuring the severity and probability of each threat, with the final score calculated as the product of these two metrics. Additionally, the area's values (ecological, hydrological, economic, and social) were rated based on their magnitude and significance. Finally, the overall vulnerability score was computed by simultaneously considering the threat score, the value score, and the impact of the threat on the value, and was categorized into three levels: low, medium, and high Results: The DPSIR analysis identified seven key driving forces in the region: population growth, tourism development, expansion of rural settlements, agricultural and livestock activities, transportation infrastructure development, and mining activities. The threat assessment revealed that several high-risk factors, including road construction, illegal hunting, overgrazing, and deforestation, are endangering the area. Concurrently, the ecological value assessment confirmed the very high importance of the area's flora, fauna, and wildlife habitats. It was also found that traditional livestock farming has the highest economic value, yet overgrazing is a major threat—revealing a key paradox. Discussion: The final vulnerability analysis confirmed the severe vulnerability of ecological values to transportation infrastructure, drought, deforestation, and livestock farming. These findings suggest that the intrinsic value of the ecosystem alone is not enough for its protection, and that the high vulnerability results from a lack of cohesive management and effective responses. In conclusion, this study applied the DPSIR framework to assess the vulnerability of the Sarigol National Park and Protected Area, finding that it is caused by human driving forces and pressures such as overgrazing, deforestation, and infrastructure development. The results reveal a paradox between the area's high ecological value and its severe vulnerability due to a lack of integrated management. Therefore, the long-term sustainability of Sarigol will require the development of adaptive management strategies, attention to local livelihoods, and the decisive implementation of macro-level management responses.
Navid Kargar Dehbidi, Mohammad Hassan Tarazkar, Jalal Henareh
Abstract Introduction: Excessive exploitation of natural resources, rapid urbanization, and reliance on fossil fuels are major factors that disrupt ecological balance and pose serious threats to environmental sustainability. One of the modern approaches to measuring environmental sustainability is the use of the Load Capacity Factor (LCF). This indicator, defined as the ratio of bio-capacity to ecological footprint, reflects whether a country operates within its bio-capacity or exploits natural resources beyond their regenerative capacity. In recent years, researchers have increasingly preferred using the Load Capacity Factor (LCF) over indicators such as pollution emissions and ecological footprint, as LCF offers a more comprehensive perspective on the relationship between economic development, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability. In this study, the effects of economic growth, renewable energy, exports, and imports on LCF were examined within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Hypothesis (EKC) for the period 1990–2021. The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of environmental sustainability and can support future research and fact-based and effective environmental planning. In this study, data on the load capacity factor (i.e., the ratio of biocapacity to ecological footprint), GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption, urbanization, exports, and imports were obtained from reliable sources for the period 1990–2021. After testing the stationarity of the variables and performing the necessary econometric analyses, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was employed to estimate the coefficients. Results: Iran’s environmental sustainability has been on a declining trend over the past thirty years, with the sustainability level reduced to one-third by the end of the period. This highlights environmental unsustainability as a serious threat in the country. The study’s findings show that the use of clean energy has a positive effect on the stability of the load capacity factor, as expected. Specifically, a 1% increase in clean energy use, while holding other factors constant, is associated with an approximately 0.14% increase in the environmental sustainability indicator in the long run. Also, the results indicate that a 1% increase in imports is expected to raise environmental sustainability by approximately 0.43% in the long run. In contrast, an increase in exports of goods and services leads to greater environmental instability. Specifically, a 1% rise in exports is associated with about a 0.25% decline in the environmental sustainability indicator. Discussion: Policies aimed at replacing fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower can help reduce environmental risks. By mitigating risks such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and climate change, it becomes possible to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. The findings confirm that Iran’s export portfolio is largely composed of low-tech, energy-intensive, and polluting products that consume significant amounts of energy and natural resources, contributing to environmental degradation. The findings confirm that Iran’s export portfolio is largely composed of low-tech, energy-intensive, and polluting products that consume significant amounts of energy and natural resources, contributing to environmental degradation. Therefore, a comprehensive review of export policies, including the imposition of duties and environmental taxes on polluting export goods, is essential for achieving sustainable development. More broadly, the environmental implications of research on the effects of renewable energy and commodity trade on environmental sustainability should be carefully considered in macroeconomic policymaking.
Abstract Introduction: Currently, achieving sustainable food security—which is regarded as one of the most fundamental requirements for economic, social, and human development at both national and international levels—is facing numerous threats. Rapid population growth, the excessive and unsustainable exploitation of soil, water, and energy resources, along with the intensification of climate change, are among the most significant factors that have not only disrupted ecological balance but have also posed serious challenges to the path toward achieving sustainable development goals. In this context, environmental degradation caused by human activities—especially the emission of greenhouse gases—has increasingly drawn the attention of researchers and policymakers as a major factor contributing to the decline in both the quality and quantity of agricultural production. These emissions have not only led to global warming and the emergence of phenomena such as droughts, floods, and shifts in precipitation patterns but have also disrupted the stable climatic conditions necessary for food production. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine the impact of environmental degradation, with a particular focus on greenhouse gas emissions, on food security (food production) in D8 member countries. Materials and Methods: To conduct the empirical analysis, an econometric model was developed with the food production index as the dependent variable, and agricultural land, population growth, greenhouse gas emissions (as an indicator of environmental degradation), and food price inflation as independent variables. In order to estimate the model parameters, the panel data method was employed. First, the stationarity of the variables was tested using the Levin, Lin, and Chu (LLC) unit root test. Due to the non-stationarity of one of the variables, the Kao cointegration test was applied to confirm the existence of a long-term relationship. Based on the results of the F-Limer and Hausman tests, a fixed effects model was selected and estimated using the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) method. The data for the period 1994 to 2023 were obtained from the World Bank. Results: The findings indicate that food price inflation and agricultural land have a positive and significant effect on food production index. Specifically, a one-unit increase in agricultural land leads to a 0.1186 unit increase in the food production index, while a one-unit rise in food price inflation increases food production index by 0.0194 units. In contrast, population growth and environmental degradation have a negative and significant effect on food production index. A one-unit increase in population growth results in a 14.9712 unit decrease in food production index, and a one-unit increase in greenhouse gas emissions leads to a 0.2817 unit decline in food production index. Discussion: The results of this study highlight that environmental degradation is a significant threat to food production capacity in D8 countries. The rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions and their consequences—such as climate change, droughts, and global warming—directly undermine food security. Additionally, rapid population growth without proportional development in agricultural infrastructure and natural resources places extra pressure on food systems. On the other hand, rising food prices may serve as an economic incentive that encourages farmers to increase production. Accordingly, smart policymaking in four key areas—agricultural land conservation, environmental protection, population growth management, and strengthening economic incentives—is essential to enhance food production capacity in these countries.
Abstract Abstract Introduction: In recent decades, rapid urbanization, increased energy consumption, and continued reliance on fossil fuels have posed significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability in developing countries. Green electricity, generated from renewable sources (solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower), plays a dual role in the economy and health as a key element in the energy transition. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to examine the non-linear relationship between green electricity and public health, considering urbanization as a threshold variable in developing countries from 2001 to 2023. Methods: This study uses panel data from 10 developing countries and employs the Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model. The dependent variable is the composite public health index, which includes life expectancy and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The independent variables consist of the share of green electricity in total electricity generation, GDP per capita, urbanization percentage, health expenditure per capita, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this model, urbanization is considered as a threshold variable to examine how the effects of other variables on health change with the increase in urban development. Findings: The linear model results showed that GDP per capita, urbanization, and the share of green electricity have a positive and significant impact on public health, while health expenditures and greenhouse gas emissions have a negative impact. In the non-linear PSTR model, the urbanization threshold was found to be 55.6%. In the first regime (low urbanization), the effect of green electricity on health was minimal, but in the second regime (high urbanization), this effect increased significantly. Additionally, the positive effects of GDP and urbanization on health were amplified in the second regime, while the negative effect of health expenditures decreased. These findings suggest that as development increases and infrastructure improves, economic productivity and clean energy play a more prominent role in enhancing health. On the other hand, while greenhouse gas emissions have a negative impact on health in the first regime, in the second regime, the apparent positive effect aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory, suggesting that in advanced stages, the negative effects of pollution are mitigated by clean technologies and environmental policies. Discussion and Conclusion: In the discussion and conclusion of the paper, the results clearly indicate that green electricity can have a significant and sustainable impact on public health in developing countries only when accompanied by improvements in technical infrastructure, sustainable urban development, and economic growth. In the early stages of development, developing countries face financial and technical constraints, which hinder the full realization of health-oriented benefits of renewable electricity. Specifically, during these initial stages, challenges such as limited financial resources, technological deficiencies, and infrastructure issues result in the positive effects of green electricity on public health remaining at a limited level. However, as urban development reaches a certain threshold, and with advancements in technical infrastructure and increased access to modern, clean technologies, this relationship strengthens and significantly leads to improved air quality, reduced pollution-related diseases, and enhanced health indicators. Keywords: Green electricity, urbanization, greenhouse gas emissions, developing countries, Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model
Abstract Introduction: Air pollution is recognized as a dangerous consequence resulting from the expansion of urban populations and the increase in energy consumption in the present era, and numerous studies conducted in this regard have identified airborne particulate matter as one of the main threats to human health. Having the necessary information about the physico-chemical nature and understanding the behavior of suspended particles in the environment plays an important role in implementing control and management programs. One of the important topics raised in the field of air pollution is the concentration of particulate matter in indoor spaces, which can be affected by the infiltration of outdoor particles. The prolonged presence of individuals inside their homes increases the likelihood of long term exposure to indoor airborne particles. Materials and Methods: In this study, four residential buildings located in the city of Tehran were used to examine indoor particulate concentrations, air quality, and the particle mass distribution. Additionally, sampling was conducted at one point in the Amirabad area in order to investigate the distribution of outdoor particles. A cascade impactor sampler with a constant flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute was used for a period of 4 to 6 hours at times when the residents were present in order to collect airborne particles. Results: Based on the obtained results, 0.75% by weight of the collected particulate matter was composed of particles with diameters smaller than 0.4 micrometers. Although this may seem negligible in comparison to the mass of other suspended particles, considering the very small size of these particles and their ability to penetrate vital organs of the body through the lungs, they pose a greater degree of toxicity. Despite the fact that the mean concentration of collected particles smaller than 0.4 micrometers was about 0.46 µg/m3, in comparison to particles larger than 11 micrometers measured at 24.88 µg/m3 and comprising approximately 41% by weight the smaller particles represent a greater health risk. Meanwhile, 2.99% by weight (with an average concentration of 3.48 µg/m3) of the particles collected outdoors consisted of particles smaller than 0.4 micrometers. Also, approximately 13.83% by weight of the indoor particles were composed of particles with an effective diameter smaller than 3.3 micrometers, while this value was 86.17% for the outdoor environment. In all particle size ranges, statistically significant differences were observed between particle concentrations across the four sampling sites. This difference becomes more pronounced with increasing particle size. Discussion: Considering the age of the buildings, the type of ventilation and cooling systems, and the activities of the occupants, the infiltration and distribution of airborne particles indoors were considerable, and environmental variables such as temperature and humidity influenced particle distribution. The distance of buildings from pollutant generating sources such as major roads and high traffic routes was also one of the most important factors affecting the increased concentration of indoor particles. This parameter was especially noticeable in indoor spaces lacking ventilation systems or having defective systems. Indoor cleanliness, movement of residents, and the type of cooling system used also played a significant role in indoor particle dispersion. Therefore, increasing public awareness among building design specialists as well as the general population can partially help prevent excessive infiltration and distribution of particles indoors and reduce the likelihood of long term exposure for individuals.
Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effect of environmental education based on visual narrative (digital comic strip) on the environmental attitudes of elementary school students in Arak city. A quasi-experimental design, including pre-test and post-test with a control group, was employed. The statistical population comprised all female students aged 9-10 in the fourth grade of elementary school in Arak city during the academic year 2024-2025. A convenience sampling method was used to select the sample size. The research sample included 32 fourth-grade female students from Imam Khomeini (RA) Elementary School in Arak, who were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (16 students) and control (16 students). The research instruments were a researcher-made comic strip medium and Imamgholi's (2011) Environmental Attitude Questionnaire. The experimental group received environmental concepts from the fourth-grade science curriculum through the researcher-made digital comic strip for 8 45-minute sessions (two sessions per week), while the control group followed the traditional method for learning these science concepts. Data analysis was conducted at descriptive and inferential levels. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, graphs, central tendency measures (mean), and dispersion measures (standard deviation), were used at the descriptive level. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used at the inferential level, and SPSS software was utilized for data analysis. The analysis of the research data indicates a significant difference (p < 0.01) in environmental attitude between the experimental and control groups, with a significance level of 0.001. This means that the difference in the impact of the two methods – using digital comic strips for teaching environmental science concepts and the traditional method – on the linear combination of dependent variables in fourth-grade elementary students was significant. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that after controlling for the effect of the pre-test (initial differences), the use of digital comic strips for teaching environmental science concepts is effective in improving the environmental attitudes of elementary students.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of environmental education based on visual narrative (digital comic strip) on the environmental attitudes of elementary school students in Arak city. A quasi-experimental design, including pre-test and post-test with a control group, was employed. The statistical population comprised all female students aged 9-10 in the fourth grade of elementary school in Arak city during the academic year 2024-2025. A convenience sampling method was used to select the sample size. The research sample included 32 fourth-grade female students from Imam Khomeini (RA) Elementary School in Arak, who were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (16 students) and control (16 students). The research instruments were a researcher-made comic strip medium and Imamgholi's (2011) Environmental Attitude Questionnaire. The experimental group received environmental concepts from the fourth-grade science curriculum through the researcher-made digital comic strip for 8 45-minute sessions (two sessions per week), while the control group followed the traditional method for learning these science concepts. Data analysis was conducted at descriptive and inferential levels. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, graphs, central tendency measures (mean), and dispersion measures (standard deviation), were used at the descriptive level. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used at the inferential level, and SPSS software was utilized for data analysis. The analysis of the research data indicates a significant difference (p < 0.01) in environmental attitude between the experimental and control groups, with a significance level of 0.001. This means that the difference in the impact of the two methods – using digital comic strips for teaching environmental science concepts and the traditional method – on the linear combination of dependent variables in fourth-grade elementary students was significant. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that
Abstract Background and Objective: In recent decades, environmental problems have emerged as one of the most pressing and complex challenges facing humanity. Among the different dimensions of environmental protection, water and soil are particularly significant. They constitute not only the ecological foundation of sustainable development but also the very condition for the continuity of human and non-human life. Their degradation directly threatens food security, public health, and the stability of ecosystems. In Iran, a wide range of crises—such as the scarcity of fresh water, contamination of surface and groundwater, soil erosion, pollution, and the illegal conversion of agricultural land—have created alarming risks for environmental sustainability. Added to these are the consequences of climate change, which further exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. These challenges have pushed policymakers and legal systems to rethink conventional approaches, moving beyond fragmented responses toward a more comprehensive framework. Against this background, the present study aims to analyze both the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental criminal policy, with particular emphasis on water and soil resources, and to design an integrated model that addresses prevention, reaction, and compensation.
Materials and Methods: The research is based on a descriptive–analytical method and employs an interdisciplinary approach. It relies on a wide range of sources, including domestic and international legislation, policy reports, judicial precedents, comparative studies, and the theoretical literature in environmental criminology and law. A comparative analysis between the Iranian legal system and advanced jurisdictions indicates that relying solely on punitive sanctions is insufficient. Instead, combining criminal measures with civil, administrative, economic, and cultural strategies appears far more effective. The study also draws upon restorative justice theory, precautionary principles, and intergenerational equity, integrating them into the proposed framework. By doing so, the research not only maps the current legal landscape but also identifies gaps and offers constructive pathways for reform.
Results: The findings suggest that the Iranian environmental criminal policy suffers from serious fragmentation, lack of coordination, and limited effectiveness. Although unlawful exploitation of water resources, illegal land-use change, and other harmful activities have been criminalized, the sanctions provided are often disproportionate when compared with the economic benefits that offenders obtain. As a result, deterrence remains weak, and many violations continue unabated. Preventive and restorative mechanisms, especially those concerning water and soil conservation, remain underdeveloped. Comparative experiences, however, demonstrate that significant progress can be achieved when principles of prevention, precaution, compensation, and intergenerational responsibility are systematically applied. Moreover, the introduction of modern technologies for monitoring and surveillance, the creation of comprehensive databases on soil and water resources, and the active involvement of civil society and non-governmental organizations can greatly enhance enforcement. The results highlight the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with legal tools to ensure that environmental criminal policy is not merely punitive but also corrective and forward-looking.
Discussion and Conclusion: The discussion emphasizes that environmental criminal policy should be understood as a holistic and multidimensional system. Criminal law undoubtedly plays an essential role, but it cannot by itself ensure environmental protection. A balanced combination of criminal, civil, administrative, and economic measures is required. Restorative and compensatory instruments—such as land rehabilitation, ecological restoration, and obliging offenders to repair damage—should be institutionalized alongside punitive measures. This not only strengthens deterrence but also ensures that harm to the environment is actually repaired, thereby aligning legal responses with the goals of sustainable development. A central dilemma remains the tension between economic development and environmental protection. However, adopting a combined approach allows both objectives to be reconciled in practice. Public participation, environmental education, and cultural change are also indispensable components of long-term success.
Abstract Abstract Introduction: The destructive phenomenon of desertification is one of the serious ecological crises with widespread and long-term natural and human impacts. Therefore, implementation measures in this field should be based on understanding the current state of desertification and its severity. Considering the practical importance of desertification risk zoning maps, despite the development of quantitative techniques and methods in recent years, efforts are still being made to provide methods with less error and higher reliability. The application of gray logic in solving multi-criteria decision-making problems in uncertain conditions has three characteristics: greater speed and accuracy in achieving results, and ease of use compared to previous models. Therefore, this research aimed to zone desertification risk using gray theory and combining it with the weighted sum multi-criteria decision-making method, and was conducted on a case-by-case basis in the Yazd-Khazarabad plain during the years 2023 to 2024. Materials and Methods: In this method, after determining the members of the decision-making team consisting of experts familiar with the study area, effective indices were determined and evaluated using the Gray Delphi method. In order to select these indices, three main axes of relationship with the desertification phenomenon, ease of access, and ease of updating were considered within the framework of two factors: cost and time. Then, in order to provide a suitable framework for preparing a zoning map of vulnerability caused by the desertification process, work units were separated using the geomorphological method. Next, a combined analysis process was performed on the data and finally a Harmonic Gray Decision Matrix was obtained. Within the framework of this matrix and by combining the weighted sum decision-making method and gray theory, the indices were ranked and zoned in the ArcGIS environment. Results: The studies showed that the Mountain Agricultural Grounds unit (MAG) with a quantitative value of 552.73 and the Plain Agricultural Grounds unit (PAG) with a quantitative value of 529.06 were respectively placed in the very severe or VII class, which has the highest desertification potential and covers 7335.76 hectares (9.35 percent) of the entire study area. Desertification with relatively moderate intensity (29.82%) has the largest share in the study area, which includes Bare Mountain Grounds (BMG), Bare Pediment Plant Cover (BPPC), and Bare Clay Grounds (BCG). Meanwhile, the quantitative value of desertification for the entire region from the sum of the factors was 395.86 (severe class or VI). Discussion: The study demonstrated the efficiency and ease of application of gray logic in assessing desertification severity. The results of this research provide the possibility of planning to minimize desertification as a result of development projects and can create conditions that, considering the priorities and vulnerability zoning of the study area, enable a balance between development projects and the environment. In order to apply this model to other regions, the factors affecting desertification should be considered as indices of vulnerability locally, and the way each factor affects the erosion process should be emphasized. At the same time, due to the existence of uncertain and different input parameters and the presence of some inaccuracy in the obtained results, applying sensitivity analysis to changes in input parameters is a serious need and should be considered in future studies.
Abstract Background and Objectives Carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant atmospheric pollutant that substantially impacts air quality and atmospheric chemistry. This gas is primarily produced from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in industrial activities, transportation, and heating systems, as well as from natural sources such as biomass burning and methane oxidation. Carbon monoxide plays a key role in the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere through its reaction with the hydroxyl radical (OH), thereby indirectly affecting the global budget of greenhouse gases such as methane and tropospheric ozone. The relatively long lifetime of CO in the troposphere (several weeks to months) makes this gas a suitable tracer for studying atmospheric transport processes of pollution at regional and global scales. Despite extensive global studies on CO distribution using satellite sensors, regional studies in the Middle East, particularly Iran, are very limited and have mostly focused on the lower troposphere with low vertical resolution. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the vertical distribution of CO in the upper troposphere over Iran, identifying altitude patterns of concentration, and understanding the vertical transport mechanisms of this pollutant during the period 2010 to 2020. Materials and Methods In this study, Level 2 data from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) Version 5.3 onboard the SCISAT satellite were utilized. This instrument measures vertical profiles of atmospheric gases from the middle troposphere to the thermosphere using the solar occultation technique with high spectral resolution (0.02{\mathrm{\ cm}}^{-1}) in the 2 to 13 micrometer range. From among 70 solar occultation events recorded within a 700 km radius of Yazd city (the geographical center of Iran), 8 representative events from stations including Bam, Ashgabat, Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Firoozkooh, Karaj, Bandar Abbas, and Yazd-Isfahan corridor were selected based on data quality control criteria (\mathrm{QA\ Flag}\geq0.6) and appropriate spatial coverage. Vertical profiles of carbon monoxide volume mixing ratio (VMR) were extracted from altitudes of 5.5 to 120 km with a vertical resolution of one kilometer. Data processing and analysis were performed using GrADS and Origin software. Results and Discussion Results showed that the highest CO concentrations were observed at Bandar Abbas station with a value of 105 ppbv at an altitude of 13.2 km, and at Gachsaran with a value of 92 ppbv at an altitude of 14.1 km. The Firoozkooh and Karaj stations in the north showed moderate concentrations (65 to 75 ppbv), while Ahvaz and Ashgabat stations in the west and east exhibited similar values (70 to 80 ppbv). The Bam station had limited applicability for tropospheric analysis due to valid data starting from altitudes above the tropopause. All profiles showed a significant decrease in CO concentration from 15 km altitude upward, indicating the transition from the troposphere to the stratosphere. The average volume mixing ratio in the altitude range of 8 to 12 km was found to be 92 ppbv. Validation of results with the study by Rinsland et al. (2007) showed good agreement (R^2=0.89, \mathrm{RMSE}=6.2\mathrm{\ ppbv}). The high CO concentrations at Bandar Abbas and Gachsaran were attributed to extensive industrial activities including oil and gas refineries, steel industries, gas flares, and port transportation. The main mechanism for CO transport to high altitudes is deep convection caused by intense surface heating in southern regions of Iran, which transports surface pollutants to the upper troposphere. The results of this research emphasize the necessity of continuous monitoring of atmospheric pollutants and development of studies on vertical transport mechanisms under Iran’s specific climatic conditions.
Abstract Introduction: Rapid urbanization and the intensification of environmental challenges such as climate change, natural resource depletion, and air pollution highlight the urgency of transitioning toward sustainable lifestyles. A sustainable lifestyle encompasses individual and collective behaviors and choices that align with responsible resource use, waste reduction, and environmental protection. However, such transitions in urban contexts face multifaceted barriers that extend beyond individual decision-making. These barriers are shaped by cultural values, social structures, institutional support, and infrastructural capacities. Hence, a multidimensional and participatory approach is needed to systematically identify and analyze these obstacles and propose effective interventions.
Materials and Methods: This applied qualitative study combined a literature review with a collective intelligence methodology. Initially, a broad set of barriers was extracted from previous research, spanning awareness, culture, economy, infrastructure, policy-making, and psychological factors. These barriers were then validated, refined, and categorized during a structured collective intelligence workshop involving experts in urban planning, environmental sciences, green technologies, economics, and civil society organizations. The workshop applied brainstorming, nominal group techniques, and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) to establish causal relationships among barriers and to prioritize them based on expert consensus. This participatory and systemic approach minimized researcher bias and enhanced the validity of findings.
Results: The analysis identified ten critical barriers to sustainable lifestyles in urban settings. Among them, three emerged as the most influential: (1) lack of scientific and technical education, (2) absence of continuous public awareness programs, and (3) shortage of financial and human resources for program implementation. Mid-level barriers included consumerist cultural values, unawareness of the compatibility of sustainable lifestyles with cultural and religious principles, entrenched consumption habits, and weak social support networks. At the infrastructural level, inadequate facilities for clean transportation and recycling, as well as higher costs of sustainable products and services, were highlighted. The ISM model revealed that knowledge- and resource-related barriers are upstream factors that indirectly reinforce other obstacles, creating cascading effects across cultural and infrastructural domains.
Discussion:The findings underscore the need for multi-level and coordinated interventions to advance sustainable urban lifestyles. The first priority is to invest in educational programs and human and financial capacities, which serve as prerequisites for overcoming cultural resistance, reshaping habits, and strengthening social networks. The second priority is to reform infrastructures and policy frameworks to enable sustainable choices in practice. The results further indicate that short-term subsidies or fragmented policies are insufficient unless they are integrated with knowledge-building, cultural transformation, and institutional support. By combining theoretical insights from environmental psychology, social identity theory, and complex systems approaches with participatory methods such as collective intelligence, this research provides a holistic framework for analyzing barriers and designing effective strategies. The study offers actionable guidance for policymakers, urban managers, and civil society actors seeking to align education, culture, and infrastructure in fostering sustainable lifestyles.
Discussion:The findings underscore the need for multi-level and coordinated interventions to advance sustainable urban lifestyles. The first priority is to invest in educational programs and human and financial capacities, which serve as prerequisites for overcoming cultural resistance, reshaping habits, and strengthening social networks. The second priority is to reform infrastructures and policy frameworks to enable sustainable choices in practice. The results further indicate that short-term subsidies or fragmented policies are insufficient unless they are integrated with knowledge-building, cultural transformation, and institutional support. By combining theoretical insights from environmental psychology, social identity theory, and complex systems approaches with participatory methods such as collective intelligence, this research provides a holistic framework for analyzing barriers and designing effective strategies. The study offers actionable guidance for policymakers, urban managers, and civil society actors seeking to align education, culture, and infrastructure in fostering sustainable lifestyles.
Zahra Kheirandish, Mohammad Kaboli, Behzad Rayegani, Ali Akbar Nazari Samani, Bahman Jabbarian Amiri
Abstract Introduction Climate change, through altering precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, and intensifying extreme events, poses a serious threat to water resources and ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions. The limited coverage of meteorological stations in these regions hinders accurate climate monitoring. In recent years, reanalysis datasets such as ERA5-Land and TerraClimate have gained attention as effective alternatives to observational data. Previous studies have highlighted their varying performance across climate variables and emphasized the need for bias correction. This study focuses on the Maharloo Wetland Basin to evaluate the accuracy and bias correction of ERA5-Land and TerraClimate compared to station data, aiming to enhance their application in climate change analysis and water resource management. Materials and Methods Daily temperature and precipitation data from three synoptic stations—Shiraz, Doroodzan, and Zarghan—were collected for the period 1991–2022. Simultaneously, monthly climate data from ERA5-Land and TerraClimate for the same period were extracted. The Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to evaluate the agreement between reanalysis and observational data. Error metrics including PBIAS, RMSE, and NSE were then used to assess the accuracy of the reanalysis datasets. To reduce systematic errors, a simple linear regression–based bias correction method was applied. Finally, changes in the error indices before and after correction were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. Results The results of Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed a strong and statistically significant correlation (p-value = 0, r>0.9) between ERA5-Land and TerraClimate datasets and station observations at Shiraz, Doroodzan, and Zarghan. Error evaluation using PBIAS, RMSE, and NSE indicated that ERA5-Land performed better than TerraClimate in reproducing monthly precipitation, with higher NSE values and lower PBIAS across all stations. For temperature variables, both datasets showed relatively good performance, with generally high NSE values and low RMSE, although notable PBIAS was observed in some variables, particularly minimum temperature. After applying the simple linear regression–based bias correction, error indices improved considerably. For example, for ERA5-Land monthly precipitation, NSE increased from 0.9352 to 0.9716 and RMSE decreased from 6.92 to 4.58 mm. In ERA5-Land minimum temperature, PBIAS was reduced from −51.5% to 0.026%. TerraClimate temperature variables also showed reduced RMSE and PBIAS and higher NSE values after correction.
Discussion The results of this study showed that ERA5-Land and TerraClimate performed well in representing the climatic patterns of the study area. Pearson correlation coefficient values above 0.9 indicate the strong potential of these datasets for climate analysis in data-scarce regions. Evaluation of NSE, RMSE, and PBIAS indices revealed that both datasets showed good accuracy in representing mean and maximum temperature, while higher errors were observed for minimum temperature. For precipitation, ERA5-Land demonstrated better performance compared to TerraClimate. Bias correction using a simple linear regression model led to a significant improvement in statistical indices, including reduced PBIAS and RMSE and increased NSE for both temperature and precipitation variables. However, the limitation of linear methods in representing simultaneous relationships between variables such as temperature and precipitation should be considered. The use of nonlinear approaches, such as Quantile Mapping and machine learning algorithms, can better capture extreme events and further reduce errors. Overall, the findings indicate that reanalysis datasets—particularly ERA5-Land—have a strong baseline accuracy and, with simple bias correction methods, can be effectively used in climate studies in arid and semi-arid regions. Nevertheless, applying nonlinear methods and incorporating more extensive observational data can substantially enhance their accuracy and applicability.
Abstract Abstract Introduction: Environmental degradation and climate change are considered to be the biggest challenges to sustainable development in recent years because economic and social development depends on the sustainability and proper functioning of the environment. In the last two centuries, economic activities that have been accompanied by extensive consumption of energy, especially fossil fuels, have caused irreparable damage to the environment at regional and global levels, and human health has faced a serious threat. In response to these challenges, governments provide incentives to minimize environmental damage through tools such as environmental taxes. These taxes imply the cost of pollution emissions and are levied by the government through taxes on emissions of pollutants into the air, water, and soil. Materials and Methods: In this paper, using panel data and within the framework of the Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) model, the effects of the green tax shock on selected variables of major polluting industries have been analyzed. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the statistics and information required for the studied industries, which account for a large part of the country's energy consumption, include: The transportation industry, refining industries, power plant industries, rubber and plastic industries, non-metallic mineral industries, food and beverage industries, basic metal industries, chemical materials and products industries, textile manufacturing industries, and paper and paper products manufacturing industries were extracted and used from statistical sites during the period from 1385 to 1401.
Results: The results of the present study showed that the green tax shock has a negative effect on the variables of value added in selected industries, energy consumption, gross fixed capital formation value, and research and development costs in selected industries, but the same shock has a positive effect on employment in selected industries in most periods, and the variable of export power of selected industries. With the explanation that, for example, the desired shock in period 10 and beyond has an effect of between -0.05 percent and -0.07 percent on the value added of the industries under study. Discussion: Green tax, as one of the new tax bases, has important allocation effects in addition to its revenue effect. Considering the impact of this type of tax on selected variables of the studied industries, it is suggested: Due to the results of various studies on the effects of imposing this type of tax on improving various economic indicators, such as the health index, the income distribution index, and government revenues, as well as improving the energy consumption index and consequently reducing pollution and other indicators To prevent disruptions in the value-added trend in polluting industries, economic policymaking in the country should focus on creating stability and strengthening other effective components for promoting value-added and production, such as economic security and stability in macroeconomic variables such as exchange rates and international trade flows, human capital, and the quality of knowledge-based production. It is recommended that industries that have taken effective steps to reduce pollutant emissions, with the approval of the Environmental Organization, be given a discount on the emission tax rate or a discount on other tax bases, which from this perspective will positively influence the growth of the industries in question. Since the purpose of imposing any type of tax is not only to generate revenue for the government, and given that the imposition of taxes affects real economic variables, it is recommended to increase tax savings for growth in polluting industries by applying decreasing rates or various tax exemptions (as a result of reducing pollution).
Abstract Introduction: Globally, climate change is now recognized not merely as an environmental challenge but also as a structural macro-financial risk. Through multiple economic and financial transmission channels, it constrains policy space and fundamentally reshapes the long-term growth trajectory of vulnerable economies—particularly Iran. In the domestic research literature, scholarly focus has predominantly centered on the sectoral impacts of climate change, while systematic linkages between climate-related risks and key macro-financial variables have been largely neglected. To address this conceptual gap, this study examines the asymmetric and regime-dependent effects of climate change on Iran’s economic growth. Departing from conventional linear approaches, the analysis explicitly accounts for potential shifts in both the direction and magnitude of these effects under varying macroeconomic conditions—such as sanctions regimes, oil price volatility, or fiscal stress—thereby providing a more nuanced and comprehensive basis for formulating resilient and sustainable economic policy. Materials and Methods: We employ a multi-threshold nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach (MT-NARDL). The dependent variable is the growth rate of real GDP per capita, and the main explanatory variable is the ND-GAIN index, used as a proxy for climate vulnerability and adaptive capacity. To identify threshold effects, ND-GAIN is decomposed into four regimes: large negative shocks (REG1), small negative shocks (REG2), small positive shocks (REG3), and large positive shocks (REG4). Annual data for Iran over 1995–2023 are used, along with macro-financial and institutional controls including the exchange rate, inflation, domestic credit, gross capital formation, stock-market trading activity, and government effectiveness. The existence of a long-run relationship is confirmed via the bounds testing procedure, and model stability is assessed using standard coefficient stability diagnostics. Results: The findings indicate that climate-related effects on Iran’s economic growth are decisively asymmetric and depend on shock magnitude. In the long run, a 1% increase in large negative shocks reduces GDP per capita growth by about 0.29% (statistically significant), whereas small negative shocks have no significant long-run effect. On the positive side, a 1% increase in small positive shocks raises growth by approximately 0.065%, while large positive shocks increase growth by about 0.42%. In the short run, a 1% rise in large and small negative shocks lowers growth by roughly 0.361% and 0.098%, respectively. By contrast, a 1% increase in large positive shocks raises growth by about 0.536%, and small positive shocks exert positive contemporaneous and lagged effects (around 0.098% in the current period and 0.078% with one lag). The error-correction term (CointEq(−1) = −0.7346) implies that nearly 73% of disequilibrium adjusts each period. Macro-financial controls behave as expected: the exchange rate and inflation are growth-reducing, while credit and capital formation are growth-enhancing; government effectiveness also has a positive and significant impact on growth. Discussion: Overall, the results suggest that the climate–growth relationship in Iran does not follow a linear pattern. Severe adverse climate shocks can persistently undermine growth, whereas improvements—especially under positive regimes—can strengthen growth prospects. Accordingly, climate policy should move beyond reactive measures by integrating climate-risk management into the macro-financial framework, prioritizing reductions in vulnerability to large negative shocks and reinforcing pathways that build climate resilience.
Shahram Shiranzaei, hooman bahmanpour, Seyed Mehdi Alvani
Abstract Introduction: In response to the growing environmental challenges in Iran, particularly regarding the implementation of policies in governmental organizations, this study was designed and conducted with the aim of identifying key components for implementing environmental protection based on the application of knowledge management. In this study, knowledge management is not treated as a variable, but rather as a conceptual and operational framework that, through the three dimensions of knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and knowledge evaluation, facilitates the effectiveness of policy implementation in the environmental sector. The theoretical framework of the study is based on Edwards’ four-component model, which was expanded by adding the organizational culture component and adapted to the institutional conditions of Iran. By reviewing previous implementation models and integrating them with the knowledge management literature, this framework offers enhanced analytical capacity for understanding institutional barriers and capabilities. Materials and Methods: This research, derived from a doctoral dissertation, follows an applied-developmental approach and is conducted as a descriptive-survey study. Data were collected from 50 experts in the fields of environment and knowledge management within governmental organizations, using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analysis of national development documents. The research instrument included 15 items across five initial components, which were reduced to four main components through factor analysis. The validity of the instrument was confirmed by expert opinion, and its reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.810). Additionally, the results of the KMO test (0.643) and Bartlett’s test (χ² = 389.270, p < 0.001) confirmed the adequacy of the data for factor analysis. Furthermore, Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the internal relationships among the components, with the results forming the basis for future research. The combination of statistical methods and official document analysis established an integrated, evidence-based approach in this study. Results: Factor analysis revealed that 15 items loaded onto four main components: organizational structure (3 items), organizational communication (3 items), resources and implementers’ orientations (6 items), and organizational culture (3 items), collectively explaining 69.40% of the total variance. All items had factor loadings above 0.522. The results indicate that the “resources and implementers’ orientations” component, with the highest eigenvalue (3.377) and the greatest contribution to explaining total variance (22.51%), is considered the most important factor in the successful implementation of environmental policies. Meanwhile, despite a lower average in descriptive assessments, the organizational culture component showed high conceptual coherence and strong factor loadings (up to 0.856), playing a foundational and "soft" role in explaining perceptual differences among respondents. Discussion: A review of Iran’s five-year development plans shows that all four identified components are also reflected in these documents, though with varying intensity and coherence. For example, the “resources and implementers’ orientations” component is implicitly addressed in the third and sixth development plans, and the organizational structure is highlighted in the environmental chapter of the fourth plan. Organizational culture, too, appears as a key policy axis in the form of education and public awareness, though it faces challenges in practical implementation. This overlap and comparative analysis reinforce the practical validity of the proposed conceptual framework. The main innovation lies in conceptualizing knowledge management as a comprehensive conceptual foundation rather than a standalone variable, permeating all components. Additionally, introducing culture as an independent, measurable component distinguishes this framework from previous studies. Accordingly, this research, alongside its theoretical grounding, possesses empirical validity and can serve as a basis for developing operational models in environmental policymaking. The findings pave the way for designing a model for environmental policy implementation in subsequent stages and offer decision-makers and policymakers a clear, evidence-based framework, laying the foundation for policy model design at both sectoral and cross-sectoral levels.
Abstract Introduction: The degree of overlap in ecological niches can indicate the extent of resource sharing and potential interspecific competition. The intensity or effects of resource sharing and competition may also be partially related to species abundance, especially in resource-limited conditions. In this context, adaptive morphological changes can create differences in species performance, ultimately leading to variations in resource utilization. Morphological characteristics such as body shape, fin placement, and mouth orientation in fish have evolved to be compatible with their specific habitats. The namak chub (Squalius) is a recently recognized genus within the Cyprinidae family, and consequently, limited studies have been conducted on it. Therefore, the information obtained from this research can contribute to understanding ecological processes and how the namak chub (Squalius namak) responds to environmental challenges by comparing various patterns in morphological and ecological traits. Materials and Methods: A total of 103 namak chub (S. namak) were sampled from the Jajrood river. To determine ecological niches, nine environmental variables were used. For morphometric studies, photographs of the samples were taken. Using the 2TpsDig software, 13 landmarks were defined on the two-dimensional images. In traditional morphometric analysis, 17 morphometric characters were assessed from the images using ImageJ. Initially, using data from traditional morphometry (total length, fork length, etc.) and k-means clustering, the fish were grouped based on size. The method used for ecological niche overlap was habitat suitability curves. A non-parametric method known as kernel smoothing was used to plot the relationship between each environmental variable and the number of fish at each site. Using PCA, data from geometric and traditional morphometry were combined into a single score. Finally, linear regression was used to examine the relationship between station scores and the average differences in ecological niche overlaps. Results: The river stone diameter showed the highest significant positive correlation with dorsal fin length and pectoral fin length, and the highest significant negative correlation with post-dorsal fin length, caudal peduncle length, and postorbital length. EC and TDS exhibited the highest significant positive correlations with fork length, eye diameter, and snout length, respectively. Based on landmark displacement patterns, the greatest differences were related to landmarks located in the posterior half of the body, although the tip of the snout also demonstrated high variability. The ecological niche overlap curves indicated that the highest overlap occurred for water flow velocity. TDS and EC showed the lowest levels of overlap. Based on the results, it can be argued smaller individuals of this species are more generalized and prefer non-specialized habitats; however, as size increases, specialization occurs, leading to increased overlap in preferred ecological niches and potentially competition among these fish. Discussion: The two studied groups of this species in the Jajrood river have reduced intraspecific competition through habitat preference and resource exploitation. Although high overlap was observed in some parameters, in general, the ecological niche overlap between different groups of these fish was moderate, and this ecosystem has greatly reduced competition by providing the species with preferred habitat. For future studies, it is suggested that the level of food availability and the effect of water physicochemical parameters on the presence of suitable food for sized groups of this species and the impact of environmental parameters on fish in different seasons should be discussed.
Behzad Rayegani, Susan Barati, Farhad Hosseini Tayefeh
Abstract Introduction: Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the modern era, impacting natural resources and human livelihoods through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods. Due to its predominantly arid and semi-arid climate, Iran is particularly vulnerable to these changes. Evidence suggests that regions such as the northwest and the Zagros Mountains have experienced concurrent temperature increases and precipitation declines, a trend that is projected to intensify in the near future. This study aims to assess and visualize Iran’s climatic conditions over the next 20 years, quantifying the magnitude and extent of projected changes to inform national and regional planning efforts. Materials and Methods: This research utilizes climate projections from the sixth generation of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) under four greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) for the period 2021–2040, comparing them with the historical baseline (1995–2014). In the first step, raw global climate model outputs were downscaled using the Change Factor (CF) method. Minimum and maximum temperature and precipitation data were extracted for both the baseline and future periods, and delta values were calculated for each variable. To correct biases and better capture local variability, observational data from the TerraClimate database (with a spatial resolution of approximately 5 km) were employed. Subsequently, predictive maps for minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and precipitation over the next 20 years were generated. To integrate these variables into a single metric, Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) was applied, where precipitation was assigned a higher weight through linear fuzzy membership functions. This approach yielded a composite index for assessing climate change intensity across the country. Finally, to compare historical and future trends, the climate change intensity map for the past 64 years was integrated with the projected two-decade map using an equal-weighted WLC framework. Results: Findings indicate that in the next two decades, a significant increase in both minimum and maximum temperatures is inevitable across most parts of Iran. The projected rise may exceed 2°C for minimum temperature and 1.5°C for maximum temperature in some areas. Additionally, model outputs suggest a considerable decline in precipitation over parts of the Zagros region, the northwest, and critical watersheds such as Lake Urmia. This reduction may exacerbate soil dryness, decrease snowpack reserves, and deplete groundwater resources. The multi-criteria combined model identified the western and northwestern regions as the most severely affected by climate change, as they experience both significant warming and precipitation decline. This pattern is consistent with historical trends observed over the past 64 years, reinforcing the notion that warming and precipitation loss in these areas are part of a persistent, worsening trajectory. These results align with previous national studies and IPCC reports, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation strategies and effective water resource management. Discussion: This study highlights that in the coming decades, Iran will face heightened challenges related to increasing temperatures and declining precipitation. The warming trend and decreasing rainfall, particularly in the Zagros and northwestern regions, could have irreversible consequences for mountainous ecosystems, water resources, agriculture, and local livelihoods. Future research should incorporate dynamic downscaling models to provide a more detailed analysis of extreme climatic events and expand the station-based monitoring network to enhance data accuracy. Additionally, national and regional water and land management policies, public awareness campaigns, and greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies must be prioritized to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in the years ahead.
Abstract Introduction: Climate change is recognized as one of the most critical environmental challenges of the 21st century, significantly impacting ecosystems, natural resources, and human livelihoods. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, has resulted in profound alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, water availability, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Iran, characterized by its predominantly arid and semi-arid climate, is highly susceptible to these changes. A comprehensive analysis of the intensity and extent of climate change and its effects on natural resources, particularly vegetation, is essential for sustainable resource management. This study aims to assess climate change impacts in Iran from 1958 to 2021 and evaluate its relationship with changes in natural vegetation cover. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in two main phases. In the first phase, TerraClimate data were used to analyze climatic changes across Iran. Parameters such as minimum and maximum temperatures, cumulative precipitation, runoff, actual evapotranspiration, reference evapotranspiration, climatic water deficit, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index were analyzed annually. Statistically significant trends were identified using correlation and linear regression analyses, and climatic change maps were generated. A comprehensive map depicting the intensity of climate change was developed using the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method based on fuzzy logic, focusing on three key parameters: minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and precipitation. In the second phase, changes in natural vegetation cover were analyzed using the NDVI index and MODIS satellite imagery. Natural vegetation areas were identified, and the annual trends in vegetation cover changes were evaluated for statistical significance. The relationship between climatic changes and vegetation degradation was assessed through Pearson correlation analysis, and relevant maps were created. Results: The findings indicated that climate change impacts are evident across Iran but are not uniformly distributed. The northwest, west, the Zagros region, and the northeast experienced the most intense changes. In these areas, annual minimum and maximum temperatures increased by more than 2 to 3°C, while cumulative precipitation decreased by over 100 mm in some regions. Central and eastern Iran faced significant increases in climatic water deficits, leading to substantial vegetation degradation. Northern provinces such as Gilan, Ardabil, and Golestan are severely threatened, with permanent wetlands at significant risk. Vegetation analysis revealed that declining precipitation and rising temperatures, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, have played a crucial role in vegetation decline, most notably in barren lands and shrublands. Discussion: This study confirms that Iran has faced significant climate change impacts in recent decades, with detrimental effects on its natural resources and ecosystems. Rising temperatures, declining precipitation, and intensifying water deficits pose substantial challenges to resource sustainability. The results underscore the urgency of formulating comprehensive policies and implementing national strategies to mitigate climate change effects, manage water resources, and protect vulnerable ecosystems. Continuous monitoring of climate change and its effects on natural resources is imperative for informed decision-making and effective planning.
Abstract Introduction: Economic sanctions, as political and economic tools, extend beyond their intended scope, often causing significant environmental consequences. These sanctions, by limiting access to advanced technologies and modern industrial equipment, exacerbate environmental issues in countries with vulnerable ecological infrastructures, such as Iran. The resulting impacts include natural resource degradation, increased air and water pollution, and reduced energy efficiency. A scientific and legal investigation into these effects within the framework of international environmental law is essential, particularly concerning the obligations of sanctioning states regarding transboundary and environmental impacts. This study explores the scientific and legal dimensions of sanctions’ effects on Iran’s environment. Materials and Methods: This research employs content analysis to examine the environmental impacts of economic sanctions. The data utilized includes official domestic and international reports, scientific articles, and an analysis of international environmental law. The study specifically evaluates key principles of international law, including the "no harm" principle, "common but differentiated responsibilities," and "sustainable development." Field data were collected through an assessment of energy, transportation, and natural resource sectors during the sanctions period. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted between Iran’s environmental indicators and those of economically and geographically similar countries. Results: The findings reveal that economic sanctions have had far-reaching effects on Iran’s environment. In the energy sector, restricted access to advanced technologies and modern equipment has resulted in the production of low-quality fuels, leading to increased pollutant emissions. This situation has caused severe air pollution in major cities like Tehran, decreased quality of life, and increased respiratory illnesses. Furthermore, the aging public transportation fleet and the inability to replace outdated vehicles have intensified pollution and reduced energy efficiency. In the agricultural sector, sanctions have restricted access to high-quality fertilizers and pesticides, leading to the use of substandard chemicals that have degraded soil, reduced land fertility, and polluted water resources. The destruction of wetlands, particularly Hamoun and Miankaleh wetlands, due to the suspension of ecological restoration projects, has exacerbated dust storms and reduced biodiversity in the region. Additionally, budget cuts for environmental initiatives and prioritization of economic concerns over ecological projects have led to the suspension of many ecosystem restoration plans. Sanctions have also posed a significant barrier to international cooperation in green technology transfer and technical knowledge. These limitations have not only weakened Iran’s ability to reduce pollution and manage natural resources sustainably but have also restricted scientific and research collaborations with international institutions. Moreover, the economic pressures stemming from sanctions have reduced Iran’s capacity to fulfill its international environmental commitments. Discussion: Economic sanctions, beyond their economic and political impacts, have caused substantial environmental consequences that warrant a reevaluation of sanctions policies. These sanctions have violated fundamental principles of international environmental law and have had transboundary effects, such as increased air pollution and the destruction of shared habitats with neighboring countries. Sanctioning states, under international obligations, must address environmental damages caused by their actions. They should actively participate in mitigating these impacts through green technology transfers and support for environmental projects. Establishing international mechanisms to monitor the environmental impacts of sanctions and strengthening environmental cooperation are essential steps toward achieving sustainable development and reducing the negative consequences of sanctions.
Abstract Introduction: According to the statistics published by the Global Footprint Network, Iran's ecological deficit, which was 0.55 per capita global hectare in 1961, has increased by 554% to 2.50 per capita global hectare in 2022; which shows that the existing supply of natural resources in Iran is not enough to maintain the current production and consumption patterns. Based on this, the analysis of the determining factors of environmental quality indicators in Iran can provide valuable suggestions in the field of designing appropriate environmental policies. In this regard, the main goal of this study is to examine the causal determinants of environmental indicators in Iran. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical and applied study uses time series data from 1970-2022 to examine the causal determinants of environmental indicators in Iran using two traditional indicators of CO2 emission and ecological footprint (EF) and also the new index of load capacity factor (LCF) which simultaneously considers the supply and demand of nature. Based on this, the causal effect of economic growth, natural resources dependency, urbanization, and renewable energy consumption on environmental quality indicators has been investigated by applying the new approach of Bootstrap Fourier Granger Causality in Quantile (BFGC-Q) during the years 1970-2022. Unlike previous Grangerian causality tests, this approach considers the issue of non-linearity and structural breaks and can provide useful information about a causal-tail relationship. Results: The results show that urbanization in all quantiles (10th-90th) leads to an increase in CO2 emissions and EF and a decrease in LCF. GDP per capita in the low and middle quantiles (10th-50th) shows a negative causal relationship with LCF and a positive causal relationship with EF in the initial 10th and upper 70th quantiles. Furthermore, GDP per capita in all quantiles (10th-90th) has increased CO2 emissions. Regarding the rent of natural resources, in general, the results of this research support the neutral hypothesis and the absence of a causal relationship. Renewable energy consumption also leads to an increase in LCF in all quantiles (10th-90th) and a decrease in EF in 10th-70th quantiles. While this variable did not have a significant causal relationship with CO2 emissions in any of the quantiles. Discussion: The results show that depending on the investigated environmental index, the effects of economic growth, dependence on natural resources, urbanization, and renewable energy consumption on ecological quality are somewhat different. Based on the results, urbanization has led to the destruction of the country's environment. Therefore, policymakers and urban planners in the process of expanding urbanization must pay attention to the prevention of environmental destruction and prioritize the correct energy consumption. The positive causal effect of GDP per capita in all quantiles on CO2 emissions shows that growth and development paths in Iran are more carbon-intensive. Therefore, efforts should be made to achieve higher economic growth, which requires the use of more energy as one of the most important production factors, by creating and strengthening clean energy and also using technologies to be advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly in the production process. Considering the positive effect of renewable energy consumption on the LCF index and its negative effect acton EF, it can be said that the increase in renewable energy consumption has reduced the ecological footprint and surpassed its biological capacity in Iran; Based on this, increasing the share of renewable energy can help improve the quality of the environment in the country.
Hamid Ganjaeian, Mina Shahjamali, Aezam Ebrahimi, Morteza Akbarian
Abstract Introduction: It is very important for officials and planners to identify the landfill or waste depot. Different areas have different potentials for the creation of landfill sites or waste depot under the influence of hydroeconomic status, geology and geomorphology. One of the areas that face many restrictions is Kamyaran city in Kurdistan province. The city of Kamyaran has developed carpet and hydrophilic resources and is highly sensitive to contamination, so the location of landfill sites or waste depot in this city should be highly sensitive. Due to the high sensitivity of the city of Kamyaran to pollution and also given that this study has not been conducted in this study, the study based on natural and human parameters, identifies the talented landfill or waste depot in the city of Kamyaran. Materials and Methods: In this study based on library studies, expert opinions and region status, 12 parameters of precipitation status, cover-of-the-gauge density, fault distance, lithology, distance from urban areas, distance from rural, river distance, distance from river The main road, altitude, slope, distance from geocytes and distance from cultural sites are selected to identify talented landfill or waste depot in Kamyaran city. Secondly, the parameters have been given weight to the parameters using the weighting method. In the third step, the information layers into the IDRISI software and ultimately using the weight of the weight -based linear composition (WLC) are combined and the final map of the landfill or waste depot is prepared in the city of Kamyaran. Fourth, the layer of forbidden areas is applied to the zone map. The layer of forbidden areas is based on library studies, expert opinions and the status of the area. After preparing a layer of forbidden areas, the forbidden area layer was applied to the final map of the WLC model, and finally, the final map of the landfill or waste depot was prepared in the city of Kamyaran. Results: In this study, 12 natural and human parameters were used to identify the landfill areas in Kamyaran. According to the results, only small parts of the middle areas of Kamyaran are prone to landfill or waste depot. In fact, due to the density of gests and cultural sites, fault line density, lithology type, as well as hydrology status, only a few parts of Kamyaran city are suitable for landfill or waste depot. Due to the high sensitivity of landfill or waste depot, this sector has been identified on the basis of library studies, expert opinions as well as the status of the area, forbidden landfills in Kamyaran city. Discussion: According to the results, about 633 kilometers of Kamyaran city, which is part of urban areas, rivers and dams, due to their high vulnerability potential, part of the forbidden areas of Kamyaran city to create a landfill site. Are. The sum of the results of the parameters evaluation, the implementation of the WLC model, and the implementation of the banned areas have shown that only 148 km 2 of Kamyaran city (7.2 % of the total area of the county), mainly in the middle of Kamyaran city due to being away from Forbidden areas, being away from geographies and cultural sites, and being away from fault lines, are prone to landfill. Based on the results of this study, it can be said that Kamyaran is highly environmentally sensitive, so in various environmental planning, including landfill planning, it should be paid to environmental parameters, and especially parameters. Naturally this city will pay special attention.
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