Preparation of Nano‐Lepidocrocite and an Investigation of Its Ability to Remove a Metal Complex Dye

Lepidocrocite (γ‐FeOOH) nanoparticles were synthesized from iron(II) sulfate solution and characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform‐IR (FT‐IR), nitrogen adsorption, and point of zero charge pH (pH_PZC) analyses. TEM, XRD, and FT‐IR analyses proved the synthesis of nano‐lepidocrocite. Surface area and pH_PZC of the synthesized lepidocrocite were 68.1 m² g^?1 and 4.8, respectively. Utilization of the synthesized lepidocrocite in the adsorption of Lanacron brown S‐GL (LBS‐GL) from aqueous solutions was investigated, and the effect of lepidocrocite dosage, pH, temperature, and contact time on this process were optimized and modeled using response surface methodology approach. The lepidocrocite dosage of 0.015 g, pH 3.5, temperature of 38°C, and contact time of 100 min were determined as optimum adsorption conditions. Isotherm and kinetics of the adsorption process were analyzed at the optimum conditions. The equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 528.21 mg g^?1. The adsorption process was described by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Furthermore, the effect of pH on the desorption of LBS‐GL was investigated. High LBS‐GL desorption efficiency was achieved at a high pH value.     

Evaluation of Methods for Determining Crack Initiation in Compression Tests on Low-Porosity Rocks

Laboratory testing of rocks is traditionally carried out to determine the peak strength using the ISRM Suggested Methods or other suitable standards. However, it is well known that in low-porosity crystalline rocks there are at least three distinct stages of compressive loading that can be readily identified if the stress–strain response is monitored during the loading process: (1) crack initiation, (2) unstable crack growth, i.e., crack coalescence and (3) peak strength. Crack initiation is noted as the first stage of stress-induced damage in low-porosity rocks, yet the suggested guidelines of the ISRM for compression tests make no mention of crack initiation. In addition, recent research suggests that crack initiation can be used as an estimate for the in situ spalling strength, commonly observed around underground excavations in massive to moderately jointed brittle rocks. Various methods have been proposed for identifying crack initiation in laboratory tests. These methods are evaluated using ten samples of ?sp? Diorite and the results are compared with a simplified method, lateral strain response. Statistically, all methods give acceptable crack-initiation values. It is proposed that the ISRM Suggested Methods be revised to include procedures suitable for establishing the crack-initiation stress.     

Hydrogeochemistry of Groundwater and Its Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Use in Nahavand,Western Iran

Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in Nahavand city. However, the groundwater quality at the agricultural areas has been deteriorating in recent years. Ground water quality monitoring is a tool which provides important information for water management and sustainable development of the water resources in Nahavand. Hydrochemical investigations were carried out in an agricultural area in Nahavand, western Iran, to assess chemical composition of groundwater. In this study, 64 representative groundwater samples were collected from different irrigation wells and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, major ions, and nitrate. The results of the chemical analysis of the groundwater showed that concentrations of ions vary widely and the most prevalent water type is Ca–Mg–HCO₃, followed by other water types: Ca–HCO₃, Ca–Na–HCO₃, and Na–Cl, which is in relation with their interactions with the geological formations of the basin, dissolution of feldspars and chloride and bicarbonate minerals, and anthropogenic activities. Thirty-seven percent of the water samples showed nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) concentrations above the human affected value (13 mg L⁻¹). The phosphorous (P) concentration in groundwater was between 0.11 and 0.90 mg L⁻¹, with an average value of 0.30 mg L⁻¹, with all of the samples over 0.05 mg L⁻¹. The most dominant class C2-S1 (76.5%) was found in the studied area, indicating that sodicity is very low and salinity is medium, and that these waters are suitable for irrigation in almost all soils. Agronomic practices, such as cultivation, cropping, and irrigation water management may decrease the average NO₃ ⁻ concentration in water draining from the soil zone.     

Nitrate pollution of groundwater in Toyserkan,western Iran

A total of 95 groundwater samples were collected from Toyserkan, western Iran to assess the chemical composition and nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) status of groundwater. The most prevalent water type is Ca–HCO₃ followed by water types Ca–Mg–HCO₃. In comparison with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water guideline of 50 mg l⁻¹ for NO₃ ⁻, a total of nine wells (9.5%) showed higher concentrations. In 36% of samples (34) NO₃ ⁻ concentration was low (<20 mg l⁻¹), and in 53.7% of samples (51), in the range of 20–50 mg l⁻¹. The samples were classified into four groups based on NO₃ ⁻ and chloride (Cl⁻) concentrations. Of the samples, 40% were classified as group 4 and were relatively high in Cl⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ (Cl⁻ > 47 mg l⁻¹, NO₃ ⁻ > 27 mg l⁻¹). The high correlation between NO₃ ⁻ and Cl⁻ (r = 0.86, p < 0.01) is consistent with a manure source, resulting from the practice of adding salt to animal feed. Pollution of groundwaters appeared to be affected by the application of inorganic fertilizer at greater than agronomic rates, Cl-salt inputs, and irrigation practice.     

The origin of mafic rocks in the Naqadeh intrusive complex, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, NW Iran

The Naqadeh mafic plutonic rocks are located on a plutonic assemblage and include different granitoid rocks related to ～40 Ma. U-Pb SHRIMP data shows different ages of 96?±?2.3 Ma for mafic rocks. Naqadeh mafic plutonic rocks consist of diorite to diorite-gabbros with relatively high contents of incompatible elements, low Na2O, and $ {\hbox{Mg\# }} = \left[ {{\hbox{molar}}\;{100} \times {\hbox{MgO/}}\left( {{\hbox{MgO}} + {\hbox{FeO}}} \right)} \right] > 44.0 $ . These features suggest that the Naqadeh mafic rocks originate from enriched lithospheric mantle above subducted slab during Neotethys subduction under Iranian plate.     

Geodynamic setting and emplacement of mylonitic granitoids within the North Golpayegan shear zone,Iran

The metamorphic complex of the North Golpayegan is part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. There are at least three distinct stages of deformation in this complex. Throughout the first stage, Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks have experienced regional metamorphism during Late Jurassic tectonic events related to the subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere under the Iranian microcontinent. During the second deformation stage in the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, the rocks have been mylonitized. The third stage of deformation in the region has led to folding and faulting superimposed on previous structures, and to exhumation of the metamorphic complex. This stage has determined the current morphology and N70E strike of the complex. The mylonitic zones of the second stage of deformation have been formed along the dextral transpressional faults. During the third stage of deformation and exhumation of the metamorphic complex, the mylonitic zones have been uplifted to the surface. The granitoids in the metamorphic complex have been injected along the extensional shear fractures related to the dextral transpressional displacements. The granitoids have been transformed into mylonites within the synthetic or antithetic shear zones. These granitoids are recognized as syncollision type (CCG) and have been formed at the end of orogenic events synchronous to the collision between the Arabian and the Iranian plates at the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene.     

Investigation of NDVI in relation to the growth phases of beech leaves in forest

The main objective of the science of phenology is to identify the time of the occurrence of conspicuous periodic phenomena in plants under the impact of climatic factors. The study of phonologic phenomena through visual observations and terrestrial studies and temperature registration using a thermo hydrometer in different altitudinal levels and using the satellite data of IRS1C/1D LISSIII in twelve 1-ha plots in pure beech stands in the altitudinal range of 500 to 1,200 m above the sea level from April to December was carried out in such a way that for each month, one image of sensor was allocated. The produced vegetation indices were matched with terrestrial observations of the phenology periods in each month in the beech plots. The results show that the increase of the altitude above the sea level functions like latitude and its most remarkable impact is the decreasing of the temperature and the shortening of growing season. The terrestrial observations carried out in the plots show that a sudden increase in the temperature leads to the faster growth and emergence of the leaves. The produced correlation coefficient between the temperature and the emergence of the leaves was (p?=?0.01) r?=?0.87. Moreover, the end of fall in the studied region has a direct and significant relation with temperature. The amount of correlation coefficient between the temperature and end of fall in the studied region is equal to (p?=?0.01) r?=?0.91. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is more related to the growth and nurturing of the leaves. The amount of NDVI during the growth of the leaves, completion of the leaves, and fall of the leaves is equal to 0.35, 0.6, and 0.25, respectively.     

An analysis of vegetation indices in relation to tree species diversity using by satellite data in the northern forests of Iran

Vegetation indices have been introduced for analyzing and assessing the status of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vegetation using satellite images. However, choosing the best indices to be used in forest biodiversity and vegetation is one of the important problems faced by the users. The purpose of this research is to evaluate six vegetation indices in the analysis of tree species diversity in the northern forests of Iran. The present research uses LISS III sensor data from IRS-P6 satellite. Geometric rectification of images was performed using ground control points, and Chavez model was used for atmospheric correction of the data. The six spectral vegetation indices included NDVI, IPVI, Ashburn Vegetation Index (AVI), TVI, TTVI, and RVI. Shannon–Wiener species diversity index was used to analyze diversity, and the value of the index was calculated in each sample plot. Then, the spectral values of each sample plot were extracted from different bands. The best subset regression was used to analyze the relationship between species diversity and the related bands. The results obtained from the regression showed that polynomial equations under scrutiny as independent variables can assess tree and shrub species diversity better than other bands and compounds used (R ²?=?0.47). The obtained results also indicated a higher capacity in the case of the AVI index for estimating tree species diversity in the under study area.     

Rock slope stability evaluation using kinematic and kinetic methods along the Kamyaran-Marivan road,west of Iran

Interest in rock slope stability in mountainous regions has increased greatly in recent years.This issue has become a topic of major interest for geoscientists and engineering professionals,as well as for private citizens and local administrators,in many parts of the world.This paper evaluates the stability of seven rock slopes along the KamyaranMarivan tourist road,Kurdistan province,Iran,using various methods.The two main reasons for performing this research were to determine whether different methods of stability analysis provide the same results,and to determine how different factors such as the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces affect the stability of these rock slopes.Firstly,field investigations were performed to obtain the engineering characteristics of the rock masses,discontinuities,and intact rocks of the slopes.Secondly,laboratory tests were carried out on rock samples obtained from the slopes,to determine the engineering properties of the intact rocks.Then for each rock slope,the contour diagram of discontinuities and slope face was drawn in the Dips v.5.1 software environment,and the failure mechanism was determined based on the kinematic or stereographic method.Next,the factors of safety of the rock slopes were calculated using the limit equilibrium method,based on the failure mechanisms resulting from the kinematic method.The accuracy of the results obtained by these two methods was investigated using SWedge v.4.0 software.The results indicated that four rock slopes have a potential for plane,wedge,and toppling failure,and three others are stable.Also,it was found that the stability of the studied rock slopes decreases greatly in the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces.     

Optimal design of structures for earthquake loads by a hybrid RBF-BPSO method

The optimal seismic design of structures requires that time history analyses （THA） be carried out repeatedly. This makes the optimal design process inefficient, in particular, if an evolutionary algorithm is used. To reduce the overall time required for structural optimization, two artificial intelligence strategies are employed. In the first strategy, radial basis function （RBF） neural networks are used to predict the time history responses of structures in the optimization flow. In the second strategy, a binary particle swarm optimization （BPSO） is used to find the optimum design. Combining the RBF and BPSO, a hybrid RBF-BPSO optimization method is proposed in this paper, which achieves fast optimization with high computational performance. Two examples are presented and compared to determine the optimal weight of structures under earthquake loadings using both exact and approximate analyses. The numerical results demonstrate the computational advantages and effectiveness of the proposed hybrid RBF-BPSO optimization method for the seismic design of structures.