Groundwater pesticides residue in the southwest of Iran-Shushtar plain

Study area with an area of about 415 km² is located from 31°40′ to 32°05′ northern latitudes and 48°45′ to 49°00′ eastern longitudes 85 km to the north-east of Ahwaz city, in the north of Khuzestan province, and south west of Iran. The purpose of this study is: (1) the determination of the pesticides concentration in the groundwater of the Shushtar plain (Mian-Ab) and (2) the assessment of geology, hydrogeology and anthropogenic activities impacts the groundwater quality. Thirty-seven groundwater samples were taken from product wells based on the standard methods. A simple and efficient automated method for extraction and preconcentration was used. In this method, a pyrrole-based polymer was synthesized and applied as an efficient sorbent for micro-solid-phase extraction. After extraction, analytes were desorbed in ethyl acetate and analyzed using gas chromatography–flame. The study area is surrounded by Aghajari Formation dominated by silt and clay sediments and the Bakhtiari Formation dominated by sand and gravel. Existence of these formations affects the aquifer sediments and the hydrogeological properties. In the study area, the sediments grade from gravel and sand in the north and east into silt and clay to the south and west, respectively. The topsoil in the south of the study area contains more clay sediments. In this study, the concentration of two common herbicides, i.e., 2,4-D and clodinafop propargyl and two pesticides, i.e., permethrin and diazinon, in the groundwater of Mian-Ab aquifer was assessed. Chemical analysis results showed that the 2,4-D residue in the groundwater has the highest concentration (15 ppm). About 50% of the samples have concentration values more than the maximum contamination level based on EPA drinking standard. The pesticides concentrations decrease from the north to the south of the study area. Pesticides influx to the groundwater in the south of the area is prevented or diminished due to the specific geological situation and soil type. Distribution pattern of population centers, which increase to the north of the study area, and the role of groundwater as the main source of drinking water are two important issues that must be considered in management of pesticides use in the area.     

Determination of design criteria for UASB reactors as a wastewater pretreatment system in tropical small communities

A pilot scale study was set up to investigate the principle design parameters of up flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors for treating wastewater of small communities in the tropical regions of Iran. A steel pipe with a diameter of 600 mm and a height of 3.6 m was used as the reactor in which a digestion and a 3-phase separator element had a volume of 0.848 and 0.17 m³ respectively. During this study, which lasted for 203 days, two distinct phases were carried out according to the ambient temperature. The temperature of the wastewater entering the reactor was naturally ranged from 22 to 26 °C and no heat exchanger was used. The hydraulic retention times including 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours with various loading rates of 0.95 to 5.70 kg COD/m³/day for colder period and from 1.35 to 6.40 kg COD/m³/day for warmer period were examined. On the basis of the results the optimal hydraulic retention time for warmer period with a 2.20 kg COD/m³/day organic loading rate was 6 hours which BOD5, COD and TSS removal efficiency were 71, 63 and 65 percent respectively. During the colder period the removal ratio of BOD5, COD and TSS with an optimal hydraulic retention time of 8 hours and organic loading rate of 1.22 kg COD/m³/day were 54, 46 and 53 percent respectively.     

Diagenetic and Depositional Impacts on the Reservoir Quality of the Upper Jurassic Arab Formation in the Balal Oilfield,Offshore Iran

The Kimmeridgian‐Tithonian aged Arab Formation, as the main reservoir of the Jurassic succession in the Balal oilfield, located in the offshore region of the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf, is investigated in this study. The formation is composed of dolomites and limestones with anhydrite interbeds. Based on detailed petrographic studies, six microfacies are recognized, which are classified in four sub‐environments including supratidal, intertidal, lagoonal and the high energy shoal of a homoclinal carbonate ramp. The main diagenetic features of the studied succession include dolomitization, anhydritization, cementation, micritization, fracturing and compaction. Based on stable isotope data, dolomitization of the upper Arab carbonates is related to sabkha settings (i.e. evaporative type). In terms of sequence stratigraphy, three shallowing‐upward sequences are recognized, based on core and wireline log data from four wells of the studied field. Considering depositional and diagenetic effects on the reservoir quality, the studied facies are classified into eight reservoir rock types (RRT) with distinct reservoir qualities. Dolomitization has played a major role in reservoir quality enhancement, whereas anhydritization, carbonate cementation, and compaction have damaged the pore throat network. Distribution of the recognized RRTs in time and space are discussed within the context of a sequence stratigraphic framework.     

Phosphorus and nitrogen losses associated with runoff and erosion on an Aridisol in northern Iraq

Abstract

Runoff and soil erosion are known to cause a degradation in soil and water quality. Six natural runoff plots (three 10 m long and three 30 m long) were established on 6% uniform slope area for the study of P and N losses associated with runoff and soil erosion in northern Iraq. The soil at the site belongs to the Calciorthid suborder which dominates in the low rainfall zone of northern Iraq. Runoff, erosion, and associated P and N losses, were recorded from these plots for three rainfall seasons. Results illustrated that eroded sediment is always rich in available P and inorganic N compared to the original soil. Concentrations of soluble P and soluble N in runoff illustrated significant variability both between storms and between seasons. Both sediment-bound P and soluble P were significantly correlated with the ratio of runoff to rainfall.     

Late Paleocene–middle Miocene pelagic sequences in the Boso Peninsula, Japan: New light on northwest Pacific tectonics

Late Paleocene–middle Miocene pelagic limestone/chert sequences from the Mineoka Tectonic Belt, Boso Peninsula, central Japan, were biostratigraphically studied for planktic foraminifer fossils for the first time. The rock units are included as several isolated blocks tectonically within the ophiolitic mélange together with the Mio-Pliocene Honshu arc-derived terrigenous and Izu Arc-derived volcaniclastic materials. The pelagic sequences are grouped into the newly proposed Kamogawa Group which is subdivided into the Paleocene Nishi Formation, Eocene–Oligocene Heguri-Naka Limestone and early–middle Miocene Shirataki and Heguri Formations. This study of Kamogawa Group pelagic sequences throws new light on tectonic modeling of plate accretion to the unique trench–trench–trench (TTT)-type triple junction area off the Boso Peninsula. Different formations of the Kamogawa Group have different tectonic and paleogeographic significances for the oceanic plate with a seamount that was approaching the Izu and Honshu arcs during Pacific plate subduction, and that was accreted to the Honshu Arc during the middle Miocene.     

Distribution of total petroleum hydrocarbons in Dezful aquifer,Southwest of Iran

Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon distribution (TPH) in groundwater of Dezful aquifer was the main purpose of this study. The study area, which is located between latitudes 32°00′ and 32°35′?N and longitudes 48°10′ and 49°35′?E, covers about 1,920 km² in the north of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Hydrocarbon pollutants in the area were being released into the aquifer, from a variety of sources. An oil pipe crash accident, which occurred on 19 Feb. 2009 in the vicinity of the northern part of the study area, released about 6,000 barrels of crude oil to the Karkhe River. Other possible sources of TPH in the region are asphalt factories, gas stations, and the Sabzab oil pump station. Since the main source of drinking water in the Dezful area is groundwater reservoirs, this study would be very crucial, especially when there is considerable agricultural activity in the area as well. In order to determine the presence of TPH and heavy metals in the groundwater, samples were taken from wells with different usage within two periods, i.e., in Nov. 2008 and May 2009. The second sampling operation was carried out to determine the effect of the accident in the water resources. In situ groundwater parameter measurements including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and electrical conductivity were also carried out in the field. Based on the results, there are four zones in the study area which were contaminated with TPH from different origins: (1) southeast of Dezful City, which was contaminated by Shokati gas station; (2) southeast of Shush City, which was contaminated by an asphalt factory; (3) southwest of Dezful City, which was contaminated by Sabzab oil pump station; and (4) the shores of Karkhe River which were contaminated due to the pipeline crash accident. This could be a serious threat to the environment and human health because TPH concentration was higher than the EPA standard in the study area. Heavy metals were not distributed in a uniform pattern in the aquifer. The concentrations were lower than the contamination level based on the EPA drinking standard, and there was no meaningful relation between concentrations of TPH and the heavy metals. It was recommended that a monitoring network should be designed to monitor oil contaminants in the ground and surface water monthly because of importance of the water resources and presence of potential oil contaminant sources.