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Foothills, plains, alluvial areas, and sloping areas whose soil is geologically susceptible to landslides, can become unstable and dangerous. In Iran, because of their soil type, Mazandaran, Gilan, Lorestan, Golestan and Khuzestan provinces are more vulnerable to landslides than other provinces. But taking into account factors such as earthquakes, extreme weather, and human interference, other parts of the country can also be prone to landslides. In case of rainfall and absorption of water by clay layers, the possibility of landslides increases. If the slope of the land is suitable, the slope will move on the clay layer and the thrust will occur downwards. In many mountains and steep areas, the conditions for slope failure may be available in terms of the slope angle, the type of soil and the presence of clay layers. But in the absence of sufficient soil moisture, this phenomenon is not observed. Landslides occur whenever rainfall happens and water penetrates the clay layer. Cutting down forest trees, destroying vegetation and pastures, along with possible rainfall and soil moisture, cam cause landslides on steep slopes. In fact, land use changes contribute to landslides. By examining the statistics over the last three decades in the northern provinces of Iran, it can be seen that landslides were far less likely when there was proper vegetation. The occurrence of heavy rains can cause failure in a large number of soil slopes. During these heavy rainfalls, the underground water level rises and increases the pore water pressure and reduces the stability of the soil. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in pore water pressure and the factor of safety for slope stability. The flow of water inside the soil is numerically modeled as a two-dimensional, saturated-unsaturated, unsteady flow. The finite element method (FEM) is used to calculate the pore water pressure and the limit equilibrium method is used to determine the factor of safety for slope stability. To simulate the unsteady flow, time duration of 4 days is used with a time step of 0.1 days. The rainfall duration was assumed to be 24 hours. The intensities of different rainfalls are used as the input flux on the soil surface. The soil moisture curve, which shows the relationship between suction-moisture content and suction-hydraulic conductivity, is used. The results show that different rainfall intensities have different effects on soil moisture profile. As the intensity of precipitation increase, the factor of safety of slope stability decreases. This decrease is steeper for the first 24 hours of rainfall and over the three days after the rain stopped, its slope decreased. For example, for a rainfall intensity of 2.04 mm/hour and the duration of one day, resulted in a factor of safety of slope stability equal to 1.853, and at the end of the fourth day, it was 1.743. In other words, the factor of safety decreased by 5.9%.
 

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This study presents the results of a faunistic survey of Trichoptera conducted at four sampling stations in the Ibër River, Kosovo. A total of 22 species from 9 families were recorded, comprising 133 male and 94 female specimens. The most species-rich site was L1, with 11 species, including the first confirmed record of Hydroptila martini Marshall, 1977 in Kosovo. This rare micro-caddisfly, represented by a single male specimen, highlights the importance of the study area for documenting overlooked taxa. Notable findings include the abundance of Rhyacophila nubila Zetterstedt, 1840 at L1, as well as Psychomyia pusilla Fabricius, 1781 and Silo pallipes Fabricius, 1781 at L2, reflecting diverse ecological conditions within the study area. Balkan endemics such as Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid & Ibrahimi, 2022 and Ecclisopteryx keroveci Previšić, Graf & Vitecek, 2014 were recorded in low numbers, probably emphasizing the dependence of these two species on water quality. This study emphasizes the importance of increased conservation actions to protect and conserve the vulnerable freshwater ecosystems of Kosovo which support many endemic and rare Trichoptera species.

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Ground skidding on skid trails affects the physical properties of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in soil physical properties on skid trails formed due to traffic of metal-tracked skidders with regard to soil bulk density, total porosity, water content and penetration resistance. The studies were implemented on two levels of slope – <20% (SC1) and >20% (SC2) – and three levels of traffic (one, five and nine traffic cycles). The treatment plots with three replications, consequently, were 6 m long and 4 m wide. The measurement of soil penetration resistance was carried out using a cone penetrometer. The samples were taken from 10 cm of top soil at six points in each plot. The results indicated that the skidder traffic did not significantly affect the soil physical properties measured in three levels of traffic at SC1, whereas it was significant between one and five traffic cycles in SC2. Most of the changes in the measured properties in the skid trails occurred after the first loaded skidder traffic. Within all traffic of SC2, differences in the mean values of water content and soil porosity were greater compared with the mean values at the same traffic of SC1, although these differences were not significant. The bulk density and penetration resistance at five and nine traffics of SC2 were significantly different from the same traffic of SC1.

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Flood spreading stations were constructed in Iran with different objectives such as groundwater recharge and vegetation recovery. Accumulation of sediment can be a major problem in flood spreading stations. According to generally accepted theories, floods and salt pollution can reduce gradually the infiltration rate. In order to investigate this issue, 13 flood spreading stations were selected across the country and infiltration rate changes were monitored over five years in the flood spreading areas. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the abnormally distributed data. Based on the soil properties of the spreading stations, stations were first classified into three groups separately by cluster analysis; next, studies were conducted in three separate groups. Results in stations group 1 showed that, in the first year, the infiltration rate among spreading lines was not significantly different, but data for the second year showed a significant difference at α = 0.05. For stations group 2, in the third year, the difference in the infiltration rate was significant at α = 0.05. In addition, changes in the infiltration rate were significant at α = 0.05 in stations groups 1 and 2 in the second spreading line. For stations group 3, significant changes among lines have been detected. Results also showed that changes in the infiltration rate in different years were somewhat different among the three groups of stations. Although infiltration rate changes were low, there was a general decreasing trend.

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Farmers in the Indus basin, Pakistan have generally switched to groundwater for additional water supplies due to the irregular supply of irrigation water; currently over 50% of the agricultural land in the basin is at least partially irrigated by tube-wells. These wells pump fresh groundwater, which essentially is the result of massive leakage from irrigation canals into the originally saltwater aquifer since the inception of modern irrigation around 1870. Resalinization of the aquifer now threatens long-term prospects of this new groundwater resource. Since building new dams has become ever more complicated, water resources planning now focuses on sustainable conjunctive use of surface and ground waters. The paper evaluates the raising of the Mangla dam, its effects on long-term groundwater balance and water-logging using an irrigation-economic model. It suggests guidelines to optimize the surface and sub-surface reservoirs by considering the farmers' action in response to government policies. Recently the Government of Pakistan decided to raise the height of the Mangla dam to substantially increase the storage capacity of the basin. This decision was based on basin-wide modelling of conjunctive use by using the General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS)-based Indus Basin Model Revised (IBMR), which was updated for this purpose in 2000 and supplied with new data in 2002. The results of the analysis reinforced the decision to raise the dam height by 9 m instead of 12 m, which would increase water availability by 68% in the basin. One of the objectives of raising the dam height was to increase the sustainability of beneficial groundwater use in the basin by saving about 2 km3/a of groundwater abstractions.

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A bench scale aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was evaluated in terms of its potential to treat synthetic dairy wastewater. The 2-l plexiglass bioreactor was supplied with oxygen via a fine bubble air diffuser, fed with synthetic dairy wastewater under various operational conditions. To analyze the process, three significant independent variables — influent chemical oxygen demand (COD), mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS), and aeration time — were assessed. Three dependent process and quality parameters (as process responses) were also evaluated: total COD removal efficiency, sludge volume index (SVI) and final pH. The experiments were based on a central composite design (CCD) and analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The treatment was limited to the following concentration regimes: COD (1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/l), MLVSS (3000, 5000 and 7000 mg/l) and aeration time (2, 10 and 18 h). Maximum COD removal efficiency (of 96.5%) was obtained for an influent with the following characteristics: CODin: 3000 mg/l, MLVSS 5000 mg/l, and aeration time of 18 h. The study demonstrated the capability of aerobic SBRs for high COD removal from dairy industrial wastewater. Easy operation, low cost, and minimal sludge bulking condition were some of advantages of the SBR system as an option for biological treatment of medium-strength industrial wastewater. The present study provides valuable information about relationships between quality and process parameters for different values of operating variables.

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Aims: The assessment of threats and vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure such as urban water infrastructure can, in many cases, significantly reduce vulnerabilities or minimize the consequences of a threat. The aim of this research was to evaluate the components of the contingency and impact severity of human-oriented and natural-based threats in urban water infrastructure.
Instrument and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, a library collection method, including the study of books, research, and domestic and International articles of researchers as well as Internet search was used. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by Hazop model and Friedman test, using SPSS 21 software.
Findings: According to the experts, the highest scores were assigned to terrorism acts and suppression, and, ultimately, human error. The most critical type of threat was recognized as chemical attack, military attack, and drought by the Hazop model. The second threat was rocket attacks, earthquakes, and terrorism. The human error ranked next in critical threats. The military attack and drought were recognized as an unacceptable crisis and the probability of a flood, a military attack (ground) and human error were ranked one to three. The impact severity (damage) of the military attack (ground), earthquake, and chemical pollution were ranked one to three, respectively.
Conclusion: The most critical types of threats are chemical pollution in urban water infrastructure, military attack, and drought and are recognized as unacceptable crisis. The probability of flood, military attack (ground), and human error are ranked one to three, and the impact severity (damage) of the military attack (ground), earthquake, and chemical pollution are ranked one to three, respectively.
 

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Treatment of organic leachate is one the most controversial topics around the world which led this study to assess the efficiency of the combined oxidation and adsorption treatment (COAT) process in the treatment of leachate by considering local experiments. The removal of effluent parameters (TDS, COD, BOD) was enhanced by oxidizing the GAC surface as a catalyst with NaOH before the process and by ozone within the procedure as well. Assessing the interacting effect of operating variables (i.e., ozone concentration, GAC density, reaction time and pH) provides valuable information for optimization. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed. The optimized model’s circumstances are the reaction time of 30.77 min, ozone dosage of 141.29 mg/l, pH of 7.2, and the GAC density of 1.29 gr/cm³ with the predicted removal percentage of 51.63%,62.84% and 56.13% for TDS, COD and, BOD respectively.
 

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To identify the fungi associated with foot and root rot of wheat in the Khuzestan province, diseased samples were collected at all growth stages in three growing seasons of 2004-2007. Pieces of infected parts of the root and foot were surface sterilized and cultured on acidic and non acidic PDA media. One hundred and fifteen isolates were obtained and on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic characters and valid keys were identified as Fusarium solani, F. equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. subglutinans, F. sambucinum, F. culmorum, F. proliferatum, F. pseudograminearum, F. longipes, F. avenacium, F. nygamai, F. semitectum, F. lateritium, Rhizoctonia solani, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Pythium sp. F. equiseti, F. solani and F. culmorum with occurrence frequencies of 16.07, 16.07 and 12.5 % respectively were more frequent than all other species. Results of Pathogenicity tests indicated that F. pseudograminearum and F.culmorum were the main fungi associated with wheat root and crown rot disease in khuzestan while other Fusarium spp. such as F. equiseti are probably aggravated by moisture stress at different growth stages of crop due to poor irrigation management. Rhizoctonia solani with occurrence frequency of 8.03 % in some regions such as Ahvaz, Shoush, Shoushtar and Baghmalek was important agent of crown and root rot of wheat second to Fusarium species. Bipolaris sorokiniana and Pythium sp also caused crown and root rot but with less frequency percent.  

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Global aquaculture production has more than tripled during the last 15 years, and aquaculture is expected to account an increasing share in global seafood production. There are large differences among countries in the rate of growth and development of aquaculture. This review tries to explain the progress and problems of aquaculture during three last decades in Iran. The total production of Iran from aquaculture was 25,800 tons in 1994, approximately 8 percent of the total fisheries production. However, by 2008 it increased to more than 154,000 tons; 27% of total fisheries production. During the last decade, production share of different species in Iran has been variable. In the years 1998 and 2008 the highest percentage of aquaculture production was belonged to silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (50%) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 40%), respectively. The results showed that culture of rainbow trout has grown noticeably in the past two decades. At present, Iran has been acquired the first rank of rainbow trout culture in fresh water of the world. But in contrast, in recent decade shrimp aquaculture industry has failed due to white spot syndrome. Coastal and inland waters of Iran have more potential for aquaculture development. Recently, great sturgeon Huso huso and some species of barbus family have aroused interest from government and private enterprises for potential aquaculture use. Although aquaculture of Iran has shown a significant growth in the last decade, but it is concluded by introducing new species and overcome to present aquaculture problems in the country, the aquaculture production will be increased to several times.

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Aim: Tobacco use is one of the major causes of death worldwide and the most preventable risk factor of the coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to determine attitudes, risk perception and perceived vulnerability toward to water pipe (WP) smoking among male students in Zarandieh city of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 400 male adolescents in 2011-2012. A multiple-stage sampling protocol was used. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire about demographics, knowledge, attitude and beliefs about WP smoking and their tobacco use background. Data were analyzed by SPSS16. Findings: The prevalence of WP smoking was 72 (18%). Also 50% of participants believed water pipe smoking is less harmful compared to cigarettes. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and risk perception for non smokers was higher from smokers (knowledge 4.9±2.1, attitude 19.5±4.3 and risk perception 18.6±3.3 versus 3.4±1.5, 15.6±5.5 and 15.4±4.3 respectively), whereas smokers reported a fairly high level of perceived stress and depression (perceived vulnerability). Conclusion: Noticing the side effects of tobacco use and the high prevalence of incorrect perceived WP smoking beliefs among students, provision of educational programs for the correction of the beliefs of students regarding WP smoking is recommended.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effect of sodium chloride from drinking water and feed intake on the quality of egs from laying hens. Four hundred and twenty native and white leghorn laying hens ranging from 36 to 43 weeks of age were used. Seven experimental treatments containing different levels of salt supplied by feed and/or drinking water were compared. Increasing salt intake by the addition of NaCI to drinking water or feed intake reduced shell thickness, shell ash and increased, the number of damaged eggs. Shell calcium was not affected hy added salt, however, the addition of salt to the food reduced shell-breaking strength. Breed differences influenced the traits studied, except for shell percentage and shell calcium. Sodium chloride intake from drinking water was more effective in reducing shell quality than salt from food.

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Floodwater spreading (FWS) for the artificial recharge of groundwater (ARG), is an easy and economical method of desertification control. An integrated approach to desertification control based on FWS for the ARG was adopted in the Gareh Bygone Plain in southern Iran. Deposition of the suspended load (SL), carried by floodwater into the sedimentation hasins and infiltration ponds, stabilizes the drifting sand and reclaims the eroded rangeland on which the ARG projects are executed. Results of some of the physical and chemical analyses performed on the one to four-year-old sediment samples obtained from the first three sedimentation basins at the Gareh Bygone Plain ARG scheme show that of the 19 factors analyzed, only two changed significantly due to the settlement of the SL in the basins: sand content decreased by 7.9 and 3.8% at the 0-10 and 0-30 cm depth respectively; and the ESP increased by 17.2% at the 0-30 cm depth. Regression equations were developed correlating soil content of organic matter, total N,P, saturation percentage and CEC with silt + clay content. These relationships indicate the geological origin of N and perhaps P and the importance of SL in the fertility status of the drifting sand.

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To compare the seed characteristics in accessions of Atriplex canescens under exclosure and non-exclosure conditions, two even-aged sites were selected with an area of 400 ha as the exclosure and 1000 ha as non-exclosure area. To conduct the study, 30 species were randomly selected in autumn 2009 in reference area of the sites and seeds were collected. Some important seed characteristics were studied in the laboratory. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 17 software and mean comparisons were performed by Duncan's Multiple Range Tests. Results showed that the winged seeds did not germinate under all studied treatments in both sites. Moreover, maximum seed germination was recorded for the seeds soaked in cold water for 24 hours and placed in the shade for 48 hours. According to the results of the independent t-test, no significant differences were observed for germination percentage, germination rate, and vigor index in both sites at both 1 and 5% probability levels. In other words, the seeds collected from the exclosure and non-exclosure areas were similar in terms of the mentioned characteristics. However, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and seed moisture content showed significant differences at 1% probability level with higher amount in exclosure area.

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The pattern in the last few decades, especially in countries and regions located in the desert of the earth are considered, as a reflection of climate change. A situation that threatens security, stability and development in many areas due to reduced rainfall and water scarcity. Iran has also been strongly influenced by these events and changes in its attitude towards its geographical position during the last decade and half. Southeastern Iran with center (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) which has been a region with low rainfall, daring several periods of time due to climate to the point that it has become one of the migrating provinces of the country. An event that has itself given rise to emerging security issues and challenges, especially in border areas
The present article is based on the hypothesis that the decrease in rainfall and threat of water resources has led to the emigration of the province. The methodology of the present study is descriptive-analytical and the required data and information are collected through the meteorological organization and the national statistics center and then using standard rainfall (SPI) and normal rainfall (PNPI) percentage investigate and analyze the spatial distribution of drought (period, 1996-2011) and its impact on the migration of residents of the strategic area. The results show that the occurrence of severe or very severe droughts in a region has negative reflections on the livelihood of residents in the region, which with the attitude of the people of the province to dependence on limited water resources and traditional agriculture and the lack of land management policies and hydro-political relations between Iran and Afghanistan have led to an increase in the crisis in the east of the country, and the people of this province have inevitably migrated to neighboring provinces and other parts of the country to provide better living conditions.

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Factors affecting the spatial variations of water quality of the Mazandaran coastal ecosystem was determined in summer 2012. For this purpose, water quality parameters (nutrients, temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll α and turbidity) were evaluated along 4 transects (Amirabad, Babolsar, Noshahr and Ramsar) in the depths of 5, 10, 20 and 50m, using multivariate analysis methods.  Based on the cluster analysis of data, the sampling sites could be classified into 5 distinct groups, including 35-50m water layer of station 50m in all transects, 0-5m layer in station 5m in all transects, Ramsar transect and the majority of surface and bottom layers of 3 transects including Noshahr, Babolsar and Amirabad. Based on discriminant analysis, 86.40% of the sampling sites were correctly classified. Factor analysis explained 87.53% of the total variance, the five principal components of which (viz. temperature, turbidity, nitrate, silica and ammonium) were considered as the most effective parameters on the spatial variation of water quality. This study suggests that the number of sampling locations can be reduced to two transects. Thermocline, transport of nutrients (specially phosphorus and ammonium) from rivers, sea floor, cage culture and the ctenophore, M. leidyi, were the most effective sources on spatial variations of water quality. Moreover, the multivariate statistical methods were found to be useful tools to recognize the spatial variations pattern along the Mazandaran coasts in summer.