Most of the isolated fungi in the swimming pools can cause ear, eye and allergic diseases, therefore improvement the hygiene of swimming pools for control of microbial contaminations are recommended.Background: Swimming pools can transmit contagious diseases such as; fungal disease, otitis, conjunctivitis and amoebic meningoencephalitis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the level of microbial contamination and the physicochemical condition of the swimming pools. Materials and Methods:In this cross -sectional study, 200 water samples were collected from four swimming pools in Kashan, Iran. Temperature, pH and residual chlorine and turbidity of the pools were examined. Samples were concentrated through a membrane filter and sedimentation, to test for the presence of parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Results: The results of the study showed that the mean of the physicochemical parameters, except in temperature, was standard in more than 60 % of the pools. Average temperature was higher than standard. The highest chlorine level was recorded in summer. Coliform bacteria was found to be positive in 3 % of the samples. Prevalence of saprophytic and opportunistic fungi was 27 %. Twelve species of fungi were isolated; the most common were Aspergillus, Penicillium sp, Rhizopus sp, and Fusarium sp, and the highest fungi pollution was observed in the summer. Prevalence of bacterial contamination was 9 %; bacteria isolate included Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. There was a significant association found between fungal and bacterial contamination with residual chlorine (P = 0.014, 0.001). Conclusions:The results showed that there were no parasites, or pseudomonas in Kashan's swimming pools, however, the prevalence of opportunistic saprophytic fungal contamination was relatively high. Such conditions may be attributed to a high temperature and insufficient water treatment. In addition, there is a need to monitor water quality and improve staff training to increase users' knowledge and awareness of the risks.
Background: Dissolved air floatation (DAF) is one of the methods has been used for the sludge thickening in wastewater treatment plants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of coagulation and sonication processes as additional configurations on the efficiency of a lab-scale DAF process for thickening of the biological sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Kashan, Iran. Methods: The required amounts of sludge samples were collected from a wastewater treatment plant and kept at temperature of 4°C. Variables, such as pressure (3, 5, and 7 atm), flotation time (5 and 10 minutes), ultrasonic irradiation power (0, 75, and 150 W), and presence/absence of Fe-based coagulant were considered on a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) included coagulation, flotation, and sonication processes, respectively. Results: The use of ultrasonic waves led to an insignificant increase in the DAF efficiency (P > 0.05), however, the application of coagulant significantly increased the thickening efficiency (P < 0.05). The maximum efficiency of the process was achieved at flotation time of 5 min, pressure of 3 atm, and sonication power of 75 W. Conclusion: According to the results, DAF has a proper efficiency for thickening of biological sludge. Coagulation compared to sonication has a greater effect on the efficiency of the process.
Background: Acanthamoeba is one of the most common opportunistic free-living amoebae, with ubiquitous presence in various environmental sources. Pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify Acanthamoeba genotypes in soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples from Kashan, Central Iran. Methods: In this cross sectional study, a total of 122 samples from soil (n, 32), hospital dust (n, 40), and stagnant water (n, 50) were collected and examined for the presence of free-living amoebae and Acanthamoeba species. All the samples were cultured onto non-nutrient agar plates for detection of free-living amoebae. Acanthamoeba species was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, using specific primers. A total of 29 Acanthamoeba isolates were sequenced, and different genotypes were detected via sequence analysis. Results:The results showed that 82.8% (101/122) of samples were positive for free-living amoebae. The PCR assay revealed that 62.5%, 52.5%, and 50% of soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples were positive for Acanthamoeba species, respectively. Moreover, T4, T5, T2, T7, and T11 genotypes were identified. The most common genotype was T4 (76%), isolated from stagnant water. Conclusions: Acanthamoeba is a prevalent species in the soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water of Kashan. As this protozoon can cause severe infections, health education and improvement of sanitation services are recommended for prevention of infection.
One of the most important environmental problems in the world is the soils contamination by heavy metals in the industrial areas, and especially the contamination of the agricultural lands. The use of earthworms to bioremediate the soils results in reducing the pollutants concentration through a bioaccumulation mechanism on the contaminants in the earthworm's body. Hence, the present study aimed to prove the biological effectiveness of Eisenia fetida earthworms in bioremediation the soils contaminated with chromium and cadmium. Concentration of chromium and cadmium pollution in soil was determined to be 0.04 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g respectively. 30 worms were added to 500 g soil samples. Chromium and cadmium concentration in soil and in the body of worms was measured at two time periods of 21 and 42 days. To measure the concentration of chromium and cadmium we used ICP spectrometry. Software in usage was SPSS version 17. There was a significant correlation between the reduction of chromium and cadmium metals in the soils and the accumulation of chromium and cadmium metals in the worm's body. A significant decline of chromium levels of the soil was observed in the days 21 and 42 during the study compared to initial amount of 0.1 mg/g. on the other hand chromium concentration of the soil decreased from 0.14 mg/g to 0.1 mg/g after 42 days. Comparison of mortality in two different time periods showed that by passing the time and by increase in soil chromium and cadmium concentrations the death toll of worms rises. The increased mortality of worms in the soil at a concentration of 0.08 mg/g of chromium, say that using the worms for bioremediation is not recommended at such concentration of chromium but using the worms for the removal of cadmium at concentrations of 0.04 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g in the soil is recommended. Keywords: Chromium; Cadmium; Eisenia fetida; bioremediation ResumoUm dos problemas ambientais mais importantes do mundo é a contaminação dos solos por metais pesados nas áreas industriais e, principalmente, a contaminação das terras agrícolas. O uso de anelídeos para biorremediar os solos resultam na redução da concentração de poluentes por meio de um mecanismo de bioacumulação dos contaminantes no corpo dos anelídeos. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo comprovar a eficácia biológica dos anelídeos Eisenia fetida em biorremediação dos solos contaminados com cromo e cádmio.A concentração de cromo e cádmio em solo poluídos foi determinadao como sendo 0,04 mg/g , e de 0,08 mg/g respectivamente. Trinta anelídeos foram adicionados a 500 g de amostras de solo. A concentração de cromo e cádmio no solo e no corpo dos anelídeos foi medida em dois períodos, de 21 e 42 dias . Para medir a concentração de cromo e cádmio usamos espectrometria de ICP . O software em uso foi o SPSS versão 17. Houve uma correlação significativa entre a redução dos metais cromo e cádmio nos solos e da acumulação de metais de cromo e cádmio no corpo dos anelídeos. Também houve uma diminuição significativa na concentração de crom...
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