The evaluation of groundwater quality and geochemistry have an important role in the management of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. In the present study, the spatio-temporal assessment of groundwater quality and hydrogeochemical processes, as well as, statistical analyses in the Azarshahr and Ajabshir planes located in the Urmia Lake basin were investigated. The results revealed that within six years (from 2014 to 2019), the value of total hardness was higher than the permissible level and the quality of groundwater for drinking was very hard and fresh in both planes. In 2019, 84 and 67% of the samples fell within the range of good to poor groundwater quality in the Azarshahr and Ajabshir planes, respectively. The temporal assessment with the help of water quality index values for both planes revealed a good groundwater quality for the Azarshahr plane and a good to poor groundwater quality for the Ajabshir plane. However, deterioration of water quality was observed in both planes from 2014 to 2019. The level of water quality for irrigation was better in the Azarshahr plane than in the Ajabshir plane, due to the presence of fewer salty sites. In addition, Ca–Mg–HCO3 and rock dominance were identified as hydrochemical facies and controlling factor in the groundwater of both planes, respectively. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated both natural and anthropogenic sources (such as weathering, fertilizers, and wastewater) for hydrochemical parameters. It was suggested to develop a comprehensive regulation to control the entry of pollutants into the groundwater of the study area.
In this study, a flower-like SnIn4S8/SmVO4 heterostructure was synthesized by applying a hydrothermal approach and used as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) and Rhodamine B (RhB). The process design and optimization were carried out by response surface methodology (RSM). An artificial neural network (ANN) was also used to determine the relative importance of operational factors. Under RSM-based optimal conditions, the Cr6+ and RhB removal efficiency reached 90.93 and 97.57%, respectively. Process modeling by ANN revealed pH as the most influential factor in Cr6+ and dye removal. The predominant photocatalytic activity of SnIn4S8/SmVO4 was attributed to its Z-scheme structure, leading to the significant separation of charge carriers and conserving the redox capacity of the photogenerated electron-holes. Kinetic studies revealed that the SnIn4S8/SmVO4 could achieve considerable rate constants of 0.036 and 0.080 min−1 to remove Cr6+ and RhB, respectively. Furthermore, the catalyst’s reusability was confirmed under optimal conditions.
Background: Identifying factors that may influence waste separation behavior can lead to more effective waste separation, better recycling plans in a community, and more effective and efficient waste management interventions. The purpose of the survey was to identify the key factors behind such behavior.Methods: The scientific inquiry was cross-sectional in nature, took place in Tabriz, Iran, and employed multistage random sampling to recruit the study’s 360 participants. The data collection process took place between September 2018 and February 2019. A Theory of Planned Behavior-driven questionnaire was developed by the research team for the purpose of data collection. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was deployed for data analysis.Results: The structural equation modeling of the data showed the most important determinants of behavioral intention were perceived behavioral control (β = 0.39, p < 0.05), moral commitments (β = 0.19, p < 0.05), and perceived policy effectiveness (β = 0.12, p < 0.05). The strongest determinants of waste separation behavior were behavioral intention (β = 0.29, p < 0.05) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.25, p < 0.05). In addition, age-group and gender differences were statistically related to waste separation behavior significantly (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Recycling investors and other stakeholders should focus on perceived behavioral control and intention in designing and implementing waste separation programs.
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