Journal of Urban Environmental Management

Abstract In this study, three intelligent modeling approaches, including Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System, Artificial Neural Network–Multilayer Perceptron, and Artificial Neural Network–Radial Basis Function, were employed to simulate 14 water quality parameters, in the Halil River over a long-term monthly dataset spanning 52 years. Streamflow discharge was used as an input variable in some models. The performance of the developed models was evaluated using statistical indicators including the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Willmott’s index of agreement (d). The results indicated that although all three artificial intelligence models demonstrated high capability in simulating the investigated water quality parameters, the ANFIS model outperformed the other models in most cases. Specifically, for SAR, values of R² = 0.99 and RMSE = 1.04 were obtained; for %Na, R² = 0.99 and RMSE = 3.02; and for SO₄, R² = 0.93 and RMSE = 0.61. Among the input scenarios, model (b), which incorporates five easily measurable parameters, is recommended as a practical and efficient model, as it reduced RMSE by approximately 65% compared to model (a) (based solely on discharge). The findings of this study demonstrate that intelligent machine learning techniques can be effectively used to estimate water quality parameters in cases where direct measurements are unavailable, based on other measured variables, thereby reducing laboratory analysis costs.

Abstract In the present study, biochar derived from cypress cones was surface modified using chitosan, a biopolymer rich in amino functional groups, in order to enhance its performance for the removal of nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions. To investigate the possible mechanisms involved in nickel removal, both raw biochar and chitosan modified biochar were characterized using BET, FTIR, and FE SEM analyses. BET results showed that chitosan coating increased the specific surface area of biochar from 13.2 to 5.75 m²/g and reduced the average pore diameter from 10.97 to 6.26 nm. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the appearance of new peaks at 1620 cm⁻¹ (amide C=O group) and 3430 cm⁻¹ (N–H stretching vibration), verifying the successful incorporation of amino and amide groups onto the adsorbent surface. Nickel removal was optimized using response surface methodology based on a Box–Behnken design with four variables: initial nickel concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time. The reduced cubic model, with a high coefficient of determination (0.98), exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental data for both adsorbents. Under laboratory conditions, the chitosan modified biochar achieved a nickel removal efficiency of 55%, whereas the raw biochar showed only 51% removal. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic contribution of physical adsorption within the improved porous network, surface complexation with amino/amide functional groups, and ion-exchange interactions.The findings of this study indicate that although chitosan modification of cypress cone biochar leads to a noticeable improvement in nickel adsorption capacity, further investigations are required in real industrial wastewater.

Abstract Landfill management in arid Iran requires precise site selection due to environmental fragility and agricultural dependence. Chatroud's current landfill has become a pollution hub, provoking social conflicts by neglecting environmental criteria. This study provides an operational framework differentiating and integrating constraint and suitability criteria from national guidelines, tailored to local conditions. Using MCDM, weighted overlaying, and viewshed analysis, unsuitable areas were first excluded based on ecological-social constraints (e.g., buffers for water resources and settlements). Remaining lands were then weighted and evaluated by the suitability degree of other key criteria. Among five candidate sites, Site 2 is optimal due to safe aquifer distance, appropriate city distance, reduced future social conflicts (from wind alignment dispersing pollutants away from settlements, and highly limited viewshed from topographic confinement). The key lesson is implementing "closure and rehabilitation" of the current site while establishing the new site with comprehensive monitoring and sustainable social participation to manage future conflicts. Differentiating constraints from suitability ensures technical compliance with national guidelines and enables project implementation success and local acceptance—generalizable to other arid regions of Iran.

Abstract Tehran Province has experienced increasing pressure on its environmental resources and infrastructure in recent decades due to the concentration of economic activities and intensive migration flows. These developments have intensified spatial inequalities in access to environmental services among the counties of the province. Therefore, spatial analysis of the environmental conditions of the counties is essential for identifying these inequalities. In this study, statistical data on 12 variables grouped into three environmental indicators were collected and weighted using the Shannon Entropy method. Subsequently, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was employed to integrate the variables and rank the counties. The counties were then classified into four categories—sustainable, semi-sustainable, vulnerable, and critical—using an absolute classification approach. The results revealed that none of the counties achieved a sustainable status, while only Firuzkuh and Shemiranat were classified as semi-sustainable. In contrast, the counties of Pishva, Tehran, Pardis, Robat Karim, Damavand, and Varamin were identified as vulnerable, whereas Qods, Baharestan, Eslamshahr, Ray, Malard, Qarchak, Shahriar, and Pakdasht were classified as critical. These findings indicate an uneven distribution of environmental livability-related facilities and services across the province and reveal a pronounced spatial disparity between the northern counties and those located in the southern, western, and southwestern parts of Tehran Province. Overall, the results demonstrate that environmental livability in Tehran Province follows an imbalanced spatial distribution pattern. Accordingly, the strategies proposed in this study are aimed at reducing spatial inequalities and promoting progress toward sustainable development across the province.

Abstract The increasing consumption of coffee in recent years has led to a significant rise in the volume of its waste, highlighting the need to investigate its engineering applicability in construction materials. In this study, coffee waste was added to SCC concrete at volumetric replacement levels of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of fine aggregates to evaluate its effects on rheological behavior and compressive strength at various curing ages. The mix design was prepared according to EFNARC guidelines, and slump flow, T50, V funnel, J ring, L box, U box, and compressive strength tests were conducted at 7, 28, and 90 days. The results showed that increasing coffee waste reduced the slump flow from 720 mm in the control mix to 560 mm in the C 10% mix, corresponding to a 22.2% decrease. The T50 time increased from 2.8 to 5.2 seconds (an 85.7% rise). The V funnel time increased by up to 130%, and the U box height difference increased by up to 83%. The L box height ratio decreased by approximately 70% in the C 10% mix. However, using 2.5% coffee waste still kept the SCC concrete mix within the acceptable EFNARC limits. The compressive strength results further indicated that coffee waste reduces strength, delays setting, and promotes the formation of weak zones in the concrete. Specifically, replacement levels of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% reduced compressive strength by approximately 9%, 21%, 36%, and 55%, respectively.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of environmental education in the form of a zero waste plan on improving environmental awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of elementary school students, as well as the role of family participation in sustaining these behavioral changes. This study was conducted with a quasi-experimental approach and in a real school setting, on a group of male and female students in the second and third grades of elementary school in Ardakan city.Data were collected through three main sources, including direct observation of behavior, structured surveys, and analysis of documents and student works, and analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. In order to increase the validity of the findings, the approach of data triangulation and standardization of indicators in the form of comparable scales was used. The research findings showed that implementing the zero waste plan significantly increased awareness and improved students' environmental attitudes, and these changes were also significantly reflected in the level of behavior.Reducing the consumption of single-use plastics, increasing the use of reusable tools, and promoting participation in waste separation were among the most important behavioral changes observed. The results also showed that the formation of environmental support groups in schools played an important role in strengthening social capital and sustaining environmental behaviors. Another important finding of the research was the decisive role of families in establishing and maintaining students' environmental behaviors, such that the alignment of school education and family behaviors has reduced the gap between awareness and action.

Abstract Studies have shown that firefighters can be exposed to various harmful factors in each mission.firefighting job is considered high risk job.In this study, risks of the firefighting job in the fire stations of District19 of Tehran were examined, and then, according to type and work environment, types of risks in different sections were identified, including physiological,physical, body physique, biological hazards, electrical hazards, radiation hazards, flame heat, environmental, and hazardous materials.risk priority number in each section was evaluated and calculated based on three factors:severity of effect, probability of occurrence, and probability detection.Control measures were provided for each assessed risk.results obtained showed that a total of 60 risks were identified and evaluated.In the physiological section, three risk factors were identified, in physical section, nine factors, in body physics section, five factors were identified in biological hazards section, three factors were identified in electrical hazards section,21 factors were identified in the radiation section,11 factors were identified flame and heat section,12 environmental factors, and23 risk factors were identified in the hazardous materials section.In total, out of the 60 identified risks, one factor was classified as severe risks.Falling debris with a risk priority number of60 as the most important occupational risk of firefighting is classified as severe risks.In the very high risks section, five factors were identified, including high voltage, molten metals, exposure to falling, explosive materials, and flammable liquids.In third category in terms of severity of the identified risks.seven factors were identified, with a total of13 factors or risks identified as severe risks

Abstract This study aims to evaluate and compare heavy metal contamination in soils of Chadegan County (Isfahan Province) and Aligudarz County (Lorestan Province), both located within the Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone. A total of 128 soil samples from Chadegan and 100 from Aligudarz were collected at 30 cm depth and analyzed by ICP-MS. Geochemical indices including the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), and enrichment factor (EF) were calculated using world average shale as background reference. Statistical analyses comprised Pearson correlation, cluster analysis, and spatial interpolation by ordinary kriging in ArcGIS. Results indicate that in Chadegan, PLI values for all elements remain below one, reflecting low to moderate contamination levels. In contrast, Aligudarz shows significant contamination in five elements: nickel (PLI=6.04), chromium (PLI=4.45), scandium (PLI=4.37), cobalt (PLI=3.33), and lead (PLI=2.36). Chromium recorded the highest concentrations in both areas (Chadegan: 184 ppm; Aligudarz: 239 ppm). The exceptionally high zinc enrichment factor in Aligudarz (EF=60.9) is attributed to the Golzard lead-zinc mine. The primary sources of contamination in Aligudarz are mining activities and hydrothermal alteration of metamorphic rocks, while in Chadegan the main anthropogenic source is a stone-crusher plant operating without an adequate filtration system. Continuous environmental monitoring and installation of pollution control equipment are recommended for both areas