Groundwater conceptual pollution model and related human health hazards, the main dilemma of a desert aquifer near ophiolite complex.

Groundwater is a finite resource in Davarzan region which is located between the ophiolite complex mountain in the north and salty playa at the south. The water samples were analyzed to assess the origin of groundwater pollution and explain links between the disturbed heavy metals composition of the earth's surface and the human health risks. The main heavy metal pollutants in the groundwater are Cr, Fe, As and Pb ions. In general, the groundwater salinity and some elements such as Cr and As are increased along with surface topography and groundwater flow directions from the northern ophiolite highlands recharge area to the adjacent desert discharging zone in the south. Despite the ophiolite complexes being the most enriched in Cr element, the lowest Cr concentration in the groundwater was measured near the ophiolite area, which is in the range of its discharged springs. Based on the groundwater conceptual pollution model, bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of groundwater. The Cr samples show a direct relation with the EC value indicating that intrusion of salinity from the salt pan is probably another reason for the increased Cr concentration. The results of health risk assessment indicated that the groundwater suffered from significant contamination and if used for long-term without pre-treatment may pose serious health risks to human population via drinking water and irrigation of agricultural fields. This is the first attempt to apply hydrogeological setting along with the source of pollution and its health risk in a desert-ophiolitic area.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Lactuca Sativa syrup in controlling pain after periodontal flap surgery: a split-mouth, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Effective pain control after oral surgeries including periodontal flap surgery is one of the biggest problems in the periodontology field. The use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain after periodontal flap surgery is common, but these have some adverse side effects such as impaired platelet function and causing digestive problems. Today, the tendency to use omedicinal plants is more than synthetic drugs due to their safety. Therefore, we designed a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Lactuca Sativa (L. Sativa) syrup as an adjunct therapy in reducing pain after periodontal flap surgery. METHODS: This split-mouth, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 26 subjects. Patients were assigned for two surgery. Primary surgery was performed on the right maxilla and after 30 days, secondary surgery was performed on the left maxilla. In primary surgery, patients consumed L. Sativa syrup (3 times a day for 72 h) and in secondary surgery, patients consumed placebo syrup (3 times a day for 72 h). Pain intensity was measured at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after a periodontal flap surgery in both surgeries using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). All patients received their routine drugs, including analgesics. The number of analgesics used after surgery was recorded. Statistical analysis of t-test was used to compare the results of the two surgery. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean pain based on VAS score at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after primary periodontal flap surgery was significantly reduced compared to the secondary periodontal flap surgery (p<0.001). The results also showed that the use of analgesics after 72 h of surgery was significantly reduced in the primary periodontal flap surgery compared to the secondary periodontal flap surgery (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, L.Sativa syrup can be effective as adjuvant therapy in reducing pain after periodontal flap surgery.

Groundwater Origin in Qanats, Chemo-Isotopic, and Hydrogeological Evidence.

A systematic study of the chemo-isotopic characteristics and origin of the groundwater was carried out at six major qanats in the hyper-arid Gonabad area, eastern Iran. These qanats as a sustainable groundwater extraction technology have a long history, supporting human life for more than a thousand years in this region. The Gonabad qanats are characterized by outlet electrical conductivity (EC) values of 750 to 3900 µS/cm and HCO3 -Na-Mg and Cl-Na water types. The Gonabad meteoric water line (Gn MWL) was drawn at the local scale as δ2 H = 6.32×δ18 O + 8.35 (with R2 = 0.90). It has a lower slope and intercept than the global meteoric water line due to different water vapor sources and isotope kinetic fractionation effects during precipitation in this arid region. The altitude effects on isotopic content of precipitation data were derived as δ18 O = (-0.0031 × H(m.a.s.l) )-1.3). The δ2 H and δ18 O isotopes signatures demonstrate a meteoric origin of the groundwater of these qanats. The shift of the qanat's water samples from the local meteoric water line (LMWL) in a dry period with higher temperatures is most probably due to evaporation during the infiltration process and water movement in qanat gallery. Based on the isotopic results and mass balance calculations, the qanats are locally recharged from an area between 2000 to 2400 m.a.s.l of nearby carbonate formations and coarse alluvial sediments. The dissolution of evaporate interlayers in Neogene deposits deteriorates the groundwater quality, especially in Baidokht qanat.

Etiology of Salinity and Water Origin, the Main Dilemma of Badab Sourt, a Unique Travertine Spring.

Badab Sourt travertine-depositing springs in the north of Iran, naturally create a unique surreal landscape containing a range of stepped travertine terraces, similarly found only in a few other places on earth. This site comprises of three travertine saline springs with different values of salinity and discharge (SP1 , SP2 , and SP3 ) and one non-travertine fresh karstic spring (SP4 ) within a distance of about 300 m. The etiology behind this salinity and the water origin are the main research's dilemma that were investigated using geological, hydrochemical, and stable isotopic techniques. Based on the topography and isotopic results, the carbonate formations in northern (Khoshyeilagh and Mobarak) and southern (Cretaceous limestone) parts of the springs potentially provide the initial hydraulic gradient for deep circulation of the water and CO2 . However, geological studies indicate that the hydraulic connectivity of the Cretaceous formation to the travertine springs is interrupted by impermeable geological formations. Based on the proposed conceptual hydrogeological model and mass balance calculations, the SP4 spring is locally recharged from the nearby karstic area of Khoshyeilagh formation through shallow, short and steep groundwater flow circulation that is completely different from the travertine springs. The travertine spring (SP1 ) is recharged from more distant areas having higher altitudes on Mobarak and Khoshyeilagh limestone and circulate more deeply before emerging on the surface. The SP2 and SP3 springs can derive from the mixing of the saline water (SP1 ) and fresh water (SP4 ). The dissolution of interlayers of halite in Shemshak formation is concluded as the main source of salinity. This is the first research article in detail to survey hydrogeology of the travertine springs in Iran.

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas.

The consequences of disposing wastewater in an endorheic wetland in southwest Iran.

Wetlands are important ecosystems both at regional and global scales. They are home to a diverse group of flora and fauna, and provide water for drinking, irrigation, and recreational purposes. Miangaran endorheic wetland in SW Iran serves as the discharge point of the municipal wastewater of a nearby city; it receives agricultural return flows as well. To identify the consequences of the wastewater input, 29 water samples from the wetland's body and inlet streams were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters. The average EC of the wetland was 405 µS/cm; calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate were the dominant ions. The average pH was high, about 8.6, due to carbonate dissolution in the drainage area which was exacerbated by photosynthesis process inside the wetland. The concentration of phosphate was over the eutrophication limit of 0.1 mg/L. Nitrate contents varied from 5.7 to 12.3 mg/L. Trophic state index based on total nitrogen was about 63, falling within the eutrophic group. Heavy metal concentrations were generally higher than WHO drinking limits. Highest values of EC, nutrients, and metals were observed in the south and northwest, clearly signifying the role of wastewater input as the main source of contamination, which has resulted in the eutrophication of the wetland.

A practical and green approach towards synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones: using heteropoly acids as efficient catalysts.

A simple and green chemistry procedure for the synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones using heteropoly acid mediated cyclocondensation reaction is described. This method provides an efficient and much improved modification of the original Biginelli reaction reported in 1893, in terms of high yields, and short reaction times. It has the ability to allow a wide variety of substitutions in all three components.