Strategic prioritization for Tehran’s electronic waste management via integrated SWOT and QSPM analysis Zahra Aliannejadi, Saeed Malmasi, Maryam Rafati Scientific Reports, 2026 This study developed a strategic framework for electronic waste management in Tehran, Iran's capital megacity, by integrating SWOT analysis with the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). Insights were obtained from a balanced panel of 30 local stakeholders: 15 public-sector officials from Tehran's Waste Management Organization and 15 managers of private recycling facilities. The QSPM analysis was then employed to prioritize the strategies, identifying six key approaches. The formulation of comprehensive health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations for e-waste recycling emerged as the top-priority strategy (Total Attractiveness Score (TAS) = 12.418). Subsequent priorities included optimizing e-waste collection processes (TAS = 10.764) and establishing dedicated e-waste sorting centers (TAS = 10.66). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of this ranking against variations in key factor weights. The study identified significant gaps in supervision, infrastructure, and technical expertise, while also recognizing opportunities presented by Tehran's high population density and the availability of advanced technologies. To our knowledge, this work represents the first application of an integrated SWOT-QSPM framework to Tehran's e-waste challenge, offering a novel and replicable model for megacities facing comparable governance complexity and public-private integration barriers. The proposed framework provides municipal policymakers with a practical roadmap, indicating that the integrated SWOT-QSPM approach effectively generates tailored waste management strategies for megacities.
Modeling environmental noise pollution around the 1893 educational institutions for children in Tehran to support new urban design strategies Nasrin Rigi, Maryam Rafati, Mojgan Zaeimdar, Maryam Malekzadeh Scientific Reports, 2025 We designed this study to map environmental noise pollution (ENP) around all elementary schools and kindergartens in Tehran using a land use regression (LUR) approach. Out of 135 spatial predictor variables, seven were identified as significant determinants of ENP. The final model demonstrated strong predictive performance, with an R² of 0.70 and an adjusted R² of 0.65. Additionally, the model had a leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) R² of 0.59 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 3.15, indicating acceptable predictive accuracy. Among the significant predictors, green space area, and the distances to the nearest terminals, primary roads, and highways had negative effects on ENP, meaning that increases in these variables reduce noise levels around schools and kindergartens. In contrast, the length of secondary roads, the area of commercial parcels, and the distance to military zones had positive effects, suggesting that increases in these variables contributed to higher ENP. Our findings reveal substantial spatial variation in environmental noise levels across Tehran, with the highest ENP values-ranging from 65.1 dB(A) to 85 dB(A)-concentrated primarily in the central, southern, and southeastern districts of the city. Approximately 36%, 30%, and 13% of educational institutions for children in Tehran are exposed to ENP in the range of 70.1-75 dB(A), 65-70 dB(A), and > 75 dB(A), respectively. Only 4% of these institutions are located in areas with ENP < 60 dB(A). Our findings highlight the importance of infrastructure design changes, such as expanding green spaces around schools and kindergartens, or relocating these educational institutions farther from terminals, primary roads, military zones, and commercial areas.
Efficiency of drastic, gods and topefmea models in assessing the vulnerability of the aisin aquifer to nitrate Sahar Rezayan, Majid Pourbalighy, Maryam Rafati, Rokhshad Hejazi Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2023 Over the last decades, several models have been developed for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution, which have shown different results, and appropriate modeling will lead to better management of these important water resources.Here, the vulnerability of the Aisin aquifer in southern Iran to pollution was investigated using DRASTIC, GODS and TOPEFMEA models.The required data were ranked and weighted and vulnerability map was prepared for each model in GIS.To validate the models, linear regression was performed between the vulnerability index and the actual values of chemical pollution obtained from the wells in the area.Moreover, TOPSIS model was applied for estimating the probability of occurrence of pollution.The results showed that the DRASTIC vulnerability index values varied from 43 to 159, so that the study area was classified into six classes including no pollution (8.8%), very low (12.08%),low (12.52%),moderate (5.38%), high (44.39%)and very high (16.84%).The GODS vulnerability index values ranged from 0.15 to 0.6 and classified the aquifer into low (21.54%),moderate (66.83%) and high (11.61%)vulnerability classes.TOPEFMEA vulnerability index values ranged from 2 to 72 and classified the aquifer into four classes including very low (26.0%),low (41.4%),moderate (23.0) and high (9.6%).Also, the validation results of the models in zoning the sensitivity of the aquifer were different based on nitrate values, so that DRASTIC and GODS models showed the highest and lowest accuracy in modeling with regression coefficients of 0.63 and 0.28, respectively.Overall, the DRASTIC model showed a higher potential than the GODS and TOPEFMEA models for the aquifer vulnerability classification, possibly due to the number of parameters used.
Effect of biochar and vermicompost on the absorb of nickel metal from soil by cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) Mahtab Mihandoost, Maryam Rafati Water and Soil Management and Modeling, 2023 Introduction Soil is one of the most important components of the ecosystem and environment for storing nutrients and performing biological, physical, and chemical processes and activities. Earth may be infected by the accumulation of heavy elements. These metals are ubiquitous, highly persistent, and non-biodegradable. The concentration of heavy metals increases due to the natural weathering of rocks, the disposal of waste, and the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial effluent. It includes nickel, which is released by car brake abrasion, vehicle corrosion (especially the car oil pump), and electronic wastes in the urban environment and its accumulation in the body causes kidney complications, lung damage, high blood pressure, and it became vascular diseases. Nickel has no toxic effect on the plant at low concentrations and acts as a micronutrient, but in high concentrations, it reduces the growth and appearance of toxic symptoms in the plants. In agricultural fields, chemical fertilizers are used to increase the production of agricultural products, which despite their benefits, their excessive use reduces crop quality and the entry of toxic pollutants into the soil. In this context, organcic amendments such as biochar and vermicompost could be useful to sustainably maintain or increase soil organic matter, preserving and improving soil fertility and crop yield. Biochar is a carbon-rich material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. Biochar has been described as a possible tool for soil fertility improvement, potential toxic element adsorption, and climate change mitigation. Vermicompost is considered as a high-nutrientbiofertilizer with diverse microbial communities. It plays a major role in improving the growth and yield of different field crops, vegetables, flowers, and fruit crops. Vermicomposting is the process of conversion of organic wastes into finely degraded peat-like substances using earthworms. It is an alternative method for waste management through which vermicompost is produced with a relatively high nutrient content than compost and manures. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of biochar and vermicompost on an accumulation of nickel metal in soil and tomato fruit. Materials and Methods For this purpose, the seeds were caught from a greenhouse in the south of Tehran, and the pots were filled with 3 kg of soil derived from the same place. This soil was mixed well before being placed in the pots. The test was performed as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design in which nickel nitrate was applied to the soil with 6 different concentrations (75 ppm nickel nitrate with 10% biochar, 150 ppm nickel nitrate with 10% biochar, 75 ppm nickel nitrate with 5% biochar, 150 ppm nickel nitrate with 5% biochar, 75 ppm nickel nitrate and 150 ppm nickel nitrate), and compared with pots that were only hydrated with tap water (control). All measurements were taken with three independent replicates for metal concentration. Pots were placed outdoors with tap water irrigation (five times a week) and two days a week (Monday and Friday) with nickel nitrate for 4 months. Then the concentration of nickel in the shoot (fruit), the nickel concentration in the soil, and the wet and dry weight of the fruit were measured. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) was also calculated using the ratio of total nickel concentration in fruit to the soil. Based on this, plants that have a bioconcentration factor of more than once, especially in their shoots, are suitable for metal extracting from the soil and translocating it to the fruit. Results and Discussion ConclusionIn general conclusion, it can be stated that planting cherry tomatoes in nickel containing soil or irrigation with municipal and industrial wastewater containing nickel should be accompanied by more considerations. Also, if biochar or vermicompost is used in the soil of cherry tomato pots, nickel can be extracted from the soil with a bioconcentration coefficient
Investigation of Water Quality of Urban Rivers and Assessing their Suitability to Protect the Environment (Case Study: Kan River, Tehran City) Nazli Moghadam Yekta, Maryam Rafati, Abdolreza Karimi, Nooshin Sadjadi Environment and Water Engineering, 2022 The Kan River is the largest and most important river that enters the Tehran plain. The river water quality (in Tehran city), is affected by agricultural and industrial activities and population spots. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of the Kan River using Iran Water Quality Index for Surface Water to protect the environment. For selecting sampling stations, the study area was divided into eight longitudinal ranges, and sampling was done in two periods of minimum and maximum flow. Kan River is of poor to relatively bad quality. The pH was at standard level but some parameters such as BOD in 2 stations (minimum flow rate) and 9 stations (maximum flow rate), TSS in 4 stations (minimum flow rate) and 5 stations (maximum flow rate), DO in all samples except station S1(minimum flow rate) and coliform in all samples were more than permissible level of the national standard for river water quality. Entering industrial, municipal, and agricultural wastewater is the most important reason for the decrease in water quality. In terms of the standard classification base of the Iran Department of Environment for Protection of aquatic life, class 2 (suitable for Cyprinid (is recommended.
Investigation of the Relation Between Visual Pollution and Citizenry Health in the City of Tehran (Case Study: Municipality Districts No.1 & 12 of Tehran) M. Zaeimdar, forouzan Khalilnezhad sarab, M. Rafati Anthropogenic Pollution, 2019 Background and Aim: Visual contamination is a kind of environmental pollution that over time, its effects and consequences are increasing, and this pollution may gradually provide a good ground for nerve stress and psychological problems. Method: In this study, we tried to study the status of visual contamination and its impact on the health of citizens in two urban areas of one and twelve using the distribution of questionnaires and field method. Results: The results of the analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaire revealed a significant relationship between visual contamination and four health indicators of citizens including physical signs, social function, anxiety, insomnia and depression. This means that wherever the pollution is higher, the health of citizens is at a lower level. Conclusion: Accordingly, the average index of physical symptoms and anxiety - insomnia in district 1 in a healthy condition and in the twelve region is in a mild injury situation. Also, the average social function index and depression in both regions indicate mild injury and favorable health status in them, and overall, the results indicate that the general health of District 1 in desirable situation and the twelve regions are in an unfavorable situation.
The Combined Effect of EDTA and Vermicompost on Removal of Lead from Soil by Ocimum basilicum Fatemeh Golrizkhatami, Forough Farsad, Maryam Rafati Asian Journal of Water Environment and Pollution, 2018 Among the chemical pollutants, lead is one of great importance ecologically and hygienically, because it threatens the health of the communities by penetrating into the food cycle. Phytoremediation is required along with modifying chelates to improve the efficiency of metal remediation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vermicompost and EDTA on the absorption of various Pb concentrations from the soil and determine their accumulation level in the roots and shoots of Ocimum basilicum in the form of pot experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. We applied vermicompost 3 mg/kg soil, EDTA 8 mg/kg soil, and lead nitrate at the concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg soil. AAS was employed to read the amount of Pb in the extracts. The results showed that the use of amendment materials increases significantly the Pb accumulation in the plant shoots. The results of calculating bioconcentration factor and transfer factor showed that this plant is unsuitable for the phytostabilization and phytoextraction of Pb.
The effect of sub-lethal exposure to copper and the time course of recovery in clean water on biochemical changes in juvenile fish (Acipenser persicus) Saeed Zahedi, Alireza Mirvaghefi, Maryam Rafati, Gholamreza Rafiee, Bagher Mojazi Amiri, Mehdi Hedayati, Changiz Makhdoomi, Musa Zarei Dangesaraki Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, 2014 This study reports the 96-h LC50 value and tissue copper (Cu) levels and biochemical changes in juvenile fish (Acipenser persicus) exposed to 0.026 mg/l ambient Cu for 1, 7 and 14 days. It then examined the recovery of the same parameters after placing the juvenile fish in clean water for a further period of 28 days. The intestine, kidney and gill Cu levels, plasma glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cortisol, triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, liver protein contents, liver catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase activities were studied. The 96-h LC50 value of Cu was 0.502 mg/l for juvenile A. persicus. The results indicate that Cu exposure produced significant accumulations of Cu in gills and kidney over the treatment time. Sublethal dose of Cu resulted in a short-term increase in plasma glucose, total protein and cortisol levels that decreased with time. After the 28-day recovery phase, there were significant differences in kidney Cu levels and triglyceride concentrations as well as SOD activities between recovery fish treatments and their control groups on day 42. The 28-day recovery phase caused significant decreases in total protein levels and SOD activities of Cu-exposed fish on day 42 compared to day 14. The results suggest that 28 days are insufficient for complete recovery to Cu exposure by juveniles and a longer period would be required for full recovery. Moreover, the study showed that the recovery phase following Cu exposure could change biochemical parameters to levels that are not close to those seen during exposure or control levels.
Cadmium accumulation and biochemical parameters in juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, upon sublethal cadmium exposure Saeed Zahedi, Alireza Mirvaghefi, Maryam Rafati, Mehdi Mehrpoosh Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2013 The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to waterborne sublethal cadmium (Cd) concentration on juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus. Fish were exposed to 0.68 mg/l of Cd for 1, 7, and 14 days, and metal bioaccumulations, biochemical responses, and gill ions were investigated. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the kidney (1, 7, and 14) and gills (7 and 14) for Cd concentrations between the control and treatment groups. Also, kidney Cd concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at metal treatments on day 14 in comparison to day 1. Results showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in plasma glucose and cortisol concentrations between the experimental and control groups on day 1 only, and at metal treatments, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed on days 7 and 14 compared to day 1. No significant alterations were observed in plasma and liver protein contents during the course of the study. Neither triiodothyronine or thyroxine levels nor liver catalase or glutathione-S-transferase activities changed significantly with sublethal dose and with the time. In contrast, liver superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at Cd treatments both over the control group and during Cd exposure on days 7 and 14. Finally, a comparison between the groups revealed no differences in gill ion levels for 2 weeks. This study demonstrated that sublethal dose of Cd was stressful for Persian sturgeon and resulted in rapid changes in some of the biochemical parameters.
Phytoremediation potential of populus alba and morus alba for cadmium, chromuim and nickel absorption from polluted soil International Journal of Environmental Research, 2011
Investigation of the landslide in forest of Guilan and modeling of discriminate function in formation and forest harvesting Journal of Environmental Studies, 2008
