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The reduction of water resources due to the issue of global climate change and population growth is one of the most critical issues facing the designers and planners of the development of green spaces in cities. Against these challenges, there is an urgent need to improve the efficiency of water consumption and chain use of water resources with suitable options. Due to the significant volume of urban wastewater Effluent, its reuse in green space irrigation is important from the point of view of water resource management from an ecological and economic point of view. The effect of the Parand city wastewater treatment plant on the chemical properties of soil under the cultivation of three types of cover crops (Frankinia (FR), Festuca (FE), Dichondra (DI)) in a bed with sandy loam soil is investigated. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design using mixing of water and Effluent at 4 levels with irrigation treatments of zero (control), 50, 75, and 100% compared to fresh water and 3 replications, and then the soil chemistry characteristics such as pH, EC, OC, Na, Cl, Ca, and Mg were evaluated. The results obtained from the soil chemical analysis parameters showed that the pH value decreased in all the treatments with effluent compared to the control, and this decrease was not significant in any treatment. The values of EC and Cl have increased in all plants, and these values were significant in the FR100 treatments with an increase of about 195 and 561% compared to the control, and in the FE100 treatment with an increase of about 54 and 162%, respectively, at the 5% probability level. The amount of OC in the FR100 treatment was significant with an increase of about 41% compared to the control treatment, but in other plants, this ratio was not significant in any treatment. The maximum amount of Mg in the FR50 treatment was 30.27, which has a significant effect compared to other treatments. The amount of Na and Ca in the FR100 treatment was significant with an increase of about 343% and 130%, respectively, compared to the control treatment, while in FE and DI plants, this ratio was not significant in any treatment.

The reduction of water resources due to the issue of global climate change and population growth is one of the most critical issues facing the designers and planners of the development of green spaces in cities. Against these challenges, there is an urgent need to improve the efficiency of water consumption and chain use of water resources with suitable options. Due to the significant volume of urban wastewater Effluent, its reuse in green space irrigation is important from the point of view of water resource management from an ecological and economic point of view. The effect of the Parand city wastewater treatment plant on the chemical properties of soil under the cultivation of three types of cover crops (Frankinia (FR), Festuca (FE), Dichondra (DI)) in a bed with sandy loam soil is investigated. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design using mixing of water and Effluent at 4 levels with irrigation treatments of zero (control), 50, 75, and 100% compared to fresh water and 3 replications, and then the soil chemistry characteristics such as pH, EC, OC, Na, Cl, Ca, and Mg were evaluated. The results obtained from the soil chemical analysis parameters showed that the pH value decreased in all the treatments with effluent compared to the control, and this decrease was not significant in any treatment. The values of EC and Cl have increased in all plants, and these values were significant in the FR100 treatments with an increase of about 195 and 561% compared to the control, and in the FE100 treatment with an increase of about 54 and 162%, respectively, at the 5% probability level. The amount of OC in the FR100 treatment was significant with an increase of about 41% compared to the control treatment, but in other plants, this ratio was not significant in any treatment. The maximum amount of Mg in the FR50 treatment was 30.27, which has a significant effect compared to other treatments. The amount of Na and Ca in the FR100 treatment was significant with an increase of about 343% and 130%, respectively, compared to the control treatment, while in FE and DI plants, this ratio was not significant in any treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cotton (Gossypim hirsutum L.) has a special position as one of the most important crops in the country. Considering that salinity stress is one of the most important stresses, it threatens cotton production in arid and semi-arid regions of the country and the world, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress through application of organic fertilizers (manure and humic acid). In addition, Organic inputs can guarantee both agricultural production and nature conservation. The current approach is to employ the organic compounds like manure and humic acid (that are cost-effective and eco-friendly) as an appropriate substitute for chemical fertilizers. Materials and Methods This study was carried out to assess the effect of manure and humic acid application on some elements accumulation and ions concentrations in cotton (Gossypim hirsutum L.) (cotton leaves) under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted as a factorial split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in the 2019-2020 cropping year in Beshravieh city in South Khorasan. The main plot included different levels of irrigation water salinity at three levels (2.5, 5.5 and 8.5 ds.m-1 ) and sub-plots consisted of a factorial combination of manure at two levels (0 and 20 t/h) and humic acid at two levels (0 and 200 gr/ 100 kg of seeds as priming). In order to measure the concentration of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) elements, it was done using a flame photometer and chlorine concentration based on the method provided by Johnson and Ulrich (1995). In order to assess the cotton yield, the yield of two consecutive harvests were added together and was considered as the seed cotton yield of each experimental unit. Results and Discussion The results of the present study illustrated that the salinity stress increased Na+ and Clconcentration in cotton leaves and consequently decreased K+ concentration. The increase of salinity stress from 2.5 to 5.5 and 8.5 dSm-1 caused a significant decrease in seed cotton yield. Manure application treatment increased Na+ (13.45%), K+ (2.67%), Cl- (18.30%) concentration in the leaves and seed cotton yield (13/90 %) compared to the no use of manure. Humic acid application treatment decreased Na+ (3.08%), Cl- (9.78%) concentration and increased K+ concentration (4.17%) and cotton yield (9/15 %) and improved the growth conditions compared to the treatment of no use of humic acid. The application of manure (before planting) and humic acid (as priming treatment) increased the seed cotton yield by improving the accumulation of beneficial elements in the leaves under salinity stress conditions. Conclusion Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the application of manure and humic acid (priming) moderated the negative effects of salinity stress on seed cotton yield. In addition, manure and humic acid can be used as an effective and alternative fertilizer in order to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers and salinity stress in hot and dry climates. Therefore, manure and humic acid (organic fertilizers) are recommended to be applied under (environmental stresses) salinity stress conditions to mitigate the effects of salt stress and obtain a higher seed cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: There are controversies on the association between electrolytes and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its severity. Studies on these issues may help in resolving ambiguities. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between electrolyte indices and being infected with COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms using a meta-analysis. Materials and methods: A thorough search was done in national and international electronic databases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Quality assessment was conducted by Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist. We estimated the standardized mean difference between electrolyte indices and the incident of COVID-19 infection and its severity. Results: After screening the papers, 12 met the inclusion criteria. According to the meta-analysis results, the standardized mean differences for serum level of sodium and potassium between the dead and survived COVID-19 patients was estimated to be 0.22 (95% CI: -0.03, 0.46) and 0.14 (95% CI: -0.22, 0.50), respectively. The standardized mean differences for serum levels of sodium, calcium, and potassium between patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19 were estimated to be -0.28 (95% CI: -0.72, 0.17), -1.07(95% CI: -1.58, -0.55), and -0.10 (95% CI: -0.47, 0.27), respectively. Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, the standardized mean difference for calcium was significantly lower in severe COVID-19 patients compared to that in patients with mild and moderate forms of the disease.

Salinity tolerance of four grape genotypes [GharaUzum, Hosseini, AghUzum and Keshmeshi] was studied under various salinity levels (25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl). As a result, growth indices were significantly (P

Background and purpose: There are controversies on the association between electrolytes and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its severity. Studies on these issues may help in resolving ambiguities. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between electrolyte indices and being infected with COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms using a meta-analysis. Materials and methods: A thorough search was done in national and international electronic databases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Quality assessment was conducted by Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist. We estimated the standardized mean difference between electrolyte indices and the incident of COVID-19 infection and its severity. Results: After screening the papers, 12 met the inclusion criteria. According to the meta-analysis results, the standardized mean differences for serum level of sodium and potassium between the dead and survived COVID-19 patients was estimated to be 0.22 (95% CI: -0.03, 0.46) and 0.14 (95% CI: -0.22, 0.50), respectively. The standardized mean differences for serum levels of sodium, calcium, and potassium between patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19 were estimated to be -0.28 (95% CI: - 0.72, 0.17), -1.07(95% CI: -1.58, -0.55), and -0.10 (95% CI: -0.47, 0.27), respectively. Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, the standardized mean difference for calcium was significantly lower in severe COVID-19 patients compared to that in patients with mild and moderate forms of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil salinity is one of the major limitations of agriculture in the warm and dry regions. Soil sodification also damages soil structure and reduce soil permeability. Therefore, control of soil salinity and sodium is very important. Vetiver grass has unique characteristics that can be useful in phytoremediation. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation with different salinities on vetiver grass and the effects of this plant on the control of soil salinity and soil reclamation.The experimental design was randomized complete block design. Irrigation water salinities were 0.68(blank), 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS/m, respectively, which artificially were constructed using sodium chloride and calcium chloride. At first, vetiver was transplanted and then moved to the farm. The amount of soil moisture was measured by the neutron probe. Irrigation depth was applied to refill soil water deficit up to field capacity. To evaluate the soil salinity in above salinity treatments, soil was sampled in each plot from 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths and for each layer, electrical conductivity of saturated extract (ECe), sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations was measured .To measure the sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations in the leaves and roots of vetiver plant, samples were dried in oven. The dried samples were powdered and passed through the sieve (No. 200) and they were reduced to ash in 250 ◦C. 5 ml HCl was added to one gram of the ash, and after passing through filter paper, the volume of sample was brought to 50 ml by boiled distilled water. After preparing plant samples, the sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were measured by Flame Photometer. Reults and discussion: The results showed that the vetiver grass was able to decrease soil salinity at different salinity levels except highest water salinity (10 dS/m) and prevented salt accumulation in the soil. However, in the salinity 10 dS/m, soil salinity was not well controlled, but soil salinity was lower than the irrigation salinity. In these water salinities, the mean ECes in 0-90 cm soil depth were increased 25.0, 60.4, 79.2, 87.5 and 215.5 percent, respectively, relative to a control treatment, which was much less than the increasing of irrigation water salinities. These increases in ECe were significant at 5% level of probability. The accumulated values of sodium in vetiver leaves showed significant difference between S0 treatment and the other treatments (S3, S4 and S5) at the 5% level of probability. The sodium contents in vetiver leaves were 22.2, 33.3, 70.4, 103.7 and 122.2% and in vetiver roots were 32.7, 66.5, 129.3, 218.2 and 281.8% higher than the control treatments (S0), respectively. Sodium contents in vetiver roots were 103.7, 121.2, 154.4, 174.1, 218.2 and 250% more than sodium contents in vetiver leaves in S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 treatments, respectively. Sodium contents were increased 14.3, 28.6, 64.3, 100.0 and 114.3 percent in vetiver leavesand 28.6, 64.3, 125.0, 214.3 and 275.0 percent in the vetiver roots , relative to the control treatment, respectively, at above salinity levels, which indicated an improvement of sodium accumulation in leaves and roots with increasing salinity levels. Chloride concentrations at irrigation water salinities S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 treatments (2-10 dS/m) were 22.9, 35.6, 74.5, 107.2 and 121.9% in vetiver leaves and 27.02, 59.7, 118.9, 195.06 and 255.7% in vetiver roots more than control treatment, respectively. The mean values of sodium and chloride in all salinity levels in the roots were 170.3 and 164.1 percent more than the leaves, respectively.There were no significant differences in accumulated potassium in vetiver leaves and roots between different treatments, but vetiver leaves and roots absorbed and accumulated high value of potassium. The potassium contents were 4.38, 4.64, 4.18, 3.89, 3.82 and 3.68 mg/g in vetiver leaves and 3.12, 3, 3.62, 3.69, 3.84 and 3.68 mg/g in vetiver roots, in S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 treatments, respectively. Conclusion: In general, the results showed that up to irrigation water salinity 8 dS/m, Vetiver grass had very good ability to control soil salinity and prevented the accumulation of salt in the soil, but at the salinity of 10 dS /m, soil salinity was not well controlled. However, in 10 dS /m, soil salinity was much less than water irrigation salinity. The mean values of soil salinity in layer 3 (60-90 cm) were 0.48, 0.6, 0.77, 0.86, 0.9 and 1.5 dS/m in S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 treatments, respectively. ECes were 29.4, 70.0, 80.8, 85.7, 88.8 and 85.0 percent lower than irrigation water salinities 0.68, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS/m, , respectively. Sodium and chloride accumulated in the leaves and roots of vetiver that showed that Vetiver it is well able to absorb these elements. The accumulations of sodium and chloride in roots were170.3 and 164.1 percent more than leaves, respectively.

Due to their rather non-degradability and the emerging genetic resistance against them, antibiotics discharged into domestic effluents pose a serious environmental hazard while the conventional biological treatment methods are not adequately efficienct in removing them. In the present study, the chemical reaction between oxytetracycline (OTC) and nano zerovalent iron (NZVI) modified by UV-A radiation was investigated. In the batch experiments, concentration of reactants, pH, UV power, and time were optimized. In this process, the UV power was 200 W and 155 mg/L OTC in an aqueous solution was degraded after 6.5 hours using 1000 mg/L of the nano-iron powder at pH 3. TOC and COD removal efficiencies of 87, 95, 85, and 89% were achieved at 290 and 348 nm, respectively. In a similar process, no organic compounds remained after 14 hours. Based on XRD analysis, FeO and FeOOH comprised the oxide layer on the surface of the nanoparticles, which had positive effects on the photocatalytic process. Changing the parameters of ORP, pH, and DO during the process caused the photocatalytic reaction to start after 3 hours. It was also found that, due to the presence of ions such as calcium, magnesium, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and bicarbonate in sewage and surface water compositions, it is necessary to consider their mixture in the oxytetracycline elimination process while their statistical modeling using the response surface methodology also helps in the prediction ofe the effects of these ions. Data optimization results matched thos eof the model at 95% confidence level. It was found that while bicarbonate and sulfate ions had no effect on the process, chloride and nitrate ions had more negative effects than calcium and magnesium on OTC removal since they prohibit the destruction of aromatic rings.

To prevent flooding and water logging condition and to provide cultivation condition for fall and winter seasons, installation of subsurface drainage is necessary in large areas of Northern Iran paddy fields. The correct design of depth and spacing of drainage systems causes minimum negative effects of drainage water on the environment. In this research, the effects of different drainage systems on the Sodium, Chloride and Sulfate of drainage water in 4.5 ha of paddy fields of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU) during two successive growing seasons of rice and canola have been investigated. The experimental treatments were: Four subsurface drainage systems including drainage system with 0.9 m drain depth and 30 m drain spacing with mineral envelope (D0.9 L30), 0.65 m drain depth and 30 m drain spacing with mineral envelope (D0.65 L30), 0.65 m drain depth and 15 m drain spacing with mineral envelope (D0.65 L15S), and 0.65 m drain depth and 15 m drain spacing with Geotextile envelope (D0.65L15F) and a bi-level subsurface drainage system with 15 m drain spacing and drain depths of 0.65 and 0.9 m as alternate depths (Bi-level). During the study period, Na, Cl and SO4 of drainage water were measured. Based on the results, by increasing drain spacing from 15 m to 30 m, the average Na, Cl and SO4 of drainage water decreased. Also, the minimum Na, Cl and SO4 concentration and total dissolved drained were for D0.9L30 treatment. So, it can be concluded that this drainage system had less environmental effect with respect to other drainage systems, from drain water quality point of view.

Jasmonic acid and its methylated ester (methyl jasmonate), as natural plant growth regulators, are widely found in plants. In this study, the effect of methyl jasmonate (30 μM), in the early stages of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Cooker 347 growth, on photosynthetic pigments and proline was studied at high concentration of chloride. This experiment was performed in randomized complete block design with 4 replications, during 2011 crop year at Guilan Tobacco Research Center, outside greenhouse and under pot conditions. After transplanting similar seedlings to pots in rapid growth phase, the plants were irrigated with three levels chloride (50, 150 and 300 mg/L) as CaCl2 both in presence and absence of methyl jasmonate for 4 weeks. Data analysis showed that by increasing Cl- concentrations up to 300 (mg/L), chloride and calcium accumulation of leaves increased, whilst photosynthetic pigments and proline decreased. Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (30 μM) significantly increased photosynthetic pigments in all treatments and proline in the 300 mg/L treatment. It seemed that the application of external methyl jasmonate (30 µM) could improve tobacco plant injuries at high chloride concentration.

Jasmonic acid and its methylated ester (methyl jasmonate), as natural plant growth regulators, are widely found in plants. In this study, the effect of methyl jasmonate (30 μM), in the early stages of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Cooker 347 growth, on photosynthetic pigments and proline was studied at high concentration of chloride. This experiment was performed in randomized complete block design with 4 replications, during 2011 crop year at Guilan Tobacco Research Center, outside greenhouse and under pot conditions. After transplanting similar seedlings to pots in rapid growth phase, the plants were irrigated with three levels chloride (50, 150 and 300 mg/L) as CaCl2 both in presence and absence of methyl jasmonate for 4 weeks. Data analysis showed that by increasing Cl- concentrations up to 300 (mg/L), chloride and calcium accumulation of leaves increased, whilst photosynthetic pigments and proline decreased. Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (30 μM) significantly increased photosynthetic pigments in all treatments and proline in the 300 mg/L treatment. It seemed that the application of external methyl jasmonate (30 µM) could improve tobacco plant injuries at high chloride concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]