Morteza Feizi

Bio: Morteza Feizi is an academic researcher from Bu-Ali Sina University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sorption & Environmental chemistry. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 9 publications receiving 160 citations. Previous affiliations of Morteza Feizi include University of Kurdistan.

Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using sunflower, potato, canola and walnut shell residues

Abstract: In this research, the residues of sunflower, potato, canola, and walnut shell were used as sorbents to sorb heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd) from aqueous solutions using batch experiments. The effect of pH and contact time was investigated. Maximum sorption of heavy metals by different sorbents was observed around pH 4–8. The optimal contact time was in the range of 20–600 min. The values of pHzpc (zero point of charge) measured for sunflower, potato, canola, and walnut shell residues were 6.06, 6.80, 6.15 and 5.85, respectively. The plant residues showed considerable capacity for removal of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cd from aqueous solution but Ni sorption by residues was negligible. Chemical activation of sorbents with NaOH enhanced Ni sorption. Competitive sorption decreased the removal of heavy metals compared to the single system. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted well to experimental metals sorption. The sorption kinetic of heavy metals was described well by pseudo second order model. In our study, the sorption mechanisms such as electrostatic attraction and ion exchange as well as complexation seem to be the most occurring phenomena.

Effects of Silicon and Silicon-Based Nanoparticles on Rhizosphere Microbiome, Plant Stress and Growth.

Abstract: Silicon (Si) is considered a non-essential element similar to cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc., for plants, yet Si is beneficial to plant growth, so it is also referred to as a quasi-essential element (similar to aluminum, cobalt, sodium and selenium). An element is considered quasi-essential if it is not required by plants but its absence results in significant negative consequences or anomalies in plant growth, reproduction and development. Si is reported to reduce the negative impacts of different stresses in plants. The significant accumulation of Si on the plant tissue surface is primarily responsible for these positive influences in plants, such as increasing antioxidant activity while reducing soil pollutant absorption. Because of these advantageous properties, the application of Si-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) in agricultural and food production has received a great deal of interest. Furthermore, conventional Si fertilizers are reported to have low bioavailability; therefore, the development and implementation of nano-Si fertilizers with high bioavailability could be crucial for viable agricultural production. Thus, in this context, the objectives of this review are to summarize the effects of both Si and Si-NPs on soil microbes, soil properties, plant growth and various plant pathogens and diseases. Si-NPs and Si are reported to change the microbial colonies and biomass, could influence rhizospheric microbes and biomass content and are able to improve soil fertility.

Assessment of nutrient and heavy metal content and speciation in sewage sludge from different locations in Iran

Abstract: More than 80% of sewage sludge (SS) produced in Iran is landfilled with high environmental impact. The chemical properties of SS produced from wastewater plants of cites of Arak, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Rasht, Saveh, Shiraz, Sanandaj, Tehran, Takestan, and Toyserkan were studied to assess the potential beneficial effects of their application to agricultural soil as sustainable SS management. The pH and EC values, total content and water-soluble concentration of nutrients and heavy metals, their water-extractable pools were determined, and their speciation was done through the NICA–Donnan model using the Visual MINTEQ software. Relatively high contents of N, P, and physiologically active cations indicated potential beneficial effects of SS for land application in the agro-ecosystems, whereas the heavy metal content depended on the SS production site, with higher levels found in the SS of the Arak and Saveh wastewater treatment plants. The pH value was the main factor controlling the metal speciation, with Cu and Pb having the highest affinity for the organic matter, and Zn and Mn being mainly present as free ions or inorganic species. Results showed that SS from different locations in Iran differed in their main chemical properties and elemental composition and that speciation analysis could be used to predict potential beneficial and harmful effects of SS, particularly upon the modeling of metal–organic complexes by the NICA–Donnan approach. Globally, our results confirmed that while the SS produced in Iran has potential suitable chemical properties for use in agriculture, their heavy metals load should not be ignored.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Potential Ecological Risk in Sewage Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Located in the Most Industrialized Region in Poland—Case Study

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the pollution and potential ecological risk of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the sewage sludge collected from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), located in the most industrialized region of Poland (Silesian Voivodeship). The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP-OES) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The chemical forms (chemical speciation) of heavy metals were determined using the three-step chemical sequential extraction procedure, developed by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR). To assess the pollution level and potential ecological risk, the following indices were used: Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Potential Ecological Risk Factor (ER), Individual Contamination Factor (ICF), Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Ecological Risk Factor (ERF)-the author's index. Sludge samples were collected at successive stages of processing. The results revealed that the activated sludge process and sludge thickening have a significant impact on heavy metal distribution, while anaerobic digestion and dehydration decrease their mobility. The most dominant metals in the sludge samples were Zn and Cu. However, the content of heavy metals in sewage sludge did not exceed the permissible standards for agricultural purposes. The concentrations of heavy metals bound to the immobile fractions exhibited higher concentrations, compared to those bound to mobile fractions (except Zn). The values of the total indices indicated that sludge samples were moderately to highly contaminated with Zn, Hg, Cd, Cu, and Pb, of which only Hg, Cd, and Cu posed a potential ecological risk, while according to the speciation indices, sludge samples were moderately to very highly polluted with Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Ni, of which Zn, Ni, and Cd were environmentally hazardous. The obtained results proved that assessment of the pollution level and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge requires knowledge on both their total concentrations and their chemical forms. Such an approach will help prevent secondary pollution of soils with heavy metals, which may influence the reduction of health risks associated with the consumption of plants characterized by a high metal content.