about Us
Introduction
Human beings have acquired extraordinary ability to change the natural environment through the development of modern technology, especially within the last few decades of the twentieth century. These abilities which were used to exploit natural resources caused the exhaustion of such resources, especially non-renewable energy and resulted in major point and non-point sources of pollution. On a global scale, the overuse of natural resources resulted in the green house effect, global warming, climate change, acid rain, deforestation, and desertification. These environmental problems have placed the Earth in a critical and dangerous situation .
Iran with arid and semi-arid climates has been faced with many environmental issues. This is in addition to the problems related to the population growth and rapid urban development. These environmental issues are major obstacles to short and long term sustainable development. In this regard, the Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development (CERSD) of Shiraz University has been established to foster research, education and consultation on various aspects of environment including social, cultural, economical, and aesthetical.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists and experts is needed to tackle the problems stemming from huge development in various fields of industry, agriculture, water resources, oil and gas exploration and energy in southern parts of the country and to present sound, optimal and economical solutions. The Center also carries out environmental impact assessment and performs strategic environmental assessment.
Objectives
The Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development of Shiraz University aims to facilitate cooperation and collaboration amongst experts and scientists in various departments to educate, perform research and provide consultation on various aspects of the environment.
Organization, activities, and specializations:
The center is comprised of:
a) Trustee board of Shiraz University
b) Director
c) Scientific board
The center uses the expertise of faculty members and other research centers dealing with environmental issues in the following specializations:

•  Social, cultural and legal aspects of environment and sustainable development and NGO participation;

•  Integrated management of sustainable development;

•  Integrated management of solid waste and hazardous wastes;

•  Integrated management of wetlands;

•  Water and wastewater treatments;

•  Soil erosion and watershed management;

•  HSE (Health, safety and environment);

•  Agricultural pollutants;

•  Air and sound pollutions;

•  Ecology, natural resources and wildlife;

•  Energy use and its optimization;

•  Industrial impact on environment (oil, petrochemical, heavy industry and mines);

•  Environmental evaluation of projects;

•  Oceans, seas, lakes and estuarine pollutions;

•  Urban development and landscaping;

•  Environmental economics;

•  Aesthetics.


Laboratory facilities and equipment :


The Center uses all available laboratory and computer centers, GIS and remote sensing facilities of Shiraz University . Some of these facilities are as follows:

•  Software developed in Shiraz University ;

•  Electron microscope;

•  High pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC);

•  Gamma spectrometer;

•  Thermo luminescence detector;

•  GM detector;

•  Neutron activation analyzer;

•  Environmental gas detector;

•  Environmental SPM analyzer;

•  Gas chromatograph;

•  Atomic absorption spectrometer;

•  ICP system;

•  Electro analyzer;

•  Spectrofluoremeter;

•  Spectrophotometer;

•  Ultracentrifuge;

•  Laboratory equipments for molecular tests;

•  Electrophoresis

Completed activities :

Shiraz University faculties performed various educational, research and consulting works related to environment and sustainable development at local, national, regional and international levels. These include:

•  Air pollution of Shiraz city and other cities since 1994;

•  Investigation of pollutants in Kor and Sivand Rivers ;

•  Re-use of wastewater in agriculture;

•  Hydrodynamics, salinity, and pollution characteristics of some lakes in Fars province;

•  Integrated solid waste management;

•  Environmental assessment of landfill in Shiraz city;

•  Environmental assessment of some dams in Fars province;

•  Sustainable agriculture in Fars province;

•  Optimization of air pollution control in Shiraz Cement Factory;

•  Determination of research prioritization in environment and sustainable development of Fars province;

•  Source identification of pollutants in Shiraz plain.

Shiraz University is very active in organizing conferences and workshops in various fields of environment and sustainable developments. This center is ready for any form of cooperation, collaboration, and joint partnership with national and international research and consulting centers to perform and implement environmental studies at local, national and international levels.

 
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