TVOCs and BTEX concentrations in the air of south pars special economic energy zone

cold season were higher than those in warm season. High concentrations of Benzene in cold and warm seasons were used to identify areas of high exposure risk.survey TVOCs and BTEX in the air of South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in 2014. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study sampling and analysis was done by NIOSH 1501 method. The study was carried out in 336 activated carbon tubes and personal sampling pump in 6 sampling stations during one year. The compounds were extracted by solvent carbon disulfide and analyzed using Gas Chromatography- Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Data analysis was performed in SPSS Ver.18 applying Kruskal-Wallis, Fligner test and ANOVA. Results: The mean concentrations of TVOCs and TBTEX were 229.34 and 31.23 µg/m3 in cold season and 212.19 and 29.89 µg/m3 in warm season, respectively. The mean concentrations of Benzene in all stations were 11.72 µg/m3 which were higher than the threshold levels recommended by Iranian Clean Air Act and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The ANOVA results showed a significant difference between the concentration of pollutants and hour, month and sampling stations (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the concentration of pollutants and seasons (P>0.05). Conclusion: The concentrations of measured pollutants in cold season were higher than those in warm season. High concentrations of Benzene in cold and warm seasons were used to identify areas of high exposure risk. © 2016, AMazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Enhanced chromium (VI) removal using activated carbon modified by zero valent iron and silver bimetallic nanoparticles

Recently, adsorption process has been introduced as a favorable and effective technique for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. In the present study, bimetallic nanoparticles consisting of zero valent iron and silver were loaded on the activated carbon powder for the preparation of a new adsorbent (PAC-Feo /Ag). The above adsorbent was characterized by using XRD, SEM and TEM techniqes. Experimental data were exploited for kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic evaluations related to the adsorption processes. The Cr(VI) adsorption process was found to be favorable at pH 3 and it reached equilibrium state within 60 min. The stirring rate did not have a significant effect on the adsorption efficiency. Furthermore, the monolayer adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) based on the Langmuir model was measured to be 100 mg/g. The experimental equilibrium data were fitted to the Freundlich adsorption and pseudo second-order models. According to the thermodynamic study, the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature, indicating the adsorption capacity increases with increasing the temperature. The results also revealed that the synthesized composite can be potentially applied as a magnetic adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) contaminants from aqueous solutions

Increasing growth rate of Salmo trutta caspius by selection (Phase 1)

The management of genetically brood stocks of Salmo trutta of Caspian Sea in order to restocking for longe time harvesting and culture of fish in intensive system, has been little investigated, in contrast with European stocks. Salmo trutta Caspius is very important in biological and genetically point of view. This fish as gene bank valid for breeding improvement, hybridization and new cold species for culture, can be used. This study begain in 2007 and lasted 3 years in Bahonar, kelardasht of Iran. The breeders were 27 pairs. Each female have been crossed by 3 male. Eggs and larvae as well as the fingerlings reared separately of each crosses. The best fingerlings of 5, 20 and 100 gram were collected after 3 period of challenge. At the final 300 brood stocks in two groups were remained and stocked for artificial propagation. For heritability estimation in 4 stages sampling the weight and length were measured and it was 0.47 and 0.50 respectively. In case of molecular study the quality of DNA extract from the fin of breeders and their progeny by phenol-chloroform was good for PCR test. The heterosigosity test for Ho and He for each station and sites except for SRUTTA12 and STRUTTA59, the He was greater than Ho. Shaton Index and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for station and sites for male and progenies, the OM24showed deviation from H-W equilibrium. In case of similarity and genetic distance based on Nei (1972), the highest distance were in case of male and female, and were the least between fingerlings and male brood stocks

Evaluate the impact of dietary herbal appetizer on the growth performance of growth out common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The main goal of the current study is to evaluate the impact of dietary herbal appetizer on the growth performance of growth out common carp. This project was conducted at Caspian sea research institute of ecology from 2013 to 2014. Totally 186 common carps with an average weight of 126.3 g were randomly distributed to 9 fiberglass tanks with area and depth of 16m2 and of 0.6 m. The experiment lasted for eight weeks and the fish were fed by three different diets as follows: 1. Commercial pellet contained no herbal additive (control diet) 2. Commercial pellet contained 1% herbal appetizer and 3. Commercial pellet contained 2% herbal appetizer. The results showed that common carp weight gains for diet 1 , 2 and 3 were 51.6, 49.3 and 57.6g respectively. The estimated growth rate was 39.03g for control diet, 40.03g for 1% inclusion of the additive and 48.65g for 2% inclusion of the additive. Results also showed that inclusion of the additive did not change statistically average final weight (p>0.05). A larger weight gain was observed at 2% additive inclusion although this was not statistically different with other treatments. In conclusion, with regard to the observed results, herbal appetizer administration cannot improve growth, feed conversion rate and weight gain in common carps

The percentage determination of Rutilus frisii kutum (200, 500 and 1000 mg) resistance to salinity, turbidity and decrease of oxygen by usage of the river water at the releasing meantime

The survey effect of salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen performed on Rutilus frisii Kutum juveniles with aim, which was determined about survival rate and histological changes in gill and kidney tissues. Juveniles provided from the Rajai's fish propagation center and then examined in Caspian Sea Ecology Research Center laboratory. The juveniles were investigated on three weight group (200-75%) had shown in 400-<600mg weight group with dissolve oxygen: 3.8±0.15SE mg/l. In addition, the lowest survival rates under turbidity stress (95.83%) had shown that in weight group less than 400 mg with turbidity 15600 FTU. Therefore, survival of juveniles was high. However, gill tissue of juveniles under turbidity and salinity stress became short (necrosis) and thick (edema and hyperplasia) in the end of experiments. The juveniles gill tissues were not changes in the river clear freshwater. Therefore, the factors of gill tissue deformation were salinity and suspended particles in the water. However, the structures of kidney in the different groups of juveniles were similar. Nevertheless, juveniles glomerular diameter increased with increasing weight (p<0.05, Duncan test). Furthermore, there was a increasing the internal cavity of the proximal and distal tubules and decreasing of glomeruli in diameter in the transfer of juveniles from freshwater to brackish water. Although the survival rate of juveniles is acceptable in this study, but there was abnormal changes in the structure of them gills. It appears that this change will cause a disruption in trend of juvenile's growth

A survey of feeding habits of economic benthic feeder fishes in the southern of Caspian Sea (Rutilus frissi kutum, Rutilus rutilus caspicus, Cyprinus carpio, Liza auratus and Liza saliens)

Present study analyzed the stomach contents of individuals belonging to five fish’s species in order toInvestigate seasonal changes in feeding strategy and diet composition in the South coast of the Caspian Sea (Gilan and Mazandaran provinces) from late March until late May 2010 using the research ship Gillan and fishing with batoom trawl nets and fishing blades insoles bony fishes in the depths of less than 60 meters. The average length and the total weight of Rutilus frisii kutum, Rutilus rutilus caspicus, Cyprinus carpio, Liza auratus and Liza saliens respectively were 36/9 ± 8/5 cm , 562/9 ± 353/2 g, 23/2 ± 3/2 cm , 202 ± 101/6 g, 24/6 ± 8/1 cm , 249/8 ± 242 g, 32/2 ± 8/9 cm , 320/9 ± 242/8 g, 22/7 ± 2/6 cm and 82/9 ± 52/2 g repectively. Using the method of Shorygin and Costello highly nourishing food strategy and different species of fishes were studied. The results of this study showed that Rutilus frisii kutum fed generally of Balanus and Cerastorderma In order of importance after Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Crabs, Fish eggs, Filamentous alge in GI Rutilus frisii kutum presence, but feeding it of Bivalvia (in particular Cerastorderma) was much more than the other food. The results of present study showed that under the influence of compatibility and behavioral mechanisms, ecological, physiological and nutritional importance of Rutilus frisii kutum Bivalvia. The results of studies were showed that Bivalvia was feeding the dominant Rutilus frisii kutum , while the results of this study showed that despite Bivalvia present importance in feeding the of this species, it seems that its presence in such digestion decreased. As well as the dominant food of Rutilus rutilus caspicus was fish, but generally from Detrite fed. This study showed that feeding the dominant species of Cyprinus carpio, Liza auratus and Liza saliens of Detrite was. The most important food items after ditrit for the Cyprinus carpio in order of importance include the Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Abra ovata, Nereis, Fish eggs, Filamentous alge, was. The Liza auratus dietary habits also showed that after ditrit the most importance in nutrition related to Foraminifera, Porifera and Balanus, and for Liza saliens to Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Porifera. The results showed that the mullet the greater the intensity of feeding fishes than other species were, Rutilus frisii kutum in between of Cyprinidae the greater the intensity of feeding fishes than other species were (0/05 > P). The values of this indicator in the lower longitudinal in all fish species investigated were more than high longitudinal groups. The feeding intensity at different times of sampling for all species investigated showed that in all species at times extremely reduced the reproductive index (0/05 > P). As well as the diversity foods in the lower longitudinal in all fish species investigated were more than high longitudinal groups. In conclusion, our results demonstrated Food strategy have changed based on physiological changes, metabolism activity, behaviour, and the amount of food available

Analyze the types and methods suitable nutrition in introducing a variety of fish cages in the southern part of Caspian Sea

Regarding the fish farming in cages, taking into account all nutritional requirements appropriate to the needs of aquaculture is essential in order to minimize damage to the environment and achieve maximum growth. Fish nutritionists should be aware about the analysis of ability to digest and absorb nutrients in the diet to prepare and adjust the diet according to the needs of aquaculture. Food must also have appropriate physical properties for food intake with minimal loss of nutrients in the water. Inadequate resources with low quality or energy consumption within food, reduced the growth performance and increased the excretion of nitrogen in the environment. Food must be designed so that the balance of minerals in food will help maintain osmotic pressure within the body of fish in salty water. Food requirements and efficiency of food conversion ratio (FCR) is variable by changing environmental conditions (dissolved oxygen, temperature, water quality, flow rate, light intensity ,day length). The fish of cages are feeding by floating pellets which have the ability to stand in the water column. The floating pellets allows the fish to have sufficient time and opportunity for finding food. But sinking pellets pass rapidly from the cage and are inaccessible to fish. According to the Caspian sea conditions is better the extruded food equipped with Hygenizer to be used that a portion of it remains on the water surface and part of it moves gently down with an immersion mode in the water column (Softly deposited) for fish consumption. The amount, number and time of feeding are important factors to assess the nutritional activities. In general, fish feed from dry food between 2 to 3 percent of their body weight. Food consumption was also varied due to the quality of the food and fish physiological factors such as age, size, stage of life and stress level. Fish food distribution being fed manually or by means of demand, launcher and automatic feeding. The farm managers should pay attention to the things like water flows in the cage, wind, fish appetite, consolidated flows in the cage during food distribution as well as food storage in dry places with proper ventilation system to prevent the growth of fungi and insects activities to prevent loss of food. Also, adding antioxidants to the 100150 ppm when storing dry foods including the important cases particularly in prevention of fish liver lipoidosis disease is considered

Determination of oil pollutant (water, sediment and fish) in the southern part of Caspian Sea

This study was conducted to determine 16 Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (16 PAHs) concentrations in water (during four seasons) and surface sediments (during summer and winter) at eight transects (Astara, Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon, Nowshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad and Turkman) in the southern of Caspian Sea in 20102011. 94 samples of water and 45 samples of surface sediments were collected at 10, 50 and 100 meters depths. In addition, 28 samples of fish (Cyprinus Carpio) were collected during winter and spring. All samples were prepared by Soxhlet and extracting processes and then determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument. Results of current study showed that mean concentration and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs water were observed 232 (±77), 1268 (±808), 538 (±190) and 151 (±53) µg/l in spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. In addition, annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs water were registered 24.10 (±8.12) µg/l. The Hazard Quotation (HQs) were calculated more than unit and belong to Benzo(a)pyrene and Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene compounds. Mean concentration and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs sediment were observed 0.77 (±0.23) and 1.21 (±0.64) µg/g.dw in summer and winter, respectively. Also, the annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of surface sediments were observed 0.93 (±0.33) µg/g.dw. The Hazard Quotation (HQs) were calculated more than unit and belong to Fluoranthene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Chryseneand Benzo(a)pyrene. The annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of edible tissue of Cyprinus Carpio mussels were observed 2.21 (±0.42) µg/g.dw. Annually, pattern of 16PAH compounds were obtained 10, 70, 12 and 8% for 3,4,5, and 6 rings, respectively. Four ring compounds had high content and percentage and 2 ring was not observed in all samples of water. Also, pattern of 16PAH in surface sediments were obtained 31, 56 and 14% for 3, 4, and 5 rings, respectively. Four ring compounds had high content and percentage and 2 and 6 rings were not observed in all samples of surface sediments during two seasons. Result of Diagnostic Ratios analysis (DRs) of sediments showed that the source of oil compounds were petrogenic and pyrogenic in summer and winter, respectively. Based on DRs in water and sediments were observed oil compounds were either petrogenic or pyrogenic with different percentage in the southern Caspian Sea. In conclusion, the results revealed that in the some transects the 16PAHs concentrations of water were above the threshold levels and more petrogenic (85%) sources which represented polluted condition in this area. 16PAHs concentrations of sediments were below the threshold levels and conditions for this region were showed unpolluted. Also, the Caspian Sea sediments were classified in Class 2 (Fair). According to results of the evaluation’s risks to human health associated with consumption of the mussels containing 16PAHs suggest that there is risk for humans

Study on macrobenthic communities in the range of fish cage-culture area (before breeding) in the southern Caspian Sea (Mazandaran coast-Kelarabad)

The abundance and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates were studied in the place of fish cage culture in southern coasts of Caspian sea (Mazandaran waters- kelarabad). The goal of this study was to consider of fish cage culture effects on the abundance and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates. The sampling was carried out in 3 stations in depth of 20 meter of Kelarabad waters monthly. In this study 7 species were identified belonged to 5 genus of 4 family. Totally 23442 sample of benthic invertebrates were counted that the lowest and highest abundance were in station 1(23.4%) and station 2(46.8%) respectively. The results of stations study showed that the highest abundance and biomass were in stations 2 and 3 with the average of 646 ± 1230.4 n/m^2 and 0.526 ± 1.001 gr/m^2 respectively. This coulld be respectively dependant to not settling of cage (witness station) and appearance of Cerastoderma glaucum because of its large body in station 1. The difference of abundance and biomass between different stations was not significant (p ›0.05). The study on abundance and biomass in different seasons showed that the highest abundance in autumn with the avarage of 888.13 ± 1371.58 n/m^2 belonged to Strblospio gynobranchiata and the highest biomass belonged to C. glaucum which was because of appearance of not native species of polychaeta and also the species with shell covering from bivalvia. The results showed that the specie of S. gynobranchiata from polychaeta including 93.3% of abundance was the dominant specie that could be related to appropriate ecological conditions for living and high adaptability. It was concluded that the abundance and biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates in station 1 was lower than other stations which was related to fish cage culture activity and its effects on benthic macroinvertebrates. So it is suggested that each mariculture activity in southern coasts of Caspian Sea should be carried out with regarding to environmental considerations and performance of comparative evaluation project of environmental effects

Survey and feasibility study for the introduction of native fish and non- native fish for cage culture in the southern part of Caspian Sea

The aim of this study is the feasibility of introducing suitable species of fish (native and exotic) for rearing in cages in the southern region of the Caspian Sea. This study from the perspective of economic efficiency and maintaining ecology were analyzed. The results showed that the southern Caspian Sea has the ability to aquaculture fish. However, due to the yearly temperature variations of water (from surface to a depth of 50 meters), the talent of aquaculture area is preferred for fish in cold water than warm water fish due to possibility rearing over the years. The survey showed that the current conditions and due to unfavorable changes in the ecology of the area in the last decade, the use of non-native fish culture in cages is not recommended. Many species of native fish are suitable for rearing in cages. Nevertheless, there is no infrastructure suitable for the production of all of them. Therefore, respectively species of Salmo caspius, Huso huso and Common carp of Caspian Sea for cultivation of in cages was suggested. In the current situation, this fish for their ability to grow faster than the need for selectivity. It is noteworthy that detailed environmental assessments and species risk assessments before the final introduction of any fish species (native and exotic) for rearing in cages in the Caspian Sea ecosystem is essential