Water quality determination in Khuzestan creeks, northwest of Persian Gulf using WQS Index

Water quality was studied in Mahshahr creeks from 2005-2006. Due to special characteristics of Mahshahr creeks, high fisheries potential and sever exploitation and human pressure, WQS index was selected for determination of ecological health status of the area. Eight creeks Ghannam, Zasngy, Doragh,Ahmady, Darvish, Patil, Ghazaleh and Bihad were selected and monthly sampling of physical and chemical parameters was done by bottle sampler. Six primary water quality parameters were used to develop an integrated measure of overall water quality. The parameters included Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD _(5)), Total nitrogen (TN), Total phosphorus (TP), pH and Ammonia (NH_3). The results of two ways ANOVA showed that differences were significant only for nitrite between seasons and for pH, ammonium, nitrite and total phosphorus between creeks. Based on index description, parameters pH, NH_ and DO were placed in grade five indicating good quality for water. Total nitrogen was in grade three indicating poor quality and BOD5 and total phosphor were in grade one showing bad quality for water. According to the index, high similarity was found in studied creeks and the total value was found to be 3.33 for the whole studied area, indicating poor water quality

Morphological attributes to identify post larvae shrimps of Penaeidae family in Bandar-e-Emam and Abadan estuaries, southern Iran

In an attempt to identify shrimps in post larvae stages in Khouzestan province waters, eight estuaries stretching in the area were monthly sampled during the years 2000-2001. Bongo nets with a mesh size 330 microns were used in comerwise sampling that covered bottom to surface waters. We first separated Penaeidae larvae from decapods in the samples. Then, we identified 2054 Parapenaeopsis siylifera in post larvae stage showing eight pairs of telsons spine, the inner and outer flagellum of the first antennae being 3 and 5 segmented. Their scaphocerite was broad and short and their second antennae equipped with 32A36 cilia. Also, 640 Metapenaeus affininst in post larvae stage were identified with seven pairs of telsons spins, and 2 and, 3 segmented of inner and outer flagellum of first antennae. We also recognized 6 Penaeus sp. in post larvae stage with spines on posterior side of the fifth and sixth abdominal segments and their scaphocerite longer than flagellum that were irregular in width in the second antennae. This study is the first done on identification of post larvae shrimps of the Penaeidae family in the Persian Gulf

Population structure of Ferosagitta ferox (Chaetognatha) in the northwest coastal waters of the Persian Gulf

Population dynamics of Ferosagitta ferox (Chaetognatha) was carried out in coastal waters of Khur-e-Mussa's Channel in Khuzestan Province, northwest Persian Gulf. Monthly samples were collected with 300km mesh size plankton net in oblique tow from near bottom to surface waters. In total, 7 species of Chaetognaths were identified belonging to 1 class (Sagittoidea), 1 order (Aphragmophora), 2 families (Sagittidae and Krohnittidae) and 4 genera (Aidanosagitta, Ferosagitta, Flaccisagitta and Krohnitta). The identified species included A. Bedford, A. neglecta, F. ferox, Flaccisagitta enflata, F. hexaptera, Krohnitta pacifica and one unknown species. Due to presence and excessive frequency of F. ferox in all samples, we focused on its population variation as an indicator of Chaetognatha. We determined length groups for adult individuals in 4-21mm range with 1mm increments. The year round presence of juvenile and small individuals showed the continuous reproduction of F. ferox with two considerable peaks in March and July. The evaluated recruitment indicated that the species has a low growth rate and a long life cycle

Benthic invertebrate community in Khur-e-Mussa creeks in northwest of Persian Gulf and the application of the AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index)

Benthic invertebrates are a well-established target in environmental quality status evaluations. The AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) was developed to determine the impacts and the quality status of soft-bottom marine benthic communities. The aim of this study was investigating multivariate pattern of benthic invertebrate community and application of AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) for determining quality of health status in Khuzestan coastal waters. Seasonal samplings were collected from eight creeks over one year study by Peterson grab sampler, beginning from October 2005. All creeks are characterized by muddy bottom. According to sensitivity to environmental stress, macrobenthic animals classified into 5 ecological groups. Among 28 identified faunal groups the most abundant groups were polychaets, molluscs, crustaceans and nematodes, respectively. Two way ANOVAs showed only seasonal significant differences in mean abundance (P<0.05) and Margalef richness index values (P<0.05), while all of studied creeks shows similar biological characters based on benthic communities. According to annual mean of AMBI value all creeks were in ecological group III with slightly polluted condition, except for Darvish that was in unpolluted category. In the present study, although the number of species initially increased, but due to appearance of dominant species such as Capitella sp. and nematods (as opportunist species), diversity values reduced. In general, according to AMBI and Biotic index values, the most creeks are classified into unpolluted and slightly polluted categories except for Zangy, Doragh and Patil in summer and also Zangy and Bihad in winter which was in moderate to heavily polluted category. Different types of exploitation, industrial and shipping activities in this area could result in unbalanced to polluted status in benthic animals (as the best indicators in sediment quality assessment) so these results can be acceptable

The effect of marine fish cage culture on benthic communities using BOPA index in Ghazale Creek

The present work has been carried out to investigate the probable effects of fish cage culture on benthic communities as a pollution and stress indicator and to evaluate the biotic health condition using BOPA index, in Ghazale Creek (Khowre-Mussa - Persian Gulf). Monthly sampling from 4 stations was carried out from June 2007 to March 2008 (during nine months). Stations were selected from under the cage to 400 m distant (as control site) in Ghazale Creek. Three samples were taken at each station for macrobenthos and one for sediment grain size and total organic matter (TOM), using a 0.0125 m2 van veen grab. Also physical-chemical parameters sampling from three stations was done (during nine months). Stations were under cage station, 50 m and 400 m far from cages in Ghazale Creek.The percentage of total organic matter (TOM) in sediment ranged from 6.11 to 23.26 and the range of silty-clay percentage was from 4.76 to 97.47. The dominant macrobenthos groups were Polychaets (60.62%), Mulluska (19.67%), Crustacea (16.49%). Macrobenthic abundance, biomass and diversity index values in the under cage station were less than that in the control station. Comparing the results of BOPA with the guidelines shows that all stations had bad environmental conditions. The under cage station was more polluted than the control station. The range of physical-chemical parameters in water were: DO ­(6.5-11.43) ppm,­ BOD ­(1.5-10.9) ppm, Salinity (43-45.6) ppt, NO2- (0.006-0.29) ppb, NO3- (3.98-32.2) ppm, Turbidity (14-70)­ NTU temperature (11.8-32.5) ° C

Study of taxonomy and ecology of Planktonic Copepods of Poecilostomatida in Bahrakan waters (Northwestern Persian Gulf)

The present investigation is based on separation and identification of Planktonic Poecilostomatoida in Bahrakan waters during July, August, October of 2010 and December, February, April of 2011. In this study The order of Poecilostomatida was represented by 3 species, Corycaeus andrewsi and Sapphirina nigromaculata andSaphirella- like copepodid. Abundance of each species was measured in sampling months. The highest density of Poecilostomatoid copepods were recorded in August and October 2010. C. andrewsiwith relative frequency of 73% was dominant species during the studying period among Poecilostomatoida and maximum abundance of it were observed in October 2010. Saphirella- like copepodid was observed in all sampling months. Maximum abundance of this species was in August and October 2010 and this report is the first report of this species in the Persian Gulf. There was Positive significant correlation coefficient between density of C. andrewsi and water salinity (P<0.05) but there was no significant correlation between the rest species and water parameters

Study of taxonomy and ecology of planktonic copepods of Poecilostomatida in Bahrakan waters (north western Persian Gulf)

The present investigation is based on separation and identification of Planktonic Poecilostomatoida in Bahrakan waters during July, August, October of 2010 and December, February, April of 2011. In this study The order of Poecilostomatida was represented by 3 species, Corycaeus andrewsi and Sapphirina nigromaculata andSaphirella- like copepodid. Abundance of each species was measured in sampling months. The highest density of Poecilostomatoid copepods were recorded in August and October 2010. C. andrewsiwith relative frequency of 73% was dominant species during the studying period among Poecilostomatoida and maximum abundance of it were observed in October 2010. Saphirella- like copepodid was observed in all sampling months. Maximum abundance of this species was in August and October 2010 and this report is the first report of this species in the Persian Gulf. There was Positive significant correlation coefficient between density of C. andrewsi and water salinity (P<0.05) but there was no significant correlation between the rest species and water parameters

Distribution and density of juvenile fish in Khouzestan coastal waters

During one year survey (January to December 2007), Khouzestan coastal waters in the north west of Persian Gulf were examined to investigate juvenile fishes distribution, density and biomass. Monthly juvenile fish samples were caught using a 360 hp research vessel towing a 24 mm mesh size bottom trawl. Trawling was carried out at 10 randomly selected stations. Distribution map for dominant species was prepared and biomass and CPUA was estimated in the study area. Highest and lowest CPUA was observed in October and December, repectively.Biomass fluctuations showed increasing trend during warm seasons.Significant correlation was recorded between environmental parameters (water temperature and salinity) with biomass and number of species per month in the study area

Using of AMBI (azti marine biotic index) index to evaluation of khouzestan coastal sediment health status

Presence of each pollution and changing in the marine ecosystem have sever impacts on Biotic factors and economic ecological potential in this valuable area. Thus, ecological health monitoring to evaluation of habitat health are important.In this study, AMBI(Azti Marine Biology Index) was used to evaluation health of Bahrakan coastal area as a main fisheries and petroleum extraction ground. The results showed studied area classified in good ecological status. The dominance species was from Ophiuridae family with ecological group II. Based on richness and diversity index value, studied areas are classified in bad ecological status. This result discordantly can cause due to differences in influences variable. Low rate of water exchange, high degree of temperature and salinity maybe were lead to decreasing in macrobenthic richness and diversity index values but AMBI result that get from ratio between sensitive and resistant species, shows good ecological status

Heavy metals contaminant evaluation in sediments of Khour-e-Musa creeks, northwest of Persian Gulf

Surface sediments contamination to heavy metals was evaluated in eight creeks of Mahshahr coastal waters (north-west of the Persian Gulf) from October. 2005 to November 2006. Sediments were collected seasonally by Peterson grab and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured using voltammetry and polarography methods. The range and the mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 15.03-35.16 (27.01) for Cu, 65.57-171.41 (102.67) for Ni, 4.63-20.06 (13.22) for Co, 0.093-0.78 (0.22) for Hg, 65.07-379 (113.70) for Zn, 0.27-1.00 (0.56) for Cd and 7.09-29.72 (14.66) for Pb. The background values for different heavy metals were calculated and the contamination factor for each metal and the degree of contamination for each creek we.re determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with international standards. According to the contamination factor (Cf), the concentration of some elements such as Hg, Zn, and Ni were at risk level; according to the degree of contamination (Cd), all of the studied creeks could be classifieds moderately polluted except for Ghannam that showed a considerable degree of contamination