Evaluation of effects of physico-chemical factors on chlorophyll-a in Shadegan International Wetland - Khouzestan Province - Iran

Measurement of chlorophyll-a can be considered important to investigate the primary production of an ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate chlorophyll-a concentration, primary production and the factors affecting them in Shadegan Wetland located in Khouzestan Province - Iran. Sampling for measuring (NO3, PO4, BOD5, DO, pH, EC, salinity, temperature) was performed seasonally at five sampling stations of the wetland (Canal, Ragbeh, Khoroosi, Mahshahr and Atish), from March 2013 – through February 2014. Results showed that chlorophyll-a concentrations in Canal station were significantly higher than that in the other stations; however, there were no significant differences among the other sampling stations (p>0.05). The maximum and minimum primary production (and chlorophyll-a) (62, 1.14 mg/m^3) were observed at Canal and Ragbeh stations, respectively. Annual average chlorophyll-a concentration was 10.28 mg/m^3, and there was no significant seasonal difference (p>0.05). The maximum value of chlorophyll-a was observed in the fall (29.63 mg/m^3), whereas, the minimum value was related to the spring (4.07 mg/m^3). Among the water physicochemical parameters, nitrate had a significant effect on chlorophyll-a concentrations. According to trophic state index (TSI), Shadegan Wetland is mesotrophic in the spring and winter, whereas it is eutrophic in the summer and fall. Overall, the lake is suitable for warm water species

The hematological improvement of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during dietary supplementation with vitamin C after exposure to zinc nano-particles

The aim of this study was to examine the adverse effects of zinc nanoparticles on hematological indices of trout and investigate the improvement of these indices after vitamin C treatments. This study assesses the protective role of vitamin C in fish exposed to ZnO NPs. Two concentrations of ZnO-NPs (40 and 80 mg L^-1) and two doses of vitamin C (400 and 800 mg per kg of feed) were used to treat 162 specimens of Oncorhynchus mykiss. No mortality was observed during the test. After 5 and 10 days of exposure, hematological data were analyzed according to routine clinical methods. Statistical analysis showed significant changes in WBCs and RBC on day 10 (p0.05), while significant increase in neutrophils and monocytes, and decrease in lymphocyte cells were recorded (p<0.05). ZnO-NPs stimulated the immune system of O. mykiss, but this effect did not have any lethality on this species at 40 and 80 mg L^-1. Vitamin C in different concentrations could help to prevent rainbow trout from the toxic effects of this nano metal

Evaluation of dietary supplements of Pediococcus acidilactici bacteria and Agaricus bisporus mushroom powder on skin mucus immune indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to silver nano-particles

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplements of Pediococcus acidilactici bacteria and Agaricus bisporus mushroom powder separate and combined (combined supplement) on the skin mucosal immune indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in exposure to silver nano-particles. For this purpose, 180 fish with mean weight 29.6±0.4 g were fed in four treatments: bacteria (1 g/kg of diet), mushroom powder (10 g/kg of diet), combined bacteria and mushroom powder (1 and 10 g/kg of bacteria and mushroom) supplements and control (nutritionally non-supplemented) treatments and each treatment with 3 replicate (15 fish per replicate) for 60 days. After the end of the feeding period, the fish were exposed to sub-acute concentration of nano-silver (1 mg/l) for 14 days. Sampling of skin mucosa was performed to evaluate the immune-related parameters on days 1, 7 and 14 (5 sampling per replicate). Results showed that activity of lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase enzymes, soluble protein and total immunoglobulin in diets containing dietary supplements had a significant difference in nano exposed groups with control treatments (p<0.05) and had the highest amount on day 14. Also, although the control treatment had a 14-days incremental trend, it had the lowest levels than dietary supplement treatments. Combined food supplements, bacteria and mushroom powder showed the highest effects on mucosal immune parameters in exposure to nano-silver respectively