Determining level of PCBs in skin and muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio and Esox lucius in Anzali Wetland (Abkenar)

The aim of this research is to determine the levels of polycholoro biphenil (PCBs) in skin and muscle tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and common pike (Esox lucius) fishes in the west part of Anzali wetland (Abkenar) in the two seasons, autumn 2009 and winter 2010. In each seasons, nine fishes from each species were selected randomly. The samples, transferred in cool condition and the muscles and skins of them were removed. All of the preparations organs clean up and PCBS analysis were carried with GC-ECD (Gas chromatography). Mean concentrations of PCBS were 24.36пg/g dry.w in skin 14.36пg/g dry.w in muscle tissue for E. lucius and 21.84пg/g dry.w in skin and 20.86пg/g dry.w in muscle tissue of C. carpio. In the autumn, the values was less than FDI standard and food standard Australia/AZ MRL and skin tissue of E. lucius and muscle tissue of C. carpio was over of US EPA standard values. Mean concentration of PCBS were 29.43пg/g dry.w in skin and 10.10ng/g dry.w in muscle tissue for E. lucius and 33.06пg/g dry.w in skin and 11.00пg/g dry.w in muscle tissue for C. carpio. In the winter, the value was less than FDI standard and food standard Australia /AZ MRL and skin tissue of E. lucius and skin tissue of C. carpio was over of US EPA standard values. Mean concentration of PCBs in water in the autumn (0.0042ppb) was less than recommended water quality Criteria E.P.A and in the winter (0.1938ppb) was over recommended water quality Criteria E.P.A. Mean concentration of PCBs in sediment in the autumn (4.89ng/g dry.w) and winter (4.48ng/g dry.w) was less than Interim Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines. There were significant differences between E. lucius mussels and C. carpio skin tissue in two seasons (autumn and winter) in water and ingredient suspension. But in sediments, no significant difference was detected in autumn and winter

Ecological quality of Bahrekan coast, by using biotic indices and benthic communities

1 - The aim of this study was identifying macrobenthos biodiversity and an assessment of the ecological quality status of Bahrekan coast in Persian Gulf, using AMBI, Bentix indices according to softbottom marine benthic communities. Other ecological indices, such as theShannon diversity index (H`) and the species richness ( S ) were also applied and evaluated comparatively. 2 - In total, 111 genus/species were recognized, divided into 17 groups with gastropodas always dominant and the substrate in all of the stations was characterized as muddy bottom. 3 - The macrobenthic animals according to their sensitivity to an increasing stress gradient, were classified in 5 ecological groups. 4 - Due to the high dominance of species such as Pyrgohydrobia sp., Tornatina sp., Melinna sp., Cossura sp. and Sternaspis sp, diversity values were reduced. 5 - According to the results of AMBI, BI, Bentix, and H`indices Bahrekan coast is classified in slightly to moderate pollution status

Survey of abundance and distribution of rocky shore Polychaeta from the Hormonz Island in Persian Gulf

Polychaeta are the most important benthic animals and consist of many species with a vital role in food web. We conducted a survey from summer 2005 to spring 2006 to complete the ecological studies of macrobenthos in rocky shores of the intertidal zone of the Hormouz Island. Three main regions were studied in the west, south and south-eastern parts and three transects were sampled in each region to test variation in Polychaeta distribution and abundance along the entire intertidal zone. At each one of the nine transects the shore was levelled and a general qualitative description was made, which also aided in the stratification of subsequent quantitative sampling. Samples were fixed in %4 formalin and transported to lab for analysis. Results showed presence of 10 genera of Polychaeta among which Nereis was the most abundant in the intertidal rocky shores. Our study also revealed seasonal and zonal distribution of Polychaeta in rocky shores of the area. Abundance of Polychaeta was markedly higher in summer compared to winter and in the upper zone compared with the mill-littoral zone. Results of Shannon and Simpson diversity indexes affirmed above conclusion

A comparison of benthic community structure in Ghazaleh and Ghanam Estuaries as bioindicators of pollution

Macrobenthos are important elements of the sea ecosystems living in the sediments and include Polychaeta, Decapoda and Mollusca. Some species of this group are considered as biological indicators for aquatic ecosystems. Macrobenthos are mostly sedentary which can be used as indexes of ecological conditions. We studied and compared benthic community structure as bioindicators of pollution in Ghazaleh and Ghanam estuaries, east and west of Moosa Estuary. Six groups of macrobenthos were identified and isolated of which the abundant groups were Decapoda with 23.3% and Gastropoda with 21.6%. The highest abundance of macrobenthos (1932 individual m2) was recorded at the extreme end of Ghanam estuary, and the lowest of (818 individual m^2) was recorded of the front part of Ghazaleh estuary of the most significant contaminating factors in the region were pollutants from urban and industrial waste water, waste materials from oil leakage, and ship balance water. The results indicated that Ghazaleh estuary which is located beside the jetty for transportation of petroleum products has a higher amount of pollution with lower species variety. On the contrary, the Ghanam estuary which is far from industrial activities has more species variety. We also found that species belonging to Polychaeta have dominance in polluted regions and can be referred to as ecological indicators in the region

The relation between environmental parameters of Hormuzgan coastline in Persian Gulf and occurrence of the first harmful algal bloom of Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Gymnodiniaceae)

Cochlodinium polykrikoides was bloomed in the Persian Gulf for the first time in September 2008, started from the Strait of Hormuz and then spread out towards the northern parts covering most of the areas of the Gulf and lasted 8 months. In order to find out environmental conditions during the bloom, a monthly sampling program was carried out in seven surface stations in 2008-2009. At each station, three samples (triplicates) were collected for phytoplankton analysis and also one sample for environmental analyses, including salinity, chlorophyll a and nutrients. Blooms of C. polykrikoides were observed with a seawater temperature of 20.1 to 31.0 °C, salinity 37.0-40.1 ppt and nutrient concentration ranges during the bloom and red tide were 0.064-0.707 mg/l nitrate + nitrite and 0.001-1.66 mg/l phosphate, respectively. Maximum of C. polykrikoides abundance was measured 26 × 106 cells L-1 in October 2008. Kruscal wallis test demonstrated a significant difference in densities and chlorophyll-a in different months and seasons not in different stations. This study showed increase of temperature (>31.0 °C) stopped bloom and red tide due to C. polykrikoides in both the eastern and middle sampling stations but in the western stations was determined decrease in nutrient amounts as the major factor therefore increased nutrient of coastal waters, and environmental conditions could have efficacy the occurrence of this dinoflagellate

Effective factors on nest site location in the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Shidvar Island

Nest site location in reptiles is an important stage of their life cycle because environmental factors influence embryo survivorship, incubation quality and sex ratio. For studying effective factors on nest site location in the hawksbill turtle, we measured temperature, moisture, beach slope, particle size of sand and vegetation related to 35 nests in Shidvar Island. In this Island, most nests were in northern beach which has a relatively steep slope. In this slope energy costs and probability of females and hatchlings predation is low. In addition hawksbills preferred to nest amongst vegetation. Of the environmental evaluated, slope appears to have the greatest influence on nest site location, because it is associated with nest elevation and hatching success is higher from nests closest to suitable elevation. It is believed that sea turtles may use multiple cues for nest site location and use a threshold that must be reached for each environmental factor before the turtle initiates nest excavation

Investigation on genetic structure of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) using microsatellite markers

The genetic diversity of Cobia, Rachycentron canadum populations in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea were assessed using microsatellite technique. We removed about 3-5g of pectoral and dorsal fin tissue from 184 samples in winter 2006 and spring 2007, and stored it in pure ethylic alcohol (96%). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted on the target DNA using 10 paired microsatellite primers. The dendrogram was constructed and drawn using MEGA software package version 4. Based on the analysis of molecular variance, the highest Fst (0.063) was observed when comparing specimens from Dayer Port and Pozm zones. Significant differences (P<0.01) were not observed between R5t recorded for the specimens studied in the same region but were observed between RSA recorded for different regions. The dendrogram of genetic distance showed two major clusters: the Bushehr and Dayer populations were in one cluster, and the remaining four populations in the other. The second cluster was further separated into two sub-clusters: the Lengeh and Bandar Abbas populations composed one cluster and the Pozm and the Beris populations were in the other cluster. The present study showed that at least three different populations of R. canadum are living in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The populations include Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Chabahar populations

Distribution patterns of rocky shore cructacea in the Hormuz Island

A general description of distribution patterns of rocky shore cructacea along the Hormuz Island coasts is presented to provide the context for comparisons of distribution patterns of this intertidal organisms. In order to test if there was any variation in species distribution and abundance from upper to lower intertidal zone (littoral zone) along the entire rocky shores of the Hormuz Island, three main regions (west, south and south-eastern) were studied and 3 transects were sampled in each region. At each one of the 9 transects the shore was levelled and a general qualitative description was made, which also aided grouping of subsequent quantitative sampling. Photographs and slides were taken from the live specimens and then specimens were fixed in 4% formalin and transported to lab for analyses. The upper zone was characterized by the presence of Balanus amphitrite. The midlittoral zone was essentially dominated by Balanus amphitrite. The distribution patterns observed on the lower zone showed a similarity between rocky shores located in south and south-east of the Hormuz Island dominated by Elasmopus sp.. It has also provided important information on abundance and seasonal distribution of cructacea in rocky shores of the Hormuz Island. According to the results abundance of cructacea was markedly lower in Summer compared to Winter. In conclusion species of cructacea is prevailing and environmental conditions and bed is the main reason for high abundance of this class. Distribution of crustacean is mainly affected by prevailing environmental conditions and the substratum type

Effect of salinity and temperature changes from brine discharged of desalination plant on Polychaeta assemblage in Chabahar Bay

Desalination technology is growing due to population growth and water shortage. These kinds of activates can have environmental impacts where brine discharges into the sea. This study examined the effects of brine discharge from desalination plant Chabahar-Konarak on the sea environment were used to study polychata assemblage. Sediment samples were sampled from 7 stations in pre monsoon and post monsoon in year 2011 using by van veen grab (0/025m^2) samplers that 5 stations were around the discharge point and 2 station as controls. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the abundance and richness significances differences (P<0/05) between stations. The most abundance of polychaetes was occurred in station 6 with 3666.62 and 2079.92 individuals per m^2 in pre and post monsoon respectively. While the lowest values observed in station1 in pre and post monsoon periods with 306.97 and 0 numbers in m^2 .The richness, diversity and evenness results indicated that the highest and the lowest values is observed in control stations 0.94, 1.07 and 0/67 in pre monsoon and station 1, zero in post monsoon. According to results, we observed different sensitivity of polychaete to brine discharges because abundance and ecological indices were decreased in stations near the discharges area comparing to control stations far from the brine discharges zone. Results of the CCA indicated that salinity and temperature effects on polychaete structure. The most frequancy family in this study was spionidae that it showed tolerance of this family to brine discharges. With monsoon occurrence of stress added to the study area where that the lowest abundance (0) in one station in post monsoon

Levels of heavy metals in sediments in the vicinity of Chabahar Bay desalination plant

Desalination plants are potentially capable of having impacts on coastal marine environments due to the production of wastewater with high concentrations of salts (brine discharge) and some heavy metals. The aim of this study was to examine the concentration of accumulated metals (Ni, Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Pb) in the sediments near the brine discharge point in the Chabahar Bay. Twenty one sediment samples were collected from seven stations in summer pre-monsoon and post-winter monsoon, in April and October 2011. The results showed that stations closer to brine discharge points had higher concentrations of metals in the sediment than other stations. Metal contamination in sediment samples was below a critical level with the exception of cadmium with higher values than MAFF, ANZECC and FDEP standards at a maximum of 5.76 mg/kg dry weight. There was a clear decreasing gradient in heavy metal concentrations from station 2 to station 7, especially for Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn. The probable reason for this is the water circulation in the Chabahar Bay