A study of polluting agents in Maharloo salt lake

The ecological situation of Maharloo Lake is of a great importance in the province, especially in relation with continuous addition of a reasonable volume of municipal and industrial effluents to it; one major point being a source for different life cycle stages of the crustacean Artemia, which is used in aquaculture as natural food. In order to improve our knowledge about lake's pollution, we investigate mineral nutrients and heavy metal concentration, among some other physical and chemical characteristics. Three stations were selected in the lake, sampling trips were made, and the concentration of selected factors were measured monthly from January 2000 to December 2001. Using ANOVA, results were used to compare means of monthly factors between three stations, and means of three stations between 12 months. The yearly means for pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, electrical conductivity, water temperature, nitrite, nitrate, free ammonia, carbonate, bicarbonate, dissolved CO_2, phosphate, alkalinity, chloride, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, total dissolved solids, and total particulate matter were 7.95 (SD=0.558), 2.92ppm (SD=2.11), 290.73ppt (SD=168.08), 375.52ms/cm (SD=232.72), 20.8 C (SD=7.4), 0.051ppm (SD=0.058), 0.111ppm (SD=0.089), 3.342ppm (SD=2.894), 67.75ppm (SD=66.84), 270.88ppm (SD=190.91), 63.57ppm (SD=37.94), 0.018ppm (SD=0.026), 328.97ppm (SD=216.14), 128.05ppt (SD=76.65), 3334.90ppm (SD=4769.87), 22719.22ppm (SD=45204.82), 18059.73ppm (SD=12513.54), 203.20ppt (SD=132.40), and 8.65ppm (SD=5.49), respectively. Heavy metals' highest concentrations were as: As=23ppb, Co=303ppb, Cd=970ppb, Pb=8510ppb and Hg=25ppb, while no value was recorded in several months. Our results showed no significant differences between stations' means for most of the factors, but different months were significantly different in many factors (P<0.05). Maharloo Lake demonstrated various levels of pollution regarding to nutrient minerals and heavy metals, but special attention to the relations of water- precipitations is needed for a more concise understanding of its pollution. Results of this investigation can serve as a good record of the lake situation in drought conditions

On the biology and distribution of Amphipod fauna in Fars Province

Amphipod crustaceans were collected from 251 spots in aquatic habitats of Fars province during July 2000 and May 2002. Different means such as aquatic nets or strainers, with strong handles and rings, were used to collect amphipods among macrophytes, leaves, roots, sands, and detritus. All collections were in daytime. To perform a systematic work, a "type‟ habitat was selected in each of the 9 station points in 7 water basins and 2 sub-basins in the province, and their populations became subjected to morphological studies. Precise drawings were made from different parts of the body (e.g. head capsule, eyes, mouth parts, antennae, pleosomes, epimeral plates, first coxal plate, key moving appendages like seventh pereopod, third uropod, and telson). These drawings were used to compare with existing identification keys. Extensive studies on each of these populations showed that they all belong to the family GAMMARIDAE, genus Gammarus and are members of the Gammarus pulex-group, an artificial group. It was impossible to identify these populations using existing keys; hence more subtle studies are needed. Regarding the so much diversity among amphipod populations in Fars, it seems that a specific identification key for this region must be produced. Some of important environmental factors were measured monthly during April 2001 and March 2002 in each of the selected stations, while others measured once in this year. These factors include some chemical factors including dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, calcium and magnesium hardness, total hardness, chlorine, potassium and sulfate concentrations, and some physical factors including water temperature, depth, water current velocity and distance from the source, width, and discharge. Mean body lengths and wet weights of the 9 population were also measured in each of the habitats. All resulted data were analyzed using ANOVA, LSD, and Duncan statistical tests. Results showed great differences in average of temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and depth. Some other factors like pH, and current velocity did not show any significant differences among these habitats. Body lengths and wet weights of the 9 population also showed clear and statistically significant differences amongst the populations. Putting together these results and morphological and morphometrical studies can help identifying the taxonomic situation of these populations. Collections showed that these animals are distributed in nearly-all, if not in all, fresh water habitats including springs, brooks, streams, and rivers in Fars province, with the exception of ponds, pools, or lakes _salty or fresh water_ and salty springs and rivers with more than 5 percent of salt (sodium chloride). Thus, these animals are distributed mainly in northern lotic habitats of the province, being extended southward to mid-south, and became sparse in eastern, western, and south fresh water warm springs and rivers. It seems that the southward dispersal of amphipods in this parts of the Province is limited primarily by salinity rather than temperature, or perhaps by a combination of the two. They also decrease in occurrence and number from west to east (away from the mountain regions). Also no populations of amphipods in southeast regions of the Kor water basin, including springs and brooks of Bamoo National Park were found, while their existence was reported from the here before. This could be due to the sever change in their habitats, probably as a result of agricultural fertilizers and toxins‟ pollutio

Study of Ecology and the potential for exploiting saline surface waters of Fars Province in aquaculture- Dehram River

Aquaculture activity is restricted mainly to rainbow trout in cold waters and carps in warm waters in inland waters of Iran as well as Fars Province. Probably for this reason saline waters of south and southeast Fars have not been used for aquaculture. These rivers are ecosystems with a diverse biota, it is predictable that can be found some there endemic aquatic organisms with a potential for aquaculture. Finding a suitable organism can help increase wise use of this natural resource, and local production and recruitment. However, it is highly needed to investigate various environmental elements prior to any use to obtain an estimation of the environmental consequences, parallel to finding usage potentials. In This study, we investigated Dehram saline river in south of Fars Province. Hydrological and physiographical properties, chemical composition of the river, and aquatic populations were sampled and measured monthly in 3 stations in one year. Salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids increased from station 1 to 3, reaching from 6.6 g/L, 14.3 g/L, and 12800 µs/cm to 13.5 g/L, 17.7 g/L, and 16500 µs/cm, respectively. Dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation were higher in station 3, and in autumn and winter. Nitrite showed lowest values in winter (0.006 mg/L) and highest values in spring (0.013 mg/L). Nitrate showed the lowest concentration in station 3 (0.43 mg/L), but no differences were seen among seasons. Ammonium showed no differences among stations or seasons. Phosphate levels in station 1 and 3 were 0.13 mg/Lto 0.17 mg/L, with the highest level (0.29 mg/L) seen in the spring. Five species of fishes were identified in the river, which all were widely favored by local people. Some of these have been categorized as edible in previous studies, others as ornamental. On the other hand, intensive growth of an algal species throughout the river demonstrates a potential for algal cultivation. Significant role of algae in production of food for both man and livestock is now well recognized in aquaculture industry

Habitat Classification of Maharlu Wetland Using MedWet Classification System

Identifying the different habitats in wetlands is essential for their protection. This research was carried out with the aim of classifying habitat areas of Maharlu wetland in Fars province using MedWet, Mediterranean Wetland Habitat Classification System. Information on dominant vegetation cover, soil, and hydrology of the wetland was prepared using field surveys. The data on the water regime were obtained with quarterly satellite images from 2016-2019 in remote sensing media using ArcGIS. Sampling was performed for wetland plants and lake bed outcrops from 39 stations in May 2020. Plants were identified and classified on the basis of being an annual or perennial presence and submerged or floating. By stacking this information in ILWIS, different habitat zones were separated. Each was then specified using habitat international standard codes, and habitat maps were prepared. In total, 42 habitats were identified in the Maharlu wetland. The most prevalent habitats were palustrine–emergent–persistent–seasonally flooded–Mixosaline– (P-EPSX-) (14,797,300 m2), palustrine–emergent–persistent–temporarily flooded– Mixosaline (P-EPSX-) (296,600 m2), lacustrine–littoral–emergent–persistent–seasonally flooded–mixosaline– (LLEPSX) (2,079,900 m2), and lacustrine–littoral–emergent–persistent–Semipermanently flooded–mixosaline– (LLEPLX-) (493,000 m2). The results of this research in recognizing habitats are useful for the protection of ecosystem sections, especially plant communities

Effects of drought on ecological properties and water quality of Dorudzan reservoir

Dorudzan reservoir is the main provider of drinking water for the capital Shiraz, as well as the most significant storage of water in the Kor river course. In addition of eroded material, a load of agricultural outputs from upstream are moved to the lake every year. Main physiographic, physical and chemical, and biological components of the lake were monthly sampled and analysed from Novembr 2010 to October 2011. Mean annual measures were water temperature 16.7˚C (SD=5.8), pH 8.2 (SD=0.3), dissolved oxygen 7.6 mg/l (SD=1.7), ammonium 0.05 mg/l (SD=0.08), nitrite 0.004 mg/l (SD=0.003), nitrate 0.44 mg/l (SD=0.44), phosphate 0.20 mg/l (SD=0.23), silicate 7.00 mg/l (SD=2.49), BOD 2.29 mg/l (SD=1.00), COD 24.49 mg/l (SD=15.47), electrical conductivity 720 µs/cm (SD=219), total dissolved solids 457.67 mg/l (SD=138.72), calcium hardness 61.30 mg/l (SD=13.45), and magnesium hardness 20.23 mg/l (SD=9.18). Living parts of the ecosystem including species of fish, orders and families of benthic invertebrates, zooplanktons, and phytoplanktons were investigated. Benthic macroinvertebrates included various nematodes, oligochates, gastropods, bivalves, and insect larvae (dipteral and coleptera), most abundant of which were dipteran larvae, mollusks, and nematodes. Dominant zooplankton was Bosmina, with Daphnia and Cyclops in next ranks. Among rotifer, Trichocera was more abundant than Lecanae. Bosmina showed the most abundance in summer and Daphnia in spring. Trichocera had its most abundance in summer as well, while Lecanae was more abundant in Automn and winter. A total of 41 algal genera from 8 divisions were found. Dominant phytoplankton division was Chlorophyta, with genus Pediastrum. Dominant microalga was Dynobrion (Chrysophyta) in Spring, Cylindrospermum and (both Cyanophyta) in Summer, Microsystis in Automn, and Ceratium (Dynophyta) in Winter. Ceratium were found in all seasons in most of the sampling sites, and showed highest abundance compared to other genera of its division. Dominant genus of diatoms was Fragilaria. Fish populations include Alburnus mossulensis, Capoeta aculeate, Capoeta damascina, Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius gibelio, Cyprinus carpio, and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Main different parts of the lake showed quite different composition of fish species. An epidemic occurance of the crustacean ectoparasite Lernea cyprinacea among most fishes was another important finding. These findings will serve as a base for future studies as a set point of drought situations

Redescription of Gammarus pseudosyriacus (Karaman & Pinkster, 1977) and description of a new subspecies from southern Iran (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae)

The present study focused on redescription of Gammarus pseudosyriacus (Karaman & Pinkster, 1977) based on new materials from Zagros Mountains and describes a new subspecies of freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pseudosyriacus issatisi subsp. n., from the southern Zagros Mountains. The work is based on morphological and morphometric comparisons. This new subspecies has features similar to Gammarus pseudosyriacus. The distinct features that distinguish Gammarus pseudosyriacus issatisi subsp. n. from Gammarus pseudosyriacus are the smaller eyes, shorter body length, and shorter flagellum of antenna 1 and 2

Two new Gammarus species (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from warm springs in the south-east pre-alpine area of the Zagros, Iran: habitats with physiological challenges

Zamanpoore, Mehrdad, Grabowski, Michal, Poeckl, Manfred, Schiemer, Friedrich (2010): Two new Gammarus species (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from warm springs in the south-east pre-alpine area of the Zagros, Iran: habitats with physiological challenges. Zootaxa 2546: 31-51, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19675

Taxonomic review of freshwater Gammarus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Iran

Zamanpoore, Mehrdad, Grabowski, Michal, Poeckl, Manfred, Schiemer, Friedrich (2011): Taxonomic review of freshwater Gammarus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Iran. Zootaxa 3140: 1-14, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20563