مهران لقمانی

Gastropods are integral members of benthic communities, playing pivotal roles in the energy dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. This research aimed to assess changes in gastropod density influenced by seasonal variations and environmental parameters. The study was conducted during winter (pre-monsoon) and autumn (post-monsoon) periods across three areas (Khor Bahu, Khor Gowatr, and Gowatr Bay), spanning nine stations within Gowatr Wetland. Sampling of the sub-island media stations was performed using a van-veen grab. Analysis of temperature, salinity, pH, total organic matter (TOM), and granulation was conducted. Results revealed notable fluctuations in gastropod density across seasons and locations. During winter, the highest densities were observed in Khor Bahu (Pyramidellidae with 945 ± 29.15 individuals/square meter), Khor Gowatr (Marginellidae with 745 ± 36.15 individuals/square meter), and Gowatr Bay (Naticidae with 248 ± 28.14 individuals/square meter). In contrast, during autumn, peak densities were recorded in Bahu estuary (Nacellidae with 775 ± 38.45 individuals/square meter), Restusidae estuary, and Gowatr Bay (Eulimidae with 235 ± 26.12 individuals/square meter). Significant differences in density were observed among stations (p<0.05), while no significant variation was noted between seasons (p>0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between density and grain size (R=0.64), highlighting its influence on gastropod abundance. Despite the lack of significant seasonal density differences, the autumn season exhibited increased gastropod abundance, possibly attributed to the impact of southwest India's summer monsoon winds

Chitons are marine molluscs, mostly grazers, resistant to tidal conditions and often living in crevices of rocks. The Oman Sea is located in the southeast of Iran and the northwest of the Indian Ocean and is heavily influenced by the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean. Due to the occurrence of the monsoon process, the Makoran Sea has a rich variety of marine species, including molluscs. The aim of the present research was to investigate the density and distribution of Acanthopleura vaillantii in the beaches of Pozm, Konarak, Tis, Kolbe Ghawasi, Darya Bozorg and Ramin in winter 2018 and summer 2019.

In this study, the density and distribution of A. vaillantii was investigated in transects perpendicular to the sea and in the tidal zone, using a quadrat (1*1 m2). in the tidal zone of six stations on the coasts of Pozm, Konarak, Tis, Kolbe Ghavasi, Darya Bozorg and Ramin. A number of samples in each station were taken to the laboratory to measure biological parameters such as length, total wet weight, soft tissue moisture content, tissue moisture percentage and dry weight percentage. In each station, physical and chemical factors of water (temperature-salinity and acidity) were measured and recorded by WTW device.

Investigations showed that the highest average density in the winter of 2018 was in Ramin station and was equal to 11.27 ± 1.46 m2. In total, Ramin station had the highest average density in winter and summer with a value of 19.15 ± 2.67 m2. Also, the lowest average density was related to the diving hut station in summer and the first transect of the lower part of the tide, which was not recorded due to the presence of a sandy bed. In total, the average density for two seasons was 0.85 ± 0.26 m2 at the Kolbeh ghavasi station. Also, the statistical test showed a significant difference between the stations (P<0.05). The biological parameters showed that in Tis station, in winter and summer respectively, the maximum average length was 53.56±4.25 and 58.2±4.53 mm, weight was 23.19±7.43 and 22.8±51. 28.28 grams and at the Kolbeh ghavasi station for winter, the lowest average length was 32 ± 2.14 mm and weight was 2.99 ± 0.85 grams. In the Big Darya station, for summer, the lowest average length and weight were 43.44 ± 4.21 mm and 16.53 ± 4.89 grams, respectively.       

According to the results of other researchers, Tis station has high biodiversity, but the results of the present study showed that in this station, A. vaillantii samples had more weight and length despite the lower density (probably due to competition). Also, there was more density and distribution in the crevices of rocks and tidal pools with algal cover and temperature of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius.

This research was conducted with the aim of determining the biodiversity of Pertaran communities in three areas with mangrove cover and in 9 stations including one station in Gowatr Bay and 4 stations in each of Gowatr bay and Bahu Kalat on the eastern coast of Chabahar port. From each station, from the winter of 2019 to the fall of 2014, three sediment samples were collected seasonally for the separation and identification of sediments and one sample for the analysis of grain size and total organic matter of the sediments by Grab van Veen with a cross-sectional area of 0.028 square meters. In total, 12 genera belonging to 10 families were identified. Among the groups of the detected families of spionidae, the highest percentage of the average frequency with 13.70% was related to the Spionidae family. The survey of the density of the birds in total is 17800 ± 180 in the mentioned seasons, the average density of the birds in winter is 8720 ± 42 and the average density of the birds in the autumn is 9080 ± 181.63 in the mentioned seasons, the lowest average in winter is related to the Nereidae family: 0.5 600±67 and the most number was for Spionidae family: 1280±31.47 individuals in one square meter. The lowest average in autumn was related to the Nereidae family: 560 ± 32.65 and the highest to the Spionidae family: 1160 ± 62.94 individuals per square meter.

The aim of this work was to investigate the accumulation of iron, zinc, and copper heavy metals in the sediments and muscle tissue and shell of the crab Thalamita crenata in Chabahar Bay from two stations of Tis and Konarak, by sampling 40 crab samples (male and female). Samples were collected in 2022 and transferred to the laboratory, after biometrics and sample preparation; the concentration of heavy metals was measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed that the pattern of accumulation of heavy metals in the muscle tissue and shell is zinc>iron>copper. However, in the sediment, it was as iron>zinc>copper. The concentration of heavy metals in the muscle tissue was significantly higher than in the shell (P<0.05). Also, the concentration of heavy metals in the muscle tissue of females was significantly higher than that of males (except for iron in Tis station). There was no significant difference in the concentration of metals between males and females in the shell (P<0.05). The accumulation of heavy metals in crabs and sediments of Konarak station was higher than that of Tis station (except for iron in the muscle of Tis station). According to the results, there was a significant positive correlation between the accumulation of metals in the muscle tissue and crab shell, but no significant correlation was observed between the concentration of metals in the sediment and the tissue and shell. In the current study, the bioaccumulation results of heavy metals in sediment showed that the concentration of heavy metals in the sediment of Konarak station was higher than that of Tis station. The accumulation of heavy metals in crab organs depends on the physiological role of the organs. Based on the results, there was a difference between male and female crabs in terms of heavy metal accumulation that has been mainly attributed to differences in diet or differences in habitat. Comparing the concentration of metals in the muscle tissue of T. crenata of the study area with the international standards showed that the concentration of each metal, copper, is higher than the international standards, and iron is close to the WHO standard. Therefore, T. crenata crab of the studied area is dangerous for consumers in terms of copper and iron.

Polychaetes are important in determining the environmental status of seabed and their role in the food chain. Sampling of sediments in three areas of Beris, Ramin and Pasabandar was performed at 10 stations in the north of the Makoran Sea by Garb van-veen during three periods of pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon winter with recordings of chemical physical parameters from November to March 2016. In the study identified 18 families of polychaetes communities it was found that the highest density in Monson period and in Post-Monsoon with 4364.67 ± 570 ind/m2 and the lowest density in Post-Manson period in Roman region with 225.33 ± 89 ind/m2.  In the pasaBandar area, the highest percentages belonged to the families Spionidae, Maldanidae and Cirratulidae, and to the families of Nephtydae, Phyllodocidae and Cirratulidae and to the Ramin family's Orbiniidae, Maldanidae and Cirratulidae. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences between stations and time periods (P <0.05). The highest densities of the polychaetes were estimated in terms of the period of Monsoon> Pre-Monsoon> Post-Monsoon period, respectively. Results of correlation between polychaete density and environmental factors of grain size sediment and TOM in pre-monsoon period showed a positive and significant correlation. There was no positive and significant correlation with environmental factors in monsoon period (P <0.05), but there was a significant positive correlation with grain size in post-monsoon period (p<0.05). The results showed that winter monsoon causes significant changes in the populations of the studied areas and the increase in density in monsoon can be due to the change of the currents direction and consequent increase of nutrient load in the area.

The accumulation of nanoparticles in the environment and aquatic ecosystems due to their wide application in industries, agriculture, medicine and pharmaceuticals has caused an increasing concern about the environment and increasing exposure to nanoparticles in ecosystems and humans. Iron oxide nanoparticles easily enter the bloodstream, accumulate in different tissues and cause damage to these tissues. Therefore, in this research, changes in the intestinal tissue of gray mullet fish (M. cephalus) and tissue accumulation in oral exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles were investigated. 110 pieces of young gray mullet after 2 weeks of adaptation were treated in four-time groups of 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, and one group was considered as a control. The mullet fish received iron oxide nanoparticles twice a day at the rate of 15 mg/kg attached to the food. The results showed that although the amount of tissue iron increased significantly only in the 28-day group, the consumption of iron oxide nanoparticles in almost all groups increases the tissue accumulation of iron in the intestine. The intestinal histological study showed changes such as the increase in the number and size of goblet cells, destruction of microvilli structure, bleeding and degrees of necrosis, and the intensity and extent of the changes in the intestinal tissue increased with increasing exposure time. These observations showed that the consumption of iron oxide nanoparticles has a negative effect on intestinal function and causes iron accumulation and the occurrence of time-dependent injuries.

Fucoidan is one of the most important polysaccharides produced by brown seaweeds. In the present study, fucoidan was extracted from brown seaweed Sargassum tenerrimum and its properties include the extraction yield, carbohydrates, protein, sulfate, uronic acid content, antioxidant properties (DPPH free-radical scavenging and ferric reducing power) and its ability to inhibit polyphenol oxidase enzyme from vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were assayed at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2mg/mL. The amount of the extraction yield, carbohydrate, protein, sulfates and uronic acid of the extracted fucoidan were 7.23, 36.51, 5.64, 11.57 and 9.22%, respectively. The rate of DPPH scavenging in fucoidan varied from 35.94 to 63.94% depending on the concentration (P<0.05). The rate of iron reduction varied from 0.23 in fucoidan at a concentration of 0.5mg/mL to 0.74 in treatment of 2mg/mL fucoidan. The highest inhibition of vannamei shrimp polyphenol oxidase enzyme was obtained in fucoidan with a concentration of 2mg/mL and equal to 64.72%. The results of this study showed that brown seaweed Sargassum tenerrimum is a rich source of fucoidan with significant antioxidant properties and polysaccharides extracted from this alga can be a natural and healthy inhibitor of polyphenol oxidase.

In the present study, effect of different solvents (methanol 100%, methanol 60%, methanol 20% and water 100%) were evaluated on the extract yield and antioxidant properties of three red seaweed species including Gracilaria arcuata, Gracilaria textorri and Leveillea jungermannioides) from Chabahar coasts. Antioxidant activities of different extract were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, reduction power and iron chelating activity methods. There was a significant difference between the extract yield of different seaweed and the highest amount of the extract (6.02g/100g seaweed) was obtained from L. jungermannioides with methanol 100% as solvent. The most antioxidant activities, measured by different assay were observed in methanol 60% extract of G. arcuata which was significantly higher than other species. The amount of the extract and antioxidant properties were significantly different between different treatments depending on the solvent ratio and the type of seaweed species. The results of the present study showed G. arcuata can be considered as potential sources of natural antioxidants.

The use of bivalves as bioindicator species to assess marine environmental pollution has always been of interest to researchers. In this study, the accumulation of heavy metals of copper, nickel and cadmium in the soft tissue of rocky oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) during the two seasons of autumn 2020 and spring 2021 in 4 stations of Gowatr, Beris, Ramin and Tis on the northern shores of Makoran Sea was investigated. After sampling and separating of soft tissue, according to standard instructions, it was dried, weighed and chemically digested, and the concentration of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. According to the results, in both autumn and spring, the accumulation pattern was copper Conclusion Compared to international standard FAO, nickel metal had a higher concentration, which due to the lack of related industries in the study area, the natural origin can be the main reason for its existence

The Makoran Sea is been influencing by the summer and winter monsoon currents, and this phenomenon is a natural stressor for species inhabiting the aquatic ecosystem, including bivalve molluscs. In the current study, the effect of winter monsoon on the sub-tidal bivalve densities of the northern coast of Makoran were evaluated. Sampling of sediments were conducted from three regions of Ramin (3 stations), Beris (3 stations) and Pasabandar. Physical chemical parameters of transparency, salinity, acidity, temperature, organic matter, and grain size of each station were also obtained to investigate their relationship with density, which among the factors, only temperature, were significantly lower in the monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. In this study, 10 species of bivalves were identified, according to which Donax scalpellum with 13.37% had the highest and Trisidos tortuosa with 3.98% had the least frequency. The population of bivalves was calculated after Monsoon, with a frequency of 46.17% (mean 713 ±23.14 m2), pre-Manson, with 27% (mean of 413 ± 25.12 m2) and Monsoon, with 26% abundance. (413±13.34 m2). The pasabandar was (including stations 7, 8, 9 and 10), with an average density of 63±28.2 persons / m2 having the highest density in comparison to Beris (43±17.7) and Ramin (44±19.37). There was a significant difference between the stations. There was no significant positive correlation between silt and sand and temperature with density but no significant relationship between other environmental factors and organic matter with density. In general, it can be said that various factors are considered as parameters controlling the abundance and expansion of bivalve communities of different study areas and stations in the northern coastal waters of Makoran, including It is possible to name the factors of temperature, particle size and type of substrate, organic matter and nutrients, monsoon flows that have the most influence on the density of bivalve organisms.

Fish is one of the most important sources of protein for human nutrition and health. Therefore, the monitoring of heavy metals accumulation in commercial fish is always important. In the present study, the accumulation of heavy metals (copper and lead) in muscle tissue and their potential hazards for consumers in three species of high-consumption fish in the south of the country(BandarAbas), namely black-spot snapper (Lutjanus ehrenbergi), javelin grunter (Pomdasys Kaakan) and Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei) was examined. The average concentrations (µg/g dry weight) of copper snapper, grunter and halibut were 0.078±0.017, 0.136±0.025, and 0.127±0.013, respectively, while the accumulation of lead in them was 0.079±0.018, 0.090±023, and 0.107±0.031, respectively. The highest daily intake (µg/ kg body weight/ day) of copper was equal to 0.023 and due to consumption of grunter, while the highest daily intake of lead was obtained due to consumption of halibut and equal to 0.018. The daily and weekly intake of both metals and all three fish species was less than the EPA reference dose and tolerable intake (TDI) values provided by the FAO / WHO Joint Commission. The risk level of target hazard quotient (THQ) calculated for both metals was significantly lower than 1. The results showed that the urban communities of Hormozgan province with the calculated consumption are not exposed to any risk due to the accumulation of heavy metals studied in this study.

The aim of this study was to compare the accumulation of heavy metals copper, zinc and cadmium and to investigate the changes of metallothionein as a biomarker of contamination in the gill tissue of the ghost crab Ocypode saratan in the two time periods before Monsoon (May) and after Monsoon (November) in mongrove forests. Chabahar and Gwater Bay was done in 2019. The results of the study showed that in both pre-Monsoon and post-Monsoon seasons the pattern of metal accumulation in the gill tissue of the ghost crab is zinc, copper, cadmium.The mean concentrations of copper, zinc and cadmium were obtained in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons at Chabahar station, 173.6 ± 3.83, 186.43 ± 3.1, 0.095 ± 0.008, respectively and 156.7±4.15 ،175.13 ± 2.8, 0.026 ±0.003 and in Gwater station the average concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium in the two pre-Monsoon and post-Monsoon seasons were respectively 237.03 ± 6.4, 231.8 ± 1.8, 0.048 ± 0.003 and 205.9 ± 6.34, 253.2 ±  2.13, 0.037 ± 0.015 μg/g dry weight. The mean levels of metallothionein in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season in Chabahar station were 2.02 ± 0.01 and 0.1 ± 0.06, respectively, and in goiter station were 2 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.02, respectively. Comparison of metallothionein levels between Chabahar and Gwater stations was not significant (P<0.05). But in both stations separately between the two pre-Monsoon and post-Monsoon seasons, there was a significant difference (P<0.05). Correlation between metallothionein and metals showed that there was no correlation between metallothionein and the studied metals. Therefore, according to the observations, changes in the concentration of metallothionein in this species are not affected by heavy metals and can be due to changes in the environmental conditions of the seasons.

We studied the accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb) in muscle tissue of Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) sampled from shrimp farms in the Sistan Baluchistan, Iran. Sampling were conducted in April to June 2018 at three-time points of 35, 65 and 95 days after stocking in ponds randomly with three replications from two farms and two pools. After biometry, muscle tissue was isolated and the amount of metal accumulation was measured using flame atomic absorption apparatus. Results showed that the mean length (cm) and weight (g) were 6.15±0.65 and 4±0.8 in 35 days after stocking,10.63±0.73 and 9.61±1.63 in 65 days after stocking and 12.33 ± 0.51 and 16.04±1.33 in 95 days after stocking. The results showed a significant difference between the concentrations of zinc, cadmium, nickel and lead in sampling pools (p<0.05).The results did not show a significant difference between the pools at each time interval (p>0.05).The trend in heavy metal accumulation muscle tissue was increasing after stocking. The mean concentration of metals was 11.52±0.42 for copper, 82.95±6.65 for zinc, 3.54±0.47 for cadmium, 2.18±0.31 for nickel and 1.85±0.19 for lead (μg/g dry weight).  With the exception of nickel, which was  near the WHO standard, other metals were lower than the standard values reported by International Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the accumulation of copper, zinc and cadmium in sediment, muscle tissue and carapace of ghost crab (Ocypode saratan) in the two climatic periods pre- and post- Mansoon in Chabahar Bay and Gowater. In total 60 samples of crabs were collected, and the heavy metal concentrations in their muscle and shell were measured. The metal accumulation pattern was obtained in both tissues and in both periods as Zn> Cu> Cd. The highest concentrations of metals with 99.39±4.5 micrograms per gram of dry weight were related to zinc in pre- Mansoon and the lowest concentrations were related to cadmium with 0.0016± 0.007 micrograms per gram of dry weight in post Mansoon in muscle. In general, a comparison of metal concentrations between two seasons in muscle tissue, carapace, and sediment showed that the concentration in muscle and carapace tissue were significantly higher in post-Mansoon than pre-Mansoon (p < 0.05). Except for the copper in muscle tissue, the results showed that the concentration of copper in the post-Manson muscle was slightly higher than pre- Mansoon. The concentration of copper and zinc metals was higher in the post-Mansoon than in the pre- Mansoon (p < 0.05), but cadmium was reported to be slightly higher than in the pre Mansoon than post Mansoon. It was also found that the concentration of metals in the Gowater mangrove forests was higher than in Chabahar (p < 0.05). Comparison of metal concentrations in ghost crab muscle tissue with international standards showed that zinc concentration was higher than all standards except NHMRC and WHO. But cadmium was found to be below the all standard values. Copper and zinc were found to have excessive values, which is a concern for species health and therefore the food chain. The necessary steps should be taken to conduct the possible controlling actions. The concentrations of metals in the sediment were lower than the sediment quality standards of the United States and Canada. Therefore, the metals in the sediments of the studied areas may not be a big threat to the organisms.

The International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) is a well-established meeting scheduled to gather coral reef scientists from all over the world every four years. The aim of this study was to provide bibliometric assessment of papers presented in 13 rounds of ICRS. To achieve this goal, 30 papers were selected from each round (390 papers in total) and analyzed to determine trends in productivity, collaboration, citations, and study-topic distributions. Nearly all metrics showed an increasing trend. The mean number of citations received by ICRS papers was >26. In terms of study topic distributions, the papers presented at ICRS 2-7, 11, and 12 were to some extent similar in terms of topic distribution while others fall apart., the "coral bleaching" and "non-coral fauna and flora" studies were found to be the most common topics of presented papers. Papers presented at ICRS13 were highly devoted to conservations science. The United States and Australia were the most productive countries in the ICRS, and they made significant contributions towards the hosting of sessions.

The Oman Sea (Makoran) has always been influenced by the monsoon currents, and this phenomenon is a natural stressor for species inhabiting the marine ecosystem, including bivalve molluscs. To study the diversity of subterranean bivalves sampled from three areas of Ramin, Beris, and Pasabandar, a total of 10 stations, in the winter of Pre-Manson, Mansoon and Post Mansoon in 2018. In this study, 8 families of bivalve communities were identified that the Veneridae family had the highest frequency in all three time periods. According to the results, in post-monsoon bivalves were higher with 46.19% abundance (11400 abundance) than premonsoon month, 27.06% (6660 abundance) and the monsoon period with 26.74% abundance (26.74%) 6680 m2), which also showed significant difference analysis of variance. The mean of Shannon index in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon were calculated 2.22±0.04, 2.21±0.1 and 2.51±0.11, respectively, but no significant differences were observed between different periods. Mean dominance index observed in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon was calculated 0.86±0.06, 0.86±0.05, 0.9± 0.01, and between post-monsoon and other periods, respectively. The mean eveness index was calculated as 0.959±0.01,0.951±0.02,0.948±0.01 and the difference between the monsoon and pre-monsoon periods were not significant. In general, it can be said that various factors are considered as parameters controlling the abundance and diversity of bivalve communities of different regions and stations in the coastal waters of Chabahar Bay, including the most important ones. It can be noted the sampling time and the winter monsoon current.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the zooplankton population of eastern coasts of Chabahar and northern Makran Sea during 2017-18. Sampling was carried out using a 100 μm mesh Zooplankton cone net with a 30 cm opening diameter in horizontal span at 8 stations in Chabahar, Beris and Rimini Bay during four seasons from summer 2017 to spring 2018. Physicochemical properties of water were measured including temperature, salinity, pH and transparency at each sampling station. According to one-way ANOVA, there were no significant differences between the different seasons in transparency (p> 0.05). Significant differences were observed for the temperature, salinity and pH factors between the different sampling seasons (p <0.05). In this study, 10 classes of zooplanktons were identified. The Copepoda accounted for 66.87% of the zooplankton population followed by Bivalves (7.53%), Thaliacea (6%), and Polychaeta, Cephalochordata, Ostracoda (2.22%). The minimum zooplankton density was observed in winter with an average of 876.52 ± 41.62 individuals per cubic meter of water and the maximum density in autumn with an average of 1339.93 ±41.16 individuals per cubic meter of water. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between zooplankton density and temperature (r= 0.628, p = 0.0001) or salinity (r=0.391, p = 0.027). According to the results, the structure of zooplankton communities in this region seems to be influenced by the changes caused by monsoon winds and coastal currents. Thus the production cycle and seasonal fluctuations of zooplankton depend on the response the environment exhibit to these changes. As a result, when zooplankton are exposed to severe disturbance (monsoon), several species become dominant species and reduce species homogeneity.

In the present study, the rise assessment of heavy metals includes copper(Cu), iron(Fe), cadmium(Cd), sternum(Sn), arsenic(As) and mercury(Hg) for the consumers of Indian white shrimp caught from different coasts of Chabahar was evaluated.  In 2017, 180 shrimp specimens were caught from the coasts of Konarak, Beris and Gwadar (Chabahar Province). In the laboratory, the samples had dried, digested and subsequently the metals concentration was measured using spectrophotometer. The estimated daily intake of metals to the body of the consumers and the target hazard quotient were done based on the method, developed by the World Health Organization. Among different metals, iron had the highest concentration with 2.72 μg/g, while the lowest accumulation of metals was recorded for mercury with 0.01 μg/g. The ranking order of metals accumulation in the muscle of shrimp were as Fe, Cu, Sn, As, Pb, Cd, Hg. The highest amount of daily intake (μg metal/kg person/ day) was observed for arsenic (0.20) while the lowest was for Tin(sn) (0.0006). Target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for all metals were lower than 1. The results showed there is not any health risk for the consumers of Indian white shrimp due to accumulation of copper, iron, cadmium, stannum, arsenic and mercury in the shrimp.

Harmful algae bloom (HABs; Harmful Algae Blooms), which has been known as a red tide, are in fact an increase in algae species that may produce toxin and directly and indirectly damage aquatic organisms. To identify and investigate the phylogeny of dinoflagellate bloom former species which occurred in November 2017 on the southeastern coast of Iran in the Chabahar port was carried out. In this red tide, Gyrodinium instriatum species was observed with a much lower density compare to the bloom former species. The purification of specimens were carried out under laboratory conditions and the unialgal isolate of the species was incubated in culture room under 12L: 12 D condition and 25 ± 1 ºC temperature in f2 culture media. For gene sequencing, DNA was extracted and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed and the gene sequences were determined in the ITS gene region and then compared to the gene sequences of the same species in the Gene Bank. The molecular and phylogenic analysis indicated that the nucleotide sequence of the species with a bootstrap of 99% was most similar to the G. instriatum species. Morphological characteristics confirmed the phylogeny results. The G. instriatum species has a worldwide distribution and potentially a bloom former species, therefore, the exact identification is essential and useful.

Zooplanktons have a special role in the food chain and the ecological pyramid of the marine ecosystem. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Monsoon on biodiversity of zooplanktons in the eastern coasts of Chabahar. Sampling was carried out on the eastern coast of Chabahar using a 100-micron zooplankton net with a horizontal extension stretch of 30 cm at 8 stations in the Chabahar bay during four seasons from summer of 2016 to spring of 2017. According to the results, Copepoda have rise to 66.87 percent of the zooplankton population. After the Copepoda, bivalvia (7.53%) and Thaliacea (6%) have highest presence and Polychaeta, Cephalochordata, Ostracoda were found to be the lowest (in total with 2.22%) in different sampling seasons. The highest and lowest Shannon index was calculated, respectively, in autumn (3) and spring (0.99), respectively, in the autumn and winter (0.95), and in summer and spring (0.94), respectively. The highest and lowest indexes of uniformity were in autumn and spring (0.97) and summer (0.94) respectively. According to the results of this research, the structure of the zooplankton communities in this region is affected by the changes caused by the monsoon winds and the coastal upwelling flows. The cycle of production and seasonal changes of zooplanktons depends on the environment response to these changes. Ultimately, when zooplankton organisms are exposed to severe disturbance (monsoon), several species become dominant and decrease the species uniformity.

Shrimps are one of the most important seafood sources for humans. Heavy metals accumulated in the body of shrimp can be transmitted to humans in the food chain. The present study was done in 2017 to compare the accumulation of heavy metals Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Tin (Sn), Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg) in edible tissue of Indian white shrimp in the fishing grounds of the Makoran coasts. For this purpose, 60 shrimps were harvested from Konarak, Beris and Pasabander. After biometry and preparation of samples and measurement of metals, the mean concentrations of Cu, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cd, As and Hg were 2.13 ± 0.28, 2.76±0.13, 1.77±0.30, 0.24±0.05, 0.03±0.001, 0.32±0.05,0.02±0.001 μg/g dry weight in muscle tissue of the shrimp. Comparing the stations showed that the Bris area had a significant difference except for mercury and iron in other metals (P <0.05). Comparing the results with some international standards, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shows that the concentration of all the tested elements is less than global, so shrimp consumption is not hazardous to human health in the sampled areas.

Aquatic ecosystems, particularly marine and coastal areas, are exposed to various environmental pollutions (e.g., organic and heavy metals pollution), which are caused by natural phenomena as well as human activities in aquatic environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in water and brown algae Polycladia indica as a bioindicator along the northern coast of the Makoran Sea and compare their concentrations with global standards and previous studies. Material and methods: For this purpose, concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zink (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr)) were assessed in P. indica and water samples in ten stations along the northern shores of Makoran Sea in the autumn of 2017. Samples were transferred to the laboratory and heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). In brown algae samples, Zn had the highest concentration within the whole area followed by Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd, respectively. For water samples, the concentration of Cr was the highest followed by Zi, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd. One way-ANOVA test showed significant differences in the concentration of metals between sampling stations (p<0.05). The concentration of heavy metals in water samples was lower than the global standards. Strong correlations were found between the examined heavy metals, indicating the lack of diversification of pollution sources in the northern coasts of the Makoran Sea and the uniformity of the geochemical composition of the coastal geology units of the sampling regions. The results of this study indicate the high affinity of P. indica towards the absorption of heavy metals, and therefore, this species can be considered as a bioindicator of heavy metals contamination in the northern shores of the Makoran Sea.

Among the many biochemical biomarkers used to assess contamination of the marine environment, metallothionein protein is considered as one of the very important and useful tool inrelated to biochemical markers metals. The aim of this study was to evaluate Metallothionein changes in natural condition in polychaete Glycinde bonhourei of 9 stations Chabahar Bay sub-tidal area from 2014 to 2015 with consideration before the monsoon season, monsoon, post-monsoon and concentrations of copper, zinc ,cadmium in the polychaete tissue. Total average concentrations of copper and zinc and cadmium respectively recorded in the monsoon 6.39±2.04, 20.95±4.51, 0.136±0.04 micrograms per gram dry weight of the monsoon season 3.51±1.46, 11.84±2.65, 0.059 ± 0.01 and in the post-Monsoon 4.98 ±1.44, 16.51±3.58, 0.152±0.01 microgram per gram of dry weight that one-way analysis of variance showed significant difference between the station and seasons (p