فصلنامه اقیانوس شناسی
پیاپی 54 (تابستان 1402)

Coral reefs in environments with unique environmental circumstances show how corals might adapt to future stressors and possible climate change. The Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman are environmentally unique places with little information on the inherent diversity of key environmental variables (such as temperature, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids) that affect soft corals, or how this diversity leads to allergies and death due to environmental factors, no. The research presented here addresses this knowledge gap and examines sea level temperature, pH, DO and salinity factors, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids to reveal differences between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Environmental factors were measured by an HQ40D portable multimeter with the ability to record some environmental parameters. A sampling of Stichodactyla haddoni anemone was performed in two seasons of summer and winter from three stations including: Qeshm Island, Dukohak Station, Hormoz Island, Khezr Station, and Chabahar Bay, Tis Station.

Due to the normal range of pH, DO and salinity factors, they did not show a statistically significant correlation with any of the evaluated parameters (P <0.05). The highest amount of chlorophyll a and total carotenoids was observed in the colored sample of sea anemone (brown) of Chabahar. The lowest amount of chlorophyll a and carotenoids belonged to the summer sample of Qeshm. Chlorophyll c levels in the samples did not differ significantly by station or season. Thermal map of physicochemical relationships with Symbiodinium sp. pigments in summer showed that the highest correlation of pigments related to dissolved oxygen percentage, temperature, and salinity, and in winter thermal map showed that salinity, dissolved oxygen percentage, and temperature had the greatest effect on pigments, especially It had chlorophyll a and carotenoids.

The Results' section of the study of zooxanthella pigments in symbiosis with sea anemones showed an increase in pigments between study stations both in summer and winter. Monsoon winds, which change water temperatures, maybe to responsible for the increase of symbiotic dinoflagellate pigment in Chabahar Bay station throughout the summer. The obtained results indicate that chlorophyll c is resistant to environmental and season conditions.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: 

Ports are the main routes for transporting products around the world and play an important role being the vital links of land and sea. Also, they act as gateways and linking transport corridors, and enhance trade and communication. Marine and coastal environments face countless threats, including pollution sources, oil and gas extraction, tourism, overfishing, invasive species, destruction and loss of habitats, and climate change. Each of these factors imposes the highest cost on Ports and Maritime Organization, which reduces the financial performance of organization and its profitability. Since financial performance is a central issue in all organizational analyses, risk management is necessary to reduce failures caused by various risks that lead to large financial losses. Therefore, identifying the environmental risks of ports and managing them increases safety and, as a result, effective financial performance and increases their profitability. Therefore, The purpose of this research is weighting and prioritizing the environmental risks management of port equipment and facilities, operational, human resources, pollution, maritime transport, natural, security, and rules affecting on financial performance of Ports and Maritime Organization.

This research is a mixed data in terms of type, an applied and developmental in terms of purpose, exploratory research in terms of nature and a survey in terms of data collection method. The time period of this study is cross-sectional and was conducted in the years 2021 and 2022. The statistical population of the research is certified and experienced specialists in the field of financial management and health, safety and environment of Ports and Maritime Organization. In order to determine the weight and prioritization of environmental risks management, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique and with the purposeful sampling method, the opinions of 12 people were used. Excel 2013 software was used to analyze the research data.

The demographic characteristics of experts showed that most experts have a master level of education, work experience between 21 and 30 years and the position of head of maritime safety and protection department. According to the presented results of weighting and prioritization of the main research criteria with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique, human resources risk management with a weight of 0.313 got the first rank and it was recognized as the most important criterion. After that, operational environmental risks management with a weight of 0.219, pollution with a weight of 0.138, natural with a weight of 0.118, maritime transport with a weight of 0.090, security with a weight of 0.064, port equipment and facilities with a weight of 0.030 and rules with a weight of 0.028 were in the next priorities, respectively.

As a result, in order to improve the financial performance of Ports and Maritime Organization, special attention should be paid to environmental risks management. When the Ports and Maritime Organization identifies and fully implements the national and international requirements in the field of environment, it can integrate environmentally friendly processes and reduce their pollution by reducing environmental risks and in this way, to improve its environmental performance and financial performance at the same time. Also, by considering the training programs for organization's employees, increase the level of their skills and professional knowledge and thus reduce human error.

The Ports have dynamic systems with random and complex patterns, which consist of several entities that have complex relationships. The complexity of ports, the need to serve modern ships from the port and the high costs of the industry make necessary the need for a flexible and dynamic tool to manage ports in assessing future needs, determining appropriate indicators for performance evaluation and the possibility of comparing them with other standards. The productivity of ports is an important condition in order to survive in the global competition of shipping trade. Because Creating infrastructures, equipment and developing facilities in ports are very expensive to implement and purchase, Therefore their inefficient use causes loss of capital and increase in operating costs of ports. Therefore, goals such as having a container terminal with high operational capacity, high productivity rate of equipment, reducing unloading and loading times, reducing the waiting time of ships, reducing traffic and congestion of ships and trucks in the container terminal, as well as reducing investment and operating costs is very important. The purpose of this research is to provide a dynamic model to evaluate the performance of Shahid Rajaei port container terminal in such a way that it is possible to estimate the key indicators of container operations parametrically in any time frame and make the necessary decisions.

The present research is practical in terms of purpose and is descriptive in terms of data collection method. In this research, loading and unloading operations at the quayside in container terminals of Shahid Rajaei port, including sea and port sections, have been simulated using ARENA software. For the design of the model and its validation, information of the shipping vessels entering Shahid Rajaei port during the 2nd quarter of 2020 is used.

The development of two scenarios of the current situation and the situation before the economic sanctions were applied. In the productivity section of quays and gantry cranes, the results showed that in the current situation, the average occupancy rate of the high-traffic quays on the eastern and front side and their gantry cranes were 27 and 34% respectively, with the change in the rate of ship arrivals and the application of conditions before the sanctions, the average occupancy rate of the quays and gantry cranes has increased and reached about 39 and 50 percent, respectively. Regarding the waiting time of ships, it was also observed that in the second scenario (situation before the imposition of sanctions) with the increase in the number of incoming ships in large and medium sizes, the waiting time of all ships, especially in medium and very small groups, has increased significantly.

Considering the desirability of the indicators of the occupancy rate of the quays and the ratio of waiting time to service time in both scenarios, there is no need to develop resources in any of the scenarios.

  In the present study, the morphological variation in seven catfish species of the genus Glyptothorax in the inland waters of Iran was studied using traditional and geometric morphometric methods.

For this purpose, 182 specimens including 32 G. alidaeii, from the Seimare in the Karkheh drainage, 54 G. galaxies, from the upper Karun drainage, 12 G. hosseinpanahi, from the Zohreh drainage, 16 G. shaperi, from Shapur in the Helleh drainage, 30 G. silviae, from the Jarrahi drainage, 26 Glyptothorax sp. from the Gamasiab drainage, 12 G. pallens, from the Sirvan drainage, totally from 12 sampling sites in inland waters of Iran were analyzed. The sampling was done using electrofishing during 2009-2021. Morphological traits were measured. The geometric morphometric comparison based on 15, 13, and 10 landmark indicators respectively from lateral view with 106, ventral 79, and dorsal 46 distance between these points were digitized and analyzed. The landmark method was used to determine the general body shape of the populations and related analyzes including DFA, CVA, PCA, and hierarchical dendrogram were performed to determine the differences between the Glyptothorax populations

The PCA results of the studied Glyptothorax showed that in lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, 37.375%, 51.164%, and 38.228% of body shape changes are related to two main components, respectively. The traits that had the greatest impact on the separation of the studied species were related to the position of the snout, body length, body depth, head depth, and caudal peduncle length. In addition to the previously reported differences, this morphological-analysis showed a significant interspecific morphological diversity among the studied Glyptothorax.

The obtained results showed a well separation between the studied Glyptothorax species, also suggest the Glyptothorax sp. Population from Gamasiab River as undescribed species, which needs further molecular studies to confirm.

This research is dedicated to investigating the ecological effect of temperature on dinoflagellate biomass and pigments (Symbiodinium sp.). For this study, sea anemone was collected from the east coast of Hormuz Island. we extracted the symbiotic dinoflagellate (Symbiodinium sp.), then were cultured in different medium of ASP12, ASP8, F2-Gillard and L1 under the constant temperatures. In order to mass peridinin production on a laboratory scale, the first, it was produced as a suspension and then cellular biomass was transferred to CDs (photobioeactor) under the tempretures of 17±1, 23±1 and 29±1 °C and the light of 100 µmol.photon.m-2.s-1. in the photobioreactor biofilm. Growth rates were measured. The concentration of peridinin and chlorophyll a pigments was calculated by spectrophotometer at 645, 663 and 665 nm.

Data analysis was done using SPSS 26 and Excel 2016 software. The data normality was evaluated by Kolmogorov-Smironov test. ANOVA test, Tukey’s test and Duncan’s test were also used to compare results.

ASP12 suspension and 23±1 °C temperature were selected as the selective culture medium and optimum temperature, respectively.  the amount of biomass produced by the symbiotic cell, under the different tempretures of 17±1, 23±1 and 29±1°C was observed as amount of 47.44, 24.66 and 21.55 g/m2. peridinin concentration was observed at the amount of 35.59, 11.86 and 12.67 mg/L, under the different tempretures of 17±1, 23±1 and 29±1°C, respectively. Also chlorophylla concentration was observed as amount of 29.96, 9.33 and 10.83 mg/L under the different tempretures of 17±1, 23±1 and 29±1°C, respectively. Statistical results showed a significant difference in growth rates, chlorophylla, peridinin concentration of Zooxanthellae at three different temperatures (P<0.05).

The results demonstrate that a biofilm-based PBR that minimizes hydrodynamic shear forces is applicable to technical-scale cultivation of dinoflagellates.

Studying the past climate changes of the earth can have an important role to understand how similar changes will likely occur and which parameters control it. In addition, based on it, we will be able to predict more accurately the environmental changes of the earth in future. One of the main climate changes reported in the Holocene is a period of cold and dry climate that so called 4.2 climate event. This event that reported around the world was associated with many civilization collapses. Some studies showed the effect of this event in the Middle East which for example claimed that the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia collapsed under the effect of this climate change. In spite of the past studies, more knowledge of the 4.2 event and its effect on the sedimentary basins will be very useful to understand the similar changes in future of this region of the earth.

In the current study, two sediment cores retrieved from the depths of 400 and 600 m of the eastern part of the south Caspian Sea, near to the coastline of Babolsar, were used to assess the 4.2 event. Different geochemical and sedimentological laboratory tests were implemented to assess every change that may represent the effects of the mentioned climate event. The tests including magnetic susceptibility (MS) with 1 cm increment, continuous XRF measurements and also sedimentary tests to measure the grain size, calcium carbonate, and organic matter (OM) contents for every 2 cm were performed in INIOAS laboratory (Iran) and CEREGE laboratory of Aix-Marseille University (France). In addition, two bulk samples taken from different horizons of the cores were dated in Poznan Radiocarbon Laboratory by 14C method.

Based on the observation in the studied cores, sedimentological and geochemical anomalies likely affected by the 4.2 event were observed in 3900 to 4400 BP and 4400 to 4700 BP in cores taken from depths 600 and 400 m, respectively. The concentrations of Li and Zr and their ratio showed an increased anomaly during these periods. The increase probably caused due to relative upraise of physical weathering of the igneous rocks in the Alborz Mountains which itself occurred because of lower vegetation coverage as a result of the cold and dry weather. The concentrations of Ca and Sr also were decreased which probably represents lower bioproductivity during the discussed periods. The fall in bioproductivity caused likely because the biological activities deceased under the lower temperature of water and also lower nutrients resulted by less vegetation coverage. In addition, relative increase of magnetic susceptibility and also grain size shows higher volume of detrital sediments that confirms the predominance of physical erosion in the surrounding areas.

Considering the accuracy of the chronological tests and also the previous experiences around the world, it seems that the event, so called 4.2, occurred around 4000 BP in the Caspian region and associated with significant environmental effects. Some studies showed that the migration of Indo-European peoples coincided with this climatic event. So it seems that the cold climate that was more powerful in the northern attitudes forced Indo-European peoples to migrate to the southern attitudes with warmer climate.

Due to the good propagation of sound waves in the ocean, sound energy is used to reveal the subsurface of the sea. In order to take advantage of the different characteristics of the environment in which sound is emitted, modeling and simulation of sound waves should be used. For this purpose, the environmental factors should be investigated and the way of sound rays propagation and the efficiency of sonar should be simulated in different conditions and in different times and places. This research is designed with the aim of investigating the effects of topographical shape on the propagation of ultrasound rays. In this research, firstly, the environmental data of the study area, which includes salinity, temperature and depth data in the northern Indian Ocean, has been extracted from international databases (such as HYCOM, GEBCO, WOA, etc.). Then, using the beam method, the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the presence of roughness of the seabed has been simulated. First, changes in hydrophysical parameters were analyzed using temperature and salinity data in the Indian Ocean and with the help of graphic models. Then, using Mackenzie's formula, the speed of sound in these sections was calculated and analyzed. With the help of the existing acoustic model, pressure changes were first checked and then this output was used to calculate the amount of return signal from a hypothetical underwater target. The results of different simulation scenarios of ultrasonic beam propagation show that when the source is placed under the thermocline layer, the acoustic beams are deflected downwards. As the frequency increases, the transmission loss increases and the intensity of the acoustic pressure decreases. Because the amount of absorption of sound waves increases with increasing frequency.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: 

The environmental issues resulting from the commercial activities of the ports and their support in backshore are often reflected in the coastal-marine environment area. because any type of pollution with a known or unknown origin can eventually affect the marine environment as well.

In this study, considering the importance of Shahid Bahonar port and a extensive of loading, discharging and shipping activities of this port, Sampling of sediments was done in 11 stations in the basin and sea area of ​​this port in 1400 and 1401 and the concentration of heavy metals and aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon  was measured. .

Average concentration of heavy metals in sediments for arsenic (3.40), cadmium (1.20), chromium (177.29), iron (22261.40), copper (61.64), zinc (116.35), manganese (333/79), mercury (0.23), cobalt (26.29) and nickel (90.96) mg/kg were measured.  Also, about petroleum hydrocarbons, the results showed that among the 16 aromatic compounds studied, the highest concentration of Fluoranthene with 507.6 ng/g was measured at station 2 and the lowest concentration of Naphthalene was measured with 1.4 ng/g. According to the ecological risk assessment, the highest level of pollution is in the stations in the basin of the port and oil jetty with a medium degree of pollution, and the stations inside basin have a higher cumulative risk than outside the port.

 According to the obtained results, it can be said that port activities, marine repair activities of neighboring industries, the closure of the port basin and the low ratio of water exchange in the basin are factors that cause the accumulation of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the sediments.

Chronic myeloid leukemia is one of the most common types of blood cancer that, despite recent advances in cancer treatment, still results in high patient mortality. Due to the side effects of anti-tumor drugs, natural products such as seaweed extract can be more convenient and safer in treating cancer. In this study, the anticancer activity of Sargassum tenerrimum extract was investigated by assessing the rate of apoptosis and expression of the WT1 gene of the K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cell line.

In this study, 250, 500 and 750 mg/mL of methanolic, chloroform and hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared. After the cultivation, the K562 cells were incubated with the extract for 24 hours, followed by observation under an inverted microscope to check the degree of apoptosis. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, expression of WT1 gene was determined by real-time PCR. Results showed that all extracts were concentration-dependent and contributed to the induction of the apoptotic cell line K562. Depending on the concentration and type of various extracts from Sargassum tenerrimum, inhibition of gene expression of the WT1 gene was also observed.

The most effective induction of apoptosis and inhibition of gene expression was developed by 750 mg/ml hydroalcoholic extract and chloroform extract was the least effective.

These results indicate the anti-cancer potential of Sargassum tenerrimum extract on K562 cells by inducing apoptosis as well as inhibiting WT1 gene expression.

Seas and coasts are the most interesting field of geopolitical competition in recent decades. The coastal areas of the Caspian Sea are one of the most important ecosystems in Iran. As the largest lake in the world, this sea has important and special features in terms of sedimentology and geochemistry. Sedimentary and geochemical evaluations are important for studying the evolution of sedimentation environments and the location of basins. Investigating the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Caspian Sea deposits can provide valuable information regarding the origin of sediments, hydrodynamic characteristics of the region, and sediment transport conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to study the texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of deposits off the coast of the Caspian sea in Babolsar city. in order to investigate the sedimentary and mineralogical characteristics, petrography and geochemistry of Deposits off the Coast of the Caspian Sea in Babolsar City, it was started by using geological maps, topography of the area and choosing the appropriate navigation route to collect sediment samples. Then, in order to sample the sediments far from the coast, 41 samples were taken from the inside of the boat to sample the soft sediments on the sea surface from a small Van Veen Grab sampler belonging to the German Hydrobius Company. Granulation analysis, microscopic inspections, XRD and XRF were carried out on the collected samples. The findings indicated that silt and clay make up the majority of the particle size of this deposit. Examining the trend of changes in particle size also showed that at the entrances of Babelroud and Shazdehroud rivers to the Caspian Sea, the size of the particles is in the range of sand, and with the distance from the coast, the amount of sand decreases and the amount of silt and clay increases. These deposits often have a silty texture with some gravel and mixed sand. These deposits along the shore, where the energy is stronger, have superior textural properties than the deposits inland, where the energy is lower.  Most of the studied sediments are debris near the coast. Deposits off the Coast is more abundant with chemical and biochemical particles and intraclast allochems, bivalve fossils, and benthic forms.This deposit's primary mineral phases include quartz, calcite, feldspar, and occasionally Illite and Dolomite. The geochemical results also show the superiority of SiO2 oxide, which is generally associated with quartz minerals. Oxides of SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, and K2O are deficient in these deposits, whereas Fe2O3, CaO, P2O5, MnO, and TiO2 oxides are abundant. In total, the results of this research indicated a direct relationship between the deposits off the coast of the Caspian sea and the mineralogical composition of the incoming deposits from the rivers leading to this coast. The conditions of the sedimentary environment of these deposits have also been involved in the formation of the geochemical and sedimentary characteristics of these deposits.