Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Winter 2014

The optimum dose of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to produce gynogenetic Caspian salmon, Salmo trutta caspius, with emphasis on the «Hertwig effect» and photoreactivation (PR) were investigated. The sperm of Caspian salmon was irradiated with UV at 2010 ± 200 μw. cm-2 in different times including 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35 and 45 min and was allowed to fertilize normal ova; the fertilization, eyed and hatching rates were calculated to assess the performance. Using the irradiated sperm decreased the fertilization, eyed as well as hatching rates and the so-called «Hertwig effect» was observed, with the time-dependent decrease in the hatching rates at 0+ to 3 min irradiation, but better hatching rates were observed at more prolonged irradiation times. The best hatching rate was achieved at 25 min of UV irradiation; after that the survival rates rapidly declined to near zero. For PR studies, the semen was irradiated with UV (5, 30 and 120s) and untreated semen (0s) was used as control. Irradiated semen and/or fertilized eggs by treated semen were exposed to visible light (60 W) at a distance of 30 cm for 10 min; the eyed and hatching rates were measured. UV irradiation as low dose as 5s, significantly decreased the hatching rate (P <0. 05). Semen and/or eggs illumination with visible light could not improve the survival rates (P >0. 05). So, based on the results of this study, it was impossible to detect any PR mechanism in Caspian salmon.

Biosorption of acidic dyes using the live fern Azolla filliculoides was studied in a discontinuous system. Dye parameters, dye initial concentration and contact time were studied in temperature range of 25-30 ºC and pH=7. It was shown that increasing the 2 initial concentration of dye and its contact time resulted in decreasing the dye taking quantity by the absorbent. Also, type of dye has an effective role in the process. The highest dye taking capacity was reported in the concentration of 15 mg/L that was 64.52%, 37.53%, and 32.98% for acidic red 14, blue 25, and yellow 17 dyes respectively. Adsorption isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin- Radushkovich, and Temkin were analyzed in different concentrations. Adsorption kinetic data were considered by kinetic models of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order.

Phytoplanktons are the first bio- indicators of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Phytoplankton assemblage and aquatic ecosystems are always influenced by environmental factors therefore these environmental changes and threats must be understood in any ecosystem. Phytoplankton are inexpensive and readily available bio- indicators. In the present study, phytoplankton were used to study the Sefid Rud River (the south Caspian Sea), in Iran. Three sampling sites were selected up to 25- 30 km from the River estuary. Samplings were carried out from June through September 2009. Phytoplankton samples were collected by phytoplankton sampler net with mesh size of 25μm. Water parameters including transparency, temperature, water velocity and pH were measured during the survey. Mean water temperature was 26. 9 ± 7. 7 ºc, velocity 0. 13 ± 0. 01 m/s, Secchi disk transparency and pH were 45cm and 7. 4, respectively. Phytoplankton assemblage comprised Bacillariophyceae (61. 2٪), Chlorophyceae (31. 6٪), Euglenophyceae (5. 0٪) and Cyanophyceae (2. 23٪). Significant differences were observed in diversity and abundance of four main groups of phytoplankton between sampling stages. Significant positive correlations were detected between transparency and abundance of Chlorophyta, while negative correlations were found between transparency and Euglenophyceae abundances. The highest abundance of Euglena and Phacus (Euglenophyceae) occurred at high turbidity while maximum abundance of Pediastrum and Scenedesmus (Chlorophyceae) correlated with high water transparencies. Genus Oscillatoria (Cyanophyceae) was observed (abundance 18٪) only in station 2 and influenced by agricultural activities. The study showed that phytoplankton are suitable bio- indicators of environmental changes which may threaten the Sefid Rud River and the Caspian Sea.

In this study, the effect of short-terms starvation (0, 2, 4 and 8 days) on plasma cortisol, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels and also hepatosomatic index in Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii, was investigated. After acclimation to experimental conditions for 10 days using formulated diet, 180 juvenile Siberian sturgeons (mean weight ± S.E.=19.3±0.4, n=15) were randomly distributed among twelve circular, 500l, fiber glass holding tanks with a flow-through system. In this study, control fish (C) were fed with formulated diet to apparent satiation four times daily throughout the experiment. The other three groups were deprived from feed for 2 (T1), 4 (T2) and 8 (T3) days, respectively. Blood samples were taken at the end of the starvation periods for biochemical analyses. Plasma cortisol, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were not significantly different between control and starved fish at the end of the food deprivation periods, but plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in the starved groups, compared to the control fish. HSI index significantly decreased in all starvation groups, except T1, in comparison to the control. The results suggest that energy reserves mobilization during starvation in Siberian sturgeon may be achieved without the involvement of cortisol. Moreover, in this species there are clear indications of metabolic adjustment ability to short periods of food deprivation.

The big eye kilka, Clupeonella grimmi, is a marine fish living in depth of 20 to 200 meter of the Caspian Sea. Its eye and retina were processed for histological and SEM studies. Paraffin embedded retina was cut radially and tangentially in 5 μm thickness and stained with hematoxylin and eosin method. The unstained sections were manipulated for SEM image observations. Tangential retinal sections showed irregular arrangement of cones. Five morphologically different types of photoreceptors were distinguished as rods, short single cones, long single cones, twin cones and double cones. The cones were counted in each quadrant of the retina and cone density was determined. The cones showed increment in diameter but reduction in number at anti-clockwise direction without any specific arrangement. Presence of four types of cone cells and their pattern of distribution revealed assistance in near surface color vision and more light capture in dim light of deeper waters as an adaptation to planktivorous feeding habit and deep water living habitat.

In this study the LC50 96h values of water-soluble fractions (WSF) of the Caspian Sea – exploited crude oil were determined in beluga, Huso huso fingerlings. The fingerlings averaged 2.42 ± 0.11 g in weight were exposed to WSF crude oil at concentrations 24.75, 27, 29.25, 31.5, 33.75, 36, 38.25 ppm. The treatments were performed in three replicates and all changes in the specimens were determined for each concentration. Water quality parameters of the seawater were tested and recorded. The LC50 96h value was found to be 34.87 ppm. In the other step, the fingerling beluga was exposed to three sub-lethal concentrations (13.93, 20.92, 27.90 ppm) of WSF of the Caspian crude oil representing 40, 60 and 80% of LC5 96h respectively, and control without crude oil. All treatments and control were conducted in triplicate. Three specimens of each treatment were sampled for histological studies every day. Results revealed that the fish liver tissue of all the treatments showed histological changes, in comparison to the control after 2 days. Even if the changes in the treatment exposed to 27.90 ppm (80% LC50 96h) WSF occurred in 24h after exposure. Histopathological findings in liver included cloudy swelling, pyknotic nuclei, Karyorrhectic nuclei, fatty vacuolation, fatty degeneration, hypertrophy of hepatocyte, necrosis, hypertrophy of bile ducts, cholestasis and bile stagnation, inflammation, fibrosis and cirrosis. These alterations were more conspicuous with increasing the soluble fraction of crude oil concentrations and exposing time. The results are of importance since much attention has been paid to the oil slicks, particulate or sedimentary pollutions, instead of potential toxic effects of water-soluble fractions of oil, which are more available to marine biota.

The research was accomplished in order to study behavioral and histopathological effects of Copper on Rutilus rutilus caspicus under experimental condition. The study was performed using Water Static Method during 96 hours. 15 fish with averaged weight 2±0.5 g in weight were encountered to different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mg/l) of Copper. A group of fish was considered as control. Under stable condition and aeration, the lethal concentration was 0.4 mg/l. Results indicated that there was significant differences between treatments when copper concentration increased (p 0.05). it was found that in the high concentration of Copper nominal signs of toxicity such as convulsion, air gulping and flared operculum were observed. Histopathological sings were hyperplasia, edema, hyperemia, hemorrhage, expansion of Bowman’s capsule and hepatocytes necrosis. In control group no lesion was observed.

Phytoplankton taxa composition of the Caspian Sea were evaluated by using samples collected at 12 stations along the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea between 1996 and 2010. This study identified 158 phytoplankton species consisted of diatoms (70 species), dinoflagellates (23 species), chlorophytes (29 species), cyanophytes (31 species), and euglenoids (5 species). The dominant species were the diatoms Thalassionema nitzschioides, Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum cordatum, and the cyanophyte of genus Oscillatoria. The average species diversity index of phytoplankton community was 1.88 as recorded in this study. There were main changes in phytoplankton composition as compared with previous study. It could be related to the severe human activities and difference in sampling strategies.

This study was conducted in order to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of pike-perch in the Northern part of Iran. For this purpose, 207 adult pike-perches from four regions of the Caspian Sea watershed (Talesh Coasts, Anzali Wetland, Chaboksar Coasts and Aras Dam) were collected. DNA was extracted and by using 15 pairs of microsatellite primers, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted. DNA bands were analyzed using Biocapt and GenAlex 6 software package. Out of 15 microsatellite primers, 11 loci were produced, of those, 6 loci were polymorphic and 5 were monomorphic. Analysis revealed that the average number of alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities were not statistically significant (P>0.05) for all four populations. Data indicated an appreciable genetic differentiation, in spite of a low genetic variation, and agreed with the low level of genetic polymorphism already observed for this species in Iran. Deviation from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium was obvious in most cases, mostly due to the deficiency of heterozygosities. The highest genetic distance was between Anzali Wetland and Aras Dam populations. This investigation represents the first approach to the knowledge of the genetic variability of Iranian populations using microsatellite markers, and reported results could be of interest for future management and conservation programs of this species in Iran.

The length- length (LLRs), length-weight (LWR) relationships and relative condition factor (Kn) of 505 specimens of pike, (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1798) from Anzali Wetland, southwest of the Caspian Sea, were studied from April 2012 through March 2013. The length-length relationships among total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) for pike were found to be highly significant (r2 0.986, P<0.001). The values of b in length-weight relationship in males (3.1495), females (3.1843) and for all specimens (3.2137) indicated isometric growth. Mean relative condition factor for male, female and all specimens were 1.003, 1.004 and 1.008 respectively. The result of LWR could be used for fishery managers to approve appropriate regulations for sustainable fishery management. Few studies have been conducted on these parameters of pike and this is the first report on LLRs, LWR and Kn of pike from Iranian waters.

The objective of the present study was to determine chemical composition and fatty acid profile of common Kilka, Clupeonella cultriventris caspia, in the Caspian Sea. The chemical analysis revealed that the protein and lipid content of common Kilka were 15.05 and 6.5% of the fresh weight, and total MUFA, PUFA and SFA were found to be 37.00, 32.89 and 29.03% respectively. Palmitic acid 16:0) among total SFAs, oleic acid (18:1n-9) among MUFAs, Docosahexanoid acid (DHA) (22:6n-3) among n 3 PUFAs and linoleic acid (LA) (18:2n-6) among n-6 PUFAs were the most abundant fatty acids. The obtained results revealed that common Kilka is a better source of ω-3 PUFAs than ω-6. DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were the major components of ω-3 PUFAs. Levels of DHA and EPA were 20.79% and 6.97% respectively. The PUFA/SFA ratio was 1.13 in common Kilka. This ratio was more than the recommended minimum value (0.45).The EPA/DHA ratio was 0.34 in common Kilka. The present study suggests that common Kilka is rich in essential unsaturated fatty acids of the ω-3 family, especially DHA which may be considered nutritionally attractive for human.

The present study was carried out to evaluate three interpolation methods including weighted moving average (WMA) with the power of 2 and 3, Kriging and Cokriging methods. Data of 23 wells in Mazandaran province were collected in fall and spring 2006. Seven parameters including electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), total hardness (TH), chloride concentration (Cl-) and sulphate concentration (SO42-) have been chosen as groundwater quality indices in the study area. Variogram analysis and extracting the spatial distribution maps of groundwater quality parameters were done using Geostatistics extension program in GIS environment. All interpolation methods have been evaluated based on mean bias error (MBE) and mean absolute error (MAE) criteria. The spherical model for semi-variograms had the less value of RSS (residual sum of square) for Cl-, EC, pH, SAR and SO42- parameters. TDS and TH parameters followed a Gaussian model. All semi-variograms and cross variograms had high confident level due to little values of nugget effects (Co) relative to sill. The covariance matrix demonstrated that magnesium concentration (Mg2+), sodium concentration (Na+), Total anions, Cl-, EC and TDS parameters have been the best covariate for estimating TH, SO42-, Cl-, PH, TDS and EC parameters, respectively. Co-Kriging was the best method for estimating all parameters far apart TH for which Kriging method was the best. Spatial distribution maps of groundwater quality indices demonstrated that the groundwater in the study area is slightly basic and the values of EC exceeded the permeable limit in more than 40% of the study area. Also there was sodium hazard and high concentration of TDS in the north-east part. Therefore, further studies are needed to recognize the pollution sources in order to reclaim the polluted part in the study area.

Releasing prices and performing cash subsidy payment to all applicants with a different income level create differences in the method of household function and different services of giver organizations including waste and recycling management organization. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cash subsidy payment on the quantity of domestic waste in Rasht. The waste mass was determined by counting garbage vehicles. After, determining the amount of waste mass, statistical analyses were done before and after «cash subsidy payment policy» performance. The obtained results showed that there is a significant difference between the amount of wastes materials in different periods of time (p<0. 05). Therefore, the most amounts of wastes materials were produced in the first half of 2010 (with 15718 cases of travel) while the least amounts were observed in the first half of 2008 (with 10055 cases). There a significant difference between both halves of years in terms of waste production. But, the analyses of data obtained from 2008 through 2010 showed that the growth of producing waste materials in Rasht from November to December has been reduced by the beginning of cash payment of subsidy, so that it was grown 1. 06% from November- through December, -8. 16% in December, -14. 62% from January- through February, -18/38 from February- through March of showing 24. 49% in average growth in comparison to months prior to performing this policy. So the quantity of produced wastes in Rasht city has been reduced after releasing the prices and paying cash subsidy. This situation caused by some reasons such as decreasing purchase power, and also citizens tendency to purchase more qualitative products complete use and saving food (70% of household wastes).

SWOT analysis is used extensively as an assessment and planning method, particularly in tourism planning. However, there are little documentations on application of SWOT analysis inecotourism. An assessment on systematic use of SWOT analysis was carried out in the present study to highlight the applicability of the SWOT technique in detailed investigations. In this study, based on field surveys and questionnaires (on Anzali Wetland and the local population), matrix of internal and external factors (threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strength) influencing tourism development in Anzali Wetland were evaluated within the framework of SWOT analysis and SO, WO, ST and WT strategies were identified. Based on the obtained results, the total score of 3.22 in IFE matrix suggests good condition of the system and high internal strength of the tourism development related to internal factors and the final score of 2.93 in the EFE matrix represents poor condition related to the external factors which means external factors have not been utilized properly; Thus appropriate planning and organizational management practices are required to deal with these factors. The study further proposes solutions, operational priorities and strategic planning according to environmental and local conditions of Anzali Wetland. Since the tourism industry in Iran is still in its early stages, particularly in Anzali Wetland region, the findings could help decision makers to estimate better the weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities, and to develop tourism industry in the region.