Determination of bioaccumulation and microscopic survey of LAS pollutant effect on the liver, kidney and gill tissues of Rutilus frisii kutum in Caspian sea

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) are widely used in detergent industry. Due to contaminants entering the water, and the effects of their accumulation in fish, LAS, has a great importance in environmental pollution. In the present study, accumulation of LAS and its histological effects on gill tissue, liver and kidney of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) were studied. Caspian kutum is the most important and most valuable teleosts of the Caspian Sea. Due to releasing Caspian Kutum in rivers and Anzali Lagoon and unlimited entry of wastewater to the aquatic ecosystem, research on the impact of LAS on Caspian kutum is important. In the present study, fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of LAS (0.58, 1.16 and 2.32 mg/l) for 192 hours. Control treatments with three replicates at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 192 hours were done. For assessments of the histological effects of LAS, tissue sections prepared and by using Hematoxylin - Eosin were stained, then the prepared sections, examined by light microscopy. For determination of the bio accumulation of LAS, the soxhlet extraction and solid phase extraction was performed to determine the amount of LAS using HPLC with fluorescence detector. According to results average of bioconcentration factor and LAS concentrations in fish had reached stable levels after approximately 72 h and thus represented steady state BCF values in this species. The value of steady-state bio-concentration factor of total LAS was 33.96 L.Kg- 1 and for each of the homologous C10-n-LAS, C11-n-LAS, C12-n-LAS and C13-n- LAS were 3.84, 6.15, 8.58 and 15.57 L.Kg-1 respectively. According to the results obtained in gills exposed to LAS, histopathological alteration include hypertrophy, lifting of lamella epithelium, edema, clubbing of lamellae hyperplasia, lamellar fusion and aneurysm were seen. In liver tissue exposed to three concentrations of LAS, congestion and dilation of sinusoids, irregular-shaped nuclei and degeneration in the hepatocyte, vacuolar degeneration and necrosis were observed. In kidney exposed to three concentrations of LAS, reduction of the interstitial haematopoietic tissue, degeneration in the epithelial cells of renal tubule, tubular degeneration, necrosis, shrinkage and luminal occlusion were observed. According to the results the most alteration due to exposure to LAS was seen in the gill tissue. None of the control samples showed histological effects of LAS.

The study of biological characteristic and population dynamic of Caspian vimba (Vimba vimba persa), in coastal waters of Caspian Sea (Mazandaran Province)

This study was conducted to determine reproduction characteristics, diet regime, age structure and population dynamics parameters of the vimba vimba persa (Pallas, 1811) in Mazandaran waters of the Caspian Sea, from October 2008 to September 2009. A total of 994 specimens were monthly collected by beach seine and cast net from six fish landings of Ramsar, Tonekabon, Chaloos, Mahmood Abad, Sari and Behshahr. Biometric characters were measured for each specimen at the laboratory. Scales were used for age determination. Sex determination and fecundity were determined. Population dynamic parameters as well as stock assessment including cohort analysis were estimated using FISAT software. The finding showed that the mean of fork length and body weight of the Caspian Vimba were 168.4±2.6 mm and 71.94±32.24 g respectively. Strong correlation was found between these two variables (a= 0.012; b = 3.047; r2 = 0.955). 92 specimens were studied from the fecundity point of view. This species was found to have more abundance in spring (esp. Apr-May). The samples composed of 397(42.6%) male, 537(57.4%) female; Overall sex ratio (M: F =1: 1.35) was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (p ≤0.05). The advanced stages of maturity (4th & 5th) were found in April and May. The highest Gonadosomatic Index in female was in May and the lowest one was in July. This fish is therefore a spring spawner. The maximum absolute and relative fecundities were 34640 and 260.9, respectively; the minimum absolute and relative fecundities were 5400 and 94.5 respectively. The averages of absolute and relative fecundities were 17198±7710 and 171.85±48.8, respectively. Coefficient vacuity index was 59.2% which indicates that this fish is mesophagous. Among of living creature consumes by Caspian Vimba mollusks, 76 arthropods, worms, plants, detritus and fishes were found 32.9% , 26.7% , 13.4% , 17% , 4.4% and 1.6% respectively. The infinite fork lengths were 261 mm for females, 25mm for males and 261 mm for both sexes respectively. For population growth and mortality parameters; K ( 0.28 per year for both sexes, 0.3 per year for males, 0.33 per year for females); t0 ( -0.65 year for both sexes, -0.23 year in females, -0.51 year in males ); Φ' ( 2.28 ); Z ( 0.98 per year ); M ( 0.59 per year); F ( 0.39 per year) and Exploitation coefficient was 0.4. The analysis showed that total biomass and MSY were 1336 and 528.8 tonnes respectively.

Population dynamics and stock assessment of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

In order to come up with the responsible fishing pattern of common carp, there was a need to identify some of the biological characteristics and stock assessment of carp in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea .The fork length ,weight ,age ,growth parameters of von bertalanffy and mortality rates of common carp were estimated from oct 2006 to sept 2007.Based on the exponential relationship between length and weight in the size range 6.3-65.6 cm ,b was calculated 2.895, 2.843 and 2.925 respectively for combined sexes ,males and females. The mean condition factor was 1.9 which is close to the ideal condition.The results from measuring 3170 specimens ,were showed the first fork length of maturity was 30 cm for males and 32 cm for females. The results indicated that females were predominate and sex ratio was 0.66:1 (M:F) and chi-squares analysis showeda significant difference between males and females.(p<0.05).Length infinity and growth coefficient were calculated by three different methods as below: Length frequency analysis : k=0.17 L∞ =68.04 Age-Length Key k=0.15 L∞ =74.25 Back calculation : k=0.14 L∞ =68.4 The mortality parameters and exploitation rate were estimated as below : Z=0.73 per year M=0.31 per year F=0.42 per year E=0.56 Refer to amount of common carp catch in 2007 -08 ,biomass was calculated 9640.2 tones by jone's cohort analysis and MSY 2374.5 tones.According to analysis ,the number of common carp in the distribution area (Iranian part of the Caspian Sea ) was estimated 24 millions in the 2006-07.

Kilka population dynamics in the south of the Caspian Sea

Populations of kilka in the Caspian Sea have important role in the food chain. This study was conducted to determine population parameters of three species of kilka in the south of the Caspian Sea, during 2006-2007. Mean length was 102.4±9.7 mm for common kilka, 117.8±6.9 mm for anchovy and 119.5±10.9 mm for bigeye. The relationship between length and weight indicated the negative allometric growth in the all three species. Mean age for common kilka, anchovy and bigeye were 3.6, 4.6 and 4.6 years, respectively. Sex ratio (M:F) were 0.52:1 for anchovy, 0.60:1 for common kilka and 1.60:1 for bigeye. The value of growth coefficient (K) was the highest (0.321) for the common kilka, (0.267) for the bigeye, and the lowest for the anchovy kilka (0.245). Total mortality estimated from the descending of the catch curve using the age structure, Z=1.280 yr-1 for common kilka, Z=1.067 yr-1 for anchovy, and Z=1.015 yr-1 for bigeye. Natural mortality (M) were estimated using Pauly formula as M=0.622, M=0.537 and M=0.503 per year for common kilka, bigeye and anchovy, respectively. Value of fishing mortality (F) were estimated from Z and M, as F=0.658 for common kilka, F=0.564 for anchovy and F=0.478 for bigeye. The exploitation rate (E) were estimated E=0.514 for common kilka, E=0.528 for anchovy and E= 0.471 for bigeye. The estimate of MCY (Maximum Constant Yield) was calculated using the more reliable time series of commercial catch data from 2001-2007, which resulted in an estimate of MCY for the kilka fishery of 14100 tonnes.

Effect of thawing methods on the chemical, biochemical, microbiological and sensory indices of Caspian Sea kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Effects of different thawing method i.e. in a refrigerator, in water, at air ambient temperature and in a microwave oven on proximate, chemical (PV, TBA, FFA, TVB-N, SSP, FA), biochemical (pH, WHC,ThL), microbial (total viable, psychrotrophic, coliform, Shewanella and yeast-mould count) and sensory analysis were carried out on frozen whole Caspian sea Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) and Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) carcasses. The values of ash, protein, SSP, WHC, PUFA, PUFA/SFA. EPA+DHA/C16:0, pH, and microbial count of thawed samples decreased significantly while fat, PV, TBA, FFA, TVB-N, SFA and MUFA increased compared to the fresh fish (unfrozen) as control samples. Also, sensory evaluation all of thawed samples showed a significant (p<0.05) quality loss compared to the fresh fish as control samples. The lowest chemical and biochemical values as well as microbial growth were determined in water thawed samples. Therefore, based on this study thawing in water is most suitable for frozen whole rainbow trout.

The residue measurment of pesticide in water and biota of the Sorkhrood River in the south of the Caspian Sea

Pesticide residue is considered as a crucial factor in the fresh water ecosystem pollution of north Iran (Esp. Gillan and Mazandaran provinces). It is also regarded dangerous to the health of human being and animals. In this research , pesticide residue in 3 species of fish was gauged in stations of the Haraz river , the Sorkhrood river , and the Caspian sea. The sampeles were taken during 27 mounths (started in April 97 and ended to June 99). The maximum level of pesticide in water was found in July 98 for lindine at 12.4 ppb. The level of chlorinated pesticide residue recorded at 63 ppb in April 98. The level of. organophosphorus pesticides residue in water was at 1.75 ppb in Aug 97. The toxicity of the mentioned pesticide and bioaccomulation were taken into account in conducting this researched.

The study and production of fish sauce from Caspian Sea lam fish with traditional fermentation method and microbe and enzyme adding method and identification of important bacteria

Fish sauce is a popular fermented product used in south Asian countries which is made from different small fishes in this research work it was attempted to produce fish sauce from kilka of the Caspian sea, the fish sauce was made from three models of kilka ,such as whole kilka , cooked whole kilka and dressed kilka , each of these models treated it four different fashions of fermentation such as:1- Traditional method, 2- Enzymatic method 3- Microbial method, 4- Mixture of enzyme and microb The results of this investigation showed that time of fermentation for the traditional method was six month, enzymatic method one month, microbial method 3 month and the mixture of enzyme and microb 1 month. The rate of fermentation was least for dressed Kilka, microbial and biochemical changes of Kilka fish sauce were evaluated, total bacterial count was 2.1-6.15 log cfu/ml total volatile nitrogen (TVN) in samples recorded was 250 mg /100g, the amount of protein varied between 10-13 percent, the name of commercial enzymes added was Protamex and Flavourzyme, the bacteria added was L act ob acillus and Pediococous, fish sauce containers fish and 20% salt, temperature of keeping for fermentation was 37 degree c for 6 month.

Dispersion, population dynamics and stock assessment of Caspian Sea prawns, genus Palaemon in Guilan Province coastal waters

Biological aspects, population dynamics and stock assessment of the Caspian Sea prawns Palaemon adspersus and Palaemon eleganse were investigated in Guilan coastal water of the Caspian Sea. Sampling was done monthly with a bottom trawl with mesh size of 3 mm in cod end in 0 - 5 m and 5 - 10 m depth in areas as Astra, Shafa Roud, Anzali, Chonchanan Chamkhaleh and Chaboksar during year 2002. Results of one year sampling showed that mean total length of Palaemon adspersus (pooled data) was 39.9±6.84 mm (X±SD) and mean wiegth was 1.133±0.67 g. The mean total length of females and males was 41.6±7.5 mm and 37.9±5.2 mm respectively and mean weight for the mentioned sexes was 1.353±0.65 g and 0.868±0.38 g respectively. There was significant differences in mean length and weight of females and males (P<0.05). The mean total annual sex ratio of males: females for this species was 1.4 and this sex ratio deviated significantly from 1:1 (X2, P<0.05) and biased towards males in the population of this species. The spawning season of Palaemon adspersus begins in April and ends in September with a peak in June . Mean fecundity of this species was 1994.5 ± 506.6 . The growth coefficients Loo and K for females were estimated as 58.5 mm and 2.3 /Year and for males as 55.9 mm and 2.6 /year respectively . The mean CPUA ( catch / Km2 ) for this species was 9.99 ± 33.2 kg / km2 and the correspondance biomass was calculated as 5067.7 kg in 0 - 10 m depth . The mean total length of Palaemon elegans (pooled data ) was 27.5 ± 5.7 mm (X±S.D) and mm and 24.01±4.18 mm respectively and mean weight for the mentioned sexes were was 0.553 ± 0.3 g and 0.237±0.15 g respectively. There was significant differences in mean length and weight of females and males (P<0.05). The mean total annual sex ratio of males:females for this species was 0.57 and in this species also sex ratio differed significantly from 1:1 (X2, P<0.05) and skewed towards females in the population of this species. The spawning season of Palaemon elegans extended from May to September with a peak in July . Mean fecundity of this species was 642.7±313.4. The growth coefficients LOO and K for females were estimated as 42.119 mm and 2.40 /Year and 33.87 mm and 2.50 /year for males respectively. The mean. CPUA ( catch/ Km2 ) for this species was 0.75±3.86 kg/km2 and the correspondance biomass was calculated as 382.1 kg in 0-10 m depth .

Ecological health analysis of Caspian marine environment based on the diversity and distribution pattern of meiofauna in the Mazandaran Province, Caspian Sea

Biodiversity and distribution of benthic meiofauna in the sediments of the Southern Caspian Sea (Mazandaran) was studied in order to introducing and determining of their relationship with the environmental factors. From 12 stations (ranging in depths 5, 10, 20 and 50 meters), sediment samples were gathered in 6 months (2012). Environmental factors of water near the bottom including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured during sampling with CTD and grain size and total organic matter percentage and calcium carbonate were measured in laboratory. In different months, the average water temperature (9.52-23.93), dissolved oxygen (7.71-10.53 mg/L), salinity (10.57±0/07 and 10.75±0/04 ppt), pH (7.44±0/29 and 7.41±0/22), EC (17.97±0/12 and 18.30±0/04μs/cm2), TDS (8.92±0/04 and 9.14±0/02 mg/L), total organic matter (5.83±1/43 and 6.25±0/97%) and calcium carbonate (2.36±0/36 and 1.68±0/19%) were measured respectively. Structure of the sediment samples mostly consisted of fine sand; very fine sand, silt and clay. From the 4 group animals (Foraminifera, Crustacea, Worms and Mollusca), there were identified 40species belong to 29 genera of 25 families. The cosmopolitan foraminifer, Ammonia beccarii caspica, was common in all sampling stations. Result showed that depth was important factor on distribution of meiofauna. Most density of foraminifera and crustacean was observed in depth of 20m and for mollusca and worms observed in 5m. Shannon diversity index decreased with depth that showed in shallow water diversity was higher than deep water. Mean of maximum and minimum Shannon index was obsorvers in depth of 5m and 50 m that was measured in order 0.93 and 0.43. Account of Shannon index showed that this area is under pressure. Account of peioleo index showed distribution in this area was not steady.

A three dimensional model of Caspian Sea circulation

Observations of Caspian Sea during August - September 1995 are used to develop a three dimensional numerical for calculating temperature and current. This period was chosen because of extensive set of observational data including surface temperature observations. Data from the meteorological buoy network on Caspian Sea are combined with routine observation at first order synoptic station around the lake to obtain hourly values of wind stress and pressure fields. Initial temperature distribution as a function of depth and horizontal coordinates are derived from ship cruises. The model has variable grid resolution and horizontal smoothing which filters out small scale vertical motion. The hydrodynamic model of Caspian Sea has 6 vertical levels and a uniform horizontal grid size of 50 km The model is driven with surface fluxes of heat and momentum derived from observed meteorological. The model was able to reproduce all of the basic feature of the thermal structure in Caspian sea and: larger scale circulation patterns tend to be cyclone, with cyclone circulation with each sub basin. Result has agreement with observations.

Three dimensional modeling of contaminants transportation (oil spill) in Caspian Sea

Nowadays, Caspian Sea is in focus of more attentions than past because of its individualistic as the biggest lake in the world and the existing of very large oil and gas resources within it. Very large scale of oil pollution caused by development of oil exploration and excavation activities not only make problem for coastal facilities but also make severe damage on environment. In the first stage of this research, the location and quality of oil resources in offshore and onshore have been determined and then affected depletion factors on oil spill such as evaporation, emulsification, dissolution, sedimentation and so on have been studied. In second stage, sea hydrodynamics model is offered and tested by determination of governing hydrodynamic equations on sea currents and on pollution transportation in sea surface and by finding out main parameters in these equations such as Coriolis, bottom friction, wind and etc. this model has been calculated by using cell vertex finite volume method in an unstructured mesh domain. According to checked model; sea currents of Caspian Sea in different seasons of the year have been determined and in final stage different scenarios of oil spill movement in Caspian sea on various conditions have been investigated by modeling of three dimensional oil spill movement on surface (affected by sea currents) and on depth (affected by buoyancy, drag and gravity forces) by applying main above mentioned depletion factors.

Study of feeding competition between invasion ctenophore (M. leidyi) and anchovy (C. engrauliformis) in the Southern Caspian Sea (Mazandran Coast)

Mnemiopsis leidyi one species of phylum Ctenophora, is a native species in America. It has most likely moved across the Atlantic in the ballast water of cargo ships to the Black sea in 1982, and then to the Caspian Sea thought the Volga-Don Channel, in Nov 1999. The population of M. leidyi rows rapidly and by end of 2000, the entire sea was teeming with them. This survey was arranged In order to study the relationship between the invasion of M. leidyi and sharp decline in main stocks pelagic fish such as Kilka. Dietary analysis was conducted on Anchovy Killka (Clupeonella engrauliformis) and M. leidyi from August 2001 to October 2002 in two stations, located at the costal water near Babolsar (52.38° E ,36.42° N ) and Noshahar (51.33° E,36.39° N) in the Caspian Sea province of Mazandaran, Iran. M. leidyi was caught by plankton net, at three vertical strata of both station at surface 5 in, 10m, and 15 m the Kilka was caught by fisheries boat at Babolasar fishery harbour. Samples of M. leidyi were not fixed in its common fixative, we used 96% Ethanol In order to study of M. leidyi digestion system some alive samples, directly, were studied by the fluorescence microscope which was connected to a computer prepared specially for this process. In many cases, the light was directly reflected on the sample and microscopic image was prepared in dark background. We found that there were some common organisms in diet of both species. The Schoener index analysis reflected these similarities, as values more than critical level of overlap (>89 in Babolsar samples and >84 in Noshahar samples) were found. Results from this study suggests that M. leidyi and Anchovy have a similar feeding niche and computation between them is one of the reasons to decline in anchovy stocks. Economical effects of M. leidyi s invasion in research area were studied by data on kilka caught before and after introducing M. leidyi.

Wind wave prediction in the Caspian Sea

In this thesis, wind wave prediction and analysis in the Southern Caspian Sea are surveyed. Because of very much importance and application of this matter in reducing vital and financial damages or marine activities, such as monitoring marine pollution, designing marine structure, shipping, fishing, offshore industry, tourism and etc, gave attention by some marine activities. In this study are used the Caspian Sea topography data that are extracted from the Caspian Sea Hydrography map of Iran Armed Forces Geographical Organization and the I 0 meter wind field data that are extracted from the transmitted GTS synoptic data of regional centers to Forecasting Center of Iran Meteorological Organization for wave prediction and is used the 20012 wave are recorded by the oil company's buoy that was located at distance 28 Kilometers from Neka shore for wave analysis. The results of this research are as follows: - Because of disagreement between the prediction results of SMB method in the Caspian sea and wave data of the Anzali and Neka buoys. The SMB method isn't able to Predict wave characteristics in the Southern Caspian Sea. - Because of good relativity agreement between the WAM model output in the Caspian Sea and wave data of the Anzali buoy. The WAM model is able to predict wave characteristics in the southern Caspian Sea with high relativity accuracy. The extreme wave height distribution function for fitting to the Southern Caspian Sea wave data is obtained by determining free parameters of Poisson-Gumbel function through moment method. These parameters are as below: A=2.41, B=0.33. The maximum relative error between the estimated 4-year return value of the Southern Caspian Sea significant wave height by above function with the wave data of Neka buoy is about %35. The 100-year return value of the Southern Caspian Sea significant height wave is about 4.97 meter. The maximum relative error between the estimated 4-year return value of the Southern Caspian Sea significant wave height by statistical model of peak over threshold with the wave data of Neka buoy is about %2.28. The parametric relation for fitting to the Southern Caspian Sea frequency spectra is obtained by determining free parameters of the Strekalov, Massel and Krylov etal_ multipeak spectra through mathematical method. These parameters are as below: A = 2.9 B=26.26, C=0.0016 m=0.19 and n=3.69. The maximum relative error between calculated free parameters of the Southern Caspian Sea multipeak spectrum with the proposed free parameters of double-peaked spectrum by Massel and Strekalov on the experimental data from the Caspian Sea is about 36.1 % in spectrum energetic part and is about 74M% in spectrum high frequency part. The peak over threshold waverose of the Southern Caspian Sea shows that maximum occurrence probability of wave height is relevant to waves with 2-2.5 meters wave fhe error sources in the statistical analysis are mainly due to: l) the missing wave data in 2 years duration through battery discharge of Neka buoy. 2) the deportation %15 of significant height annual mean in single year than long period average value that is caused by lack of adequate measurement on oceanic waves, and the error sources in the spectral analysis are mainly due to above- mentioned items and low accurate of the proposed free parameters of double-peaked spectrum on the experimental data from the Caspian Sea.

Three dimensional circulation of water with variable wind in the Caspian Sea

This research is based on a numerical model for forecasting the three-dimensional behavior of (sea) water motion due to the effect of a variable wind velocity. The results obtained are then analyzed and compared with observation. This model is based on the equations that overcome the current and distribution of temperature by applying the method of finite difference with assuming Δx, Δy as constant and Δz, variable. The model is based on the momentum equation, continuity equation and thermodynamic energy equation and tension at the surface and middle layers and bottom stress. The horizontal and vertical eddy viscosity and thermal diffusivity coefficients we used in accordance with that of the Bennet on Outario Lake (1977). Considering the Caspian Sea dimension in numerical model the Coriolis parameter used with β effects and the approximation Boussines have been used. For the program controlling some simple experiment with boundary condition similar to that of the Caspian Sea have been done. For modeling the Caspian Sea the grid of the field was done as follows: At horizontal surface grid size is 10×10km extension and at vertical in 10 layers with varying thickness from surface to bed respectively as: 5, 10, 20, 3, 50, 100, 150, 200, 25, 500 and higher. The data of wind as velocity، direction and temperature of water related to 15th September 1995 at 6،12 and 18 o’clock were obtained from synoptic station at the Caspian Sea shore and the research marine of Haji Alief. The information concerning shore wind was measured and by the method of SPM (shore protection manual) was transferred to far shore winds through interpolation and by use of inverse square distance of position distribution of the wind velocity at the Caspian surface field was obtained. The model has been evaluated according to the reports and observations. Through studying the position of the current in different layers، the velocity in the cross section in the northern، southern and the middle layers، will be discussed. The results reveal the presence of the circulation cells in the three above mentioned areas. The circulation with depth is reduced too. The results obtained through the numerical solution of the temperature equation have been compared with the observation. The temperature change in different layers in cross section illustrates the relative accordance of the model mentioned.

Survey of past, present pollutants via sediment cores analysis in the coastal trend of Caspian Sea

This is especially well supported by down core variation Zn concentration. As Caspian Sea water intrudes into the Bay, it may be concluded that some part of pollution has sea origin. The geochemical index (Igeo) was reformulated for the area of study using chemical partitioning as well as Pb-210 results. The newly developed geochemical index is indicative of low to medium pollution intensity in the Bay of Gorgan. Thus, any additional pollution into the area of study may leave adverse effects on the aquatic ecology of Bay of Gorgan. Further, lithogenous and non-lithogenous inputs of metals into the Bay were assessed. For this purpose and through chemical partitioning, association of metals with different sedimentary phases was determined. The overall results show that about 114th total metal concentration have been added into the Bay of Gorgan through human activities.