Studies on the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) with an exploitation pattern from the Ganga River system, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Samples were collected to study the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from the river Ghaghra (Guptarghat centre, Faizabad). The scales of L. calbasu have been used for age and growth studies in present paper. Study of the marginal rings on the scales of L. calbasu indicates their annual nature. The fish attained growth in 1st 18.7 cm, 2nd 27.8 cm, 3rd 35.7 cm, 4th 41.8 cm, 5th 46.9 cm, 6th 54.9 cm and 7th 57.4 cm years of the life. The growth rate was observed 18.7, 9.1, 7.9, 6.7, 5.1, 8.0 and 2.5 cm for 1st to 7th age classes respectively. The age groups 1+ to 4+ constituted 91.17% of the total exploited population and 8.83% of remaining age groups (5+ to 7+). The maximum exploited population was observed in 2+ age group with 33.68%. Overall exploitation pattern was systematic and a good indicator for heavy recruitment.

Investigation on the ecological impact of constructing and activities of petrochemical industries of petrochemical special economic zone of Mahshahr on the abundance and diversity of macrobenthic fauna in Jafari Creek, north-west of the Persian Gulf

The impact of Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE) activities on the health status of Jafari Creek was studied by assessing the changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages in nine sites during September 2006- January 2008. Furthermore to evaluate the ecological status of the Jafari Creek the WFD indices (i.e. AMBI, M-AMBI) were used. The relationship between spatial pattern of macro invertebrate assemblages and ambient factors (i.e. water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, total hardness, total nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorous, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, sediment grain size distribution, sediment organic content, heavy metals contents) was measured. Background Enrichment indices, Contamination factor and Contamination degree, were used to assess the health status in the study area based on Nickel, Lead, Cadmium and Mercury contents of the sediments. The macrobenthic communities had a low diversity and were dominated by opportunistic taxa, and the AMBI and M-AMBI indices need to be calibrated before using in Persian Gulf and its coastal waters. The BIO-ENV analysis identified pH, dissolved oxygen, TDS, and the total organic content of sediments as the major environmental variables influencing the infaunal pattern. This suggests that management should attempt to ensure minimal disturbance to environmental variables underlying the spatial variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Background Enrichment indices showed that the health of Jafari Creek has declined over time due to the constant discharge of heavy metals to the Creek system. Furthermore WQS index shows that the quality condition of the water column in Jafari Creek, regard to the calculated number (3) is week. These indices also identified a significant degree of pollution in the study area. The decrease in the ecological potential of Jafari Creek was best highlighted by the alteration in macrobenthic assemblages.

An idealized rural coastal zone management integrating land and water use

Various countries have formulated special integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategies which seek to both manage development and conserve natural resources and integrate and coordinate the relevant people sectors and their functions and roles within the bounds of this rich realm. Concerns that may be addressed by ICZM include: 1) Natural resources degradation; 2) Pollution; 3) Land use conflicts; and, 4) Destruction of life and property by natural hazards. Some prevalent sources of environmental impacts (livelihoods) are listed, together with some recommendations to the concerns which they may raise in relation to coastal zone management: agriculture; aquaculture; fisheries; forestry; human settlements; tourism; and, transport industry.