Bioaccumulation of trace elements in different tissues of three commonly available fish species regarding their gender,gonadosomatic index,and condition factor in a wetland ecosystem

In the present research, accumulation of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were determined in sediments and fillet, liver, kidney, gonads, and gills of three commonly fish species in the largest wetland ecosystem that is located in southwest of Iran; Shadegan wetland. Shadegan is one of the most important wetland that posses various fauna and flora but suffers inputs from agricultural and industrial activities. So, sediment samples and fish species including Barbus grypus, Barbus sharpeyi, and Cyprinus carpio were collected during winter 2009. Results showed that mean concentrations of trace elements (except Ni and Co) were high in liver and gills of B. grypus. Also trace elements had the most accumulation in liver of B. sharpeyi except for Cd (0.26 mg kg^− 1 d.w.) and Mn (13.45 mg kg^− 1 d.w.) that were high in gills. Beside, kidney is determined as target tissue for Ni and V in B. grypus and for Pb in C. carpio, due to their high concentration. Zn levels in all tissues of C. carpio showed the highest concentrations in comparison to other fish species. Generally, accumulations of most of the studied elements in B. grypus and B. sharpeyi were higher in females than in males, while in fillet and gonads of C. carpio, this trend was inverted. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were determined for different tissues of fish species with respect to elemental concentrations in sediment. BAFs results indicated that Zn, Pb, and Cu have higher BAF than other elements. Also this investigation demonstrated that trace elements have different affinities with condition factor of studied fish species. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) and Pb showed positive correlation together in both B. sharpeyi and B. grypus, respectively, in females and males. Moreover, females of C. carpio showed significantly positive relation of GSI and all studied elements.     

Application of nanobalance technique and principal component analysis for detection of the soil fumigant Telone residues in the air

Quartz crystal nanobalance (QCN) technique is considered as a powerful mass sensitive sensor for monitoring of materials in the sub-nanogram level. In the current study, a method based on QCN technique developed to determine Telone in air. Various coating materials including methyl phenyl silicon, 75% phenyl (OV25) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were employed. The frequency shift of OV25-modified quartz crystal was found to be linear against organohalogen compounds [Telone (soil fumigant), Koril (Herbicide), Endosulfan (organochlorine insecticide) and Chloroform (solvent)] concentrations in the range of 2.4 to 48 mg L(-1) for Telone vapor and 4.8-24 mg L(-1) for three other vapors. The correlation coefficients for Telone, Koril, Endosulfan and Chloroform were 0.992, 0.996, 0.989 and 0.991, respectively. The principal component analysis was also utilized to process the frequency response data of the organic vapors. Using principal component analysis, it was found that more than 93.85% of the data variance could still be explained by use of two principal components (PC1 and PC2). Subsequently, the successful discrimination of Telone and other compounds was quite possible through the principal component analysis of the transient responses of the OV25-modified electrode. In the second method, a molecularly imprinted polymer-coated sensor for Telone was developed. Molecularly imprinted polymer coated quartz crystal (MIP-QCN) showed a selective response to Telone and gave a linear relationship between frequency shift and amount of Telone from 1 to 48 mg L(-1). In this investigation, the proficiency of MIP-QCN and OV25-modified QCN sensors were compared.     

Evaluating the efficiency of sediment metal pollution indices in interpreting the pollution of Haraz River sediments, southern Caspian Sea basin

The Haraz River is one of the most significant rivers in the southern Caspian Sea basin. Towards the estuary, the river receives discharges of industrial, agricultural, and urban wastes. In the present investigation, bulk concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, and Sr in Haraz River (Iran) bed sediments were measured from several sample locations. In addition, association of studied metals with various sedimentary phases was assessed to determine the proportions of metals in different forms. The intensity of sediment contamination was evaluated using an enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I_geo), and a newly developed pollution index (I_poll). Both EF and I_geo formulae compare present concentrations of metals to their background levels in crust and shale, respectively. In a specific area with its own geological background like Haraz River water basin where naturally high concentrations of metals may be found, such a comparison may lead to biased conclusions regarding levels of anthropogenic contamination. Accordingly, chemical partitioning results are substituted for the mean crust and shale levels in the new index (I_poll). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the anthropogenic portion of metallic pollution in Haraz river-bed sediments with I_poll showed much more value in comparison with those of geochemical accumulation index and enrichment factor. The order of metals introduced by anthropogenic activities are as follows: Sr > Pb > Co > Cd > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Cr > Fe. The results showed relatively higher concentrations of Cd, As, Sr, and Pb in comparison with those of shale. However, based on the chemical partitioning of metals, it is found that Sr, Pb, Co, and Cd are the most mobile metals. In spite of the high As concentrations in sediments, it is not likely that this element is a major hazard for the aquatic environment since it is found mainly in the residual fraction. Also, Fe, Cr, and Ni are present in the greatest percentages in the residual fraction, which implies that these metals are strongly linked to the sediments.     

The effects of socioeconomic parameters on household solid-waste generation and composition in developing countries (a case study: Ahvaz,Iran)

Environment problems associated with the generation of waste are part of societal changes where households play an important role. These societal changes influence the size, structure and characteristic of given households. For the effective planning of solid-waste handling infrastructure, it is essential to know the quantity of waste generation and its composition. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in an urban municipal area in Iran to determine the household solid-waste generation rate and waste composition based on field surveys and to determine the related socioeconomic parameters. The dependent variables were waste generation and composition, and independent variables were family size, family employment, age, number of room and education. Over 400 sample households were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling methodology and from five different socioeconomic groups. Waste collected from all groups of households were segregated and weighted. Waste generation rate was 5.4 kg/household/day. Household solid waste comprised of ten categories of wastes and with the largest component (76.9%). The generation and composition of household solid waste were correlated with family size, education level and households income. This paper adequately suggests new insights concerning the role of socioeconomic parameters in affecting the generation of household waste.     

Association between perceived demands and musculoskeletal disorders among hospital nurses of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences: a questionnaire survey.

Excessive demands on nurses may result in high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted among hospital nurses of Iran's Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) to determine the prevalence of MSDs and to examine the relationship between perceived demands and reported MSDs. In this study, 641 randomly selected nurses from 12 SUMS hospitals participated. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and Job Content Questionnaire were used as collecting data tools. The results showed that 84.4% of the participants had experienced some form of symptoms of MSDs during the past 12 months. Lower back symptoms were found to be the most prevalent problem. Perceived physical demands were significantly associated with MSDs (OR = 1.5-2.7). No association was found between perceived psychological demands and reported symptoms. It was concluded that any intervention program for preventing MSDs among SUMS hospital nurses had to focus on reducing physical demands, particularly excessive postural demands.     

Estimation of Aerobic Capacity and Determination of Its Associated Factors Among Male Workers of Industrial Sector of Iran

Introduction. The aim of this study was to estimate maximal aerobic capacity (V_O2max), to determine its associated factors among workers of industrial sector of Iran and to develop a regression equation for subjects’ V_O2max. Methods. In this study, 500 healthy male workers employed in Shiraz industries participated voluntarily. The subjects’ V_O2max was assessed with the ergocycle test according to the Åstrand protocol. Required data was collected with a questionnaire covering demographic details (i.e., age, job tenure, marital status, education, nature of work, shift work, smoking and weekly exercises). Results. The subject’s mean V_O2max was 2.69 ± 0.263 L/min. The results showed that there was an association between V_O2max and age, BMI, hours of exercise and smoking, but there was no association between V_O2max and height, weight, nature of work and working schedule. On the basis of the results, regression equations were developed to estimate V_O2max. Conclusion. Final regression equation developed in this study may be used to estimate V_O2max reliably without the need to use other laboratory instruments for aerobic measurement.     

Developing an environmental water quality monitoring program for Haraz River in Northern Iran

Water quality management plans are an indispensable strategy for conservation and utilization of water resources in a sustainable manner. One common industrial use of water is aquaculture. The present study is an attempt to use statistical analyses in order to prepare an environmental water quality monitoring program for Haraz River, in Northern Iran. For this purpose, the analysis of a total number of 18 physicochemical parameters was performed at 15 stations during a 1-year sampling period. According to the results of the multivariate statistical methods, the optimal monitoring would be possible by only 3 stations and 12 parameters, including NH₃, EC, BOD, TSS, DO, PO₄, NO₃, TDS, temperature, turbidity, coliform, and discharge. In other words, newly designed network, with a total number of 36 measurements (3 stations × 12 parameters = 36 parameters), could achieve exactly the same performance as the former network, designed based on 234 measurements (13 stations × 18 parameters = 234 parameters). Based on the results of cluster, principal component, and factor analyses, the stations were divided into three groups of high pollution (HP), medium pollution (MP), and low pollution (LP). By clustering the stations, it would be possible to track the water quality of Haraz River, only by one station at each cluster, which facilitates rapid assessment of the water quality in the river basin. Emphasizing on three main axes of monitoring program, including measurement parameters, sampling frequency, and spatial pattern of sampling points, the water quality monitoring program was optimized for the river basin based on natural conditions of the study area, monitoring objectives, and required financial resources (a total annual cost of about US $2625, excluding the overhead costs).     

Novel Biodegradable Cast Film from Cherry Tree Gum,Development, Modification and Characterization

The feasibility of sweet cherry gum as a bio-based film-forming material and effect of hydrogen peroxide as a chemical modifier investigated. The influence of film compositions (gum, glycerol) and hydrogen peroxide on the physical properties of films, including solubility in water, permeability to water vapor (WVP), mechanical properties, and transparency, thermal and microstructural properties evaluated. The results showed that WVP and thickness increased by gum and glycerol concentration, but significantly decreased by hydrogen peroxide. As expected, elongation-at-break and solubility, increased at higher concentration of glycerol but the tensile strength decreased at the same condition. The film transparency was influenced by the dry weight content and was improved by higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The partial degradation of polymer chain by hydrogen peroxide was observed by FTIR analysis.