Evaluation of artemia stocks in meighan salt Wetland of Arak

In this study, Meyghan Wetland in Arak City (Central Iran) was evaluated to estimate the cyst and biomass stocks of Artemia and their relationship with various factors, abiotic such as WT, DO, pH, water depth, salinity and transparency and numbers of phytoplankton as biotic factors. For this purpose, monthly sampling was performed during 2019 from 18 stations in Mighan Wetland. The amount of cyst (28.875 t), and biomass (23.673 t) artemia in the water of Mighan wetland were determined. The density and type of phytoplankton were also measured. The results showed that the maximum amount of cyst and biomass was observed in December, 1076 and 457.11 per liter respectively. Inverse relationship between cyst and biomass with water temperature, pH, and phytoplankton density and in contrast a positive and significant relationship was observed with dissolved oxygen and salinity. In general, the results showed the possibility of cyst harvesting (5.405 tons according to the method of preserving 22 cysts per liter of water or 2.8875 tons according to the method of 10% harvesting possibility) in October, December, February and March, which the best month for exploitation was in December. The possibility of biomass harvesting (9.469 tons after calculation of 4.3 tons of biomass needed for feeding Felamingo and Shelduck) was also recommended only in December based on the depth of the Secchi disc.