A review on the Artemia stocks in Lake Urmia (1277-1400)

This study investigates the Artemia biomass and cysts changes in Urmia Lake in different time periods. However, changes in Artemia population in other hypersaline lakes such as the Great Salt Lake of America, Dead Sea and Griessmeir lake in Newzeland have also been investigated. The first documented estimation of Artemia stock in Lake Urmia was made by Gϋnther about 125 years ago. After him, in various time periods, Urmia Lake Artemia population was assessed by different authors. The most important researches of them were the studies which performed in last three decades. The highest Artemia population in Lake Urmia has been reported in 1990s which was simultaneous with the highest water standing level of the lake. Here after the lake water level was steadily declined, which negatively affected Artemia communities. In 2010s, Lake Urmia was faced with a water shortage crisis so, Artemia population declined dramatically. Regarding the Great Salt Lake similarities to Urmia Lake, this lake investigation were highlighted in our research. Generally, Artemia cysts density in Urmia lake were decreased from 2500 per liter in 1990s to 4.6 in 2010s, and the biomass from 1500 per cubic meter in 1990s to 4 per cubic meter in 2010s. Lowering the lake water level and simultaneously increasing its salinity is recognized as one of the most important factors in the Artemia population drop. Another crucial parameter in Artemia population decline in Lake Urmia is the significant reduction of algae population, particularly Dunaliella, which is the main food source of Artemia.