Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume:20 Issue: 4, Autumn 2022

Mangrove forests play a valuable role in maintaining the coastal ecosystem. Global warming alongside human activities has caused reduced extent and health of these ecosystems in recent years. This study aimed to examine the variability of the extent of mangrove forests and the sea surface area in response to changes in climatic parameters in the south of Iran. To achieve this, the climatic data recorded at Bandar Abbas Synoptic Weather Station and Landsat series of satellite images were used. To detect the trends of meteorological parameters during 1987-2017, the modified Man-Kendall test and the Sen’s slope estimator were employed. We investigated the regression relationship between climatic parameters as well as the sea surface area and the mangrove forest extent. The results showed that mangrove forest extent was about 73.08 km2 in the first year of study (1987), which increased to 88.73 km2 (21%) in 2017. The minimum temperature (Z = 2.77, β = 0.0186), maximum temperature (Z = 2.066, β = 0.0362), and the extent of the mangrove forests (Z = 2.58, β = 0.0405) displayed significantly growing trends. In contrast, the mean temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and the sea surface area had no significant trends during the study period. The minimum temperature presented the highest correlation coefficient with the mangrove forest extent (61%). It is expected, therefore, along with global warming and increasing minimum temperature, the extent of mangrove forests would have a growing trend in the south of Iran in the future. The results of this study can be used by natural resources and forest managers to determine the best place for afforestation in order to perform better protection of these forests.

Maize grain yield has a high potential and as planting late maturing cultivars is delayed for any reason, middle-aged maize cultivars can be used as an alternative plant. Observing planting date and plant density is very important in increasing maize yield. In 2019 in Koohdasht City, Iran, a statistical design of split plots was performed based on complete blocks with three replications.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of density (6, 7, 8 and 9 plants m-2) and planting date (6, 13 and 20 July) on grain yield and its components in single cross maize cultivar 550.  Planting dates were considered as main plots and planting densities were considered as sub-plots.  By increasing density, traits such as number of leaves per plant, number of leaves above maize, stem diameter, maize diameter, maize length, number of grains per row and 1000-grain weight decreased.  By delay in planting, plant height, number of leaves per plant, maize length, stem diameter, maize diameter, number of grains per row and 1000-grain weight decreased.  The highest grain yield (14.313 tons per hectare) was obtained from the first planting date (6 July) with a density of 9 plants m-2.  By elevating density, plant height, maize height, grain yield, biological yield and degree of fruiting increased and the number of rows per maize, number of grains per row, maize diameter, cob diameter, stem diameter and 1000-grain weight decreased.

The feeding characteristics of Planiliza abu in Karun River, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran were studied by collecting 460 specimens from November 2016 to September 2017. The specimens were anesthetized in 1% clove oil, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and transferred to the laboratory. The average length and weight of all specimens were 13.18 ± 1.35 cm and 31.05 ± 9.22 g, respectively. The average condition factor for both males and female was 1.34, exhibiting no significant differences in different months in both sexes (p > 0.05). The mean relative length of gut in all fish was 2.27 ± 0.36 during the year.  The highest gastrosomatic index (GSI) value was in September (12.07), while the lowest in February and March displaying significant differences in different months (p < 0.05). A total of 214 empty stomachs were found amongst the 460 fish samples and there were no significant differences in the ratio of empty stomachs in different months (p > 0.05). Therefore, based on the visual observations, RLG and GSI, it could be concluded that this species is an omnivorous fish (mainly aquatic insects and plants, algae, diatoms, and detritus) with a modest feeding throughout the year.

The length-weight relationship, breeding season and condition factor of Oxynoemacheilus bergianus from Jajrud River in the Namak Lake basin, Tehran Province, Central Iran, were investigated. Sampling was performed from March 2017 to February 2018. The biometric measurements and the body and gonad weights were monthly carried out for one year log sampling occasions, in a total of 546 specimens. The range of total length in males and females were 3.8-7.5 and 3-7.6 cm, and the range of total weight were correspondingly 0.36-3.53 and 0.2-4.67 g respectively. The calculated coefficient of determination (r2) in males and females was found to be 0.94 and 0.95, respectively reflecting a positive allometric (b > 3, p > 0.05) growth in both sexes. The gonadosomatic index and modified gonadosomatic index showed that O. bergianus spawns in the middle of spring in May. In agreement with that, the condition factor reached the minimum (0.60) in February, while the maximum (0.96) in May. Since there is poor conservation status of the species, this study aims to give a contribution for biologists and wildlife managers.

The study of water resources and reviewing periodic and spatial changes in the quality of water in aquatic ecosystems are of important necessity due to the reasons including, climate change, water resource constraints, and increased human water requirements. Given the fact that Koohsar Lake water in Zanjan Province is one of the sources of drinking water in the region, the present study aimed to measure the values ​​of 19 parameters of water quality in two seasons of summer and spring at four stations. The samples were transferred to a laboratory under steady-state and sunlight conditions and analyzed according to the standard methods. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Moreover, the study applied factor analysis using principle components to analyze the variance of data. In addition, the values ​​of the parameters were compared with the permissible limits of drinking water of national standard. The results indicated a significant difference between the parameters studied at stations and different sampling times by repeated measurements. The results of factor analysis also showed that the total of three main components in the summer and spring were 96.573% and 98.581% of the variance of data respectively. The main parameters in the summer included Chlorophyll-a, Na, DO, pH, BOD, COD, TDS, EC, and nitrate. Also, EC, TDS, alkalinity, pH, COD, BOD, Ca, and ammonia were found as the main parameters in the spring. Also, it was found that except for the pH in the spring and at stations 3 and 4 which were below the standard minimum, the lake water in both seasons and all stations, in terms of parameters, was within the standard range and exhibited a good quality for drinking. Implications are discussed in light of the study findings.

Coastal ecosystems are very dynamic and their changes occur relatively quickly due to the collision of two dynamic environments of land and sea. Gorgan Bay and Gomishan Wetland are unique ecosystems in the south-eastern part of the Caspian Sea. In this study periodic changes in the ecosystems of Gomishan Wetland and Gorgan Bay were evaluated over a period of 40 years using Landsat satellite imagery from 1978-2018. MSS, TM and OLI imagery along with NDWI index were used. The results show that the fluctuations in both ecosystems were consistent and the coastline changes were greater in the near-land areas. Based on the results, the highest area of ​​water in both ecosystems was obtained in 1997 (210.43 and 528.97 km2 for Gomishan Wetland and Gorgan Bay, respectively). These ecosystems also exhibited the lowest water area in 1978. In general, it can be conclude that remote sensing was an efficient tool in monitoring and managing coastal ecosystems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical factors of seawater to determine the water quality index around two marine farms of rainbow trout in the south of the Caspian Sea. Each farm had four floating polyethylene cages with a final fish harvest of 60 tons. The water sampling was performed in January and March 2014 as well as May and August 2015 from around the cages (close: cage shade, 50 m and 100 m; distant: 1000 m) in three geographical directions: east, west, and south. The water quality parameters including pH, temperature, transparency, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds) were determined. The results of the analysis of variance of data at both farms showed that changes in physical and chemical parameters of water had only significant differences at the time of sampling (p < 0.05). The highest value of variance in the principal component analysis (PCA; 30.23% from 84.75%) was related to EC, temperature, salinity, total nitrogen, pH, and organic phosphorus. Iran Surface Water Quality Index (IRWQISC) at near and far distances from farms was determined to be moderate (40-55). The main reasons for this result can be attributed to the small-scale and short fish farming period along with the hydrological conditions of the region.

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of metformin in some physiological and histological parameters of reproductive system in the diabetic male rats experimentally.  Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups. The (control) first group was treated with normal saline; the second was infected group which included rats diabetic experimentally treated by alloxan; the third and fourth groups were induced diabetic experimentally and received metformin suspension (150 mg kg-1 daily) at one and two doses respectively. Twelve hours was time between these two doses. Reproductive ability was measured by determination of some physiological parameters as count sperm, malformations, motility, dead sperm, weights of sex organs (testes, epididymis, prostate glands and seminal vesicles) and the damaged testicular structure. The present results indicated that the administrated metformin at high doses led to significant decrease (p < 0.05) in total count of sperm, motility and in weights of all sex organs such as testes, epididymis, prostate glands and seminal vesicle, while significant increase (p < 0.05) in sperm abnormalities and dead sperm. Also, the results showed that the diabetes and exposure to metformin caused many malformations of sperm such as shattered sperm, the lacking, hooked and quirky tail, while the abnormalities of head included the lacking, Globozoospermia and elliptical head. The histological damages in testicular structure were observed including the destroyed and raised thickness of connective tissue among seminiferous tubules, necrosis and reduction numbers of spermatocytes along with the congestion of blood vessels. Many histological alterations occurred clearly due to treated with high dose of metformin after diabetic experimentally including the most affected structural troubles as large fracture of seminiferous tubules, expansion of bloody congestion and raise of necrosis in testicular structure.

In terms of surface temperature control, ozone is a greenhouse gas that has a significant influence on weather and climate system regulation. O3 absorbs the visible and ultraviolet region of the spectrum solar radiation, leading to a variation in the electronic energy of the molecule. The more powerful absorption occurs in UV rays, with lower absorption in the visible region. O3 may absorb the infrared (IR rays) of the earth's atmospheric system. The methods used in the present study were based on ground-based UV measurements over Baghdad City- Iraq, where the considered UV radiation values were measured every 10 minutes during the period from October 2014 to December 2015. The sun radiation was measured by a station located at Mustansiriyah University in Iraq (33º08’44” N; 44º05’53” E; altitude 34 m). The results showed a positive direct relationship between the ultraviolet B (UV-B) and Global Solar Radiation (G) for hourly values in Baghdad, with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.885, and the UV levels rise with an increase in G. As a result, an empirical relationship association between them were established. In all areas of correlation relationship, the Determination Coefficient (R2) of the two variables was greater than 0.98. With a good agreement between calculated values of hourly UV (UVe), and corresponding measured values (UVm), correlation coefficient R = 0.94. Calculated linear regression accounted for 90 % of the variance. So, the results of the UV-G relationship may be used to estimate UV-B values for measurements taken over a period of time at the Mustansiriyah site, for values that are difficult to measure, or for any place in Baghdad or the central area of Iraq, or sites with comparable climates.

In Egypt, conserving irrigation water and raising crop output are significant concerns. Egypt's climate ranges from semi-arid and arid to desert. The number of summer legumes cultivated on a per-capita basis is declining. Excessively applied nitrogen (N) mineral fertilization and irrigation water are widespread agricultural techniques that harm the quality of the soil and the surrounding environment. It should be possible to increase overall agricultural yield while working with scarce agricultural resources through intercropping. In developing countries, intercropping is the most common farming system for increasing and maintaining agricultural production. As a widely spaced crop, maize provides ample opportunity for the practice of intercropping. Legumes are well-known for their effectiveness as intercropping companions. In light of this information, an investigation into the possibility of intercropping maize with legumes, specifically groundnut and green gram, was carried out. Seeds for groundnuts and green grams were sown between rows of paired row maize. The results demonstrated that the intercropping system had no considerable impact on maize grain and straw yields. However, there was a substantial disparity in total biomass production between the experiments; maize and groundnut (2:3) recorded the highest yield, followed by groundnut (2:2) and green gram (2:3). The land equivalent ratio (LER) unequivocally demonstrated the benefits of intercropping, and the highest LER was achieved by growing maize and groundnut (2:1).

This study was conducted in the mycotoxins laboratory, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Iraq to evaluate the efficiency of silver nanoparticles manufactured locally and biologically by Aspergillus niger in preventing A. flavus to produce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The results of laboratory isolation showed that the companion of fungi genera were Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillum spp. and Rhizopus spp. at rates of 5.66, 14.91, 21.18 and 38.86% respectively. The highest frequency of A. flavus was 19.32%. The results of the TLC test showed that all isolates produced AFB1 in varying rates (%), and the Baghdad / Al-Youssifia isolate was the most productive of AFB1, since it has a largest spot area and most intense fluorescence under the chromatographic plate, hence given a symbolic name AFBY7. The results of HPLC showed that the toxin concentration in the AFBY7 isolate was 124.167 ppb. Also, the results showed the high efficiency of A. niger in the manufacture of silver nanoparticles, as the colour of solution changed from yellow to dark brown. On the other hand, the results of using locally and biologically manufactured silver nanoparticles in the storage experiment to prevent the fungus from producing toxin showed superiority of treatments (T) 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mg L-1, since AFB1 was 0.0 ppb compared to T0.2 (3.990 ppb). In addition, the results showed the efficiency of locally and biologically manufactured silver nanoparticles used in reducing AFB1 in the storage experiment of maize grains stored. So that, T0.6 and T0.8 were superior in reducing the AFB1 to 0.0, compared to T0.2 and T0.4, leading AFB1 to reach 10.230 and 5.180 ppb respectively.

A field experiment was carried out in winter 2019 in the north of Basra Governorate to find response of four varieties of wheat (Baraka, Tammuz-2, Latifia and Ibaa-95) to different concentrations of iron nano-fertilizer (0, 1, 2 and 3 g L-1). The experiment was designed by applying factorial experiments using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. This study revealed the superiority of variety Baraka in grain yield and biological yield, which reached 4.892 and 12.943 ton ha-1, respectively, as a result of its superiority in growth characteristics and yield components. Iron nano-fertilizer exhibited a significant impact on all studied traits, so that, 3 g L-1 displayed the highest average of grain yield (4.966 ton ha-1). Regarding to the interactions, the variety Baraka by spraying iron nan-fertilizer at 3 g L-1 exhibited the highest average of grain yield (5.800 ton ha-1) due to its superiority in yield components.

To know the effect of the Capparies silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis from the leaves of the Capparis spinosa plant on the liver enzymes GOT, GPT and the histology of the liver in infected mice with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), they were dosed with 0.1 mL day-1 and pentostam drug (0.01 mL day-1) for 21 days. The results showed that the silver nanoparticles of the Capparies spinosa, led to a significant decrease in liver enzymes, i.e., GOT and GPT after three weeks, compared to the positive control group. Also, it was noted that the liver tissue was less affected with a slight expansion of the hepatic sinusoids and a decrease in lymphocyte infiltration.

A factorial field experiment in a split-plot design was carried out in Kannan district, Diyala Governorate, mid-east of Iraq, during the agricultural season 2020-2021 to study the effect of planting date and spraying with organic fertilizers on growth and qualitative characteristics of dill plant (Anethum graveolens L.). The experiment included three replicates, each comprising 15 factorial treatments. Experiment factors included three planting dates (20/9, 10/10 and 1/11) and three types of organic fertilizers (humic fertilizers, seaweed extracts and amino acids). Organic fertilizers were sprayed three times during the vegetative growth stage. Results indicate that the plants growing on the first date (20/9) significantly outperformed in plant height, the number of leaves, chlorophyll content and dry matter percentage, which amounted to 42.48 cm, 5.8 leaf plant-1, 28.06 mg per 100 g fresh weight and 8.52%, respectively. The second date (10/10) were significantly superior in vegetative yield which amounted to 26.791ton ha-1. All fertilizers were significantly outperformed control treatment in plant height, the number of leaves and branches, chlorophyll percentage, vegetative yield and dry matter percentage.

This study was conducted in poultry farm of Agriculture College, University of Anbar, Iraq to assess the effects of different levels of zinc as dietary supplementation in volume density and relative weight of Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica testis contents. Sixty males of 35 day-olds were used in this study. Quails distributed randomly in four treatments and three replicates, each including 5 males. Birds fed balanced diets contain four levels of metal zinc as: T1: control diet without any addition of zinc; T2: diet by adding 25 mg kg-1; T3: 50 mg kg-1; and T4: 75 mg kg-1. Males were slaughtered at 147th day-old then testes weight, testes relative weight, seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells volume density and relative weights (mg g-1) as well as diameters of seminiferous tubules were measured. Results exhibited no significant differences in testis weight and relative weights in all treatments compared to control group. Significant elevation (p < 0.0001) in volume density of spermatogonia was observed in T3 and T4. Significant differences (p < 0.0001) was found in volume density of spermatocytes in all treatments. There was also significant increasing (p < 0.1433) in total sperm contents in T4. Data refers to significant rise (p < 0.0024) in relative weight of spermatogonia in T3, and also significant elevation (p < 0.0453) in volume density of spermatocytes in T3 and T4.

Heavy metal pollution is a serious threat for human health relating to their toxicity and bioaccumulation in the food chain which made this problem as global public health issue. The current study aimed to determine the heavy metal concentrations and their toxicity in water, sediment, Cladophora and the gill, liver and muscle of Liza abu and Barbus barbus in Al-Masab Alamm River, Al Nassiriya, Iraq. The samples were included thirty fishes and there were three selected sample stations covered the area on the river. The heavy metal   levels were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that the heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, algae and the sampled fishes exceeded the acceptable levels for World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Heavy metal levels were estimated in different tissues of fish. The results revealed that most of the heavy metal concentrations were high in gills, liver and muscles respectively. Lead and copper accumulated higher in liver than in the other tissues.

The presence of hydrocarbons in the soil is considered one of the main problems of pollution. In our current study, eight samples isolated from soil saturated with hydrocarbons were taken from different areas of Baghdad, Iraq. In this study, 5 isolates belonging to Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 99%, 4 isolates to Klebsiella pneumoniae by 98%, and 3 isolates to Enterobacter hormaechei by 97% were diagnosed in different ways. A molecular examination was also conducted by 16sRNA. We recorded P. aeruginosa, K. Pneumoniae and E. hormaechei as new local isolates in NCBI. In addition, a comparison was made between our isolates and the global isolates to determine the degree of convergence in the evolutionary line. The genes alkB and nahAc7 were diagnosed in P. aeruginosa capable of degradation hydrocarbons. The aim of this study was to identify the bacterial species that resist the presence of hydrocarbons in the soil and also to diagnose some genes in the bacteria responsible for degradation of hydrocarbons in order to find the biological treatment methods.

To protect the sustainability of the aquaculture industry, fishmeal is being replaced with alternative feed ingredients such as plant-based protein components. However, most plant-based feedstuffs contain a wide array of anti-nutritional factors. These factors can potentially hinder nutrient consumption, which in turn can interfere with fish health and performance. Protease enzyme supplements can reverse the impacts of anti-nutritional factors and enhance fish growth. This study aimed to incorporate the trypsin enzyme into the food of Spanish mackerel and explore its effects on growth factors, body composition, and blood biochemical parameters. This study was a fully-randomized experiment with three treatments and three replications. This experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replications, and the trypsin enzyme was added to the fish diet at different levels: 0%, 0.015%, and 0.025%. For a timeframe of 60 days, the fish were given experimental diets. The growth indices considered were: specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), condition factor (CF), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain percentage (WGP), and hepatic steatosis index (HSI). The results showed that FCR, PER, SGR, and WGP at enzyme levels of 0.015% and 0.025% were substantially different from the control group.

The El Nino- Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is the most important form of tropical climate change. By modifying the distribution of rainfall and temperatures, it sometimes engenders devastating effects in many tropical regions and even in high latitudes. The aim of this study was to choose the El Nino event as a potential predictor for long-term precipitation forecast in Iraq in the presence of opposite patterns in Iraq's precipitation distribution at different phases of the El Nino event. The results indicate that calculating the frequency of occurrence of precipitation gradations in Iraq during the warm and cold phases of ENSO are presented in Tables 2 and 3.

The current study was carried out on a poultry farm that belongs the Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq for a period from 10 September through 14 October 2020 in 5 weeks. In this study, we assessed the effects of adding antioxidant (ascorbic acid) and red ginseng root powder (Panax) in reducing the effects of heat stress. The experiment included 240 unsexed Ross-308 cross chicks, one-day old, with an average initial weight of 40 g. The chicks were divided into 4 treatments encompassing 60 chicks per treatment with three replications (each 20 chick). The treatments including control diet fed on standard ration (T1), diets with the added red ginseng root powder (Panax( at 2 g kg-1 feed (T2), 4 g kg-1 (T3) and  6 g kg-1 (T4). The chicks were fed on starter diet for the first 21 days and a final diet from 22nd to 35th days. The results showed that T4 were significantly (p < 0.05) superior to the control treatment by recording the highest average live body weight, total weight gain, and total feed consumption rate as well as the lowest value of feed conversion factor.

The clamor for agricultural resources is being pushed up by global climatic change and population growth. Such consequences are huge challenges to food security, wreaking havoc on the agroecosystem and causing biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, which in turn cause metabolic and physiological problems. Food legume crops contribute to food security in underdeveloped countries by playing an essential role in conservation farming methods. Drought has, nevertheless, exhibited a negative impact on productivity in many parts of the world. While water shortage is a significant abiotic barrier to legume crop output, drought impacts differ depending on drought timing, agro-climatic area, soil texture, and legume species. To resolve these concerns, we gathered data from the recent publications that revealed drought-induced changes in the production of monoculture legumes in field circumstances and examined it using meta-analysis approaches. Research findings revealed that the water cut’s quantity was strongly associated with a decrease in yield. However, the magnitude of the effect differed depending on the phenological stage of the drought and legume species. The legumes such as groundnut and lentil exhibited the lowest yield reductions (31.2% and 19.6% for groundnut and lentil, accordingly), however, the biggest yield drop (39.8%) facing the maximum water reduction was for faba bean.

This study was conducted to investigate the complete sequences of nuclear ITS region, which determined five species of Eryngium L. Apiaceae in Iraq to inference phylogenetic relationships. Pycnocycla aucheriana was used as outgroups. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using ClastalW in MEGA6 version 7.0.4.1 with high supported (bootstrapping) value for each clade in a dendrogram. The phylogenetic trees showed Eryngium glomerutum as the basal lineage in a dendrogram. The sister clade to E. glomerutum was E. billardieri which form the second clade in phylogenetic trees. The third clade included only E. creticum which is considered as a sister clade to the E. campestre and E. thyrosoideum in the dendrogram. Finally, the monophylly of each clade was well supported, and phylogenetic relationships between Enyngium species was cleared based on DNA Sequencing character.

A total of 93 Individuals of wild spiders were collected from June through September 2019, from different regions of Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. Five spider species were recorded, four belong to Araneae order: Plexippus paykulli (Audouin, 1825), Habronttus aestus Maddison, sp. n., Artema doriae (Thorell, 1881) and Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour 1820). One species belonging to order Solifugae is Galeodes arabs C.L. Koch, 1842. This is the first record of species H. aestus in Iraq. The results also showed that the highest rate of the appearance of H. aestus was 61.3%, while the lowest belonged to G. arab (4%).

This study was carried out several times in the field during September 2019 in Baghdad Governorate and these data are the results of the last observation in the field. Cultivation of palm offshoots of the yellow Barhi variety, the first strain in quality and production were the number offshoots was 75, 25-40 kg weighed, which were divided into three groups, each one was 25 offshoots. The first group was subjected to a comparison treatment (control), while in the second group the offshoots were treated by immersion before planting with a solution containing a systemic fungicide (Biltanol) at a concentration of 1 mL L-1, and then immersed in a solution containing a type of insecticide (Cinfidor) at a concentration of 1 mL L-1 and then planted and controlled after 2 months of planting by the same pesticides and with the same concentration. In the case of third group, it was controlled after 2 months of planting with the same pesticides above, and after a year of planting and services. A success rate was obtained as 60%, 100% and 96% in the first, second and third treatment consecutively. The insect was diagnosed as a red scale parlatotoria Blanchardi, while the fungus was diagnosed in the laboratory by a direct examination and using a light microscope as Fusarium oxysporium. The aim of the study was to reduce the number of dead offshoots after planting in the field.