Journal of the Persian Gulf (Marine Science)
Volume:2 Issue: 4, Summer 2011

Heavy metals cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in neuston were analyzed from samples collected with a modified neuston net (310 μm mesh size) during an oceanographic cruise from July 29 to August 8, 2000 in the Straits of Malacca. The period of sampling coincided with South-West (SW) monsoon. The heavy metal concentrations in neuston were relatively low: ranging from 1.19-1013.70 μg g-1 wet weight for copper, 16.54-235.78 μg g-1 wet weight for zinc, 3.92-36.08 μg g-1 wet weight for lead and from 0.32-4.09 μg g-1 wet weight for cadmium. The heavy metal concentrations in neuston in this study were within the ranges published elsewhere, except for cadmium, there were significant differences (p 0.05) in concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn between northern, central and southern parts of the Straits. However, concentrations of Cu and Zn were significantly (p <0.05) higher in near-coastal than offshore or neritic areas, whereas those of Pb and particularly Cd were higher in offshore areas though not significantly (p >0.05). The presence of two groups of stations with high and low heavy metal concentration as revealed by multivariate analyses corresponded mostly to near-coastal and neritic waters, respectively.

Monitoring of mercury in environmental samples, with its proven toxicity on the food chain, requires sensitive and accurate analytical techniques. In this study, two methods for identification and quantification of total mercury in biological and sediment samples are compared: i) dry ash preparation and subsequent established procedures for Combustion Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, (AMA 254) and ii) wet extraction consisted of classical and microwave oven digestion methods combined with cold vapor Atomic Absorption (CV AAS) analyzing method. In order to compare the accuracy of the methods for total mercury determination, biological and sediment certified Reference Materials and environmental samples were analyzed. The precision and accuracy of the applied analytical methods were compared on eight Certified Reference Materials, Dorm2, Dolt 2 and Tort 2, trace metals in dog fish muscle, liver and Lobster (provided by the national research council of Canada); NIST 1556a, NISTt-2976, IAEA 142 trace metals and mercury in oyster, mussels and fish, respectively; IAEA 086 and IAEA405 trace elements in hair and in polluted estuary sediment (provided by international Atomic Energy), respectively. Ten environmental (fish and sediment) samples and one inter-comparison sample (BCR 710, Total and methylmercury in oyster tissue) as well as certified samples were analyzed in six replications. The detection limits (DLs) in the combustion AAS (AMA), CEM (MDS 2000) microwave oven CVAAS, CEM (Mars 5) microwave oven CV AAS and in normal oven CV AAS for biological and sediment were compared. The AMA 254 with lower detection and quantification limits was more sensitive analyzing method in comparing with the other methods.

The Persian Gulf is an important economic and geo-political region. Owing to its oil and gas resources, it is one of the busiest waterways in the world. There are many operating oil wells in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. As a result, the risk of contaminant dispersion is high. The deliberate discharge of 6.3 million barrels of crude oil during the 1991 war against Kuwait in this region was an extreme act of environmental terrorism is an example to show that this region is at risk of pollution. The Arvand Rood River is the only navigable river located at the northwestern extremity of the Persian Gulf and the biggest river discharging into it. Many vessels transport huge amount of oil from this river daily. To study the contaminant dispersion from the Arvand Rood River into the Persian Gulf, a three dimensional hydrodynamic model (COHERENS) was employed. Our findings contributed to an understanding of circulation patterns in the northern part of the Persian Gulf to aid ship traffic and managing of oil spills. Results of the model are in close agreement with previous field data.

Residues of complex organochlorine and organophosphate as well as various compounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are reported from sediments and two species of fish (Liza abu and Cyprinus carpio) residing in Arvand Rood River (ARR) in the Persian Gulf area. One hundred fish specimens and triplicate sediment samples taken from 15 stations 2 Km apart in an area close to the Persian Gulf were analyzed following protocol of MOOPAM -1999. Results indicated presence of PCBs, organochlorine (Endosulfan alpha and Endosulfane beta and Lindane) and no residues of organophosphates (Diazinon and Chloropyrophosphate) in sediments and fish samples. Concentrations of pollutants were higher in sediments and fish caught from stations 1 to 3 and 10 to 12. Recorded concentrations were, however, within or below the standard limits designated by Department of Environment, Iran. Considering the persistence of PCBs and insecticides and increased industrial and agricultural development in the region, more regular monitoring and ecological management of agricultural run-offs and industrial discharges into the river system is suggested.

Survey of fish larvae abundance, diversity and distribution was carried out in different habitats of Khark and Kharko coralline islands and islets from July 2006 to June 2007 over 12 stations. Khark and Kharko ecosystems are protected areas and wildlife refuges in northern point for fringing coral reefs in Iranian side of the Persian Gulf. This investigation was a part of the national Integrated Coastal Zone Management project to have been carried out during 2006-2008. Sampls of fish larvae were collected using Bongo- Net plankton sampler with 500μ of mesh size every month in 12 stations. Selected stations located around the Islands with maximum depth of 20 m. In total, 1808 larvae belonging to 45 families were collected among which Clupeidae, Blenniidae, Atherinidae, Sillaginidae and Tripterygiidae were the most frequent families comprising 69% of total samples, respectively. The highest abundance was observed in spring, similar to other fish larvae abundances reported from other parts of Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Clupeidae and Sillaginidae were indicators in warm and cold periods, respectively. The mean abundance of total fish larvae in Khark and Kharko was 18.7083 per 10 m² of sea surface. Distribution patterns of indicator fish larvae families were mapped using GIS.

In the present article, the environmental impacts of the Iraq-Kuwait war (1991) on the ecological condition and fisheries resources of the northern part of the Persian Gulf, during years 2001-2002 were studied. The investigated area included the whole stretch of the Iranian domain of the Persian Gulf from northwestern waters of the Khuzestan province to northeastern waters of the Hormuzgan province. Petroleum hydrocarbons and oil-originated heavy metals of Ni, V, Pb and Cd were measured in water, sediment and fish tissue, and also various physicochemical parameters were analyzed and recorded in the summer and winter. Distribution pattern of Hopane (C29-C35) in sediment and demersal fish tissues were similar to that found in the Kuwait’s crude oil samples. The highest concentrations of TPH and PAH were recorded in the sediment samples from Khuzestan coasts (the closest Iranian province to the Gulf war zone); their concentrations showed a decreasing trend eastward as distanced from Khuzestan. The concentration of Cd, Pb and Ni in the sediment samples was also found to be considerably higher than the global baseline value and that of RSA and ERL guidelines. Results indicated the presence of Kuwaiti crude oil in sediments as a Result of the Persian Gulf war (1991). On the basis of these results, the ecosystem of the Persian Gulf was exposed to long-term adverse environmental impacts by severe oil pollution.

Today attention to legal regulations is one of the contributory factors to the development of tourism industry. Legality is located on the base of legislations which clarify tourists and host communities mutual responsibilities and rights, and its goal is organizing supply activities of tourism in a sustainable way. In any society tourism is influenced by politics and economy, so providing long term security is a major concern of any government and establishing security and legality are preferred. The Persian Gulf is one of the most important strategic waterways in the world. Geo-politically, geo-economically and geostrategically it has been considered an important and sensitive region during past centuries. This region possesses high potential and capacity to develop tourism industry. As such, in this paper features and components of security and security challenges facing tourism industry are described first and then role of government in providing security in accordance with safety issues in the world, security and tourism in the Persian Gulf are described. The research is based on descriptive-analytical method, documents and library studies. Results identify contributory factors to establish tourist''s security and accurate policy making by government toward creating political security within and outside of the country and its effect on tourism development in the Persian Gulf.