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Background and purpose: This study aimed to determine the origin and distribution of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and vanadium in surface sediments of Mazandaran coastline (southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea). Materials and methods: Surface sediment samples were collected from four transects in Tonekabon, Noshahr, Babolsar and Amir abad port, at three different depths of 5, 15 and 30 m in July 2012. Metals concentration were determined by ICP - OES. Results: The metals in the studied areas were found to be from natural sources, probably due to weathering of rock and soils erosion transported by rivers into the sea. Significant difference was seen in the mean total concentration of metals along the four transect when the distance from the shore increased. The mean concentration of metals along the coast from east to west showed a significant increase. Among the metals, the highest concentrations was found for zinc (104 μg/g) at 30 m depth in Babolsar transect and the lowest concentration was found for copper (8.72 μg/g) at 5 m depth in Amir abad port transect. Conclusion: Total concentrations of metals were lower than standard levels (SQGs and NOAA). Moreover, the risk assessment code (the presence of metals in the exchangeable fraction) did not show any risk from copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and vanadium, but it showed only a low risk for lead. This study found that the studied metals have low-risk for local environment.

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Background and purpose: North cities in the southern Caspian Sea, especially Mazandaran and swimming beache is constantly exposed to microbial contamination that can be dangerous for swimmers and tourists health. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination of swimming water in the Caspian shores of Mazandaran province. Materials and methods: For reviewing the microbiological status of some swimming water of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province beach, five stations were studied i.e. Fereidoon kenar, Babolsar, Joibar and Sari during January to March 2010. Mean total coliform, aerobic bacteria, fecal streptococci and Escherichia coli were determined by standard methods. Results: Results showed that mean number of aerobic bacteria in Joibar station, in summer with 187 cfu/ml of sea water in minimum and in Sari station with 5800 cfu/ml of sea water was highest number. The lowest mean total coliforms in winter from Joibar station was less than 10 cfu/ml of sea water and maximum number with 2700 cfu/ml of sea water was reported from Sari station in autumn, minimum Escherichia coli less than 10 cfu/ml of sea water in winter from Joibar station and in the autumn with 1600 cfu/ml of sea water was the maximum number in Sari station. Conclusion: The study showed all coastal areas of the Mazandaran province were contaminated. This study indicated that the coastal waters of the Mazandaran province pollutants can be dangerous for swimmers and tourists health.

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Background and purpose: Guilan province, with unique environmental values is located in southwest of the Caspian Sea. Disposal of untreated domestic, industrial and agricultural sewage to the surface of water pollutes the coastal waters of the Caspian Sea. Due to many pollutants in these swages they could endanger the health of swimmers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination of water in the Caspian shores of Guilan province. Materials and methods: In this study 21 littoral swimming areas in Guilan were studied regarding microbial contamination by microbial indicators of fecal and total coliform with pH, temperature and turbidity during 2009-2010. In each swimming area six samples were taken during the study period. The data from the total of 122 samples were analyzed using statistical software. Results: The results showed that the mean of total coliform and fecal coliform was 234.8 and 60 MPN per 100 ml, respectively. The mean of total coliform in swimming areas 1 and 2 were 1445 and 600 MPN per 100 ml, respectively. Fecal coliform in swimming areas 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10, was 195.3, 163.5, 131.5, 111.7, 127.8, 118.8 MPN per 100 ml, respectively. Significant correlation was found among temperature, turbidity, and microbial contamination (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the mean of total coliform in two swimming areas and the mean of fecal coliform in six swimming areas were more than the standard level. Therefore, these swimming areas are considered as a microbial threat to swimmers.

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Background and purpose: Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) are considered as priority organic compounds pollutants worldwide due to their high toxicity. Presence of oil wells has made petroleum hydrocarbon as one of the sources of pollution in the Caspian Sea. These are the pollutants of soil and water which are very dangerous and lethal for the aquatic ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to determine the 16PAHs (as oil pollution) in the sediments and two commercial fish in the Caspian Sea. Materials and methods: In this study, 32 sediment samples were collected from 8 stations at eight transects at 10 meter depth during four seasons. Also, 34 samples of Liza saliens (n=17) and Rutilus frisii kutum (n=17) were taken from the south of Caspian Sea. The samples were extracted using Soxhlet execrator with organic solvents and then analyzed using GC-FID (Shimadzu-14 A) instruments. Results: Concentration of 16PAHs in sediment in most stations was lower than critical level (NOAA standard). Applying different PAHs ratios, it was found that PAHs originated predominantly from the pyrogenic source either from the combustion of grass, wood and coal (majority of the samples) or from petroleum combustion (harbor area). The mean concentration of PAHs in Liza. s and R. frisii kutum were observed 2460 ± 60 and 2710 ± 56 µg/kg dw, respectively and 990 ± 33 µg/kg dw for sediment. In general, concentrations of PAHs in edible tissue of two species were higher than their corresponding sediment concentrations reflecting their great bioavailability (242-3880 µg/kg dw). The highest concentrations were observed in some ports of the southern Caspian Sea (Anzali, Nowshahr, and Amirabad), probably due to intensive shipping activities. Conclusion: The distribution pattern of PAHs was similar for fish and sediments, particularly for sediments characterized by high contamination level, and they were dominated by the high molecular weight PAHs (4-6-rings) which have high ecological risks.

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Background and purpose: High concentrations of heavy metals have always been a major cause of contamination in aquatic ecosystem. Sturgeons are important sources of food and income throughout the world. In this study, concentrations of Cadmium, Vanadium, Nickel and Zinc (Cd, Ni, V and Zn) were examined in edible and inedible tissues of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) and beluga (Huso huso) collected from coastal waters of the South Caspian Sea in spring, 2011. Also, the human health risk due to consumption of muscle tissue of stellate sturgeon and beluga were evaluated. Materials and methods: Two species of sturgeons, beluga (n = 4), stellate sturgeon (n = 8), were collected from two of the most important sturgeon fishery zones in Guilan and Golestan provinces and stored at -20°C before chemical analysis. Concentrations of Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer using an air/acetylene flame (Shimadzu, AA-670, Kyoto, Japan). Concentrations of Cd, Ni and V were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Shimadzu, AA-670G, Kyoto, Japan). Results: Stellate sturgeon liver showed the highest concentrations of Cd, Ni, V (1.70 ± 0.32, 0.87 ± 0.23 and 2.71 ± 1.44 µg/g dry weight, respectively) and highest concentrations of Zinc (182.26 ± 51.87 µg/g dry weight) in beluga heart (P<0.05). The lowest concentrations of Zn and Cd (16.82 ± 4.90 and 0.006 ± 0.002 µg/g dry weight, respectively) in stellate sturgeon and lowest concentrations of Ni and V (0.08 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.03 µg/g dry weight) were observed in stellate sturgeon heart and beluga heart, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: The mean concentrations of Zn, Cd and V in caviar and muscle samples were lower than the permissible limits proposed by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF 2000) and World Health Organization (WHO). The guidelines for Cd, V and Zn are 0.2, 0.5 and 50 µg/g wet weight, respectively. The measured concentrations for these heavy metals are less than the published guidelines and do not constitute any threat to the human population that may consume these sturgeons obtained from the studied locations.

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Background and purpose: Petroleum hydrocarbons might have a natural origin, but human activity is the main source of these pollutants in the environment. This study was done to determine the origin of n-alkanes and PAHs in surface sediments of the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea. Materials and methods: A total of 12 sediment samples from six stations in Noshahr and Amir Abad ports were collected from 5, 15 and 30 meters depths. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Results: In order to determine the origin of the n-alkanes we used CPI index (0.40-1.20), and biomarkers such as U/R (1.20-5.40), LMW / HMW (1.90-24.00), Pristane and Phytane (0.13-0.65). Also, to identify the source of PAHs the ratios of LMW / HMW (1.31-3.31), Phenanthrene / Anthracene (10.35- 12.88), Fluoranthene/Fl (0-0/43) + Pyrene, Benzo (a) anthracene / Chrysene (0.18-0/39), Fluoranthene / Pyrene (0.002-0.77) and An / An + Phe (0.01-0.09) were used. The results showed that n-alkanes and PAHs in the region both had petrogenic origins. This could be due to the reason that the studied regions are commercial ports with high rate of shipping activities. Conclusion: According to this study oil extraction in the country of Azerbaijan was the main source of oil pollution in the region which polluted the water by anticyclonic flow.

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Background and purpose: Actinomycetes were always considered as a source of essential new antibiotic producers and secondary metabolite in pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to isolate antibiotic producing actinomycetes from sediments of the Caspian Sea and investigate their potential as antifungal metabolites production. Materials and methods: Sediments of the Caspian Sea were collected from 5 and 10 meters depth. Samples were diluted and cultured in Starch Casein Agar (SCA) selective media. The strains were isolated and purified using morphological and microscopy methods. The primary screening was performed by the cross streak method in order to find the active strains. The produced metabolites were extracted from active strains and antifungal activities were evaluated against pathogen fungus by the disc diffusion method. Results: Of the sediments, 20 strains were isolated and identified. All of the seven strains were determined as active actinomycetes in the primary screening. Results in the secondary screening showed that the active isolates had a good antifungal effect on Candida sp. and Aspergillus sp. The results revealed that the strains MN1, MN2 and MN3 were shown more antifungal activities than the others. Conclusion: Results of this study declared that sediments of the Caspian Sea are rich in actinomycetes, active in the case of new antifungal compounds production, that need to be identified and purified.

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Background and purpose: Today, environmental pollution, especially pollution of aquatic ecosystems, humans and other organisms are faced with serious problems. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are one group of chemical compounds that are important because of their significant adverse effects in humans and animals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the concentration of 4-Nonylphenol, Bisphenol A and Octylphenol compounds in surface sediments of 4 areas in the coastal of Caspian Sea. Materials and methods: Surface sediments samples taken from stations were studied and after preparation (Drying, Extraction, Clean up) the samples were injected into the Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Results: The concentration ranges of 4-Nonylphenol, Octylphenol and Bisphenol A compounds in surface sediment samples were as follows (in ng/gdw): 16.41-174.48, 5.63-41.90 and 0.3-30.66 respectively. The station that is located in the Anzali region showed significant amounts of all three compounds, Because the sources of these compounds there and the stations that are located in Kaporchal and Astara regions showed extremely low concentration. Compare concentrations were abtained from coasals of Caspian Sea with sediment quality standard showed that these compounds have potential to cause negative effects on the organisms in some stations Conclusion: There are concerns about the presence of Estrogen Doubt Compounds in the aquatic ecosystems due to the adverse effects of them in biological communities health even at low concentrations.

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Background and purpose: Heavy metals are released to the environment as a result of industrial, urban and agricultural sewages. They are usually resistant to chemical dissociation. They can easily contaminate aquatic animals especially fishes which are amongst the food chains of human. This study evaluated the concentration of heavy metals in the tissues of different types of Clupeonella cultriventris and Gasterosteus aculeatus in the waters of Caspian Sea in Mazandaran Province. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 50 Clupeonella cultriventris and 50 Gasterosteus aculeatus obtained from Mazandaran coastal by multi mesh gill nets in 2012. The samples were digested by concentrated 65% nitric acid, and were analyzed for Pb in a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer and for Cd and Cr in a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Mean concentration of Pb, Cr and Cd in Gasterosteus aculeatus was 0.113, 5.28 and 0.046 and mean concentrations of Pb, Cr and Cd in Clupeonella cultriventris were 0.126, 4.29 and 0.096 (μg/g dry weight), respectively. The results showed no significant correlation between the concentrations of these metals and length of fish and different tissues of the fish. Conclusion: We found the concentration of heavy metals including Pb and Cr in both types of the fishes less than the amounts reported by WHO, so they do not bare considerable health risk. However, the concentration of Cd is more than the recommended consumption limit for human which could lead to many diseases. We believe that these fishes could be used as a bioindicator for assessing the pollution load of sea water and rivers.

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Background and purpose: Hydrocarbons such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as priority organic compounds pollutants of the Caspian Sea due to their high toxicity nature. Increasing the concentration of hydrocarbons in the environment has adverse effect on aquatic life and human health. This study was conducted to determine the 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (16PAHs) concentrations in the edible tissue of Cyprinus Carpio in the Caspian Sea.. Material and Methods: A total of 28 samples of fish were collected during winter and spring. All samples were prepared by Soxhlet and extracting processes and then determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument. Results: Results showed that pattern of 16PAH compounds were obtained in 82% of samples (23 samples out of 28) for 3, 4 and 5 rings. The mean concentration and standard error (±SE) of edible tissue of Cyprinus Carpio mussels were observed 2.21 (±0.42) μg/g.dw. Conclusion: We observed Pyrene (75%), Fluorathene (61%), Benzo (a) pyrene (43%) and Chrycene (36%) in edible tissue of Cyprinus Carpio. Hence, consumption of this fish could endanger human health.

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Background and purpose: Health quality of fish as an important source of protein for human has received increasing attention. This study, examined the concentrations of chromium, nickel, zinc, and copper in the muscle and skin tissues of two edible fish species of Alosa Caspica and Clupeonella cultiventris caspia in the southern Caspian Sea in 2013. Also, the risk assessment of consumption of these species was done. Materials and methods: After biometric analysis, C. cultiventris caspia (n=50) and A. Caspia (n=17) were prepared for analysis by acid digestion method. Concentrations of the studied metals in digested samples were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GFS97, Thermo Electron, Cambridge, UK). Results: The results showed that the level of chromium in the skin tissue of A. Caspia was significantly higher than that of the C. cultiventris caspia (P<0.05). In the C. cultiventris caspia and A. Caspia concentrations of zinc in the skin were higher than what has been found in the muscle. In the C. cultiventris caspia the muscle showed high concentrations of chromium than skin (P<0.05). In the studied specimens the concentrations of chromium and nickel exceeded the WHO threshold Conclusion: Human health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of studied species showed that consuming these species with current rate of contamination is not a risk for consumers

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Background and purpose: Research for discovery and development of new and effective antimicrobial agents has been raised due to increasing rate of numerous multi-drug resistant pathogens. Marine bacteria especially Bacillus species are a rich source of potentially versatile secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities. In this study, sediments of the Caspian Sea were screened for natural products obtained from Bacilli spp. with antimicrobial activities. Materials and methods: Marine sediments were collected from different locations of the Caspian Sea shores. To isolate Bacillus, diluted samples were inoculated on rich medium and incubated at 30 °C. Preliminary screening of the isolates was performed using cross steak method against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In addition, crude extracts of the selected Bacillus spp.were screened for antimicrobial activity using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method by determining the growth inhibition zone. Results: Of the sediments, 19 Bacillus spp. were isolated and screened for antimicrobial activities. In preliminary screening, seven Bacillus spp. showed good antibacterial activity against test bacteria and identified as selective isolates. Results in the secondary screening of the crude extract from cultures demonstrated good antibacterial and antifungal activities in active isolates. Bacillus spp. MT18 and MT24 exhibited more antimicrobial activities than the others. Conclusion: According to this study the sediments of the Caspian Sea are potentially rich in Bacillus spp. that are capable of producing secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities and this requires further research.

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         Background and purpose: The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. Due to having a long            coastal line, population areas, agricultural and industrial activity its have always been exposed to variety of pollutants. Due to variaty effects of pollutant on aquatic life and human, periodic investigation of pollutant in water bodis is wery important.

        Materials and methods: In this study, oil pollution and heavy metal (nickel and vanadium) contamination of sediment and gamaros samples from Guilan province coasts were investigated. For hydrocarbon analyze, the samples were extracted with a Soxhlet extractor and analyzed with (GC-MS). In order to heavy metals analyzes, samples were digested with HNO3 /HCL (1:3) and analysed with ICP-OES spectrometers.

         Results: Total mean concentration of PAHs in sediment and Living tissue was 19.8 ng/g and 35.4 ng/g respectively. Also total mean concentration of TPH in sediment and Living tissue was 11.4 µg/g and 38.4 µg/g respectively. mean concentration of nickel and vanadium in sediment was 16.45 µg/g and 45 µg/g respectively also mean concentration of nickel and vanadium in soft tissue was 2.16 µg/g and 2.06 µg/g respectively.

         Conclusion: Ratio values of PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination. This ratios suggesting that this reagain have a petrogenic and pyrogenic input of PAHs. Sediment quality guidelines were conducted to assess the toxicity of PAH compounds. The levels of total PAHs at all of stations were below the effects range low. Also, concentrations of nickel and vanadium were below the standards.