BackgroundPersian Gulf is an exposed and stressed area as a result of oil pollution and other fossil fuels containing PAHs. The susceptibility of using mudskippers to monitor marine pollution, like PAHs, points to the fact that mudskippers are able to accumulate and record the PAHs presented in the coastal environments.MethodsPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in the coastal waters, the sediments and biota (i.e., Boleophthalmus dussumieri) along the coast of the Persian Gulf. PAHs concentrations were measured with HPLC method.ResultsTotal PAH concentrations in the sea water, the sediments, the liver and the gill tissues ranged between 0.80-18.34 μg/l, 113.50-3384.34 ng g-1 (d w), 3.99-46.64 ng g-1 (d w) and 3.11-17.76 ng g-1 (d w), respectively. PAHs distribution patterns in the sediment and the liver tissue samples were dominated by three-and four-ring structures whereas two-and three-rings were dominated in the water and the gill.ConclusionsThis finding revealed a negative eco-risk effects occasionally occur in this area. The higher presence of low condensate ring structures reflected a predominant origin of petrogenic and some cases of pyrolitic sources.

The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) has been a species of global concern for decades. In this study, heavy metals (mercury: Hg; Cadmium: Cd; Lead: Pb; Copper: Cu; and Zinc: Zn) were measured in blood and three egg fraction of green sea turtles nesting on the northern coast of Sea of Oman. Heavy metals concentrations in blood, yolk, albumen, and egg shell ranged between 0.16-36.78, 0.006-33.88, 0.003-4.02, and 0.002-6.85 μg/g (ww), respectively. According to the results, all heavy metals found in blood samples (n = 12) also were detected in the various parts of the eggs (n = 48). Moreover, there were no significant differences between concentrations of heavy metals in different clutches laid in a nesting season. However, Pb concentrations in blood samples significantly increased in later clutches (p < 0.05), whereas Cu concentrations in blood samples exhibit a declining trend (p < 0.05). These results reveal the existence of maternal transfer phenomenon in green sea turtles on the northern coast of Sea of Oman. Results of this study suggest that heavy metals could be one of the factors influencing reductions in fertilization and hatching success. Results also indicate that green sea turtle on the northern coast of Sea of Oman have high capacity in rapid response and detoxification of heavy metals and/or from the low exposure levels of these turtles to the heavy metals. Further research is required concerning the effects of heavy metals on green sea turtles, especially on their possible influence of fetal development of turtles.

No abstract

Pesticide accumulates in aquatic ecosystems and exerts toxic effects on aquatic animals. In this study, stress parameters and tissue histopathology under acute diazinon exposure were investigated in fish, scat (Scatophagus argus). Spotted scat was exposed to different diazinon concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 μg L(-1)) for 24, 48, 72, 96 h. Cortisol and glucose levels showed a significant increase after exposure to different diazinon concentration with increase in exposure time. The electrolytes (K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+), Na(+)) and glucose were differentially affected during the exposure to diazinon. Gill and kidney tissues showed many histopathological changes in diazinon-exposed fish. These results suggest that the release of spotted scat (S. argus) into the diazinon-contaminated regions may alter their physiology and jeopardize their survival.

No abstract

As an attempt to study on the biomarkers types to assess the specification of the pollutants and health status of marine ecosystems, sediments and biota (i.e., Boleophthalmus dussumieri) were collected from the Persian Gulf. The liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in mudskipper was higher as compared with that in blood which could be illustrated by high metabolic rate in this organ, its key role in the metabolism of PAHs detoxification and specificity of enzymes composition. The results suggest that the liver GST activity in B. dussumieri was PAH inducible and could be extended as a biomarker of PAH pollution.

No abstract

The effect of mercury exposure to total Metallothionein (MT) response and bioaccumulation under control and acute mercury exposure were investigated in scats (Scatophagus argus). Scats were exposed to different mercury concentrations (10, 20 and 30 microg Hg L(-1)) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Total MT levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Mercury contents were determined through cold Vapour atomic Absorption spectrometry. Induction of MT during exposure was tissue specific, displaying different response pattern in gill and liver. Mercury accumulated much stronger in liver than gill and the latter also showed lower MT level. MT biosynthesis in liver showed a significant increase after exposure to different mercury concentration during different times. This increase was significantly correlated with mercury bioaccumulation. In contrast, presence of different mercury concentration during different times did not significantly modify total MT except for 72 h exposure at 30 microg L(-1) in gills. The results suggest that this form of MT existing in S. argus was Hg-inducible and could be extended the as a biomarker of mercury pollution in ecosystems.