Persistent organic pollutants are a concern for species occupying high trophic levels since they can cause immunosuppression and impair reproduction. Mass mortalities due to canine distemper virus (CDV) occurred in Caspian seals (Pusa caspica), in spring of 1997, 2000 and 2001, but the potential role of organochlorine exposure in these epizootics remains undetermined. Here we integrate Caspian ...

Fipronil is an effective insecticide widely used in agriculture with potential ecotoxicological consequences. The median lethal dose (LD50) and concentration (LC50) of fipronil in 16.3 g Caspian white fish, Rutilus frisii kutum fingerlings were determined. To determine the LD50, a total of 133 fish were assigned to 19 tanks (7 fish/tank) including one control and 6 treatment groups (300, 450, 5...

Economic expansion in developed countries coupled with dramatically growing economies in countries such as China and India have precipitated a steady increase in demand for oil and natural gas. The Caspian Sea region holds large quantities of both oil and natural gas. Because the Caspian Sea is landlocked and the region’s nations are distant from the largest energy markets, transportation must ...

This study describes a bench-scale attempt to bioremediate Kuwaiti, oily water and soil samples through bioaugmentation with coastal microbial mats rich in hydrocarbonoclastic bacterioflora. Seawater and desert soil samples were artificially polluted with 1% weathered oil, and bioaugmented with microbial mat suspensions. Oil removal and microbial community dynamics were monitored. In batch cult...

The effects of an N-terminal peptide (amino acids 1-38) of Fugu parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP 1-38) on calcium regulation of larval sea bream were investigated in seawater (36 per thousand) and after transfer to dilute seawater (12 per thousand). Exposure to PTHrP 1-38 evoked a 1.5-fold increase in calcium influx in both full-strength and dilute seawater. Calcium influx in dilute s...

In 2010, H14 influenza A viruses were recovered from clinically normal sea ducks in the United States. These are the first H14 isolates recovered in the Western Hemisphere and represent the only documented H14 influenza A viruses isolated since the original isolates were recovered from near the Caspian Sea during 1982.

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) are a major group of organic contaminants which are consisted of two or more benzene rings. many of these compounds are potentially toxic and many studies have been carried out to investigate their toxicity in pahs exposed people. the bushehr coastal area is very important place for oil exploration, exploitation and transportation in north persian gulf. i...

The aim of present study was to determine the LC50/96 h value of copper sulfate and determine the growth performance of Caspian Sea kutum) Rutilus frisii kutum (fingerlings during 60-days sub-lethal copper (Cu). After acclimation period to two weeks, for determine the LC50/96 h value, total of 27 aquarium with a capacity of 60 L each stocked with 10 fishes an aquarium. Tunney four aquarium and ...

Amphipod fauna of Moldova remains one of the least known in Europe with the most recent data upon species distribution being already almost 50 years old. In this paper, we summarize the knowledge upon the distribution of amphipods in Moldovan inland waters based on literature survey combined with our new original data and present a comprehensive checklist of recorded amphipod species. The new o...

Incidences of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) have risen worldwide prompting a need to better understand routes of human exposure and whether standard bacterial water quality monitoring practices adequately account for this potential threat. Beach water and sand samples were analyzed during summer months for S. aureus, enterococci, and MRSA at three southern Cal...