Amir Hossein Hamidian

A systematic study on the synthesis of α-Fe2O3 multi-shelled hollow spheres

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) multi-shelled hollow spheres (MSHSs) have been prepared by a facile spray drying method using iron(III) citrate and sucrose as the precursors. The sucrose/iron(III) citrate ratio plays an important role in the morphology of the products. Well-defined MSHSs can be obtained in a wide sucrose/iron(III) citrate ratio of 0.25–1.5. The application of α-Fe2O3 MSHSs in lithium storage has been demonstrated. When used as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the α-Fe2O3 MSHSs exhibit a high reversible capacity of 979 mA h g−1, maintaining 861 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles.

Bioaccumulation and elimination rate of cobalt in Capoeta fusca under controlled conditions

Abstract The objective of the present study was to investigate the pattern of accumulation and elimination of cobalt in selected organs of Capoeta fusca, after chronic exposure. Samples of C. fusca were obtained from a qanat in Birjand between July and September 2010. Cobalt accumulation was studied in fish exposed to 6.8 mg L-1 of cobalt for 15 days and the elimination was investigated in the contaminated fish samples placed in tap water for another 15 days. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry it was found that the accumulation of cobalt in tissues was in the following order: liver>muscle>gill>skin. The elimination of cobalt was in the following order: skin>gill>muscle>liver. The bioaccumulation and elimination of cobalt were significant in the organs of C. fusca (P<0.01). The accumulation of cobalt in C. fusca was rapid and increased with an increase in metal concentration in water and the duration of exposure. The results of the present study showed that the accumulation and elimination of cobalt in C. fusca depend on the type of organs and the duration of exposure.

Metal concentrations in tissues of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix from the Zarivar Wetland in Western Iran

Abstract The aim of this paper was to monitor the concentrations of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) in the gills, scales, and muscles of two fish species, common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.), from the Zarivar Wetland in Western Iran, and to identify any relationships between the species. The metal concentrations in the tissues of common carp and silver carp decreased in the following sequence: Cu > Pb > Hg > Ni > Cd. The results indicated no significant differences between the males and females of either fish species (P > 0.05). The results also showed that there were significant correlations (P < 0.05) between fish total length and weight and concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu in the different muscle tissues examined.

Accumulation of heavy metals and As in liver, hair, femur, and lung of Persian jird (Meriones persicus) in Darreh Zereshk copper mine, Iran.

Rodents frequently serve as bioindicator to monitor the quality of the environment. Concentrations of 11 elements (Cd, Co, Ti, Fe, Mn, Cu, Sb, As, Sr, Ni, and Cr) were investigated and compared in liver, hair, femur, and lung of the Persian jird (Meriones persicus) from Darreh Zereshk copper mine, Iran. Metals were determined in different tissues of 39 individuals of Persian jird, collected by snap trap in 2014 from five areas of Darreh Zereshk copper mine. Samples were prepared by wet digestion method, and the contents of elements were analyzed with ICP-OES (VARIAN, 725-ES) instrument. Cadmium, Sb, and Co were below the limit of detection, and Mn and As were found only in hair and liver tissues. We detected the highest concentration of Cu, As, Ti, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni in hair in comparison with other tissues. Significant higher levels of Ti in femur and hair; Fe in liver and hair; Mn in liver; As in hair; Sr in lung; Cr in lung, hair, femur, and liver; Cu in femur; and Ni in liver and lung tissues were observed in females. Nearly all element concentrations in the tissues of Persian jird from flotation site, Darreh Zereshk and Hasan Abad villages and leaching site (mining areas) were higher than those from tailing dump site (reference site). We found the highest concentrations of As in liver and hair; Ni and Cr in liver, hair, and lung; and Sr in lung and hair tissues of Persian jird in leaching site. We tried to specify the status of elements before fully exploitation of Darreh Zereshk copper mine by using bioindicator species. Based on our achievements, initial activities did not strongly pollute the surrounded environment of the mine. The high abundance of Persian jird as well as their several proper features makes them a suitable species for biomonitoring programs especially for further studies will be performed after full exploitation of Darreh Zereshk copper mine.

Heavy metal bioaccumulation in sediment, common reed, algae, and blood worm from the Shoor river, Iran

Concentrations of 11 metals (cadmium, zinc, copper (Cu), vanadium (V), lead, magnesium (Mg), manganese, aluminum, iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and nickel), and one metalloid (arsenic (As)) were measured in sediment, common reed (Phragmites australis), algae (Spirogyra sp.), and blood worm (Chironomus sp.) tissues of samples collected from the Shoor river. Samples were dried, acid digested, and the concentrations of metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer. A higher concentration of heavy metals was accumulated in Spirogyra and Chironomids than sediment and common reed. The highest rate of accumulation was found for Mg, V, Fe, As, Cu, and Cr. Spirogyra and Chironomids are capable of accumulating and thereby removing metals from polluted water bodies and are suitable for biomonitoring purposes.

Distribution and abundance of fish in the southwest of Caspian Sea coastal waters

This study was carried out in southwestern Caspian Sea coastal area to elucidate demersal bony fishes distribution and abundance. Twenty two species were found in shore line, which belong to 6 families. In deeper waters down to 7 meters only 5 species of Gobiidae and 1 species of Syngnathidae were identified. Two species Neogobius caspius and N. pallasi were the main components of demersal fishes; however in some regions Rutilus caspicus, Rutilus kutum and Liza spp. were dominated. Most places were dominantly occupied by Atherina boyeri, which had the highest abundance among the pelagic fishes. Conversely, the Ponticola gorlap, N. melanostomus and Proterorhinus nasalis showed the lowest abundances (less than 1 ind./100 m2). Benthophilus stellatus and P. nasali had the lowest niche overlaps with other species. Both of these two species and P. gorlap are suggested to be classified as endangered or vulnerable species based on their low abundance. The distribution of Syngnathus abaster depends on algae, while algae grow up into the stony construction of the coastal line. A negative insignificant correlation was observed between pelagic and demersal fish abundances. The commercial fisheries data of 76 beach seines in our study area during 2002–2013 was compared with our results on fish abundance and species composition. More than 93% of total fish catch constituted Liza spp. and Rutilus kutum. The relationship between the abundance and distribution of the studied species, and the restocking activities performed by Iranian fisheries organization are discussed. The high abundance and distribution of small size fish in tidal zone could be related to the distribution of crustacean, which provide a good source of food for these fish species.

Possible effect of Balanus improvisus on Cerastoderma glaucum distribution in the south-western Caspian Sea

We studied the communities of the invasive Balanus improvisus and native Cerastoderma glaucum populations in the south-western Caspian Sea. The massive movement of live Bivalvia attached to Cirripedia colonies along the studied coastline strengthens the hypotheses asserting the possible negative effects of exotic species on endemic species. Different live stages of both animals including meroplankton and macro-invertebrates were considered in the analysis. Bivalvia larvae showed a downward trend in population, in contrast with an upward trend of Cirripedia larvae from 1996 to 2013. The abundance of C. glaucum decreased west to east along the sea shore in contrast with increasing biomass of B. improvisus . Both Bivalvia and Cirripedia larvae did not show any overlapping temporal abundance. The Cirripedia larvae showed its highest abundance in winter while the bloom of Bivalvia larvae occurred in April and May during 2004–2013. The biomass of B. improvisus reported in this study was higher than those reported for the northern parts and for the middle parts. Distribution patterns of both species were described based on temperature, salinity gradient and local nutrient content. A non-linear growth model of Bivalvia showed the short-term effects of Cirripedia on Bivalvia growth. The controversy between the effects of Cirripedia on the movement of two different Cardiidae ( C. glaucum , which is affected by the presence of B. improvisus , and Adacna vitrea with no attached Cirripedia) highlights the contributing role of several other factors including ecosystem degradation.