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Showing 2 results for Asefi
Mohammad Ali Asefi, Gilan Attaran Fariman,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (Spring 2022)
Abstract
The blooming of marine benthic dinoflagellates with the potential to produce biotoxins is a phenomenon that has recently caused growing concern in the health, economic and ecological sectors of tourist and fishing areas. Since the early 1980s, the occurrence of toxic marine algae blooms has increased and caused widespread poisoning in humans. Recently, many harmful and toxic dinoflagellates have been reported from the coastal areas of southern Iran, which have played a role in most of the harmful algal blooms in the coastal strip of the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Many of these dinoflagellates are benthic and epiphytic in the sense that they generally live on the seabed or on coral reefs and macroalgae and can cause extensive health and economic damage during large-scale blooms due to their proximity to the coast. Also by entering the food web, they can also be transmitted from small organisms such as zooplankton to larger aquatic organisms such as fish, thereby threatening human health. The present study, to evaluate the potential dangers of toxic dinoflagellates causing harmful algal blooms, conducted review studies using library resources. Also, by analyzing the relevant contents of the articles and searching in Iranian and international scientific databases, the biotoxin of marine dinoflagellates and its effects on the aquatic, marine ecosystem, and human health were studied. The results of this study show that 80 species of phytoplankton have the potential to produce toxins, of which about 20 benthic species produce the strongest marine biotoxins, which are deadly to aquatic animals and even humans. The most dangerous of these biotoxins include saxitoxins, gonyautoxins, palytoxins, brevetoxins, yessotoxins, ciguatoxins, maitotoxin, okadaic acids, and azaspiracids and if harmful algal blooms are formed, they can lead to widespread death of aquatic organisms and if they enter the human body, they can cause acute and deadly poisoning. Findings from a review of related studies clearly demonstrate the importance of identifying toxic benthic dinoflagellates and the need to include them in programs to monitor harmful algal blooms on coasts.
Rouhollah Zare, Mohammad Ali Asefi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (Winter 2024)
Abstract
Plastic pollutants have emerged as a significant threat to the delicate ecological balance of marine ecosystems. Among the marine species profoundly impacted by these pollutants are sea turtles. Mistaking plastic for food, sea turtles ingest it, leading to blockages in their respiratory and digestive systems, ultimately resulting in their death. Research findings consistently highlight entanglement in fishing nets and suffocation due to oxygen deprivation as key contributors to sea turtle mortality.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that even small amounts of plastic waste can prove fatal to sea turtles. Plastic fragments can accumulate in their digestive tracts, causing obstructions that are often lethal. This study aims to assess the impact of marine pollutants, particularly plastics, on sea turtle survival by analyzing and synthesizing existing research on sea turtle mortality, focusing on the waters surrounding Iran.
The study is divided into two parts: the first part comprises a review of descriptive studies investigating the effects of plastic pollution on sea turtles, specifically those inhabiting Iranian marine regions near Oman, utilizing both domestic and international sources. The second part involves field and laboratory studies to identify turtle species and determine the causes of sea turtle mortality in the study area.
In November 2017, 35 sea turtle carcasses were discovered on the shores of the Darak region in southern Sistan and Baluchistan province. Subsequent field and laboratory analyses revealed that plastic ingestion was a significant factor contributing to their demise. Coastal areas along the Sea of Oman, particularly the Darek coastal region, witness high levels of plastic pollution due to increased tourist activities, coastal developments, and the improper disposal of fishing gear, notably fishing nets. Sea turtle populations along the northern shores of the Sea of Oman are consequently exposed to various forms of marine debris.
Given the destructive role of plastic pollution on turtles in the region, urgent measures are required to implement management programs aimed at reducing marine waste, with a specific focus on plastic pollutants stemming from fishing activities. Educating fishermen and local residents on sea turtle conservation practices and reviewing fishing equipment usage are crucial steps towards safeguarding these vulnerable marine creatures.
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