Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Mercury (Hg) contamination in marine ecosystems is a major threat to human health in the developing countries like Iran. The main route of mercury exposure is from consumption of fish and seafood. Upon entering mercury in human bodies, Hg is converted into methyl mercury, which may lead to serious implications including neurological disorders, reproductive abnormalities, kidney failure, emotional instability, gingivitis and tremors. Therefore, research on mercury concentrations in marine ecosystems (water and fishes) can be help to protect human health and reduce the risks of mercury contamination.
Materials and Methods: In this study in order to evaluate the concentrations of Hg in water and fish, water samples (36 stations), fish tissue livers (n=33) and muscles (n=33) of four fish species from the Caspian Sea (southern coasts) were collected and analyzed. For determination of Hg in water and fish samples, Voltammetry and GF-AAS techniques were used, respectively.
Results: The results showed that the average Hg concentration detected in water samples was 1.657 (μg/L) and in fish muscle and liver tissues were 68.636 and 125.606 (μg/g.dw), respectively. The bioaccumulation factor showed that mercury concentrations from water to fish are in the range of 14 to 80 times. The highest levels of mercury in water and fish were observed in the southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea.
Conclusion: According to USEPA and SPPA (China) standards, more than 58 % of the water samples collected from the southern coasts of the Sea was polluted by mercury. However, the average concentrations of mercury in fish samples were less than the standards by WHO and EPA. 
 

Background and Objective: Irrigation of agricultural lands with treated wastewater in the main part of the Varamin plain, the highly populated urban areas of the middle part of the plain, and the presence of industries have increased the actual risk of heavy metal contamination of groundwater. Therefore, the concentrations of heavy metals were investigated in this study in order to assess the risk of using groundwater of Varamin aquifer for drinking purposes.
Materials and Methods: A total of 78 groundwater samples were collected to measure the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Fe, Co, and Mn ions. The bivariate correlation analysis has been used to describe the correlation between hydrochemical parameters in the Varamin area. Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of the groundwater were determined to determine the feasibility of drinking supply in Varamin plain.
Results: The average concentrations of cadmium in dry and wet periods were 7.5 and 8 μg/L, respectively. In the wet period, the average concentration of lead in the groundwater of the Varamin plain was 12.5 μg/L. The concentrations of both heavy metals were more than the permissible amount for drinking. Pearson correlation analysis of qualitative data of the water samples of the Varamin plain showed a strong correlation between some heavy metals such as Pb and Co with Cd, Cu and Mn. This reflected a similar source of contamination of the groundwater, inter-correlations, and the same mobility behaviors in the aquifer media. The results obtained from HEI and HPI showed that the pollution of Varamin aquifer in most parts was not dangerous with respect to the heavy metals concentrations, but in some areas, significant variations in the concentrations of some metals can be observed.
Conclusion: It may be expected that the risk of groundwater contamination continues with respect to heavy metals due to the persistence of contamination sources in the Varamin plain. Hence, some measured should be taken with regards to the agricultural recycle water, dispose of domestic and industrial wastewater, and the quality of transferring treated effluent from Tehran to the plain.
 

Background and Objective: Microplastics can have harmful effects on living things, including humans. These particles have been identified in all water, soil, and food sources. Among these, freshwater resources are more important, because they are considered a water source for humans through drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Therefore, this study investigates the performance of Tehran DWTPs in removing these particles.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the performance of three DWTPs in Tehran in removing these particles was investigated. In most studies worldwide, particles larger than 1 µm were examined, but in this study, nanoplastic particles smaller than 1 µm, as well as the effect of the warm and cold seasons of the year on the concentration of these particles were also examined.
Results: According to the results of the study, the amount of micro and nanoplastic particles at the inlet of treatment plants in the warm season of the year was 2569 ± 309 to 3918 ± 425 MP/L, and the output was 1492 ± 32 to 2279 ± 146 MP/L, which indicates an increase in these particles in the warm season. As a result, the studied treatment plants were only able to remove 32.1 to 59.9% of these particles. In addition, using electron microscopy, MPs were classified into three categories in terms of appearance: fiber, fragment, and film. This study completes the knowledge of MPs in this area.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Tehran DWTPs have poor performance in removing these particles.