Environment and Interdisciplinary Development

Abstract Introduction: Understanding the relationship length-weight can play a critical role in evaluating aquatic population structure, especially for estimating biomass, age, and weight using length. In recent years, due to various reasons such as the destruction of rivers, the creation of dams, the pollution of spawning areas, and illegal fishing, the abundance of fish populations has undergone many changes due to the decrease in the probability of survival and reproductive success. Therefore, obtaining information about the relationship length-weight, along with fecundity and gonadal indices, especially during one year, is effective not only in estimating models for the evaluation of aquatic resources but also in understanding their biological aspects, which are a sign of the sustainable dynamics of their population and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Materials and Methods: According to the little available data about Sheydaar fish (Cyprinion watsoni), to understand the annual fluctuations of the length-weight relationship and some other parameters, 100 Cyprinion watsoni fish were collected between May 2015 and July 2016 using fishing nets from the Sarbaz River. In this research, in addition to the seasonal study of the length-weight relationship, several biological parameters such as growth pattern, condition factor, gonadosomatic indices, gonad weight, egg diameter, absolute and relative fecundity were calculated separately for each season. Standard length and its Natural logarithm were used for obtain the coefficient of determination and curves estimation of statistical models in relation to length-weight for each season.
Results: The results demonstrated that the relationship between the length-weight of the Sheydaar fish in the three seasons of spring, summer, and winter has a correlation of over 93%, which indicates the high correlation of this relationship in this fish during different seasons. The index of the growth pattern for this fish in the Sarbaz River changes during different seasons and it is 3 in autumn, 3.52 in spring, 3.09 in summer, and 3.5 in winter. Also, the examination of the condition factor and gonadosomatic index, whose change process coincides with each other, indicates that these indices reach their lowest and highest levels during summer and winter, respectively. The highest number of eggs for C. watsoni was recorded in summer (3405.3) and the lowest number in spring (1647.4). For this reason, the highest absolute fecundity was calculated in the summer season; While the relative fecundity begins to rise from spring and reaches its highest value in winter.
Discussion: Regardless of the seasonal fluctuations in all the calculated indices, it seems that according to the values of the growth pattern (b≥3), it can be concluded that with the increase in length, the studied species in the sampled area becomes rounder and heavier and the mentioned species grows under suitable biological conditions (including the availability of food, suitable physicochemical conditions, and non-polluted river). The values of two indicators of the condition factor and gonadosomatic also confirm the recent result. The condition factor of the Sheydaar fish was calculated between 0.03 and 1, which indicates the biological conditions between very bad and bad for this fish in the Sarbaz River; Nevertheless, the results of the fecundity index indicate the appropriate biological status of the species in that area. Matching the fluctuations of the gonadosomatic index with the condition factor in this research represents the effect of spawning on the condition factor; therefore, when checking the condition factor, spawning time should be regarded. Considering the seasonal fluctuations of all investigated indices due to the changes in the weight of the gonads and its effect on the total weight, to prevent bias in the data and final analysis, it is suggested to use the weight of evisceration of the sample.

Abstract Introduction: In today's world, environmental issues have gained more attention than ever before. Climate change, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and environmental threats are among the challenges that human societies face. In this context, athletes, as social and cultural role models, can play a significant role in raising environmental awareness and promoting green behaviors. The fame and influence of athletes, especially at the national level, can be crucial in promoting these values and green behaviors among fans and the sports community. The aim of this study was to examine the green behavior of selected athletes from the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was descriptive and applied in terms of purpose, with data collection conducted through a survey. The research method was quantitative. The statistical population consisted of athletes from the national teams of Iran, who participated in national team camps in Tehran between February and June 2024. Based on data from relevant authorities, this population was estimated to include 420 athletes. The sample size, calculated according to the Morgan table, was 201 athletes. Data were collected using a modified version of the questionnaire by Potgieter et al. (2017). To ensure the validity of the questionnaire, the opinions of 15 faculty members from the departments of Sports Sciences, Health, and Environmental and Natural Resources were utilized. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and the obtained alpha value of 0.839 indicated acceptable reliability. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the normality of data distribution, while one-sample t-tests, correlation tests, and linear regression were employed for statistical analysis. The one-sample t-test was used to evaluate the level of environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior among athletes. Pearson's correlation test was used to examine the relationship between environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior. Finally, linear regression was used to predict green behavior based on environmental awareness and attitudes.
Results: The results showed that the level of environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior was above the baseline (3), and there was a significant positive relationship between environmental awareness and attitudes with the green behavior of selected athletes from the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran (p<0.001). Additionally, the components of environmental awareness (Beta=0.335) and environmental attitude (Beta=0.232) demonstrated a significant relationship and predictive capacity for green behavior among selected athletes of the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran (P<0.001, R²=0.147).
Discussion: The findings of this study emphasize that educating and promoting environmental awareness among athletes can help improve their environmental behavior and facilitate the promotion of green culture in the sports community. Based on the results of this study and considering the importance of the environment, current global environmental challenges, and the influential role of national athletes on society and sports enthusiasts, it is suggested that sports organizations and authorities prioritize the development of environmental awareness and attitudes among national team athletes. To achieve this, it is recommended to design educational programs focused on introducing green behavior, environmental issues and challenges, the role of athletes in promoting green behavior, and the interaction between sports, athletes, and green behavior.

Abstract Introduction: The ecological security of tourism provides a new research framework and practical tools for analyzing sustainable regional development. This facilitates the development of high-quality tourism and also protects natural ecosystems. Therefore, ecological security plays an important role in examining biological resources about society, economy, and environment and, especially concerning protected areas, can provide vital information for habitat conservation and conservation strategies. This study aimsto assess the ecological security of tourism based on the establishment of a driver framework and pressures in the Hara protected area.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, the ecological security and vulnerability of tourism were assessed based on the DPSIR model framework in the Hara protected area. Accordingly, by considering five key factors ("Driver", "Pressure", "State", "Impact", "Response"), the effective indicators on the ecological security of tourism were examined and analyzed in this protected area. For this purpose, a list of effective indicators that can affect the ecological security of tourism was prepared based on previous documents and studies and according to the opinions of specialists and experts.
Results: The results revealed that the highest ecological security of tourism is visible in the east of Khorkhoran island and the west of Sayeh Khosh habitat, especially in the central areas of mangrove forests, and in contrast, the lowest level is related to the north and south of the area around Marduv island, Khamir Lashtqan and coastal Qeshm due to the expansion of various human activities. In addition, the results of the classification of ecological tourism security showed that the Hara protected area has 68.56 percent of the ecologically safe tourism class and 32.43 percent of the unsafe class. The evaluation of the indicators affecting the ecological security of tourism also indicates that the highest score among the "drivers" is related to the increase in construction with a value of 64.3, among the "pressures" is the index of excessive harvesting of branches and feeding of wandering camels with a value of 88.4, among the "state" indicators is the level of vegetation density with a value of 22.3, among the "responses" coefficients is the prevention of branching and provision of fodder for livestock (especially camels) with a value of 18.3. According to the results, the status index in the mangrove forests of the island and the Khorkhoran Strait has the lowest value due to the limited development of human activities, while the highest state index is observed in the north, south of the region and the centers of human activity development. Also, the highest impact index is related to the surroundings of ports, commercial and tourist piers, coastal areas and tourism development centers. Accordingly, in areas that are the centers of human activity development, the driving, pressure and impact indices have increased, resulting in a decrease in ecological security in the region.
Discussion: Based on the results obtained, the most threats to the ecological security of tourism are related to uncontrolled human activities and also insufficient supervision over the development and exploitation of ports and piers in the region. Therefore, controlling these pressures and threats requires integrated planning and management at the regional level. In this regard, the results of this study can help decision-makers and planners in developing a management plan and taking strategic measures in this area by providing a range of key factors and indicators affecting the ecological security of tourism in the Hara protected area.

Abstract Introduction: Biofouling refers to the process of attachment and growth of organisms on surfaces in marine waters. This phenomenon is considered one of the major problems in marine industries, such as aquaculture. Therefore, anti fouling coatings have been developed to combat fouling organisms. Considering the negative impacts of toxic antifouling paints on the environment, the development of eco friendly paints has become an important goal for researchers. One innovative approach to address this issue is the use of nanoparticles in the production of ecofriendly paints. The present study is dedicated to analyzing the antifouling properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles in epoxy paint formulations.
Materials and Methods: The anti fouling effectiveness of zinc oxide nanoparticles was evaluated through antibacterial tests conducted over 48 hours at concentrations of 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, and 0 (control) mg/L, as well as anti  algal tests over 72 hours at concentrations of 800, 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 0 (control) mg/L. Additionally, the toxicity effects on two zooplankton species, Amphibalanus amphitrite and Artemia salina, were assessed over 72 hours at concentrations of 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 0 (control) mg/L in the laboratory. The minimum inhibitory concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was determined to be 12.5 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively.
Results: In the anti algal test of zinc oxide nanoparticles, the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the alga Chaetoceros muelleri was determined to be 83.85 mg/L, and the highest percentage of average inhibition of specific growth at a concentration of 800 mg/L was found to be 83.87%. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have caused toxicity in the microalga C. muelleri even at the lowest tested concentration. The lethal concentration (LC50) of nanoparticles for Amphibalanus amphitrite and Artemia salina was obtained as 162.69 mg/L and 395.66 mg/L, respectively. The anti-fouling performance of zinc oxide nanoparticles was evaluated by adding 2%, 4%, and 8% by weight to the epoxy resin paint on fiberglass pieces for 90 days in a fish farming cage in a marine environment. The results showed that the lowest weight of the fiberglass pieces on days 30, 60, and 90 was associated with the treatment of 8% zinc oxide nanoparticles, which exhibited a significant difference compared to the control treatments (P ≤ 0.05).
Discussion: The antibacterial properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles may be attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), the potential generation of free radicals, and the release of metal ions. The nanoparticles can penetrate the cell wall of the algae, leading to structural damage that results in the release of cellular contents and ultimately cell death. The anti-fouling effectiveness of the paint increased with the amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles. High concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles release significant amounts of zinc ions. Zinc ions can pass through the cell membrane and generate reactive oxygen species, leading to damage to cellular components, disruption of cellular functions, and cell death. The high anti fouling efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles could be an effective strategy for combating marine biofouling.

Abstract Introduction: Urban landscapes, especially urban parks, are considered to be among the most important urban spaces in integrating cities with nature. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to study the future of designing urban parks with a biophilic urban approach.
Materials and Methods: To collect data, library resources were used to write an introduction and interview in two stages to reach the actors and objectives. In the first interview, experts were asked to introduce the main actors and important objectives related to the research objective. In the next stage, after collecting data related to the actors and objectives affecting the research objective, actor-actor and actor-objective matrices were formed and then provided to the experts in Word format. They were asked to first determine the effects of the actors on each other with the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, where the number 0 indicates no effect and the number 4 indicates the most effect, and then to reveal the degree of agreement and disagreement of the actors with the objectives through the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, where the number 0 indicates no opinion, the number 4 indicates the most agreement and the number 4 indicates the most disagreement. After entering the experts' opinions into the MACTOR software, analyses related to the desired topics, such as the most influential and influential actors and other required items, were conducted, and the results obtained were used in the present study, and at the end, the final research model was extracted through the ATLAS.ti software.
Results: The results showed that Islamic city councils and municipalities are the most influential and competitive actors, and plant diversity, utilizing water features, designing spaces for interaction with nature, designing museum spaces related to nature, designing spaces for familiarization with plants, paying attention to designing green paths, observing the per capita soft landscape compared to the hard landscape, designing buildings in the park based on nature, paying attention to cleaning parks, utilizing renewable energy, utilizing the capacity of native plants, utilizing happy colors, utilizing nature-based materials, organic and nature-like design of spaces, paying attention to the sense of sight in design, and having optimal lighting are the most important goals of the actors.
Discussion: In general, it can be stated that the decisions made by Islamic city councils and municipalities have the greatest impact on the implementation of the biophilic approach in the design of urban parks and the performance of other actors related to the aforementioned process. Therefore, the two actors mentioned should put specialized decisions that are in line with the conditions of the desired region on their agenda and provide specialized resolutions and plans to other actors so that these decisions can serve as a bridge and a guide for the performance of other actors in carrying out their roles. Also, urban planners, Urban designers, landscape engineers, landscape architects, and nature engineers, as other actors in the process of implementing the biophilic approach in the design of urban parks, should strengthen their communication and make consistent decisions so that these decisions complement each other and prevent obstacles and problems.

Abstract Introduction: Phytoplankton are the primary producers at the base of food webs in aquatic ecosystems. Marine zooplankton are the secondary producers of the marine food web. The distribution of zooplankton affects the growth potential of fish in the area, especially their larvae. The sensitivity of plankton to slight changes in the environment has made them suitable biological indicators that reflect the health conditions of the aquatic ecosystem. In the Mahshahr salt ponds, during the dewatering stage, shrimp and fish larvae are introduced into the ponds through pumping from Odleh Creek, which is the only source of water supply to the ponds, where they grow in harsh conditions. As a result, regular assessment is necessary to protect the inhabitants of this aquatic ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological health of the Mahshahr salt ponds and Odleh Creek ecosystem using the Water Quality Score (WQS) and ecological indicators based on the planktonic communities of this ecosystem.
Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted at seven stations, from Odleh Creek to Salt Ponds 1 and 2. Water samples for the investigation of phytoplankton and zooplankton were collected using a plankton net across four seasons, from May 2023 to April 2024. Physical and chemical factors, including dissolved oxygen, pH, total phosphate, total nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand, were measured to evaluate the WQS index. Some physicochemical factors such as pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured at the sampling site using a portable multi-parameter device, and salinity was measured using a salinometer. The remaining parameters were measured using standard experimental methods.
Results: During this research, moving away from the estuary and towards the ponds showed an increasing trend in the abundance of phytoplankton, salinity, nitrate and dominance index, while the abundance of zooplankton, phosphate, diversity index, species richness, and biological balance exhibited a decreasing trend. A winter peak was observed for phytoplankton density, followed by a spring peak for zooplankton density. In this study, 51 species from 6 phytoplankton groups and 17 species and 4 larvae from 2 zooplankton groups were identified. The average abundance of phytoplankton was 4,229 cells per liter, while that of zooplankton was 10,395 cells per liter. The Bacillariaceae and Paracalanidae families, as well as the larval stages (Nauplius and Copepoda), were the dominant groups in the region. According to the evaluation of the WQS index, a rank of 2.6 was determined for the estuary stations and salt pond No. 1, while a rank of 3.4 was determined for the stations inside pond No. 2. According to the WQS index, the values of pH and dissolved oxygen during the sampling period received a score of 5 (good quality), while total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and BOD₅ during the study period received a score of 1 (low quality). Overall, the stations at Odleh Creek and the beginning of pond No. 1 have low quality, whereas the stations at the end of pond No. 1 and inside pond No. 2 have poor quality in terms of water quality. A positive correlation was observed between phytoplankton abundance and salinity and nitrate levels, while zooplankton showed an inverse relationship with these two parameters.
Discussion: According to the study, as salinity and nitrate increased in the ponds, the abundance of phytoplankton increased, while zooplankton decreased. This was probably due to the sensitivity of zooplankton to salinity and the creation of osmotic pressure beyond their capacity. Following this, with the reduction of predators and the availability of nitrate as a food source for phytoplankton, we witnessed greater growth of phytoplankton. Also, as we moved towards the ponds, species diversity decreased due to intense evaporation and high salinity, and resistant species formed the dominant population. On the other hand, according to the results of the WQS index, the water quality of the area was low, which can be attributed to stressful conditions such as intense evaporation. Therefore, in the ponds, it is necessary to conduct continuous monitoring and identify and eliminate stressful factors to improve the living conditions of aquatic animals in this area.

Abstract Introduction: Over the past a few decades, human societies have observed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the environment have increased due to industrial development, mining exploration, smelting industries and sometimes due to accidental emissions. These activities have posed a major threat to the human’s health. Industrial towns are among the centers that, if not adequately monitored, can lead to the dispersion of heavy metals in the environment and endanger the health of people living in the surrounding area.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the environmental hazards of wastewater from Charm-Shahr industrial town were investigated. In this study, the Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS) web-based software was used. The measured wastewater samples were analyzed between 2004 and 2019 and after pollutants’ identifications, non-carcinogenic hazards and carcinogenic risks of the human’s exposure to those pollutants were evaluated.
Results:Based on the sampling from the outlet of Charm-Shahr’s water treatment plant, in most cases, the non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to the contaminants in water was less than 1, indicating that there is no significant risk to the residents in relation to the surface water of the exposure area. In one case, the non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to the contaminants in water from the oral path was in the range of 0.1 Discussion: According to the results, this risk was due to exposure to hexavalent chromium which was found in the sewage due to the presence of leather industries in Cahrm-Shahr. The rate of carcinogenic risk from both oral and skin pathways were in the range of  and . Therefore, there was a possibility of carcinogenesis in relation to the contaminants. The total risk was also in the range of  and , indicating the risk of total carcinogenesis was definite or probable, and in some cases, there was no known risk. Results showed that the existing health risk was due to the presence of hexavalent chromium and in some cases was related to nickel. It has been reported that chromium is sometimes converted to stable compounds with higher toxicity in the natural environment. In this study, we discussed the risk assessment due to the exposure of different groups of people and the impact on their health due to the concentrations of heavy metals resulting from industrial activities. The findings show that the carcinogenic risk was due to the presence of hexavalent chromium and in some cases nickel. The possibility of non-carcinogenic hazards and carcinogenic risks of exposure to hexavalent chromium and nickel were possible, probable and in some cases definite. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the functionality of the Charm-Shahr’s water treatment plant and track the number of pollutants at specific time intervals. Periodic and continuous measurements of pollutants and the risk assessment due to the presence of hexavalent chromium and nickel pollutants on fish, other animals and plants in the region can be useful in controlling environmental pollution, providing monitoring programs and regional decision-making.
 

Abstract Introduction: Grapes are one of the most important and most productive agricultural harvests in the world. Iran is currently the seventh largest producer of grapes in the world, with over 252,000 hectares of vineyards. Also, due to its fertile lands, Iran has been known since ancient times for its diversity in grape varieties and the production and export of various types of its products.Given the economic importance of raisins and grapes in the national economy and the country's great potential for improving the quantity and quality of this group of products, and given the global competition in the agricultural market and the high potential of the raisin product for export, the need to produce this product is obvious. One of the important factors for survival in today's competitive condition, is reducing the costs of production and marketing the product. Choosing the right methods can significantly reduce costs and increase the competitiveness of manufacturers. The existence of inseparable waste in this industry has faced producers with challenges that, if waste and scrap management during processing is carried out with the help of modern technology, it will be of great help to producers not only in terms of waste disposal but also in terms of energy and cost savings. In the field of raisins, the added value of by-products resulting from waste, which is currently achieved in leading countries, is sometimes equal to the product itself. Raisin waste is recycled and used in various ways. One of the valuable compounds in grapes is phenolic compounds that are used in various industries. In this work, with the aim of management of raisin production units’ waste, the potential of various raisin wastes in extracting phenolic compounds has been investigated.
Materials and Methods: To investigate the possibility of extracting phenolic compounds from raisin waste from raisin processing units in East Azerbaijan province, various raisin wastes including laser-backed wastes, empty, tail chips, broken and immature wastes were investigated for the extraction of phenolic compounds. Also, various solvents including methanol, ethanol, acetone and combinations of solvents were used to extract phenolic compounds. The parameters of extraction efficiency, antioxidant activity and total phenol content were used to evaluate and compare the process. To measure the antioxidant property, the DPPH free radical scavenging method and to calculate the total phenol content, the Folin reagent reaction method was used.
Results: The results showed that all raisin wastes contained phenolic compounds in different amounts. The amount of antioxidant activity for unripe raisin, fractured, tail, absurd, and laser were ontained as 23.16, 24.31,26.19,28.42, and 18.82 µg/ml respectively. Also, the phenolic content for unripe raisin, fractured, tail, absurd, and laser were ontained as 421, 426.11, 387.86, 369.24, and 465.2 mg GAE/100 g respectively. Among the raisin waste, the laser waste has the best condition in terms of phenol content and antioxidant activity. Also, the best solvent for extracting phenolic compounds is pure methanol. Laser waste in the extraction solvent of pure methanol has 468.2 mg per gram of gallic acid equivalent extract with phenolic content.
Discussion: Based on results, it is concluded that, the best antioxidant result obtained at the lowest IC50 value is related to laser waste with a concentration of 18.82 μg/ml. In general, the results showed that raisin processing waste can be used as a costeffective source for extracting phenolic compounds.