Study of Ecology and the Potential for Exploiting Saline Surface Waters of Fars Province in Aquaculture- Dehram River

Abstract

Aquaculture activity is restricted mainly to rainbow trout in cold waters and carps in warm waters in inland waters of Iran as well as Fars Province. Probably for this reason saline waters of south and southeast Fars have not been used for aquaculture. These rivers are ecosystems with a diverse biota, it is predictable that can be found some there endemic aquatic organisms with a potential for aquaculture. Finding a suitable organism can help increase wise use of this natural resource, and local production and recruitment. However, it is highly needed to investigate various environmental elements prior to any use to obtain an estimation of the environmental consequences, parallel to finding usage potentials. In This study, we investigated Dehram saline river in south of Fars Province. Hydrological and physiographical properties, chemical composition of the river, and aquatic populations were sampled and measured monthly in 3 stations in one year. Salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids increased from station 1 to 3, reaching from 6.6 g/L, 14.3 g/L, and 12800 µs/cm to 13.5 g/L, 17.7 g/L, and 16500 µs/cm, respectively. Dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation were higher in station 3, and in autumn and winter. Nitrite showed lowest values in winter (0.006 mg/L) and highest values in spring (0.013 mg/L). Nitrate showed the lowest concentration in station 3 (0.43 mg/L), but no differences were seen among seasons. Ammonium showed no differences among stations or seasons. Phosphate levels in station 1 and 3 were 0.13 mg/L‌to 0.17 mg/L, with the highest level (0.29 mg/L) seen in the spring. Five species of fishes were identified in the river, which all were widely favored by local people. Some of these have been categorized as edible in previous studies, others as ornamental. On the other hand, intensive growth of an algal species throughout the river demonstrates a potential for algal cultivation. Significant role of algae in production of food for both man and livestock is now well recognized in aquaculture industry.