Northwestern Iran Research Articles

Investigating the concentration of heavy metals and their health risk assessment in the water resources of northwestern Iran

The presence of heavy metals in water sources is a serious threat to the health of consumers in terms of the possibility of various diseases related to the consumption of contaminated water. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the concentration of heavy metals and assessing their health risk in water resources of Ardabil province. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 150 samples were prepared from different water sources of Ardabil province in 2021 and 2022 years and were analyzed by ICP-MS according to the standard methods. In the present study, composite sampling method was used. The average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb were compared with three standards (National Standard 1053 of Iran, WHO and USEPA). Also, health risk assessment was done for two age groups of children and adults based on USEPA criteria. The results showed that the highest and lowest average concentrations of metals in the locations of springs, wells, inlets and outlets of water treatment plants and distribution networks are respectively for arsenic and copper metals, and in rivers, it is related to iron and zinc. Considering the percentage of metal concentrations compared to their standards, in general, the highest and lowest average concentrations of metals in underground, surface water sources and distribution networks in the whole province of Ardabil were related to arsenic and copper metals, respectively. Also, in autumn, winter and summer, the highest concentration of metals was related to arsenic and the lowest was related to copper. The total non-carcinogenic risk for children was 2.36, and it was 1.011 for adults, and the total carcinogenic risk in underground, surface water sources and distribution networks were more than 10–4. The amount of contamination of water sources in the northern rivers of Ardabil province with the As, Pb, Hg, Mn and Fe was higher than the amount of national and international standards. However, in the rivers of the central and western regions of this province, only the concentration of arsenic was higher than the standards. Among the springs of the entire province, the concentration of heavy metals in the springs of the east and southwest regions were within the standard range, but the concentration of arsenic in them was more than the standard. The possibility of noncancerous diseases in both the adult and children age groups of the study population is high, and the risk of diseases in children is higher than in adults. The probability of carcinogenicity of water consumption with the monitored concentration of arsenic metal in the studied area has a high risk. According to the average of all monitored metal concentrations, there is a possibility of carcinogenicity in different degrees in all water sources. Therefore, conducting continuous monitoring studies to determine the incidence and prevalence of diseases related to these metals, especially arsenic, seems to be critical.

An update on the knowledge of Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Iran

ABSTRACT Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are specialised parasitoids of the immature stages of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Nine species of eucharitids were known to occur in Iran. Our recent sampling in north-western Iran revealed the presence of an additional species, E. (E.) arasbaranensis Lotfalizadeh and Rasplus, sp. n. We also sampled and redescribed Eucharis (Eucharis) diaphana Gussakovskij, a species previously known only from Russia and Turkmenistan. We provide detailed illustrations and diagnoses for these species as well as an identification key to the Iranian species of Eucharitidae. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9ABDE549-4DBB-4562-8927-B8DA3E2621AD

Determination of suitable areas cultivation of maize Based on the supply of heat needs in northwestern Iran

Determination of suitable areas cultivation of maize Based on the supply of heat needs in northwestern Iran

Eye makeup in Northwestern Iran at the time of the Assyrian Empire: a new kohl recipe based on manganese and graphite from Kani Koter (Iron Age III)

Abstract Kohl was ubiquitous in ancient Egypt and the Middle East, and routinely included among the toiletries deposited in burials. For Egypt, kohl recipes are increasingly well‐studied and known to use a range of inorganic and organic ingredients. Although these are often lead‐based, manganese‐ and silicon‐rich compounds are also attested. For the Middle East, our still limited knowledge is now augmented by analysis of a new kohl sample from a burial in the Iron Age cemetery of Kani Koter in Northwestern Iran. Our integrated multidisciplinary approach shows that the black colouration was most likely obtained by mixing manganese oxides with natural graphite.

Exploring the diversity and abundance of necrophagous flies (Diptera) in Tabriz County, northwestern Iran: Implications for medical and public health importance

Exploring the diversity and abundance of necrophagous flies (Diptera) in Tabriz County, northwestern Iran: Implications for medical and public health importance

Approaching the Neolithization Processes in North-Western Iran

Abstract One of the most investigated aspects of prehistory in the Ancient Near East is undoubtedly the Neolithic period. The scientific community has often drawn attention to attempts to reconstruct the complex processes of Neolithization undergone by hunter-gatherer communities. Over the last few years, much has been done to reconstruct Neolithization processes on the Iranian plateau with particular attention to the Zagros Mountain region, probably rightly considered one of the points from which Neolithic cultures spread in the upper Mesopotamia area. This contribution aims to provide a comprehensive reassessment of the available data, with discussion of several crucial aspects of the Neolithic phases of north-western Iran. These critical issues are mostly connected to the absence of systematic investigations of Neolithic sites, and to a series of problems regarding the interpretation of the scarce information available. The paper therefore provides an overview of the current state of knowledge and proposals, together with and some new suggestions concerning these issues.

Molecular Detection of Francisella spp. in Blood, Milk, and Ticks Infesting Small Ruminants in Urmia, Iran.

Background: Zoonotic diseases pose a significant global health challenge, accounting for over half of all newly emerging infectious illnesses. One such pathogenic agent is the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia, a zoonotic disease spread in the Northern Hemisphere through various means, including tick bites. Unfortunately, there is limited literature on tick-borne bacteria affecting human and animal health. This research confirmed the presence of Francisella spp. in ticks in the Urmia region, highlighting the potential for ticks to act as vectors for transmitting the bacteria to livestock and humans. Materials and Methods: A total of 397 ticks, 315 blood samples, and 241 milk samples were gathered from sheep and goats to screen for the existence of Francisella spp. The nested PCR technique revealed the existence of Francisella spp. 16S rRNA gene in the samples. Results: Blood and milk samples from small ruminants did not show the presence of Francisella spp., but the bacteria were detected in 6 tick pools (n = 79; 7.59%; 95% CI: 3.52%-15.59%). The positive ticks identified were Hyalomma asiaticum 2 (n = 24; 8.33%; 95% CI: 2.31%-25.84%), Hyalomma eagyptum 3 (n = 9; 33.33%; 95% CI: 12.06%-64.58%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus 1 (n = 15; 6.67%; 95% CI: 1.19%-29.82%) and the presence of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica was found to be positive in 3 out of 79 tick pools (3.80%; 95% CI: 1.3%-10.58%). The positive ticks identified in this experiment were female Hyalomma aegyptium (1 out of 3; 33.33%; 95% CI: 6.15%-79.23%), male Hyalomma asiaticum (1 out of 14; 7.14%; 95% CI: 1.27%-31.47%) and female Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1 out of 7; 14.29%; 95% CI: 2.57%-51.32%). Conclusion: The study explored the presence of Francisella species, especially the most dangerous, F. tularensis, in small ruminants and the ticks that attach to them using molecular techniques in the Urmia region of northwestern Iran. The research seeks to improve knowledge of Francisella spp. epidemiology. Understanding the risk of human-livestock transmission of this pathogen is crucial for public health, particularly for individuals working in animal-related fields.

The prevalence of the co-occurrence of risky behaviors and association with socioeconomic status in Iran: a latent class analysis

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify distinct population classes with different risk profiles using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) in Iran, as well as, to evaluate the association between various classes of risky behavior and Socio -Economic Status (SES) levels.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 860 participants in Tabriz, northwestern Iran from September to November 2023. The source population included clients who visited the Asadabadi Family Medicine Clinic. Data were collected using two standard self-report questionnaires. LCA was utilized to categorize the data. Twelve variables were utilized to determine the classes of risky behaviors. After considering the model selection indices, we found that the model with three latent classes was the most suitable. Multi-nominal logistic regression was employed to assess the association between risky behavior and SES.ResultsThe results of this study showed that the prevalence of the middle-risk class and high-risk class among the study population was 13% and 21%, respectively. Individuals with a very high SES were less likely to engage in multiple risky behavior classes compared to those with a low SES (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.59–0.97 and OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.48–1.29). Additionally, divorced participants (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.08–2.71 and 4.31,95% CI: 1.61–11.56).ConclusionsIn the present study, the co-occurrence of risky behaviors was reported as 10 and 3 for the high-risk behavior class and the middle-risk behavior class, respectively. The findings suggest that prevention and treatment interventions aimed at modifying multiple high-risk behaviors should be integrated into the healthcare system, in addition to those focused on altering a single behavior. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that individuals with lower socioeconomic status are given higher priority in screening programs designed to identify high-risk behaviors.

Psychometric properties of the genderism and transphobia scale in Iranian students

Background: Although the prevalence of transgender individuals has increased, there is currently no scale that aligns with Iranian culture to assess transphobia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS), and its cross-cultural adaptation in an Iranian setting. Methods: This psychometric study involved 418 students in Tabriz, northwestern Iran. Forward-backward translation was conducted to develop a Persian version of the scale. Reliability was assessed using test-retest, Cronbach’s alpha, and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test. Face, content, and construct validity were also evaluated. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91 for transphobia/genderism (T/G), 0.83 for gender-bashing (GB) and 0.91 for the total GTS. The results of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that the two factors, T/G and GB, collectively explained 47.05% of the total variance. The ICCs for different factors of the Persian-GTS including T/G, GB, and GTS total were r=0.79 (Confidence interval [CI] 95%; 0.86 - 0.90), r=0.65 (CI 95%; 0.71 - 0.80), and r=0.98 (CI 95%; 0.68 - 0.79), respectively. An EFA identified two factors defining 47.05% of all the variance. Items number 8 and 31 were removed from the Persian version of GTS.Conclusion: The Persian-GTS was identified to be valid and reliable for evaluating students’ attitudes toward transgender individuals. Consequently, the Persian-GTS can be utilized in research concerning health issues related to transgender individuals.

Tracing young subduction beneath northwest Iran: Insights from cosmogenic 10Be recycling and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes in late Miocene volcanoes

Late Miocene−Quaternary volcanoes in northwestern Iran, characterized by andesitic to dacitic compositions including adakitic rocks with high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, exhibit zircon U-Pb ages ranging from 12 to 2 Ma. The isotopic compositions of whole-rock samples (εNd = + 0.1 to +4.4; εHf = +2.8 to +11.8; 87Sr/86Sr < 0.705) indicate that the primary magma originated from partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The whole-rock chemistry supports an arc magmatic signature, which is consistent with an active continental margin setting. To investigate sediment recycling, cosmogenic beryllium-10 (10Be) isotopes, with a short half-life (1.39 m.y.), were measured in 40 fresh whole-rock samples. Elevated 10Be concentrations (>106 atoms/g) in certain volcanoes confirm a young metasomatized mantle beneath the northwest Iran block. Variations in 10Be concentrations that increase from the front-arc to the rear-arc magmatic rocks suggest greater incorporation of pelagic sediments (rich in 10Be) away from the trench zone. These findings indicate that late Miocene−Quaternary magmatic activity coincided with or followed the formation of an active margin linked to the subduction of the Khoy-Oshnavieh oceanic branch of the northern Neo-Tethys Ocean beneath northwest Iran. Evidence suggests that this branch remained active until the late Miocene. This study highlights the significant role of subducted terrestrial and pelagic sediments in Pliocene−Quaternary magmatism, as supported by 10Be data. This study underscores the utility of cosmogenic 10Be as a reliable tracer for sediment incorporation in young magmatic systems along active margins, providing insights into the geodynamic processes shaping northwestern Iran.

The 23 and 24 January 2022 Tabriz (Northwestern Iran) small earthquakes: Seismological study and seismotectonic implication

The 23 and 24 January 2022 Tabriz (Northwestern Iran) small earthquakes: Seismological study and seismotectonic implication

Assessment of disease burden and mortality attributable to air pollutants in northwestern Iran using the AirQ+ software

It is well known that one of the main causes of mortality and reduced life expectancy is air pollution, which carries the highest burden of diseases attributed to environmental factors. The poor air quality in Iranian cities leads to a wide range of acute and chronic health effects. This study estimates the natural deaths, ALRI, COPD, lung cancer, IHD, and strokes caused by air pollutants in Bukan, a southern city in West Azerbaijan Province, from 2011 to 2019. Population data was obtained from government organizations, and pollutant data for 2011–2019 was collected from the Bukan Environmental Protection Organization. Analyses were performed using Excel, and the data was subsequently entered into the WHO’s AirQ+ model to extract the results. The study found that long-term exposure to PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and O3 resulted in an estimated 316, 241, 14, and 52 deaths, respectively. By comparing the air quality over the 8-year period, it was determined that the air quality in Bukan city is not in good condition, with particulate matter levels exceeding relevant standards. Given the increasing trend of air pollution and associated health impacts, it is essential to implement effective control policies to improve the city’s air quality. This information provides a crucial step for city managers, policymakers, and health officials to mitigate the health effects caused by air pollution.

Molecular assessment of Coxiella burnetii in horses in Northwestern Iran.

Q fever is a frequently occurring illness that is induced by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) that can infect humans and various animals. It targets the macrophage cells in the tissues, and circulating monocytes. This study was conducted between 2022 and 2023 in the West Azerbaijan and Ardabil provinces of northwestern Iran to examine the presence infection of C. burnetii. Specimens were obtained by swabbing from 140 mares (70 from each province) and 20 stallions (10 from each province) which were apparently healthy, and their DNA was analyzed using quantitative PCR assay detecting the IS1111 element of the bacterium. The findings indicated that a mere 0.625% of the examined specimens tested positive for C. burnetii. Among the entire set of specimens, a single female horse from the region of Ardabil was found to be the carrier of the bacterium. This suggested that even though horses may not display any clinical symptoms, they can still harbor C. burnetii and contribute to its transmission. Therefore, the potential contribution of horses to Q fever transmission should be considered.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis in nomadic, rural, and urban communities of northwestern Iran.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is widespread in populations comprising humans and other warm-blooded creatures and is caused by the protozoan parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Hence, knowledge of seroprevalence and associated risk factors is essential for planning adequate and efficient population health interventions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the seropositivity of T. gondii infection and to study the epidemiological indices in different categories of populations in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. This cross-sectional survey involved 426 participants 10 years of age and older from urban, rural, and nomadic areas. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for IgG antibodies against T. gondii using the ELISA method. Demographic data, such as age, occupation, soil contact, and cat ownership, were collected through questionnaires. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 62.2%, and a significant relationship between the infection and age, exposure to soil, and job involvement was observed. Farmers and ranchers had the highest occurrence rate of 69.4%; no association of the prevalence with gender, education, income, cat ownership, or eating habits was observed. Occupational risk factors appear to play a significant role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis, although there is doubt cast on classic risk factors such as cat handling and ingesting contaminated foodstuffs. Such exposure can lead to risky transmission of T. gondii; therefore, continued surveillance and specific approaches in public health are needed to address such risks in the area.

Palynology of the Middle Jurassic strata from the Alborz Ranges, northwestern Iran

Palynomorphs are used for palynostratigraphy, and to derive paleoecological and paleobiogeographical inferences from the Middle Jurassic Shemshak Formation, Alborz Ranges, northwestern Iran. The rock unit contains diverse, reasonably preserved palynofloras dominated by miospores and dinoflagellate cysts. Vertical distribution of miospores allows for the introduction of Klukisporites variegatus -Striatella spp.- Contignisporites burgeri assemblage zone in the host strata. The presence of such key miospore species as Striatella jurassica, S. patenii, S. seebergensis, and Contignisporites burgeri indicates a Middle Jurassic (late Bajocian–Bathonian) age. Based on the stratigraphic distribution of dinoflagellate cysts, encountered Cribroperidinium crispum Total Range Biozone (late Bajocian); Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii Interval Biozone (Bathonian–early Callovian), and Subzone “a” of the D. sellwoodii Zone (early–middle Bathonian) are identified. Miospores dominating the examined assemblages are assigned, in ascending order of abundance, to Pterophyta, Coniferophyta, Pteridospermophyta, Lycophyta, Ginkgophyta, Cycadophyta, and Sphenophyta. Such parental vegetation apparently flourished under a wet, warm-to-warm-temperate climate. The co-occurrence of such index warm-moderate water dinoflagellate cysts as Pareodinia halosa, Ctenidodinium continuum, and Pareodinia ceratophora supports this overview. The assemblages though contain both Eurasian and Gondwanan elements but bear closer similarity to those from the former, thus suggesting paleoproximity to the northeastern margin of the Neotethys Ocean during the Middle Jurassic.

Agent-based modeling for demand management of reservoirs considering social and hydrological interactions under uncertainty.

Agent-based modeling for demand management of reservoirs considering social and hydrological interactions under uncertainty.

Carbonaceous macrofossils from the Ediacaran–Cambrian lower shale member of the Soltanieh formation, Northwestern Iran

Carbonaceous macrofossils from the Ediacaran–Cambrian lower shale member of the Soltanieh formation, Northwestern Iran

Diversity and distribution of parasitic flowering plants in Iran

Iran is home to a number of taxa of parasitic plants that are distributed in diverse ecological zones of the country. The present study examined the diversity and distribution patterns of these taxa. The geo-referenced dataset of Iranian parasitic species was formed using the distributional data available in “Flora of Iran” and “Flora Iranica” as well as several herbaria. To evaluate species richness and determine the main hotspots of parasitic flora in Iran, species distribution points were mapped on 0.25° × 0.25° grid cells using the Geographic Information System. In addition, the area-corrected species richness of parasitic angiosperms was calculated for each provincial unit. According to the results, the flora of Iran includes 104 species of 21 genera belonging to parasitic plant families that cover about 1.3 % of angiosperm species nationwide. Overall, the highest species richness occurs in parts of northwestern Iran and the Central Alborz. The richness of parasitic angiosperm species is very diverse among provinces of Iran. East Azarbaijan and South Khorasan provinces have the highest and lowest number of species, respectively.

Historical anthropology of Shahsun nomads of Iran

Nomads are a group whose axis of social communication is organized based on relative, causal, real, or ideal kinship. Shahsun lived in parts of northwestern Iran, especially Mughan and Ardabil. Shahsuns are one of the most important and famous nomads of Eastern Azerbaijan province and have a long history. Shahsun nomads have special customs and traditions. Their life is mostly based on the animal husbandry economy, and agricultural activities are at the next stage of importance. They had special local clothes such as Petawa and Charuq, which are indicators of Ilat Shahsun's clothing. Among the special arts of Shahsun, I can mention handicrafts, the most important of which is Varnish weaving, as well as music and the use of various instruments such as Reeds, Tutak, Tar, and Garman, which are popular among these nomads. They live in the region of The beauty of Arsbaran is that in their way of accommodation, it is possible to mention the use of pavilions, Kome, and Chatma. Apart from field research and objective observations and experiences, the present article is an analytical study and review of texts and documents related to the history of Shahsuns. This research is based on the opinion of the French anthropologist Marcel Moss, who believes in the in-depth research method, that is deep observation and study about a limited community like nomads. What is followed in this research is to investigate and analyze the culture, beliefs, religious practices, and social behavioral patterns of the Shahsun nomads.

Insights into the Interconnected Dynamics of Groundwater Drought and InSAR-Derived Subsidence in the Marand Plain, Northwestern Iran

Groundwater drought, a significant natural disaster in arid and semi-arid regions, contributes to numerous consecutive issues. Due to the inherent complexity of groundwater flow systems, accurately quantifying and describing this phenomenon remains a challenging task. As a result of excessive agricultural development, the Marand Plain in northwestern Iran is experiencing both groundwater drought and land subsidence. The present study provides the first in-depth investigation into the intricate link between groundwater drought and subsidence. For this purpose, the open-source package LiCSBAS, integrated with the automated Sentinel-1 InSAR processor (COMET-LiCSAR), was utilized to assess land subsidence. The Standard Groundwater Index (SGI) was computed to quantify groundwater drought, aquifer characteristics, and human-induced disturbances in the hydrological system, using data collected from piezometric wells in a confined aquifer. The results revealed a negative deformation of 65 cm over a 75-month period, affecting an area of 57,412 hectares within the study area. The analysis showed that drought duration and severity significantly influence land subsidence, with longer and more severe droughts leading to greater subsidence, while more frequent drought periods are primarily associated with subsidence magnitude. Multi-resolution Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) analysis revealed significant correlations between groundwater drought and InSAR-derived land deformation in the 8–16-month period.