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According to the first monitoring programme, 23 metals were found in Caspian Sea sediments. Some of the most significant results show: Arsenic (As) concentrations were fairly high in the region and, in some areas, exceeded the NOAA standard value of 8.2 µg/g nearly three times, with values of 22.6 µg/g in Azerbaijan, 20.1 µg/g in Iran, and 20.2 µg/g in Kazakhstan. Copper (Cu) dispersion in sediments was considerably lower in the North Caspian Sea, compared to those found in the Sea’s central and southern areas. Copper concentrations surpassed the NOAA 34 µg/g standard values in several locations in Azerbaijan and Iran. A copper hot spot was also evident in Kazakhstan. This pattern of contaminant presence might indicate that the Kura River is the main source of Cu, and contamination likely caused by mining or agricultural activities in the catchment area. Mercury (Hg) concentration levels were quite high at some sites in Azerbaijan (0.450 µg/g), particularly south of Baku Bay where levels exceeded the NOAA standard of 0.15 µg/g. Nickel (Ni) was observed in high concentrations and exceeded the NOAA value of 21 µg/g in all the countries of the Caspian Sea, particularly in Azerbaijan and Iran where all monitored sites exceeded the standard level. The highest concentrations were found near the mouth of the Kura River, and it is clear that the Ural River also has an impact on concentration levels.
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This photo has been graciously provided to be used in the GRID-Arendal resources library by: GRID-Arendal
Hydroprogne caspia: juvenile
Goulet Bluff
Denham region
Coral Coast
Western Australia
also seen here was
Pied Oystercatcher, Red-capped Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones
Juvenile Caspian Tern, NZ…
Enjoy the larger version of this image here: 500px.com/photo/115067095/caspian-tern-02-by-kurien-yohannan
It is unclear how many seals remain in the Caspian Sea. From a population estimated at more than one million in the early years of the twentieth century, population estimates now vary between 110 000 and 350 000. For more than 100 years, hunting of seal pups was carried out in the frozen North Caspian area each winter. In the early twentieth century, nearly 100 000 seals were hunted each year; later a quota was set at 40,000 pups per year, further reduced to 20,000 pups per year. The hunting quota, set by the Caspian Bioresources Commission for 2007, was 18,000 seals. Even if during the last decade, no organized hunting has taken place in the North Caspian, the hunting quotas exceeded the estimated annual pup production (Härkönen et al 2008). Recent mass mortalities have reduced the seal population even further. In 2000, a mass mortality due to the canine distemper virus (CDV) caused tens of thousands of deaths throughout the Caspian (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan). Pollution has been shown to result in a high number of barren females (up to 70% of females are thought to be barren) which also threatens the overall seal population. Besides pollution and hunting, other stress factors impact on the Caspian seal population. A major food source for the seals is the small tulka fish, once abundant in the Caspian. Another factor which has become apparent in recent years is intrusion on to the ice during the pupping season and also the separation of mother seals from their pups (CEP 2007f). Active conservation efforts will be required to ensure that the Caspian seal does not become extinct. As a major mammal intimately involved in the food chain, it plays an important role in the biodiversity of the Caspian Sea and is a particular indicator of ecosystem health.
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This photo has been graciously provided to be used in the GRID-Arendal resources library by: GRID-Arendal
Three members of "Caspian" shown here opening for The Appleseed Cast downstairs at "The Middle East" in Cambridge, MA. It's not often you walk into a club and expect the opening act to blow away the rest of the lineup...
This is a heavy crop by the way.
These six Caspian Terns among eight seen today - a high count on eBirds. These birds were at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
The checklist can be viewed here: