The Economic Importance of the Weathering Materials Resulting from Volcanic-Sedimentary Rocks in the Middle Part of the Syrian Coast

The importance of this scientific research stems from the increasing demand for building materials, especially the materials involved in concrete industry. The attention was directed towards finding alternative locations for primary oresin addition to the process of reconstructing old mines as the continues inequitable taking of these materials will eventually result in wasting those resources losing them before using them in an economical suitable way. We have defined the hope positions in the areas of Banias and Tartous. We can say that deterioration of volcanic products in those areaswas a direct result of suitable climatic circumstances which were predominant (weathering process, deterioration, physical erosion, and chemical like wetness, wind, rain, temperature, and surface water streaming). The tectonic which attacked those formations later served to boost the weathering and erosion degree so that it became more effective for the production of some oxides such as (calcium oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, deterioration of rock components, and concentration of clay) asplain strataof clay deterioration according to geochemical analyses conducted in this research.

Determination of some trace heavy metals in dust particles deposed on the leafs of some trees along Syrian coast

This study deals with the determination of the quantity of solid dust particles deposed on the leafs of some trees along Syrian coast and the concentration of some heavy metals in it (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Co, Mn) .Some sites near to human and industrials activities , and others near to agriculture activities , and others relatively far from pollution sources has been selected. The results showed that the quantity of solid dust particles on leafs trees and concentration of heavy metals in it such as (Pb, Ni, Cd, Co) increasing near the industrials activities and dense traffic, and decreasing in the sites that relatively far from of pollution sources. However Cypress trees attach solid quantities more than Pride of china, following Rever red gum and Blue-leafed wattle and Oleander, and the Palm tree come in the last.

The study of reproduction biology of gilthed seabream (Sparus aurata L.) in the Syrian Coast

This study has been done on Sparus aurata (Sparidae). Fish samples (297 individuals) were collected along the Syrian Coast from March 2012 to February 2014. Total length (T) was 15 - 31 cm, and the total weight (W) was 53,1 - 410,34 g. The study of gonado somatic index (GSI) showed that the reproduction period was between November and February with a maturity peak in January (3.98±0.97)% for females ,and in December (2.19±0.29)% for males. In addition, the length at the first sexual maturity was (21.5 cm) and (22.5 cm) for males and females respectively. The results of the hepato somatic index (HSI) was compatible with the surrounding environmental and physiological changes which resulted from the change of sexual activity during the reproductive cycle. Fecundity showed a wide range for a given length, there was a linear relationship between the absolute fecundity and each of length groups and total weight. Relative fecundity was (567896-849362) egg per 1kg body weight. The frequency distribution of eggs diameters revealed the presence of one peak, and the eggs diameter during the reproduction period ranged from 0.05 to 0.3mm.

Detection of Organochlorinated Pesticides residue in sediments and some mollusks of Tartous coast

Concentrations of eight chlorinated pesticides: namely, gamma HCH, Heptachlor, heptachlore epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDD, and 4,4-DDT were studied in some mollusks species Monodonta turbinata, Brachidontes variabilis , Patella caerulea, Trochus erithraeus, Strombus persicus and in sediments taken from five different locations: Assin estuary, Jobar estuary, Banias Thermal Electricity Station, Albasia, and Mirkiya River estuary. Sampling was performed at six different times during the period 2006-2007. Results indicated that Assin estuary contained the highest level of contamination followed by Jobar estuary and Mirkiya estuary where sampled mollusks species contained various concentrations of all of the studied pesticides. At Banias Thermal Electricity Station samples showed contamination with heptachlore and heptachlore epoxide only, whereas the concentration of pesticides at Albasia location, much lower than the other locations.

Isolating and Identifying Root-Fungi (Mycorrhiza) Symbiotic with Tomato in the Syrian Coast

The objective of this study is to identify some species of mycorrhizal fungi coexisting with tomato roots in the Syrian coast. Samples were collected from five sites in two different regions: Lattakia (sites: Siano and ALbrjan) and Tartous (sites: Majdalon Elbahr, Mayaar Shaker and Hrysoon). Four samples of soil and tomato roots were collected from each site and mixed together to form a composite sample/site. Morphological characterization of isolated fungi was based on universally adopted taxonomic keys, and on the classification keys approved by the Plant Protection Research Institute of Iran. Six types of mycorrhizal fungi belonging to 5 species were identified in the different sites. Paraglomus laccaltum was present in one site (Siano), Septoglomus constrictum was isolated from 2 sites (Mayaar Shaker and Majdalon Elbahr), Claroideoglomus etunicatum was also isolated from 2 sites (Mayaar Shaker and Siano), Simiglomus hoi was present in 3 sites (Siano, Majdalon Elbahr and ALbrjan), Glomus fasciculatum was present in four sites (Siano, Mayaar Shaker, ALbrjan and Hrysoon) and Glomus clarum was present in four sites (Hrysoon, Siano, Mayaar Shaker, and Majdalon Elbahr).

A Contribution to the study of waterbirds in Syrian coast

This study aims to define bird species that use artificial lakes in Syrian coast, and evaluate their population size for management and protection of wildlife. Four different sites were chosen in Syrian coast, which considered the most important artificial lakes. Point counts method was used in bird survey in November, December, January, February, March in 2011. 15 waterbird species were recorded belonging to 9 family and 6 order. Wading birds were the main component of waterbird (60% of all species) in Syrian coast. Populations size was 1 to 300 individuals. Diversity of birds and their Populations were greatest in sites which are rich in food ( especially fish). The results showed a difference in composition of bird communities in studied sites.

Studying the status of some ornamental plant nursery's in the Syrian coastal region

Ornamental plants considered one of the modern plantation, which should be introduced in the future agricultural development plan confirmed by field studies for the most important ornamental seed plants as a samples for data collections. Through information and field data it can be concluded that, most of nursery's of ornamental plants were in a small size (less than 2.5 hectare) in comparison with some other propagated plants due to the absence of specialization. We observed a shortage in a propagated plant materials especially cut-flowers which considered the most important product. This research observed also many problems facing the producers leading to high production cost: preliminary materials, agriculture and propagation materials, expert workers beside obstacles in exporting and absence in observation and governmental help.

Isolation, identification and pathogenicity of Pythium spp. Causing tomato damping-off in greenhouses

This study was conducted in the Syrian coastal area to detect tomato seedlings damping-off disease, to identify and isolate fungi responsible of the disease and to evaluate their pathogenicity. Samples were collected from nurseries and greenhouses from four locations (Jableh and Ras Elain from Lattakia and Hressoun and Majdalon Elbahr from Tartous).

Influence of home freezing period on some chemical and organoleptic properties in some Species of the most widely consumed fish in the Syrian coast

Five Species of the most widely consumed fish in the Syrian Coast (namely Merluccius merluccius, Diplodus sargus, Siganus luridus, Lithognathus mormyrus, and Chelon labrosus). were selected for this research. Samples were collected from the fish market in lattakia, with weight ranging between 150 and 200g. Samples were cleaned by removing scales and inner organs, freezed at -35°C for five hours and then stored at - 18°C for a maximum period of six months. Chemical analysis of fish samples was carried out before and after freezing periods of one week, 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. Analysis included determination of moisture, proteins, lipids, acidity, volatile nitrogen, and peroxide value. Organoleptic evaluation was also performed on the control (fresh samples) and on the frozen samples after thawing and frying. The evaluation included taste, flavor, color, texture or meat consistency and form homogeneity.

Additional records of honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) off the Syrian coast (Eastern Mediterranean)

This paper aimed to present additional records of Honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (Forskal, 1775) (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) off the Syrian coast (Eastern Mediterranean). Two specimens were captured in Syrian waters (Tartous coast) 35º 55’ 31”E and 34º 42’ 40’’ N. The first specimen was an adult female, and the second an adult male; they measured 1078 mm and 840 mm disk width, and weighed 31.450 kg and 15.580 kg, respectively. Morphometric measurements were recorded to the nearest millimeter, and reported as percentage of the disk width (%DW). Pieces of skin and tail were deposited in the Ichthyological collection of the Marine Sciences Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty of Tishreen University, Syria.