bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N – alkanes in molluscs of Shatt Al-Arab river
Authors: Farid W.A. , Al-Saad H.T. , Al-Adhub A.H.Y.
Published: March 2023

This study comprises monitoring of the n-alkanes in the Shatt Al-Arab river by using the seven molluscs species as bioindicators. These species are: snails Lymnaea auricularia, Theodoxus jordani, Physa acuta, Melanopsis nodosa, and Melanoides tuberculata and bivalves Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula fluminalis. The species of molluscs are collected from different locations of the Shatt Al-Arab river (along the region extended from Abu Al-Khasib to Garmat-Ali) during 2004 and 2005. Each species consisted of at least 3500 adult of individuals of uniform sizes. The hydrocarbons from these species were extracted and analyzed both by spectroflurometer (total hydrocarbons) and high resolution capillary gas chromatography (n-alkanes). The concentrations of total hydrocarbons in mollusc’s species of the Shatt Al-Arab river ranged from 1.93 μg/g dry weight in T. jordani to 26.56 μg/g dry weight in C. fluminea. The range of carbon chain length of n-alkanes in these individuals was ranging from C13 - C32. The bimodal distribution with two maxima around C17 and C27 suggested two different sources of hydrocarbons both biogenic and anthropogenic. The dominance of the odd carbon numbers n-alkanes (C15, C17, C25 and C29) in the mollusc’s species indicated biogenic origin of hydrocarbons .The pristane values were more than those of phytane. Pristane and phytane in the mollusc’s species suggest biogenic origin. CPI values are more than one indicating a biogenic origin of hydrocarbons in these species. Squalane is also present in some these species intimately related to anthropogenic sources of hydrocarbons. The presence of Unresolved Complex Mixture (UCM) reflects the anthropogenic sources. The lower fat contents were found in T. jordani (0.33 mg/g) and the higher were in C. fluminea (0.98 mg/g). A significant relationship is found between the fat contents and hydrocarbons concentrations in the tissues of molluscs species (r = 0.8 - 0.9).
Some geotechnical soil properties of western bank of Khor Al-Zubair channel coast at Khor Al-Zubair Port location, southern Basrah, Iraq
Authors: Muttashar W.R.
Published: March 2023

Five Offshore Boreholes have been drilled by the National Construction Center at Basrah with cooperation the Marine Science Center/Basrah University, together with three Onshore Boreholes at the western bank of Khor Al-Zubair channel during July 2009. The drilling machine of Auger type has been used for drilling. Representative soil samples were taken at appropriate intervals ranged between 0.5 and 2.0 meters depth or where the stratum has been changed. Onshore boring depths ranged from 19.0 – 20.5 m, from natural ground surface, while, the offshore borings were from 7-16 m from the bed level. The depths of drilling reached the bedrock which is hard enough to require N-value of more than 50 blows. Standard Penetration Test (SPT) has been carried out for each 2m depths. Grain size analysis, moisture content, Atterberg limits of these soils were also determined.  The results show that there are two main strata making up the coast bank of the navigational channel of Khor Al-Zubair. First is Marly silty Clay or fat clay soil which has of a thickness18 m, and gradually changes from very soft- m.stiff to stiff-v.stiff which belongs to the Hammar deposits. The second is Silty Sand layer which has two types of sandy soil, these are: (1) borrowed Back filled layer as surficial compaction soil with of a thickness 2.0 m, and (2) are interacted lenses stratum between the gray stiff silty clay and the hard brown silty clay in the near and onshore Boreholes which belongs to the Dibdiba formation.
Nutritional potentiality of earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) for substituting fishmeal used in local feed company in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasanuzzaman A.F.Md. , Hossian Sk.Z. , Das M.
Published: March 2023

Nutritional composition of wild earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) and fishmeal used by local fish-feed industry in Bangladesh was determined to evaluate the nutritionally replacement potentiality of this earthworm species for fishmeal mostly used in feed for aquaculture and other animal production. Except for moisture content, the proximate chemical values in P. excavatus did not differ significantly (P≥0.05) from that in fishmeal. On an average, the earthworm had lower protein content (46.57 ± 0.97%) than fishmeal had (54.97 ± 7.49 %). On the other hand, the mean lipid content (8.03 ± 0.44 %) in this earthworm was found to be higher compared to fishmeal (7.97 ± 1.60 %). The average ash content in the earthworm and fishmeal were 24.26 ± 0.68 % and 24.13 ± 8.44 %, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that this earthworm species had almost similar nutritional values to the fishmeal, and thus would be a potential source of animal protein in supplementing fishmeal. In an implication, year-round production of this earthworm species through standard mass culture system, and its radical use could play a pivotal role in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture production.
Geochemical and mineralogical study of the fluvial deposits at Abul Khasib area, south east of Iraq
Authors: Al-Ali S.H.
Published: March 2023

Nine sediment samples were collected from three sites at the banks (levees) of Sarraji, Hamdan and Abul khasib creeks branching from Shatt Al-Arab river, southeastern Basrah with depths of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5m, respectively. Grain size distribution and statistical parameters revealed that the deposits are mainly composed of silt and clay with very small portion of sand, and have mud type texture. There is a tendency of increasing in silt percentage from Sarraji toward Abul Khasib area and decreasing in clay percentage with depth. Generally, the sediments are poorly sorted, coarse to strongly coarse skewed and platykurtic to very platykurtic deposited in quiet environment and low energy conditions. Chemical analysis showed that all samples have high concentration in SiO2 and CaO in comparison with Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, SO3, K2O and Na2O. These results are generally in agreement with the mineral composition. Mineralogically, the sediments understudy consists of quartz, feldspar, calcite, dolomite and gypsum. Clay minerals assemblages are: chlorite-montmorillonite mixed layers 37%, Illite 20%, Chlorite 18%, Kaolinite 14% and Palygorskite 11%. Increasing in Ch-Mont. percentage could be an evidence of high intensity of diagenetic alteration processes in depositional environment. The clay mineral assemblages proved that the recent sediments of the studied samples were derived from the basic igneous and metamorphic rocks, while acidic igneous and sedimentary rocks sources are less important. The deposition environment of these minerals may be characterized by an arid to semi-arid climate in the source area.
Water quality of the Iraqi southern marshes
Authors: Al-Saad H.T. , Al-Hello M.A. , Al-Taein S.M. , DouAbul A.A.Z.
Published: March 2023

After inundation, water quality surveys were designed and implemented during November 2005 to September 2006 at six locations, 4 in the Hor Al-Hammar (Al-Barga, Al-Nagara and Al-Baghdadia 1 and 2) the other 2 locations in Hor Al-Hwaaiza (Um Al-Warid and Um Al-Neiach). The sampling locations were selected to cover the distribution of the pollutants in these marshes. Physical and chemical stressors including the natural water quality parameters, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), temperature, salinity and pH as well as nutrients were studied. The mean range of the following parameters were recorded: pH (7.56-7.84), EC (1.29-3.22 mmohs/cm2), Ca (87.18-130.26 mg/l), Mg (60.35-111.17 mg/l), Cl (304.7-753.31 mg/l), TSS (11-38.58 mg/l), TDS (891-2040.42 mg/l), DO (5.16-10.05 mg/l), turbidity (4.57-39.03 FTU), salinity (0.53-1.7 ppt), water temperature (21.09-22.47 C°), air temperature (23.54-35.26 C°), SO4 (285.73-663.89 mg/l), HCO3 (204.39-255.22 mg/l), and TH (481.67-777.5 mg/l). These marshes are also rich in nutrient especially nitrate and phosphate which enhance their suitability for growth and billings of aquatic plants and phytoplankton. Also the seasonal variation of all the parameters were monitored during this study, and the result showed some fluctuation in some of them during different seasons at different locations of the marshes. The results obtained during this survey established important background information and a baseline for further restoration work and indicate reasonable signs of successful restoration.
Larval tapeworms (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from some Red Sea fishes, Yemen
Authors: Al-Zubaidy A.B. , Mhaisen F.T.
Published: March 2023

A total of 713 fish specimens belonging to 26 species and nine families from the Red Sea, Yemeni coastal waters were examined for the infection with trypanorhynchid cestodes during the period from September 2008 till February 2010. The results showed the occurrence of five different trypanorhynchids in viscera, body cavity and flesh of 12 fish species. These cestodes were: Pseudotobothrium dipsacum, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Floriceps minacanthus, Pseudogrillotia sp. and Nybelinia bisulcata. The first three species are recorded here for the first time in fishes from Yemeni waters of the Red Sea. Also, two fish species (Lethrinus mahsena and Valamugil seheli) are considered as new hosts for N. bisulcata in the Yemeni waters of the Red Sea. C. gracilis was found in nine different fish species. Five fish species (Pomodasys argenteus, Lethrinus lentjan, L. nebulosus, Scomberomorus commerson and Thunnus tonggol) harbored three trypanorhynchids (P. dipsacum, C. gracilis and N. bisulcata) in their muscles. Among fishes, both L. lentjan and T. tonggol were the most infected hosts, as each of them harbors three different trypanorhynchids.
First record of the Marine Calanoid Copepod Pseudodiaptomus c.f. ardjuna from Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq
Authors: Mohamed H.H.
Published: March 2023

The marine calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus c.f. ardjuna (Brehm, 1953) was recorded from some freshwater habitats in some regions of the Shatt A-Arab River during March – July 2009. These regions include Al-Kurnish area, Al-Sindebad Island during April-August 2009 and at Al-Gurna city on March 2009 only. The species is briefly described in this work and its morphological characters are compared with earlier descriptions from Iraqi coastal water, like the total length of female and male, body shape, female genital segment, the shape of the male posterior prosomal segment and number of the setae of the furcal rami.
A new record of three tubificid species (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from Al-Hawiezah marsh, Iraq
Authors: Jaweir H.J.
Published: March 2023

This paper reports the first record of three species of aquatic oligochaete worms from Al-Hawiezah marsh, south of Iraq. It was evident that the specimens belonged to the family: Naididae, subfamily: Tubificinae, Species: Aulodrilus pigeuti; Embolocephalus velutinus and Limnodrilus profundicola. A. pigueti is a new record for Iraqi fauna. The study includes the identification and description of these species together with photographic illustrations of chaetal types of each species.
Modified method for the determination of cobalt (II) and copper (II) ions by adopting schiff base complexes in water of Shatt Al-Arab river
Authors: Mohammed M.H.
Published: March 2023

A new method of complex formation between cobalt or copper ions and Schiff Base (derived from Schiff Base of salicyldehyde and amino acids) was adopted for the determination of cobalt and copper ions in water samples of Shatt Al-Arab River. For water sampling   three stations along Shatt Al-Arab River were selected as follows: 1) discharging point in Shatt Al-Arab from Basrah paper and mill industries, 2) Karmatt Ali Bridge, and 3) Siba downstream to the southern region of Shatt Al-Arab river. After the formation of a complex with Schiff Base, Cobalt and Copper in the water of Shatt Al-Arab were determined spectrophotometricaly at wave length of 270 nm and 295 nm respectively. It is found that cobalt concentrations were (0.152, 0.174, 0.165) mg.l-1 and copper concentrations were (0.014, 0.021, 0.023) mg.l-1 in stations 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The method is reliable with sensitivity, accuracy, standard deviation and detection limit of (0.0235 gm.cm.l-1, 3.05×10-6, 0.00184, 0.52×10-7) for cobalt complex and (0.0135 gm.cm.l-1, 3.31×10-6, 0.00215, 0.6×10-8) for copper complex, respectively.
Distribution and seasonal variations of n-alkanes in some species of molluscs from Shatt Al-Arab river
Authors: Al-Saad A.A. , Farid W.A. , Al-Adhub A.Y.
Published: March 2023

The seasonal variations of n-alkanes compounds in molluscs of Shatt Al-Arab river have been studied. The species of molluscs were the snails, Lymnaea auricularia, Theodoxus jordani, Physa acuta, Melanopsis nodosa, Melanoides tuberculata while the bivalves were Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula fluminalis. The molluscs were collected from different locations of Shatt Al-Arab river (along the region extended from Abu-Al-Khasib to Garmat-Ali) during 2004 and 2005. Each species consisted of at least 350 adults of uniform size of individuals. The n-alkanes compounds from species of molluscs were extracted and analyzed by high resolution capillary gas chromatography. The total concentrations of n–alkanes in the molluscs varied from 1.50 μg/g dry weight in the T. jordani to 8.78 μg/g dry weight in the C. fluminea during summer and from 2.26 μg/g dry weight to 12.37 μg/g dry weight during autumn. While ranged from 3.15 μg/g dry weight to 12.44 μg/g dry weight and from 1.78 μg/g dry weight to 5.31 μg/g dry weight during winter and spring. The study confirmed lower concentrations of n-alkanes compounds in the molluscs of Shatt Al-Arab river during summer and spring while higher concentrations were recorded during winter and autumn. This is due to several factors which could act to produce such seasonal variations.
Proximate biochemical composition of some commercial marine fishes from Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Authors: Barua P. , Pervez M.A , Sarkar D. , Sarker S.
Published: March 2023

Fish is known to be one of the cheapest sources of animal protein and other essential nutrients required in human diets. The knowledge of proximate biochemical composition of fishery species is fundamentally important for: the application of different technological processes, the characteristics post-mortem of species, as an aspect of quality of raw material and giving an idea of sexual stage. The study was conducted to determine the proximate biochemical composition of four marine fishes of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. The study fishes were Dasyatis americana, Dasyatis pastinaca, Dasyatis zugei and Gymnothorax favagineus. From the study, it was found that Dasyatis americana contains highest protein, fat and ash concentration while Dasyatis Pastinaca holds highest concentration of moisture and lowest value of protein and fat. On the other hand, Dasyatis zugei hold lowest concentration of moisture and ash. Proximate biochemical composition of all species showed that their percentage of protein and fat content are good and can be a food item in parallel to the bony fishes.
Fish survey of inland lagoons and water surrounding Sammaliah Island – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Authors: Al-Lamy J.H. , Taher M.M. , Al-Ali A.K.H.
Published: March 2023

Fishing was conducted from March, 2001 to August, 2006 in the water surrounding Samalliah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE and intertidal laggons of this island using different fishing gears. Traps and hooks and lines were used five days a week, cast nets were used once a week, while seine nets and fixed gillnets were used seasonally. A total of 65 fish species belonging to 35 families and to 51 genera were recorded during sampling period. Fish species are classified according to their appearance in the samples to four groups. Very common species comprising 26.1% (17 species), common species comprising 24.6% (16 species), rare species comprising 35.4% (23 species) and very rare species comprising 13.8% (9 species) of total fished species. Sixteen species were captured by hooks and lines, eleven species by garkoors and fourteen species by cast net.
Diversity of Cladocera of the Shatt Al-Arab River, Southern Iraq
Authors: Ajeel S.G. , Abbas M.F.
Published: March 2023

Samples of zooplankton were collected monthly from three stations in the Shatt Al-Arab region (Al-Hartha, Garmat Ali and Al-Ashaar) for the period from June 1996 to May 1997 using a plankton net with a mesh-size of 120 µm. Twenty species of Cladocera belonging to 14 genera were recorded in the study area. The total number of Cladocera ranged between 0.3 ind./m3 during October 1996 and 7207 ind./m3 during April 1997. The highest values of Shannon Weaver diversity index and Richness index were recorded at station 3 during December and June (1.8 and 7.62, respectively), and the lowest values were (0) and 0.23, reported in July at station 3 and in March at station 2. The highest value of Evenness (1.0) was recorded at station 3, during October and the lowest (0.01) was recorded at station 2 during April. The Jaccard index indicates that the highest similarity was between stations 1 and 3 (34.48) and the lowest was between stations 2 and 3 (30.49).
First record of six shark species in the territorial marine waters of Iraq with a review of cartilaginous fishes of Iraq
Authors: Ali A.H.
Published: March 2023

During collection of some marine fishes from Khor Al-Ummaia at territorial Iraqi waters, north-west Arabian Gulf, six shark species were recorded for the first time in Iraq. These are: sand tiger shark Carchariaus taurus Rafinesque, 1810, hooktooth shark Chaenogaleus macrostoma (Bleeker, 1852), Arabian smooth-hound Mustelus mosis Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899, milk shark Rhizoprionodon acutus (Rüppell, 1837), Grey sharpnose shark R. oligolinx Springer, 1964, and zebra shark Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann, 1783). The systematic characters for each species are given. The historical records of elasmobranchs of Iraq is reviewed and discussed. The present records bring the total number of shark species in Iraq to 17 species.
Antibacterial activity of four marine seaweeds collected from the coast of Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Elnabris K.J. , Elmanama A.A. , Chihadeh W.N.
Published: March 2023

Four commonly occurring marine seaweeds; Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha compressa (Chlorophyta), Padina pavonica (Phaeophyta) and Jania rubens (Rhodophyta) were collected from the coast of Gaza strip, Palestine. Crude extracts were prepared using the solvent methanol and evaluated for antibacterial activity by well diffusion method against both Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). The crude methanolic extract of U. lactuca inhibited the growth of all the test organisms except E. coli. Seaweed extract of E. compressa was found to be effective against two of the examined bacteria. Algae belonging to Chlorophyta showed higher antibacterial activity than other members of the algae tested in the present investigation. The methanol extracts of brown and red algae did not show any significant effect on the growth of tested bacteria. E. coli was resistant to all the extracts. Results of the present study confirmed the potential use of seaweed extracts as a source of antibacterial compounds.
Effect of different dietary proteins and fats on the digestive enzymes activities in the common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio L.) reared in floating cages
Authors: Al-Saraji A.Y.J. , Nasir N.A.N.
Published: March 2023

The digestive enzyme activities of the common carp fed with different diets of protein sources were investigated during 150 days trial in order to obtain a theoretical basis for artificial diet preparation for the culture of carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio L.). The results showed that the fish at treatment 3 (protein 13.82%, fat 4.76% and carbohydrate 67.81%) had high levels of alkaline protease activity. Acid protease activity was high at the treatment 1 (protein 23.68%, fat 16.28% and carbohydrate 43.68%) (p<0.05). In general, the acid protease activity was higher than alkaline protease during the course of the study. Amylase activity reached a highest value in fish fed with none animal protein sources (treatment 3). Lipase activity showed a high level in fish fed with high lipid contents (treatment 1).
The impact of high alkali media on the biochemical compositions of two hydrophytes; Lemna minor L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. from Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah-Iraq
Authors: Haraib K.K.
Published: March 2023

The present work aims at understanding the effect of high alkali media on the biochemical composition of two hydrophytes; Lemna minor L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. Each of these two hydrophytes was planted in 4-one liter glass containers of pH 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 under laboratory conditions. Samples were taken after two weeks for physico-chemical parameters and tissue (protein, fat and ash) analysis. The results show that the highest protein contents (34.81 %, 34.66 %) were found in the control medium of L. minor, in C. demersum at pH 7.5. The least protein content was 21.45% in L.minor at pH 9.5. As to the fat contents the highest value (7.50 %) was recorded in L. minor at pH 9.5, while the least one was 1.181% in L. minor at pH 10.5. The highest ash content of C. demersum was 19.88 % at pH 10.5 and the least was 11.93% at the control. High pH showed negative impact on protein content of the two aquatic plants. The protein was reduced as the pH value elevates, but at pH 10.5 the protein content rised again. As for fat content, increasing pH caused increasing of fat in L. minor and its decreasing in C. demersum except pH 10.5 at which the fat comes up again in reverse to the former plant. The ash content of L. minor was fluctuating, whereas in C. denersum, the increasing of pH value caused increasing of ash content.
Studies on the morphology of the olfactory organ in the freshwater teleost, Labeo bata (Hamilton
Authors: Ghosh S.K. , Chakrabarti P.
Published: March 2023

The structural components of the olfactory apparatus of Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) were studied morphologically as well as histologically. The oval shaped olfactory rosette was comprised of 24-26 lamellae of different sizes on each side of the median raphe. Histologically each lamella was composed of two layers of olfactory epithelium separated by narrow central core which made up of loose connective tissues, nerve fibres and blood vessels. The sensory olfactory epithelium contained principally three types of receptor cells: primary, secondary and microvillous cells. The non-sensory epithelium was typified with a series of mucous cells, stratified epithelial cells and mast cells. Basal cells were situated at the base of the epithelium, adjacent to the central core. Various cells on the olfactory epithelium were correlated with their functional consequence of fish concerned.
Heavy metal concentrations in the bivalve Corbicula fluminalis shells from Shatt Al-Arab River
Authors: Al-Jaberi M.H.
Published: March 2023

This study was to investigate the contamination in the Shatt Al-Arab River by determining the heavy metals in the limnic bivalve Corbicula fluminalis, a sentinel species. The results showed that the values of Ba, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Sr, Cu, Mn and Fe in Corbicula fluminalis shells increased significantly from the beginning point toward the central part of Shatt Al-Arab River. This increase may be explained from the high incidence of pollution from sewage, development, and industry in the central part of Shatt Al-Arab River compared to the north
First record of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Shatt Al-Arab River, Southern Iraq
Authors: Al-Faisal A.J. , Mutlak F.M.
Published: March 2023

The exotic cichlid Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) was first recorded from the Shatt Al-Arab River, at Basrah (Abu-al-Khasib), Iraq. This species was the third cichlid recorded in Iraq. O. aureus and Tilapia zillii have also been recorded for the region. Samples were collected by gill nets during November 2013 and April 2014. Specimens ranged from 192 to 292 mm total length and from 136.5 to 500.06 g. in weight. The Nile tilapia is characterized by having regular dark vertical stripes on the caudal fin, dorsal fin with 17-18 spines, 35-40 lateral line scales and 28-31gill rakers.
On the Organochlorine pesticide residues in the Marshes, Shatt Al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf system
Authors: Douabul A.A.Z. , Al-Timari A.A.K.
Published: March 2023

Organochlorine pesticides are a class of toxic compounds characterized by their relative chemical and biological stability. They are ubiquitous in the environments and are soluble in liquids. Consequently Organochlorine pesticides have been placed on “the top of black list” of potential environmental hazards. Studies on Organochlorine residues have been carried out between 1979-1991. The residues were determined in water, sediments and organisms collected from the Marshes, Shatt Al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf system. Most of the data confirmed the present of ∑DDT, Endrin, Dieldrin, Chlordane and Heptachlor. Their concentrations ranged from nd-336, nd-111, 12-195, nd-57 and nd-79 ng/l in dissolved, from 0.1-2560, nd-217, nd-0.97 , nd-171 and nd-679 µg/kg in particulate and from 0.04-220, nd-47, nd-22, nd from nd-24 µg/kg in sediments from 1-189, nd-154, nd-32, nd-58 and nd-6 ppb in fish, from 0.59-784, 166-540, 2-72, 5-3.1 and nd ppb in mussel and from 0.3-6.3, nd-0.4, nd-0.8, nd and nd-0.3 ppb in shrimp respectively. In the last decade only two studies on Organochlorine residues have been done. One of them in the Mesopotamian wetlands of southern Iraq in which residues of p,p´-DDT have been detected in 100% of the examined samples. This indicates its ability to persist under severe drying of previously exposed surface sediments, long period of more than 10 years of previously exposed surface sediments, high temperature, and intensive solar radiation, and the other by using samples of water, sediment, fish and shrimp from Hor Al-Hammar Marshes of Iraq, high concentration of chlordane in both water and sediments were shown. Therefore further work is needed to establish the baseline levels of Organochlorine residue in the Marshes, Shatt Al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf region.
Addition of four new records of Naidid (Oligochaeta) to the Iraqi fauna
Authors: Al-Abbad M.Y.M.
Published: March 2023

The present study is concerned with the new records of oligochaete species to the Iraqi fauna. The oligochaete specimens were collected from shallow water of six sites on the bank of Shatt Al-Arab river, southern Iraq, during the period from March to August 2011. These oligochaetes were isolated from the surface layer of sediment and submerged plants. The species are Dero cooperi Stephenson, 1932, Dero sawayai Marcus, 1943, Pristinella idrensis (Sperber, 1948), and Pristinella notopora (Cernosvitov, 1937), they were recorded for the first time from Iraq. Measurements and the most important diagnostic features of these species were presented.
Rotifers diversity at Shatt Al-Arab River and Shatt Al-Basrah canal, South of Iraq, during the abnormal rising of water salinity
Authors: Ahmed H.K. , Ghazi A.H.H.
Published: March 2023

This study was conducted during the period from November 2009 to March 2010 when the river of Shatt Al-Arab was subjected to abnormal rising in water salinity. The diversity of rotifers was studied in three different stations included two branches of Shatt Al-Arab River: Station 1 (Al-Asafia), Station 2 (Abu Al-Khaseeb-Jecor) and Station 3 (Shatt Al-Basrah canal). The highest values of water salinity (8.6, 16.7 and 22.5‰) were found during November 2009 in St. 1, St. 2 and St. 3 respectively and the lowest values (1.5, 1.9 and 2.8‰) were recorded in March 2010 in the three stations respectively. About 26 species of rotifers were diagnosed belongs to 16 genera, about 25 species recorded in St. 1 whereas, 13 and 12 species were recorded in St. 2 and St. 3 respectively. Jaccard's index showed presence of similarity of rotifers species between St. 2 and St. 3 compared to St. 1.
Checklists of crustaceans of freshwater and marine fishes of Basrah Province, Iraq
Authors: Khamees N.R. , Mhaisen F.T. , Ali A.H.
Published: March 2023

Reviewing the literature on all the crustaceans parasitizing freshwater and marine fishes of Basrah province, Iraq indicated the presence of 74 crustacean taxa. Sixty-five taxa belonged to the class Maxillopoda while nine taxa belonged to the class Malacostraca. All these crustaceans were adults living on the external surface of their fish hosts while three taxa were reported as larvae. Fifty-five species of such crustaceans were recorded from marine localities, 11 from freshwater localities and the remaining were from both freshwater and marine localities. The total number of crustacean species recorded for each fish host species fluctuated from a minimum of one crustacean species in 31 fish hosts to a maximum of 15 crustacean species in Chelon subviridis only. Number of fish hosts reported for these crustaceans fluctuated from one host in case of 45 crustacean species to a maximum of 18 hosts in case of praniza larvae of Gnathia sp.
Diagnosis and ecological distribution of aquatic (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in Sullein marsh in Basrah, South of Iraq
Authors: Al-Edani .A.Z.S. , Kareem D.K.
Published: March 2023

Present study was done during the period between April 2012 and March 2013 in Sullein Marsh, Basrah South of Iraq. Results recorded four families, four genera and four species of hemipteran insects community in different seasons. The families are Corixidae included the species Sigara lateralis (Leach, 1817), Macrovellidae included the species Macrovelia hornii (Uhler, 1872), Pleidae included the species Plealeachi (McGregor and Kirkaldy, 1899) and Mesovillidae included two species Mesovelia vittigera (Horvath, 1895) (apterous) and M. vettigera (macropterous). Some physico-chemical parameters were measured, such as air and water temperatures, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn) in water. Analysis showed that air and water temperatures correlated with distribution of aquatic Hemiptera, the highest numbers of insects were collected in Winter months and lowest numbers collected in Summer months, the maximum rate of air temperature was 41 ºC in July and the minimum was 13 ºC in January, the maximum and the minimum rates of water temperatures were 32 ºC and 7 ºC in the same months, the maximum range of DO was 11 mg/l in January and the minimum was 8 in July, the maximum concentration of salinity was 3.3 g/l in July and the minimum was 2.8 g/l in January and February. About pH the maximum range was 8.2 in January and the minimum was 7.4 in June and July. Maximum concentration of Fe, Pb, Cu and Zn were 215.01, 22.78, 18.54 and 223.14 μg/l respectively in July.
Ecological study of zooplankton in the Shatt Al-Basrah canal, Basrah-Iraq
Authors: Abbas M.F.
Published: March 2023

Seasonal abundance and distribution of Zooplankton were studied at three stations in the Shatt Al-Basrah canal, during the period from 2 April 2011 to 2 January 2012. The lowest value of zooplankton density recorded was 5 ind./m3 at station one in winter 2012, and the highest was 621200 ind./m3 at station three in spring 2011. Rotifera were dominated the zooplankton community (55%), followed by Copepoda (27%) then by Cirripede larvae (13%). Water temperatures, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were measured at each station, as well as some ecological indices were calculated. Water temperature ranged from 12 to 33.2 ºC at stations one and three, respectively. Salinity values changed from 15.6 to 35.1 psu at stations one and three respectively with a decline in spring and an increase in summer. pH values were on the alkaline side, dissolved oxygen varied from 2.53 to 8.7 mg/l in spring and autumn at stations three and one, respectively. The maximum diversity index value was 0.7 at station one, richness index values was 0.54 at station three and evenness index value was 0.87 at station two. Higher similarity was obtained between stations 1 and 3 and lower value recorded between stations 2 and 3.
Phenotypic study for embryonic and larval development of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758)
Authors: Mojer A.M.
Published: March 2023

The early development of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) was studied from fertilizing until juvenile stage. The series developmental staging was done using morphological characteristics. Results identified eight main periods of embryogenesis: zygote, morula, blastula, gastrula, neurella, segmentation, pharyngula and hatching period. Results also identified and described nine larval development stages: hatching larva stage, rudimentary - pectoral fin and gill arch stage, melanoid-eye with gas bladder emergence stage, one chamber gas bladder with yolk absorption stage, two chamber gas bladder stage, pelvic fin bud with dorsal fin formation stage, anal-caudal and pelvic fin formation stage, squamation stage and juvenile stage. Hatching occurred at 38h after egg fertilization. The fertilized egg was spherical, yellowish, transparent and 2.5 mm in diameter. The transition from larva to juvenile occurred in 30 days.
Seasonal variations of heavy metal concentrations in tissues of Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonianus) from Iraqi marine and coastal waters, Northwestern Arabian Gulf
Authors: Nasir N.A. , Al-Najar G.A
Published: March 2023

This study was carried out during the period from Winter 2010 to Winter 2011 to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Pb) in tissues of commercially valuable coastal fishes (Talang Queenfish, Scomberoides commersonianus) from Iraqi coastal areas around the Faw Peninsula which receives petrochemical wastes. Thus, it is important to identify the extent of concentrations of heavy metals in fish and consider potential impacts on the food chain and risks to human health. Fe had the highest level of accumulation in the four tissues examined (gill, muscle, liver and gonad) of S. commersonianus whilst Pb had the lowest (p < 0.05). The order of the heavy metal concentrations in the gills, muscles, liver and gonad tissues of S. commersonianus across all the stations was Fe (198.27 μg/g) > Co (21.07 μg/g) > Cu (7.89 μg/g) > Ni (5.43 μg/g) > Pb (1.85 μg/g). This study suggests that additional measures must be taken to monitor waste and ambient water quality, and to prevent contamination of fish for human consumption
Observations on some reproductive features of Carasobarbus luteus (Heckel, 1843) from the Shatt Al-Arab River, Southern Iraq
Authors: Abdullah A.H.J. , AI-Noor S.S.
Published: March 2023

The present study was conducted from December 2013 to November 2014 to investigate the reproductive features of Himri Carasobarbus luteus in the Northern reaches of Shatt Al-Arab river in Southern Iraq. The samples were collected using seine, gill, cast nets as well as electrofishing. A total of 351 specimens from himri were caught but only mature individuals were chosen to estimate the absolute and relative fecundity and egg diameters. The results of the present research revealed that the highest GSI values were recorded in male and female (4.63 and 11.99) during the April month. Absolute fecundity was increased with length, weight and gonads weight, and it was ranged as 2098 eggs for 131 mm total length and 35 g weight to 14147 eggs for 209 mm total length and 131 g weight. Relationship between length, weight and reproductive parameters were highly significant. A highest relative condition factor of females (1.24) was calculated in March 2014.
Composition and abundance of fish assemblage in Khor Al-Zubair lagoon, North West of Arabian Gulf
Authors: KYounis K.H. , Al-Shamary A.Ch.
Published: March 2023

The present study describes the fish assemblages in Khor Al-Zubair lagoon which was located in North West region of Arabian Gulf. The present research was carried out from August 2012 to July 2013 by using various nets. Two environmental factors viz., temperature and salinity were measured during the study period. The total number of individuals collected was 2964. The highest number (513) was recorded in August month and the lowest number (31) was observed in January. Thirty eight species belonging to 28 families of Osteichthyes and two species of Chondrichthyes (Aetobatus narinari and Chiloseyllium grisum) were collected in the region, Mastacemblus mastacembelus and Tilapia zillii were recorded for the first time. The highest number of species (19) was recorded in September while the lowest (8) was noticed in the February month. Three species viz., Thryssa whiteheadi, Liza klunzingeri and L. subviridis formed 43.65 % of the total fish catch. The overall value of diversity index (H), Eveness (D) and Richness (J) were 2.5, 3.4 and 0.8 respectively.
New record of Chromistan parasites of copepods and rotifers in Iraqi marine and brackish waters
Authors: Khalaf T.A. , Awad A.H.H. , Morad M.S.S.
Published: March 2023

The present study was focused on the infections of some zooplankton groups (copepoda and rotifer) with ecto and endo parasites in Iraqi marine and estuarine brackish water during the period from January to the end of October 2010 by seasonally intervals. Samples were collected from 5 selected stations represent Iraqi marine and brackish waters. Many parasites were recorded on copepods and other zooplankton in the study area, these are: Ellobiopsis chattoni, Ellobiopsis sp., Thalassomyces sp., Blastodinium sp., Zoothamnium sp., Dinoflagellate and peritrich ciliates. These parasites were recorded for the first time in Iraqi marine and brackish waters except for Ellobiopsis chattoni, and the genus Thalassomyces sp. which were recorded in Kuwaiti waters before. The percentage and the intensity of infections were studied; the highest percentage of infections copepods was 35.7% in winter at station 4, while the lowest was 0.73% at stations 2 during autumn. The highest percentage of infections in rotifers was 9.49% at station 1 during autumn, while the lowest percentage was 0.15 % at station 3 during winter. The highest mean intensity of the copepods was 12.03 at station 1 during summer, while the lowest value was 1.05 in the same station during autumn. The highest mean intensity of the copepods and rotifers was 6.3 at station 2 during summer, while the lowest was 0.8 in the same station during autumn. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used in this study for identification of some ecto parasites of copepods.
Flushing Time of Shatt Al-Arab River, South of Iraq
Authors: Abdullah S.S. , Lafta A.A. , Al-Taei S.A. , Al-Kaabi A.H.
Published: March 2023

Flushing time for tidal rivers and estuaries is of great benefits for those involved in taking appropriate decisions in water resources management. Shatt Al-Arab River is the main and only source of fresh water to Basra City, South of Iraq. Unfortunately, this river is facing an environmental deterioration as a result of presence of many pollution sources. The calculated flushing time of the river helps to estimate the expected time needed to renew the river water. Fresh water fraction method was used to calculate flushing time. The results showed that three factors are responsible for affecting the value of flushing time. These factors are upstream coming flow discharge, phenomenon of tide and lastly the location distance from the estuary. The results also showed that the flushing time of the northern part of the river from Maqal port until the confluence with Karun River are much more than that of southern part. Results also showed that the flushing time for the whole parts of the river was 2.4 months.
Assessment of the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthic communities in the Syrian coast, Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Ammar I. , Hussein Ch.
Published: March 2023

The present study was aimed to evaluate several benthic biological indices to assess the ecological quality status of marine environments in Syria. Samples were obtained from four different areas of Syrian coast (Al-Bassit, Banias, Tartous and Al-Hamidia) on a monthly scale from March 2007 to December 2007. Results showed that the percentage of benthic species are increased significantly in the stations with healthy ecological status. The cluster analysis and the MDS have shown that the studied stations are subjected to environmental disturbance. Some species have been found to be more sensitive (high values of Hurlbert Index) than others such as the Rhinoclavis kochi, which belonged to the Gastropodes taxa and Notomastus latericeus belonged to the polychaetes taxa. The ecological quality of the Syrian coast was assessed using three biotic indices (H′, AMBI and BQI). The Shannon–Wiener index H′ was ranged from 2.88 to 5.39. Thus, the ecological status varied between moderate and high. The values of AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and Benthic Quality Index (BQI) classified the ecological state between high and good (slight disturbance).
A preliminary study on the effects of different salinities on some hormones level in serum of Yellow fin seabream Acanthopagrus latus fingerlings.
Authors: AlKatrani L.M.A.A.
Published: March 2023

A laboratory experiment was performed on fingerlings of Acanthopagrus latus to estimate the effect of direct transfer from the controlled salinity 1.5 psu to different salinities of (1.5, 7.5, 15, 30 and 45 psu) for periods of (6, 24, 48 and 96) hrs. for short term effect experiments. The following hormones (cortisol, prolactin, thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) were determined in the serum of these fishes by ELISA technique after exposed to different salinities. Results of T4 and T3 were correlated directly with salinity increase, the (96 hrs.) of time was not enough to reach the stable state of these hormones at all salinities. The salinity 45 psu gave the lowest level of T3 (0.468) ng/ml and showed a sharp drift of T4 level at the time 24 hrs. (0.368) μg/dl, which indicated a breaking down of these hormones, and A. latus fingerlings were unable to sustain at this salinity. Prolactin hormone was correlated inversely with the salinity increase which means that there was ability of this hormone to acclimate in freshwater. Cortisol level was high in high and low salinities indicating its activity in freshwater and seawater environments. The study concludes that the four hormones (cortisol, prolactin, T4 and T3) in the blood serum of A. latus fingerlings showed a clear variations upon salinity changes in the short term effect experiment as a transit status reflecting the capability of these fingerlings to adapt to wide range of salinities vary from 1.5 psu to 30 psu, and the salinity 45 psu was out of its tolerance range.
The concentrations of radon in the marine sediments of Ra's Al-Besha, Northern west of the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Jaber M.Q. , Al-Hashimi N.H.N. , Subber A.R.H.
Published: March 2023

Pollution is the common problem in the biosphere and the pollution in the marine habitat was noticed more in the present scenario. There are two ways for the pollution marine habitats. They are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and Artificially Radionuclides (TENORM). Methods used to estimate the concentration of radionuclides are passive (can technique) which use CR-39 and active with different ways. The passive and active methods are different in the exposure time for detectors. The study area Ra's Al-Beshais lie in the northern west of the Arabian Gulf. The obtained average value of radon concentration with arithmetic mean value of 400.7±198 Bq m-3 by the passive method. The mass exhalation rate in sediment samples under study with average value 0.1617 Bq.kg-1.h-1. This value was acceptable worldwide and safe to use
Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in muscles of commercial fishes from Iraqi waters
Authors: Al-Imarah F.J.M. , Nasir A.M. , Al-Timari A.A.K. , Al-Anbar L.J.M.
Published: March 2023

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in the muscles of eight kind of fishes from National Iraqi Waters, Five marine species viz., Euryglossa orientalis, Otolithes ruber, Lethvinus nebulosus, Epinephelus coioides and Johnieops sina which were collected from Iraqi marine waters, and three species viz, Cyprinus carpio, Carasobarbus luteus and Plantiliza abu which were collected from Shatt Al-Arab river fresh water. All fishes were collected during spring and autumn seasons within the year 2015. Recorded total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish species from Iraqi national waters were varied between 0.054 and 155.44 ng/g, while for individual fishes: Anthracene recorded the highest values varied between 17.629 and 155.44 ng/g dry wet. Lower total PAHs value recorded was 197.54 ng/g dry wet. in O. ruber and higher total PAHs value recorded was 381.415 ng/g dry wet. in E. coioides, followed by P. abu which recorded higher total PAHs value of 275.938 ng/g dry wet. Large differences in the values of PAHs recorded during autumn 2015 were achieved which were lower than those recorded during spring. According to the ratios between low and high molecular weight PAHs, there are two sources for PAHs in the investigated fishes, the first was pyrogenic which was appeared in the fishes L. nebulosus and E. orientalis only for 0.355 and 0.274 ng/g respectively during spring 2015 and second anthrapogenic which appeared in all fishes except L. nebulosus and E. orientalis. Therefore during spring season the dominated source was the anthropogenic one. For the results of Autumn season, the ratios indicate predominant the values which were lower than 1 for mostly all studied fishes except that for E. orientalis which was equal to 1.040 indicating that most of the PAHs were from anthropogenic source. Although, concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fishes from national Iraqi waters along North West Arabian Gulf were recorded in most studied fishes, but they markedly higher than that in the background and previously reported studies in the same and nearby areas. From a public health point, petroleum hydrocarbon residue levels, especially the carcinogenic ones, in all fish samples analyzed in this study are considerably lower than the hazardous levels and doesn’t exert any health effect upon human being upon consumption.
Phytoremediation in Removing Selected Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ibrahim F.H.
Published: March 2023

Bioaccumulation of Ulothrix zonate was compared for cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc removal at various concentrations and contact time. The results of the present investigation showed that the lowest amount of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn was adsorbed when the initial heavy metal concentration was 10 ppm whereas Cd showed highest concentration at 20 ppm and Cu exhibited greatest removal at 30 ppm. The metals Ni and Zn exhibited highest removal at 40 ppm. The value of Freundlich model constant (1/n) for different metals ranged from 0.334 to 0.721 and the values of Langmuir separation factor values (RL) varied between 0.111 and 0.722 which indicated favorable bio-sorption by the biomass of the algae. The order of metals uptake was found to be Ni>Zn>Cu>Cd. The finding of the study showed that U. zonate has much potential as a biosorbent for the sorption of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn and indicated that the metal uptake was concentration-independent for Cd and Zn whereas for Cu and Ni an increase in initial metal concentration resulted in higher metal uptake. This present study leads the way for the future studies on the use of algae as a cheap bio-adsorbent for heavy metals removal in Iraq which is suffering from huge inland waste water.