International Journal of Marine Science 2015, Vol.5, No.49: 1-9
2
different land use to prevent the salinization in this soil
which irrigated with Shatt Al-Arab water.
Water quality characteristics of an aquatic environment
are of great significance for the proper understanding
of distribution, growth and physiological function of
the biotic community inhabiting the area. Understanding
of water quality is also a very important factor in the
semi-enclosed systems where nutrients and pollutants
may be concentrated and where the growth and
proliferation of plankton is largely dependent on the
environmental and physico- chemicals variables
which can either support or limit their production
capacities. Although scientific measurements are used
to define water quality, it is not simple to say that
water is good or bad. So the determination is typically
made, relative to the purpose of the water.Whether it
is for drinking or to wash a car or for some other
purpose, poor water quality can pose a health risk for
people and ecosystem.
As described by (Tabari et al., 2011) that one major
goal of surface water quality data collection may be
the estimation of magnitude of changes in the
concentration of various constituents. Such estimates
may be to determine water quality impacts over time
due to human activities, changes brought about by
regulations, improvements to waste water treatment
facilities, or land use changes. Also, the goal of water
quality assessment includes: accurately assessing
pollution level identifying the key pollutants’ effect on
the quality of water and future development trend
(Al-Hejuje 2015 ).
This field study was initiated to assess the extent and
magnitude of water quality threats of the Shatt
AL-Arab-estuary. Six sampling locations were selected
to cover the distribution of the pollutants in this
estuary. The physical and chemical aspects of the
water
were assessed which will provide valuable
indications of the overall health of the ecosystem of
the Shatt AL-Arab estuary.
Materials and Methods
Water sampler were used to collected water samples
monthly, from August 2008 to July 2009. from 6 fixed
stations as shown in Figure. (1).The stations on
different sectors of Shatt Al-Arab, are Al-Qurna, paper
factory, Al- Sindebad, Al-Ashar, Al-Sebah and Al-Fao
(indicate the number - station 1-6) .The air and water
temperatures were measured by simple thermometers
with a range of 10-100˚C graduate at 0.2˚C,; pH was
measured using pH meters model HANNA
HI-9821,and Electrical Conductivity (EC) was
measured using portable digital conductivity meters
(WTW 3301).The TDS, TSS, HCO
3
and SO
2-
and DO,
Mg, Ca and Cl were analyzed according to APHA
(2005) standard method. Nutrient (NO3, NO2, PO4,)
were measured by using Parson et al. (1984) methods.
Result and Discussion
Water is a natural resource with limited and uneven
distribution in time and space. All forms of life and all
human activities are dependent on water. Water
resources in Shatt al-Arab estuary are of great
importance to human life and economy and are the
main source of meeting the demand for drinking water,
for irrigation of lands and industries. Lack of water is
considered as a limiting factor of socio-economic
development of a country. The rates of biological and
chemical processes depend on temperature. Aquatic
organisms from microbes to fish are dependent on
certain temperature ranges for their optimal health.
Optimal temperatures for fish depend on the species:
some survive best in colder water, whereas others
prefer warmer water. Benthic macro invertebrates are
also sensitive to temperature and will move in the
stream to find their optimal temperature. If temperatures
are outside this optimal range for a prolonged period of
time, organisms are stressed and can die.
Figure 1 .Map of the Shatt Arab Estuary showing the sampling
locations
