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Productivity and nutrients balance during wet and dry seasons in Huwaiza Marsh, Southern Iraq
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N.A. Salman *   , A.A. Al-Saboonchi |
| Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Misan, Iraq |
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Abstract: (199 Views) |
Levels of nutrients in Huwaiza marsh as recorded by this study are higher than most of the previous levels recorded in Iraqi southern marshland. The highest phosphate concentration was 3.4 µg at P/l, while the lowest value was 0.65 µg at P/l). The nitrite levels were low in the range of 0.05 to 3.39 µg at N- NO2/l, while nitrate levels were higher ranging from 0.240 to 20.01 µg at N-NO3/l. The ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN:TP), as potentially limiting factors of water productivity, exceeded the theoretical level of 16:1. It ranged from 17:1 during dry season to 23:1 during wet season, providing optimum growth opportunity for green algae. Differences in Chl.a concentration were closely correlated with TN: TP. Different Species of phytoplankton were recorded at three stations of Huwaiza marsh. Total number of species were higher at Lesan Ajeerda (77) during wet season following by (72) and (68) at Um Alnaaj and Al-Safia respectively. During dry season lower numbers of species were recorded reflecting less diversity. Diatoms were dominant at all stations. The highest number of phytoplankton was recorded in Lesan Ajeerda (1.86 x 106 cell/L), and the lowest in Al-Safia (0.14 x 106 cell/L). Chl. a values were high during dry season in all stations (7.9- 12.2 mg/m3) as compared with wet season (1.2–4.3 mg/m3) due to increasing in number of Chlorophyta. Values of chl.a indicated that water of Lisan Ajeerda and Al-Safia stations are highly eutrophic as compared with Um Alnaaj water.
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| Keywords: Nutrients, Chlorophyta, Diatoms, Iraq, Huwaiza Marsh |
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Full-Text [PDF 308 kb]
(93 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/01/4 | Accepted: 2024/04/3 | Published: 2025/01/4
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