Myxobacteria as novel biological indicator for Tigris river pollution in Baghdad city

Abstract

This study was performed to indicate of agricultural pollution in the Tigris river for three sites at Baghdad city (North, Middle & South) , from January up to the end of September 2011 , through out investigation of myxobacteria group by their two types cellulolytic and Bacteriolytic , also making bacteriological routine examination( the total bacteria , Coliform bacteria , fecal Coliform , Streptococcus , fecal Streptococcus) , and making physiological and chemical examination (temperature , turbidity , biological oxygen demand and pH) .The study results appeared the following:1-The Tigris river's water of Baghdad city was polluted agriculturally during three seasons , by the myxobacteria as indicator , according to surface water characters of WHO . 2-Increase of frequency of cellulolytic bacteria refers to pollution of water by agrarian wastes during two season (spring and summer ) at north of Baghdad .3-Increase of frequency of bacteriological bacteria refers to pollution of water by pastures wastes during three seasons ( winter , spring and summer) at middle and south of Baghdad .4-The total no. coliform bacteria and the total no. of myxobacteria were nearly , therefore the last one was good indicator for fecal pollution .5-Averages of Temp . , Turbidity , BOD and pH were different at three sites and through three seasons. 6-Water quality of the Tigris river was classified as polluted during winter and spring also highly polluted during summer season , therefore it is unsuitable as potable water without using different kinds of water treatment processes .