Monthly variations in abiotic ecological conditions in Abu Zirk Marsh, SOUTHERN IRAQ

Abstract

Monthly variations in Physico-chemical parameters of Abu Zirk Marsh, were investigated from August 2008 to July, 2009. Three stations were selected to. The former is located at 250 km of Baghdad town. Abiotic ecological conditions were regularly studied. i.e. water and air temperatures, transparency, salinity,water depth,turbidity,dissolved oxygen (D.O.), carbon dioxide (CO2), pH, total alkalinity, hardness and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Results revealed that water temperature ranged from 10.9 to 39.6 ەC. Transparency ranged from 21-59 cm. The minimum salinity (0.2 ppt) recorded in October at station1,and the maximum (0.9 ppt) at station 3 in Febrewary.The minimum turbidity (11 NTU),recorded in October,Water depth ranged from 0.7m in May and the maximum 2.5 at station 1 in October.D.O. decline lowest in October at station 3 (2.6 mg/l). pH ranged from (7.02-9.05). The minimal carbon dioxide value (2 mg/L) and the highest (5 mg/L) at station 3. The minimal alkalinity value (110 mg/L) was measured at May 2009 from station 2 and the measured highest in Febrewary from station 3 (165 mg/L), Maximum hardness (300 mg/L). Minimal BOD value (0.2 mg/L) was in November, but the highest (1 mg/L) encountered from station 1 at July.