Some Indicators of Water Quality of the Tigris in Mosul City an Inferential Study

Abstract

Some water quality indicators of the Tigris within Mosul city were studied. Five sites starting from Mushairfa to Albosaif were covered. Sampling sites were selected at points faraway from riverbanks and at running stream. Some physical, chemical and biological parameters were measured to detect the influence of untreated outfall discharges upon river water quality and on aquatic life particularly fishes. The study particularly focused on organic load in term of BOD5, Dissolved Oxygen as well as on nutrients. Comparing the obtained results with authorized guidelines of pollution indicators showed that the Tigris River water is clean, and possesses high percent of saturation with Oxygen. The levels of nutrients were with in recommended values. Throughout the period of study, EC, pH, temperature values showed some relative low variations. Turbidity showed distinctive rise in spring due to rainfall run off. All tests evidently showed that Tigris river water is good and the pollutants vanish with dispersion and dilution of upstream dam discharges. Flow velocity and self-purification may contribute to support water life particularly fishes.