Research
Studies of Rotifers Community Structure in Al-Shamiah River-Hilla/Iraq
This research was conducted to know the biological composition and biodiversity of Rotifera in Al-Shamyiah River. For this purpose, four stations were selected on the river. The samples were collected monthly for the period from March 2012 until February 2013. The relative abundance index results showed that species Keratella valga and K. cochlearis and Monostyla bulla are among the most abundant taxonomic units relative to river water . The constancy index showed the presence of 12 constant taxonomic units in this river. However the other taxonomy units varied from "accessory" and "accidental" taxonomic units in study stations. During this study of 88 taxonomic units of rotifera were identified. Values of species richness index of rotifera group varied from 0-13.05. The total Shanon-Weiner index varied from 0-3.58 bit/Ind.. The species uniformity index of rotifera group varied from 0-0.94, and these high values indicate that there is no ecological stress on rotifera in Al-Shamyiah River environment.
Rotifera Abundance and Species Diversity in Al-Kufa River, Iraq
The present study was carried out on AL-Kufa River in the middle of Iraq to study the biodiversity of rotifera by investigating some of biodiversity index values. The samples were collected monthly, from March 2012 till February 2013, at four selected stations on the river; the first is located in Al-Kifil City, the second in Al- Kufa City, the third in AbuSkhar City and the fourth after Al- Mushkab City. About 92 Taxa of rotifera was identified. The rotifera density recorded ranged from 425 to 17925 Ind./m3, the high values were in Spring and Autumn, while the lowest values were recorded in Summer and Winter. The results of the relative abundance index showed that Keratella cochlearis, K. valga, Euchlanis delatata were more abundant in the Kufa River. Also the results of constancy index showed 9 taxa belonged to rotifera which were considered "Constant" at all stations. The other taxonomic units ranged between emergency and additive according to its presence in the study stations. The values of the species richness index of rotifera varied from 3.42 to18.26 with the greatest values in April ,while lower values in September and June. The Shanon-Weiner index of rotifera ranged from 1.85 to 3.78 bits/Ind., with the highest values in April 2012 and September 2012, while lower values in June 2012 and January 2013. The uniformity index of rotifera varied from 0.01 to 0.9,these high values indicate that there is no ecological stresses on zooplankton in the study area.
Heavy Metal Effects from Al-Dura Power Station on Plant Citrus Aurantium L.
Three selected sites with gradual distances from Al-Daura thermal power station (0.5 km (St.1), 1km (St.2) and 2km (St.3) were chosen for sampling according to the direction of downwind of site. In addition, one of unpolluted site for comparison as control site in Baghdad around 4 Km upwind from Al-Daura thermal power station. The samples were taken for two seasons; the first season was in December 2014 and the second season was in March 2015.The results of heavy metals in plant tissues showed a high concentration of Ni, Cd and Cu in the leaves and root of Citrus aurantium L. in all the three sites; the highest concentrations were in site 2, while the Pb concentrations in site 1 and 2 were less from that of the site 3. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of Cd and Pb between the two seasons, while there was a significant increase in the concentrations of Ni and Cu in the second season than in the first season. The chlorophyll and protein content in Citrus aurantium L. trees were higher in the control site than the other three sites. Site 2 recorded the lowest value. There were significant increases in chlorophyll and protein content in the second season than that in the first season.
Effects of Heavy Metals Emission from Al-Dura Power Station on the Soil Surrounding
Three selected sites with gradual distances from Al-Daura thermal power station (0.5 km (St. 1), 1Km (St. 2) and 2Km (St.3), were chosen for sampling according to the direction of downwind of site. In addition, one of unpolluted site was chosen for comparison as a control site in Baghdad around 4 Km upwind from Al-Daura thermal power station. The samples were taken for two seasons; the first season was in December 2014 and the second season was in March 2015. The concentrations of some pollutants that originated from Al-Daura thermal power station as air pollutants and heavy metals in the soil were measured. Whereas the results of heavy metals in soil refer to significant differences in the concentrations of Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), and Copper (Cu) in all three sites comparing with control site, they were higher in site 2 than other sites, while the Lead (Pb) concentration was higher in site 3. There was a significant increase in concentrations of Ni and Pb in the first season than in the second season, whereas no significant differences appeared in the concentrations of Cd and Cu between the two seasons.
