Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physical and Chemical Characters of Mesopotamian Marshes: A Short Review

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Southern Iraq's Marshes

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 36))

  • 485 Accesses

Abstract

Physical and chemical statuses of Mesopotamian Marshes have been studied in the pre- and post-draining processes. It was found that light penetration was ranged between 25 and 155 cm and is mainly affected by the nature of the marsh bottom and boating activity in addition to sedimentation that lead to increase the turbidity. The pH value in the area is generally ranged between 7.1 and 9.18 during 1980, whereas alkalinity had ranged between 68 and 137 mg CaCO3/l, which was mainly bicarbonate alkalinity. In the marshes, water was very hard and was characterized by slightly saline to oligohaline water during 1970–1980, and it is well aerated with high level of oxygen. The main form of inorganic nitrogen was nitrate, and both nitrite and ammonia were also recorded in the environment of the marsh areas. No confidence can be placed in the accuracy of phosphorus measurement as its value is much less than that of the Shatt al-Arab River, whereas silicate value has been varied slightly between 7.7 and 9.8 mg SiO3/l. A clear seasonal variation was evident in southern marshes before draining. Water character after reflooding showed slight value of suspended matter, pH value was 6.6–8, and EC was 1120–2410 μs/cm, and TDS was between 467 and 944 mg/l. All these figures have been recorded in Abu-Zirig Marsh; therefore, the hydrological regime had a clear effect on physicochemical properties of water in the marshes. Electrical conductivity ranged from 910 to 4413 μs/cm in Central Marshes after reflooding. A temporal variation of salinity was observed, and it ranged between 0.8 and 2.25‰ in Central Marshes. Temperature was found to be the main reason of variation in the values of pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter values, and salinity. Plant nutrient, particularly nitrate, was found to be with much more concentration up to 141 μg/l in comparison to the previously recorded values (24 μg/l). Phosphate levels have also been increased, and the reason might be rainfall and fertilizer. Other parameters such as chloride, sulfate, total hardness, calcium, and magnesium have been also measured in some stations within marshes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbas AAA, Hassan FM (2018) Water quality assessment of Euphrates river in Qadisiyah Province (Diwaniyah river), Iraq. Iraqi J Agric Sci 48(6)

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Hadal L, Al Hassany JS (2020) Using diatom indices to evaluate water quality in Abu-Zirig Marsh Thi-Qar Province/south of Iraq. Baghdad Sci J 17(2 Special Issue):599–603

    Google Scholar 

  • Adam RS, Al-Shawi IJM, Al-Imarah FJM (2007) Distribution of some chemical elements in the marsh lands of southern Iraq after rehabilitation. Marsh Bull 2(1):11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Hassany JS (2010) A study of the ecological and diversity of epiphytic algae on some aquatic plants in Al-Hawizeh marshes. PhD thesis. College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq, 178p

    Google Scholar 

  • Al- Obaidi GSA (2006) A study of phytoplankton community in Abo Zirig Marsh, Southern Iraq. MSc thesis, College of Science, University of Baghdad

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Aarjy MJ (1988) An ecological study on phytoplankton and nutrients in Al-Hammar Marsh, Iraq. MSc thesis, College of Science, University of Basrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Essa SAK (2004) Ecological study of the aquatic plants and epiphytic algae in Shatt Al-Arab River. PhD thesis, University of Basrah, Iraq, 191p

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Haidarey MJS (2009) Assessment and Sources of some heavy metals in Mesopotamian Marshes. PhD thesis, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Kaisi KA (1976) Contributions to the Algal Flora of the Rice-fields of Southern Iraq. Nova Hedwigia 27:813–827

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Kinzawi MAH (2007) Ecological study of aquatic Macrophytes in the central part of the Marshes of southern Iraq, MSc thesis, College of Science for Women, Biology Department, University of Baghdad, Iraq

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Kinzawi MAH, Asada T, Hassan FM, Warner BG, Douabul A, Al-Hilli MRA, Alwan AA (2010) Vegetation response to re-flooding in the Mesopotamian wetlands. Southern Iraq J of Wetland 30:177–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Lami AA (1986) Ecological study on phytoplankton on some marsh regions southern Iraq. MSc thesis, College of Science, University of Basrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mousawi AK, Whitton BA (1983) Influence of environmental factors on algae in rice-field soil from the Iraqi Marshes. Arab Gulf J Sci Res 1:237–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mousawi AHA, Al-Saadi HA, Hassan FM (1994) Spatial and seasonal variations of phytoplankton population and related environmental in Al-Hammar Marsh. Iraq J Sci B 12(1):9–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saadi HA, Antoine SE (1981) Primary productivity and phytoplankton population dynamics in polluted Ashar canal and Shatt al-Arab, Basrah, Iraq. Vern Internat Verein Limnol 21:880–885

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saadi HA, Saad MAH, Hadi RA, Hussien NA (1977) Further investigations on some environmental characteristics of North-West Arab Gulf. J Indian Nat Ac Proc 43(3):183–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saadi HA, Al-Daham NK., Al-Hassan LA (1986) Aquatic ecology. Dar Alkutub Directorate for Printing and Publishing/University of Mosul

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saadi HA, Al-Mousawi AHA, Al-Aarajy MJ (1993) Physico-chemical features of Al-Hammar Marsh, Iraq. J Coll Edu For Women Univ Baghdad 4:35–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saboonchi AA, Mohammed ARM, Barak NA (1982) A study of phytoplankton in the Garma Marshes, Iraq. Iraqi J Mas Sci 1(1):67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saffar MAT (2006) Interaction between the environmental variables and benthic macro invertebrates community structure in Abu Zirig Marsh, Southern Iraq. MSc thesis, University of Baghdad, Iraq, 156p

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsahaf M (1976) Water resources in Iraq. Ministry of Irrigation, Baghdad

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Suhili RH, Ebrahim SE, Al-Khazaali HJ (2012) Optimum water allocation for Abo-Ziriq Marsh ecological restoration. J Eng 18(5):683–692

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Zubaidi AJM (1985) Ecological study on the Algae (phytoplankton) in some marshes near Qurna-Southern Iraq. MSc thesis, University of Basrah, Iraq, 131 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Antoine SE (1977) Seasonal variations of the environmental characteristics and phytoplankton blooms of Tigris, Iraq. MSc thesis, University of Basrah, Iraq

    Google Scholar 

  • Antoine SE, Al-Saadi HA (1982) Limnological studies on polluted Ashar canal and Shatt al-Arab at Basrah (Iraq). Int Rev Ges Hydrobiol 67(3):405–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass D, Potts C (2001) Invertebrate community composition and physicochemical conditions of Boehler Lake, Atoka County, Oklahoma. Proc Okla Acad Sci 8:21–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayley PB (1995) Understanding large river-floodplain ecosystems. Bioscience 45(3):153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behar S, Cheo M (2004a) Hudson Basin river watch guidance document. River Network. www.hudsonbasin.org

    Google Scholar 

  • Behar S, Cheo M (2004b) Hudson Basin river watch guidance document: helping to coordinate monitoring of freshwater wadeable rivers throughout the watershed, river network – river watch program, revised draft. Retrieved June, 2000, from river network (www.hudsonbasin.org )

  • Brenner M, Keenan LW, Miller SJ, Schelske CL (1999) Spatial and temporal patterns of sediment and nutrient accumulation in shallow lakes of the Upper St. Johns River Basin, Florida. J Wetl Ecol Manage 6:221–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronk JK, Fennessy MS (2001) Wetland plants biology and ecology. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, 462 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • CSO (Central Statistical Organization). (2012–2013). Annual statistical abstract. Issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Wakeel SK, Wahby SD (1970) Hydrography and chemistry of Lake Manzala. Egypt Arch Hydrobiol 67:173–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman CP, Horne AL (1983) Limnology. McGraw-Hill, New York, 464 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, F. M. (1989) An Ecophysiological and qualitative study on phytoplankton in the Al Hammar Marsh, Iraq. MSc thesis, College of Science, University of Basrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan FM (2004) Limnological features of Diwanyia River, Iraq. J Um-Salama For Sci 1(1):119–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan FM, Al-Saadi HA, Mohamed AAK (2001) On the ecological features of Razazzah Lake, Iraq. Natl J Chem 2:549–565

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton GCF, Maulood BK (1982) Contributions to the algal Flora of Iraq: the non-diatom Flora of the Southern Marshes. Nova Hedwigia 37:49–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Horne AJ, Goldman CR (1994) Limnology, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/scecap/PDF%20Files/SCECAP%2019992000%20technical%20report%2010_29_02final%20with%20append.pdf

  • Hussein AH (2014) Biotopes of Iraqi marshlands. Difaf Publication, Basra-Iraq, 432p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussein NA, Taher MA (2007) Effect of daily variations, diurnal fluctuations and tidal stage on water parameters of East Hammar marshland, Southern Iraq. J Marsh Bull 2(1):32–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis PJ (2000) Ecological principles and environmental issues. Pearson Education, (T.J. International), Padstow, Cornwall, 361 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassim TI (1986) An ecological study on benthic algae for some marshlands southern Iraq. MSc thesis, University of Basrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooser JC, Lund P (1996) Water quality guideline for wetlands; using the surface water quality standards for activities involving wetlands. Shorelands and Water Resources Program, Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA, Publication #96–06

    Google Scholar 

  • Lean DR, Knowles R (1987) Nitrogen transformations in Lake Ontario. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 44(12):2133–2143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maulood BK, Hinton GCF, Kamees HS, Saleh FAK, Shaban AA, Al-Shahwani SMH (1979) An ecological survey of some aquatic ecosystems in southern Iraq. J Trop Ecol 20(1):27–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Maulood BK, Hinton GCF, Whitton BA, Al-Saadi HA (1981) On the algal ecology of lowland Iraqi marshes. J Hydrobiol 80:269–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maulood BK, Sulaiman NI, Farj S (1986) A comparison ecological study on algae in Yousefia and Rashdia Baghdad. Research biology. Biol Cent Sci Council Res Baghdad 17(2):13–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitsch WJ, Gosselink JG (2015) Wetlands, 5th edn. Van Nostrand Reinholdk, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed ARM, Barak NA (1988) Growth and condition of a cyprinid fish. Barhus sharpeyi Gunther in Al-Hammar marsh. Basrah J Agric Sci 2:18–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Munawar M (1970) Limnological studies on fresh water ponds of Hyderabad-India. I The biotope. J Hydrobiol 35(1):127–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nurul-Islam AKM (1982) Marsh algae from southern Iraq. Int Rev Gesamt Hydrobiol 67(2):245–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankow H, Al-Saadi HA, Huq MF, Hadi RAM (1979) On the algal flora of the marshes near Qurna (Southern Iraq). Willdenowia 8:493–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Partow H, Jaquet JM, Allenbach K, Schwarzer S, Nordbeck O (2005) Iraqi marshlands observation system. Nairobi, Kenya, 71 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Qgaili JW, Al-Kubaisi ARA (2014) A study of the physical and chemical characteristics of the waters of the central marshes in southern Iraq after restoration. Baghdad Sci J 11(2 special issue):991–998

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid GK (1961) Ecology of in landwater and estuaries. Rhien hold crop, New York, 375 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rzoska J (1980) Euphrates and Tigris, Mesopotamian ecology and destiny. Junk, W., The Hague, 122 pp

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Saad MA (1974) Calcareous deposits of the brackish-water lakes in Egypt. Hydrobiologia 44(4):381–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad MAH (1976) Some limnological investigations of Lake Edku, Egypt. J Arch Hydrobiol 77(4):411–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Seenaya G (1971) Ecological studies in the plankton of certain freshwater ponds of Hyderabad-India, I. Physic-chemical complexes. Hydrobiologia 37(10):7–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley A (2001) Managing phosphorus agriculture and the environment college of science, The Pennsylvania State University, 8 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Sreenivassan A (1971) Shallow aquatic biotopes Limnological models. J Hydrobiol 37(3–4):553–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talib AH (2009) Ecological study on the phytoplankton and primary productivity in southern Iraqi Marshes. PhD thesis, College, of Science for Women Baghdad University, 142 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Talling JF (1980) Water characteristics in Euphrates and Tigris. Mesopotamia ecology and destiny, 38

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin M, Yakub G, Buys M, McCartney B, Meyer S, Earth E (2001). Three rivers – second nature water quality report. Retrieved march 5th 2005, from the College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon University website, Pittsburgh PA 15213. Available: 3r2n.cfa.cmu.edu/Year1/reports/aquatic/waterquality/6.pdf

  • UNEP (2010) Support for environmental management of the Iraqi marshlands 2004/2009, 100p

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Dolah RF, Jutte PC, Riekerk GHM, Levisen MV, Zimmerman LE, Jones JD, Lewitus AJ, Chestnut DE, McDermott W, Bearden D, Scott GI, Fulton MH(2002) The condition of South Carolina’s Estuarine and coastal habitats during 1999-2000: technical report. South Carolina marine resources division, Charleston. Technical report no. 90. 132p.

    Google Scholar 

  • WASC, Waterwatch Australia Steering Committee (2002) Water watches Australia National technical manual. Environment Australia, Commonwealth of Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetzel RG (2001) Limnology, lake and river ecology, 3rd edn. Academic Press, 1006 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Woltemade CJ (1997) Water level management opportunities for ecology. Benefit, pool 5 Mississippi RWER 1. J Am Water Resour Assoc 33(2):443–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasir RA, Rahi KA, Abudi ZN (2018) Water budget for Abu Zirig Marsh in southern Iraq. J Eng Sustain Dev 22(1):25–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Present address : Scientific consultant/precedency of Kurdistan regional government, Erbil, Iraq

    Bahram K. Maulood

  2. Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Iraq

    Bahram K. Maulood

  3. Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

    Fikrat M. Hassan

Authors
  1. Bahram K. Maulood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fikrat M. Hassan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Animal Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology, Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand

    Laith A. Jawad

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Maulood, B.K., Hassan, F.M. (2021). Physical and Chemical Characters of Mesopotamian Marshes: A Short Review. In: Jawad, L.A. (eds) Southern Iraq's Marshes. Coastal Research Library, vol 36. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66238-7_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation