Abstract
The ecological function of the Mesopotamian marshlands was severely damaged during their desiccation from 1993 to 2003 and, as a result, the marshes became a main target for restoration after their re-flooding in April 2003. In this study, the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) budgets for a portion of the Mesopotamian marshlands at Al-Hawizeh (Iraq) are reported. Al-Hawizeh appears to play a strong role in regulating P and N. Total P input and output were both dominated by dissolved organic P, while total N input and output were dominated by particulate organic N, suggesting that N is in greater demand than P. Al-Hawizeh acts as source for N and sink for P; this has an important function in altering their export downstream (Shatt Al-Arab River) and subsequently into the Arabian Gulf. However, investigating P and N fractions helped in understanding the role of Al-Hawizeh in transforming, storage and release of P and N fractions.
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This research was supported by the Canadian International Development Agency. The researchers wish to acknowledge the Marine Science Center, University of Basra for providing the laboratory facilities.
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AlMaarofi, S.S., Douabul, A.A.Z., Warner, B.G. et al. Phosphorus and nitrogen budgets of the Al-Hawizeh marshland after re-flooding. Hydrobiologia 721, 155–164 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1657-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1657-8