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Table Of Contents
Shatt Al Arab River is formed when the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers of Iraq and the Karun river of Iran meet near Basrah in Iraq. Shatt al Arab River continues for approximately 120 Kilometers before interring the Arabian Gulf. An estuary of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 square Kilometers surrounds the Shatt Al Arab River it contained sandbars, marshes, lagoons, ox-bow lakes and tidal flats. Billions of cubic meters of water enter this estuary each year much of the water flow is detained in the marshes and an appreciable portion evaporates. At the confluence of the mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southern
Iraq lies a unique, unspoiled natural wilderness. Within a 30,000 square
kilometre triangle whose points are marked by the cities of Basra, Nasiriya
and Amara, are pristine marshes that teem with thousands of species of
birds, fish and animals. In this labyrinth of waterways live the approximately
200,000 Ma'dan or Marsh Arabs, a unique people who trace their origins
back to before 3000 BC.
Hydrographical and biological research about the Shatt Al Arab River
and its marches began to emerge only about 1970. Saddam Hussein is systematically
draining the
The objective of this Information source is to seek out bibliographic citations and internet sites to materials about the Shatt Al-Arab River and the effect of marches drain on the Arabian Gulf . In this Information source the documents are compiled from information found in ASFA databases, KISR Collection and the Internet .It provides references from 1988 to 2001 listing are arranged alphabetically by author.. Abaychi,-J.; Al-Saad,-H.T., Trace elements in fish from the Arabian Gulf and the Shatt al-Arab River, Iraq., BULL.-ENVIRON.-CONTAM.-TOXICOL. 1988. vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 226-232 An investigation was carried out on the concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in the following fish species from the Arabian Gulf: Tylosurus strongylurus, Eleutheoronema tetradactum, Pomadasys arel, Platycephalus indicus , Ilisha elongata, Thryssa hamiltonii, Arius thalassinus, Acanthophagrus luteus , Johnieops sina, Liza dussumeiri, Hilsa ilisha, Nematolosa nasus and Otoliths argenteus , and on species from the Shatt al-Arab River: Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi, Barbus xanthopterus, Barbus scheich, Aspius vorax, Cyprinus carpio , and Barus grypus . Trace element levels in sediment samples from the area were also determined since sediments can accumulate different elements and may reflect the extent pollution by these elements. Abaychi,-J.K.; Darmoian,-S.A.; DouAbul,-A.A.Z., The Shatt al-Arab River: A nutrient salt and organic matter source to the Arabian Gulf., HYDROBIOLOGIA. 1988. vol. 166, no. 3, pp. 217-224 The distribution of dissolved reactive phosphate, nitrate and nitrite in the waters as well as total organic carbon, total phosphorus and Kjeldahl nitrogen in the sediments of the Shatt al-Arab Estuary and the NW Arabian Gulf were studied from November 1979 to April 1980. The Shatt al-Arab waters contain 0.18 to 0.70 mu g-at P-PO sub(4)@) super(3)-l), 26.12 to 52.39 mu g-at N-NO super(-)@)d3/l and 0.53 to 0.70 mu g-at N-NO super(-)@)d2/l, indicating that this river should be considered a source of nutrients to the Arabian Gulf. It is concluded that most of the nitrate is supplied in dissolved form, while an appreciable amount of phosphate is absorbed to fine suspended particles and released at higher salinities. Total organic carbon in surficial sediments was found to vary between 0.14% and 0.96%. These rather low values are attributed to dilution by dust fallout, which is a major source of sediments in this area. Abaychi,-J.K.; DouAbul,-A.A.Z., Trace metals in shatt Al-arab River, Iraq, WATER-RES. 1985 vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 457-462 The distribution of 10 trace metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn have been determined along the northern section of the Shatt al-Arab River, Iraq. Analyses were carried out, employing a flameless AAS instrument. The mean concentrations of the dissolved species were as follows (expressed in mu gl super(-1)): 0.25 Cd, 0.9 Cu, 716 Fe, 1.3 Mn, 0.3 Pb, 0.2 V and 1.8 Zn. Mean concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in the particulate matter were 55.2, 6.0, 188, 77, 31 472, 1731, 3807, 93, 207 and 77 mu g g super(-1) respectively. In the exchangeable fraction of the sediment were 0.15, 5.5, 11.1, 11.9, 1625, 482, 42, 30.5, 25.7 and 6 mu g g super(-1), whereas in the residual were 0.025, 11.5, 96.1, 22, 5176, 258, 613, 3.9, 162 and 56.8 mu g g super(-1) respectively. Thus, the exchangeable trace metals represent the following mean percentage of the total; 75% Cd, 33% Co, 10% Cr, 34% Cu, 24% Fe, 63% Mn, 7% Ni, 74% Pb, 14% V and 23% Zn. The concentration of Ni and V were relatively high, this was attributed to the petroleum-rich deposits of the region. The concentrations observed for other metals were lower or equal to those reported for control sites except for Pb which was slightly higher. The data obtained were subjected to simple linear Abdullah,-S.K.; Hassan,-D.A.,Isolation of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from surface sediments of the Shatt Al-Arab River and its creeks at Basrah, Iraq MYCOSES 1995 vol. 38, no. 3-4, pp. 163-166 Twenty-five sediment samples were taken from randomly selected sites
in the Shatt Al-Arab River and its creeks and analysed for dermatophytes
and related keratinophilic fungi. The results revealed that out of 25 samples
only 13 (52%) yielded dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi. A
total of nine species in four genera were isolated. The most frequent genera
isolated in this study were Chrysosporium and its teleomorph Aphanoascus.
The species most frequently found were Aphanoascus fulvescens, A. durus,
Chrysosporium crassitunicatum, Chr. keratinophilum and Chr. tropicum. Microsporum
was represented by two species, namely M. fulvum and M. gypseum. Trichophyton
was represented by one species, T. verrucosum. The occurrence of these
fungi illustrates that sediments may act as a reservoir for potentially
pathogenic fungi for human and animals.
Al-Abood,-A.Y., Studies on blood haemoglobin and haematocrit of the silurid fish, Silurus triosteous in relation to weight., RIV.-IDROBIOL. 1989. vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 255-259 Haematological studies were made on Silurus triosteous collected from Shatt al-Arab River, Basrah. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Haematocrit value (Ht) varied as the fish increased in weight. The total concentration of haemoglobin per 100 ml of blood increases with the increases in body weight. On the other hand, haematocrit value decreases from lower to higher weight groups; the haematological values also depended on the ecophysiological conditions. Al-Adhub,-A.H.Y.; Hamzah,-H.A., Caridina babaulti basrensis subsp. nov., from the Shatt Al-Arab region, Iraq (Decapoda, Caridea, Atyidae), CRUSTACEANA 1987 vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 225-228 Very little, if anything, is known about the atyid shrimps of Iraq. There are possibly two species of Atyidae in Shatt al-Arab and Karmat Ali. The present article deals with one of those, namely Caridina babaulti basrensis, a new subspecies of a species so far only known from India. Al-Badri,-M.E.; Mohamad,-S.T.; Al-Hasan,-L.A., Proportion of red muscle fibres and variation in the vertebral column of some members of the family Cyprinidae, MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 153-165 The present study investigates the variation in the red muscle fibres proportion and vertebral column of various members of the family Cyprinidae: Barbus grypus, B. Scheich, B. Sharpeyi, B. xanthopterus and Aspius vorax collected from Shatt Al-Arab River and Al-Hammar marsh area of Iraq during the year 1986. The results showed that the percentage of the red muscle fibres is almost similar between the members of the genus Barbus. This percentage increased toward the caudal peduncle and the tail region. Carangiform type of movement is suggested for the fish species studied due to the high percentage of the red muscle. The study also shows that the vertebral bodies raises in length between the vertebral column regions of the same species and between the different species studied. Al-Dabbagh,-K.Y.; Luka,-J.Y.,m Population dynamics of the gastropod Theodoxus jordani (Sowerby) in the Shatt Al-Arab river., FRESHWAT.-BIOL. 1986. vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 443-448 Measurements of the population density of Theodoxus jordani were made for the period July 1980 until June 1981. Numbers showed a well-defined pattern of fluctuation and varied between 390 in February and 1804 snails/m super(2) in May after recruitment. The population age structure revealed that the snail was semelparous, and that one generation dominated the population for most of the year. The breeding season was long. Snails laid eggs from early Dec to the end of Apr. Eggs were laid in protective capsules and one snail developed per capsule. Total population natality estimated from field samples was 9813 snails/m super(2). Age specific mortality was high immediately after recruitment, low during the juvenile stages, and increased sharply at the adult stage with the onset of reproduction. (DBO) Al-Ghadban,-A.N.; Abdali,-F.; Massoud,-M.S.; Al-Muzaini,-S.; Beg,-M.U.-(eds.),Sedimentation rate and bioturbation in the Arabian Gulf, Environment-International 1998 vol. 24, no. 1-2, pp. 23-31 The Arabian Gulf is a shallow marginal sea of the Indian Ocean. It is a semi-closed basin which extends for nearly 1000 km from Shatt Al-Arab, the nexus of the Tigris, Euphrates, and Karun Rivers in the northwest, to the Strait of Hormuz in the southeast, and covers a surface area of about 239 000 km super(2). In addition to Shatt Al-Arab, river inflow into the Gulf occurs primarily on the Iranian northeastern side, the estuary of major rivers such as the Hendijan, the Rud Hilleh, and the Mand. The bathymetry of the Inner Sea basin shallows to the northwest and to the west coast (Reynolds 1993), whilst the basin floor is asymmetric with its axis lying close to the Iranian Coast. It slopes gradually from the shallow deltaic northern part to deeper waters in the south, with the depth rarely exceeding 100 m (only 36 m on average). It is a region of great interest to environmental scientists. It is bordered by rock sequences which contain the richest oil deposits in the world, and one-third of world oil energy is transported through this body of water. Despite the tremendous stress exerted by oil production and transportation, this area was also a subject of man-made pollution. Between 19 and 30 January 1991, an estimated 10.8 million (1.7 Mm super(3)) barrels of oil were spilled deliberately by Iraqi troops in the Gulf waters, mainly from seven abandoned tankers and the Al-Ahmadi Sea Island terminal near the coast of Kuwait, in addition to smaller discharges from the Iraqi Mina Al-Bakr terminal and nearby sunken tankers, and the Saudi Ras Al-Zur refinery at Mina Sa'ud (Tawfiq and Olsen 1993). It is also estimated that 8 million (1.3 Mm super(3)) barrels of oil fallout from the smoke plumes of the 727 oil well blowouts and fires in Kuwait oil fields, started in late February 1991 by departing Iraqi troops, were deposited in the Gulf marine environment (Al-Rabeh et al. 1992; Literathy 1993). The airborne fallouts, which contained oil-combustion products, particularly ash, and trace metals originally present in the burnt crude oil, doubled the size of the oil slick and made the event the largest of its kind in the history of marine pollution (Reynolds 1993). As part of the efforts exerted by the international community to assess the impact of the Kuwait oil slick, an integrated programme was planned and sponsored by the Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The programme was partially achieved through a 100-day cruise in the region from February to June 1992 aboard the NOAA research vessel "Mt. Mitchell". During this cruise, the Arabian Gulf was extensively surveyed and a large number of samples was collected for more than 100 offshore sampling stations. Two years later an integrated project plan was formulated by ROPME and IOC to study the long-term impact of the oil slick on the Gulf marine environment. As part of this plan, arrangements were made for a group of scientists to cruise the region aboard the Japanese research vessel "Umitaka Maru" between 15 and 26 December 1993. The main objective of the Japanese cruise, however, was to study the effect of the oil slick on marine biota. Therefore, a limited number of sediment core samples was collected during the cruise from only 20 sampling stations selected for such biological studies (Al-Ghadban et al. 1996). Massoud et al. (1986) and Al-Abdali et al. (1996) carried out a series of sedimentological and geochemical studies on 112 sediment core samples ( approximately 15 cm deep) collected from the Arabian Gulf during the 1992 Mt. Mitchell cruise to investigate the petroleum hydrocarbon and trace metal pollutants transferred from the Kuwait oil slick to the sea bed and residing in these sediments. Also, measurements taken for total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and selected trace metals in sediment samples collected during the 1993 Umitaka Maru cruise were also compared with those made on samples collected from the same offshore sampling stations during the 1992 Mt. Michell cruise to throw light on the status of oil pollution in the Arabian Gulf and the fate and effect of the Kuwait oil slick three years after the oil was spilled. None of the previous studies provided detailed information about the nature and importance of sedimentation rate and bioturbation in the Arabian Gulf. Both environmental factors have certain implications in any data interpretation that concerns the fate of pollutants in any marine environment. Al-Ghadban,-A.N.; Saeed,-T.; Al-Dousari,-A.M.; Al-Shemmari,-H.; Al-Mutairi,-M.
Kuwait's northern marine area is considered to be the receiving basin for the influx of sediments and associated pollutants from the Shatt Al-Arab estuary. In recent years, Iraq has undertaken to drain the southern marshes, which acted as a sink for the sediment and its associated pollutants. The draining process is expected to significantly increase the rate of sedimentation and change the hydrodynamic regime of the northern Arabian Gulf. Thirty-three bottom sediment samples from the area likely to be impacted by the draining of the marshes were collected and studied in 1997-98. Locations of sampling stations were selected as close to an earlier study done in 1982. The recent marine sediments of the study area are subdivided into five textural classes: sandy clay, clay, silt, mud and sandy mud. The comparison of the results of this study with those of the 1982 study showed that finer sediments were deposited. Based on sediment distribution, characteristics of bottom sediments and the topographic nature of the study area, a north-south sediment transport from Shatt Al-Arab and the southern part of Iraq, affecting the marine environment of Kuwait, is inferred. Comparison of water depths of the 1956 and 1986 hydrographic maps, revealed that more deposition occurred in the northern area, and this was attributed to the draining process. In general, there were some indications of the negative impact of the draining of the marshes, however, long-term and more detailed studies are needed. Al-Hadithi,-H.T.; Mehdi,-K.H., Enumeration and antibiotic resistance of faecal streptococci isolated from the Shatt Al-Arab region, MAR.MESOP. 1993 vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 34-43 Ten different environmental sources in the city of Basrah, Iraq were examined for the MPN of faecal streptococci (FS). FS numbers were very high in all locations (MPN ranged 920-2400). A total of 100 FS were chosed randomly and their resistance to various antibiotics was determined (carbencillin, sulphadiazin, nalidixic acid, tetracyline, ampicillin, gentamycin, penicillin, polymyxin and neomycin). All the isolates were sensitive to gentamycin and neomycin and their resistance to the other antibiotics ranged 70-100%. Al-Hakeem,-T.M.; Al-Salihi,-F.G.; Al-Samaraie,-A.T., Some essential constituents of N sub(2)-fixing cyanobacteria isolated from Shatt Al-Arab at Garma Region, south Iraq, MAR.-MESOP. 1991 vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 225-236 To the 4 N sub(2) - fixing species: Gloeotrichia natans, Gloeotrichia spp., Nostoc microscopiccus and N. commune, which had been isolated, purified and identified from Shatt Al-Arab at Garma Region (Iraq) heavy metals, total lipids content and free amino acids were quantitatively determined. The concentration of Mn and Cu are in agreement with the required values found in other cyanobacteria, while Ni and Zn seems to be above that value. Iron concentration less than the required value, while Co is undetected. Results show high lipid content of these species. Free amino acids analysis in the isolated species shows the presence of most of the essential and non-essential amino acids. Due to the high protein and lipid contents, these cyanobacteria might be used as food substitutes. Al-Handal,-A.Y., New additions to the algal flora of Iraq., J.-UNIV.-KUWAIT-SCI.. 1989. vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 97-104 Samples for studying the algal flora of southern Iraq were collected from the River Shatt al-Arab and some other water systems during the period 1979-1981. In this paper, 55 taxa (species and varieties) are reported as new records for Iraqi waters. They include Bacillariophyceae (35 taxa), Cyanophyceae (9 taxa), Chlorophyceae (7 taxa), Charophyceae (3 taxa) and Dinophyceae (1 taxon). The lower reaches of the River Shatt al-Arab are characterized by the occurrence of species of marine origin. Al-Handal,-A.Y.; Hashim,-A.A., Vertical distribution of chlorophyll a in some sediments of the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary, Iraq, Al-Handal,-A.Y.; Hashim,-A.A., MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 263-274, MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 263-274 Vertical distribution of chlorophyll a was studied on an intertidal flat of that Shatt Al-Arab estuary Iraq and one of its side canals in the Garma area. Samples was carried out bimonthly for the period September-December 1987. Average concentrations of functional chlorophyll a were high at the surface, decreasing downward except for some intervals where is increased under the surface coinciding with temperature declination. Functional chlorophyll a concentrations ranged between 2.1 to 29.6 ug/g in the top cm and 0.6 to 1.1 ug/g in the 10th cm. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J., Genetic and morphological variation in Acanthopagrus latus (Sparidae) in Iraq., ASIAN-FISH.-SCI. 1990. vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 269-273 The structure of populations of Acanthopagrus latus in the Shatt al-Arab River and Khor al-Zubair area of Iraq was assessed from electrophoretic and morphological characters. Electrophoretic analysis of two enzyme-coding loci showed that loci at both localities were in a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic homogeneity obtained contrasts with the pattern of heterogeneity observed in meristic counts. The data provide a preliminary idea about the absence of subpopulation differentiation and suggest that there is only one stock of A. latus in the area studied. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J.; Al-Dubaikel,-A.Y.; Wahab,-N.K.; Al-Daham,-N.K., Asymmetry analysis in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis collected from Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq., RIV.-IDROBIOL. 1990. vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 775-780 Asymmetry analysis have been carried out for some bilateral characters of Heteropneustes fossilis collected from Shatt al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq. The results show that the level of asymmetry of pectoral fin rays and total gill rackers increases with the increase of the length of the fish (100 mm). The reasons of this trend was discussed. The cause and origin of the asymmetry in this species were discussed from the point of view of different toxicants and their presence and distribution in the area. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J.; Hussain,-N.A.; Soud,-K.D., A preliminary, annotated check-list of the fishes of Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq., POL.-ARCH.-HYDROBIOL.-POL.-ARCH.-HYDROBIOL. 1989. vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 283-288 The first comprehensive systematic list of fish species inhabiting an important water way -- Shatt al-Arab River is presented. 40 fish species belonging to 22 families were found in the river; 27.5% of species are Cyprinidae, 12.5% -- Clupeiformes and 7.5% of species are Mugilidae plus Siluriformes. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J.; Yousif,-Y.Y., Phosphoglucose isomerase polymorphism in the freshwater crab Sesarma boulengeri ., BIOCHEM.-SYST.-ECOL. 1987. vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 487-488 Three phenotypes of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) were detected in abdominal muscle extracts from freshwater crab (Sesarma boulengeri ) by starch-gel electrophoresis. The observed phenotypes were assumed to be under the control of two allelic genes. This assumption was supported by the observed distribution of phenotypes. There were no significant differences in PGI phenotype distribution among samples of crab taken from Karmat Ali, and Abu Al-Khasib locations along Shatt Al-Arab River. The three PGI alleles observed in S. boulengeri appear to be the same in specimens from the two locations. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J.; Al-Saboonchi,-A.A.; Binayan,-L.A.A., A record-size cyprinid fish, Barbus xanthopterus (Heckel) from Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq., CYBIUM. 1986. vol. 10, no. 2, p. 204 Five large cyprinid fishes, Barbus xanthopterus , were caught by drift net in Shatt Al-Arab river. They were taken in approximately 4 meters of water over a mud bottom. At the time of capture their total length ranged from 148 to 150 cm and their weight from 7,500 to 8,600 g. The size of this species shows considerable geographic variation. The age of the specimens appeared to be 3 and 4 years, based on the scales. The examination of gonads indicated that the specimens were all females with the ovaries in the second stage of maturation. The stomach content was determined and the results were compared with that of normally sized specimens of the same species. The main difference was the presence of isopods and molluscs. Al-Hassan,-L.A.J.; Hassan,-S.S., Asymmetry study in Mystus pelusius
collected from Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq
Asymmetry data analysis of the different body proportions and meristic characters and length of the fish, Mystus pelusius has been reported. The high level of asymmetry may be due to several aquatic pollutants present in water bodies around Basrah. Al-Mousawi,-A.H.; Hadi,-R.A.; Kassim,-Th.I.; Alaami,-A study on the algae in the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary, southern Iraq, MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 305-323 A study was made on the algal communities in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary of Iraq and 5 of its major side canals south of Basrah city centre. The phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms. Most of the taxa were of benthic origin. Among six macrophytes studied, Ceratophyllum demersum showed the highest number of epiphytic taxa. The chlorophyll a content and primary productivity of the canals were 2-3 folds that of the estuary. Al-Mudaffar,-N.; Fawzi,-I.N.; Al-Edanee,-T.E.; Abed-Al-Kareem,-A.H.
The distribution of seven trace metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) has been determined in surface sediment. Two bivalve species Unio tigridis and Pseudodontopsis euphraticus from the lower reaches of the two main rivers in Iraq, Tigris and Euphrates and the north section of Shatt Al-Arab River, were also determined. The results indicate higher than background levels for most of the metals studied, both in sediments and the two bivalve, indicating a relatively low polluted nature of the area. The concentrations of Cd, Mn, Ni and Pb were relatively high in the sediments attributed to the anthropogenic contamination. Al-Mussawy,-S.N.; Basi,-M.A., Clay minerals of suspended matter and surficial sediments of Khor Al-Zubair Estuary, NW Arabian Gulf., ESTUAR.-COAST.-SHELF-SCI. 1993. vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 183-193 Distribution of clay minerals in the suspended matter and surficial sediments of 36 samples collected from Khor Al-Zubair estuary revealed the presence of montimorillonite, kaolinite, chlorite, illite and palygorskite in wide variations. These variations are interpreted to be due to: different source areas of these minerals, the complex hydrodynamic conditions in the Khor and to flocculation. No regular distribution of clay minerals (except for montimorillonite) was found in the water samples. In the sediments samples montimorillonite and palygorskite showed a trend of increasing values toward the Arabian Gulf, which interpreted to be brought by Shatt Al-Arab River and/or formed diagenetically. Kaolinite and chlorite increased landward due to eolian effect. Illite values showed an increment near Shatt Al-Basrah Canal caused by the sediments brought by the Euphrates River from Hor Al-Hammar Lake. Al-Mutairi,-M.; Al-Hashash,-H Preliminary, assessment of the impact of draining of Iraqi marshes on Kuwait's northern marine environment. Part II. Sediment associated pollutants, MARINE-POLLUTION-AND-EFFLUENT-MANAGEMENT Al-Muzaini,-S.; Hamoda,-M.F.; Henze,-M.-(eds.) PO-Box-800-Kidlington-Oxford-OX5-1DX-UK Elsevier-Science-Ltd,-Pergamon vol. 40, no. 7 pp. 89-98 Kuwait's northern marine area is considered to be the receiving basin for the influx of sediments and associated pollutants from the Shatt Al-Arab estuary. In recent years, Iraq has undertaken to drain the southern marshes, which acted as a sink for the associated pollutants. This loss of marshes is expected to have far reaching consequences on the ecology of the northern Gulf. Bottom sediments from the area likely to be impacted by the draining of the marshes were studied for a variety of parameters. The results showed that petroleum-related pollutants (Ni, V, TPH, PAH and n-alkanes) were, generally, much higher in the southern part of the study area which may be due to the tanker traffic. Spotty higher levels of petroleum were encountered in the northern area, which were of recent origin and may have been the result of the draining of marshes. Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs were not detected in any of the samples. In general, there were indications of the negative impact of the draining of the marshes, however, long-term and more detailed studies are needed. Al-Saad,-H.T.; Al-Timari,-A.A Sources of hydrocarbons and fatty acids in sediment from Hor Al- Siddeek,-M.S.M.; Ghaffar,-A.R.A., Causes for declining recruitment and the concept of dynamic optimal yield for Kuwait shrimp., THE-SECOND-ASIAN-FISHERIES-FORUM.-PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-SECOND-ASIAN-FISHERIES-FORUM,-TOKYO,-JAPAN,-17-22-APRIL-1989. Hirano,-R.;Hanyu,-I.-eds. 1990. pp. 869-872 The Kuwait shrimp fishery depends on 4 species: Penaeus semisulcatus, Metapenaeus affinis, Parapenaeopsis stylifera and M. stebbingi . The fishery is based on both industrial and artisanal (dhow) trawlers. A general decline in catch rates has been observed since 1966-67. Causes for this decline were investigated by correlating historical-recruitment indices with fishing effort, temperature and salinity. Fishing effort and change in water mass due to annual variations in the spring flow of the Shatt Al-Arab River were found to be the likely causes for fluctuations in shrimp abundance since 1982-83. The benefit of the current effort reduction through seasonal closure, introduced in 1980, was investigated by comparing the dynamic optimal yields of the major species P. semisulcatus , with actual yields for 1981-82 to 1987-88. It was concluded that under current recruitment and effort levels, the September opening benefits the fishery. Adjusting effort to below 9,500 UFK boat-days would help to increase the yield. Al-Saad,-H.T.; Shamshoom,-S.M.; Abaychi,-J.K.Seasonal distribution of dissolved and particulate hydrocarbons in Shatt Al-Arab Estuary and the North-West Arabian Gulf, Marine-Pollution-Bulletin [Mar-Pollut-Bull] 1998 vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 850-855 Oil refinery effluent and losses during loading operations have been identified as the major sources of oil contamination in the waters of the Shatt Al-Arab River which empties into the North-West Arabian Gulf. Estimates suggest that this river transports about 48 tonnes of oil residues to the Arabian Gulf annually. The Arabian Gulf is also an extremely busy shipping route for oil, with accidental spillage being almost unavoidable. In combination, these sources provide a long-term input of petroleum. Major spills, these being either unintentional or as a consequence of military activities, have added occasional dramatic pulses of oil contamination to the long-term background. This study constitutes part of an ongoing project on the origin, role and fate of hydrocarbons in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary and North-West Arabian Gulf, and also provides data on seasonal changes of dissolved and particulate hydrocarbons. The study also provides a baseline against which any changes that might occur in the future may be determined. Al-Saadi,-H.A.; Hadi,-R.A.M.; Schiewer,-U.; Al-Mousawi,-A.H., On the influence of the sewage drainage from Basrah City on the phytoplankton and related nutrients in the Shatt al-Arab estuary, Iraq., ARCH.-HYDROBIOL. 1989. vol. 114, no. 3, pp. 443-452 The potential productivity and growth potential in Shatt al-Arab estuary were determined at two selected stations, up and down stream Basrah city centre, Iraq during spring 1985 and 1986. These biological parameters were used as indication on the influence of the city drainage on the estuary. Physico-chemical parameters and major nutrients were measured. Significant correlations were found between some studied parameters and the tide, while the assimilation number show no correlation to the tide and to the sampling time. Al-Saadi,-H.A.; Hadi,-R.A.M., Ecological and taxonomical studies on phytoplankton in Arab Gulf, J.-BIOL.-SCI.-RES. 1987. vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 7-31 The Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) is a shallow semi-closed sea. Its water temperature (up to 35 degree C) is the highest in the world. Its salinity ranges from 37-40 ppt and is affected by diurnal tides. The water has a high dissolved oxygen content, almost reaching the point of saturation, the pH level is alkaline (> 8). The phytoplankton's nutrients -- namely nitrates, phosphates, and silicates -- are present in higher concentrations in the NW region than in coastal waters of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This is due to the influence of the Shatt al-Arab Estuary which contributes the greatest amount of freshwater inflow, rich in nutrients. There are 527 species of phytoplankton recorded in the gulf, dominated by diatoms (79%) followed by dinoflagellates (13%). Al-Saboonchi,-A.A.; Al-Saad,-H.T., Check list of the algae from Shatt al-Arab River, Iraq. J.-UNIV.-KUWAIT,-SCI. 1988. vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 79-96 A total of 415 species and varieties of algae are recorded from Shatt Al-Arab River by different authors. Growth habit for each taxon is given. Most of the algae belong to three classes: Bacillariophyceae (308 taxa), Chlorophyceae (63 taxa), and Cyanophyceae (26 taxa). Al-Saboonchi,-A.A.; Ghani,-A.A.; Abdul-Hussein,-M.M., Non-diatom algae from the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq, MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 89-126 Sampling for algae was carried out monthly from January 1985 to June 1987 from Shatt Al-Arab River and some of its canals in Iraq. Fifty-three non-diatom species were recorded. 24 of which were found to be new records for the Shatt Al-Arab region; 16 species were newly recorded for Iraq. Illustrations, photographs, and dimensions for the different species were given. Al-Salim,-N.K., Myxobolus pfeifferi , 1894 a new record from Carasobarbus luteus (Heckel, 1843) (family Cyprinidae) from Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq., DIRASAT-SCI.. 1986. vol. 13, no. 7, pp. 163-166 This is a new record of Myxobolus pfeifferi from the heart blood film of Carasobarbus luteus (Syn. Barbus luteus (Heckel, 1843)) found in Basrah, Iraq. It is the first Myxobolus reported from south of Iraq during the first study of blood parasites in Basrah. This is the first time the parasite has been found in blood of fishes, which is a new habitat for the parasite. Ali,-M.H.; Salman,-S.D.; Al-Adhub,-A.Y. , Population dynamics of the hymenosomatid crab Elamenopsis kempi in a brackish subtidal region of Basrah, Iraq, SCI.-MAR.-BARC. 1995 vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 1-13 The population biology of the subtidal crab Elamenopsis kempi (Chopra & Das) in the Garmat-Ali region of the Shatt Al-Arab River System at Basrah, Iraq was investigated, in the period from 16th March 1987 to 15th February 1989. Population density in this area ranged from 150 ind.m super(-2) plus or minus 22.75 SE to 1310 ind.m super(-2) plus or minus 54.1 SE. No significant relation between water temperature and density of the species was noticed. The breeding season extended from April to November or December. The life span of the summer cohorts may be 4-8 months while the overwintering cohorts may live for 9-11 months. Sexual maturity of females may be attained at a size of 3.2 mm C.L. Males may achieve maturity at 3.9 mm C.L. Cohorts with shorter life span may achieve sexual maturity in 1-2 months after settlement, while those with a longer life span may do so in about 6-8 months. The incubation period in the field may extend to 35 days. In the laboratory, the incubation period ranged from 12 to 23 days depending on temperature. Egg size at the first stage of development was 0.356 mm. Fecundity is a function of size, and varied from 90 to 463 eggs. Several life history strategies are implicated by this species to compensate for low fecundity: 1. Maximum care of the brood, as the eggs are incubated in an internal cavity and not externally. 2. High percentage of ovigerous females which may be, in certain times, about 90% of mature females. 3. Production of multiple broods (9.6-10.5) during one breeding season. Rate of mortality was lower amongst the overwintering cohorts than the summer cohorts. Summer cohorts have a growth rate of 0.021 mm/d and the overwintering cohorts grew at 0.015 mm/d. Ali,-M.H.; Salman,-S.D., Growth and production of the amphipod Parhyale basrensis (Talitridae) in Salman,-S.D.; Ali,-M.H.; Al-Adhub,-A.H.Y., Abundance and seasonal migrations of the penaeid shrimp Metapenaeus affinis (H. Milne-Edwards) within Iraqi waters., HYDROBIOLOGIA. 1990. vol. 196, no. 1, pp. 79-90 Migration of Metapenaeus affinis from the Arabian Gulf to nursery grounds in the inland waters of Iraq extends from May/June to January/February. Shrimp ranging in size from 3-125 mm total length were found in inland waters. In the shallow waters of the Al-Assafiya small-sized shrimp only were caught, while in the marshes large-sized shrimp were abundant. maximum numbers of recruits were recorded when temperatures reached 23-25 degree C. However, the discharge of the Shatt Al-Arab may also be an important factor regulating recruitment. The growth rates of small shrimp were higher than those of large ones. There mostly was, a preponderance of females over males. Spawning at sea appears to occur immediately after emigration. Gonad development was not observed. Commercial landings, at the two main fish markets at Basrah, during September-November 1985 averaged 1000 kg/day. Aqrawi,-A.A.M., Petrography and mineral content of sea-floor sediments of the Tigris-Euphrates Delta, North-west Arabian Gulf, Iraq, ESTUAR.-COAST.-SHELF-SCI. 1994 vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 569-582 Sea-floor sediments of the Iraqi territory of the Arabian Gulf have been studied in detail petrographically and mineralogically. The carbonate fraction of these sediments comprises various allochems in order of abundance: skeletal remains, ooids, peloids, and composite grains. On the other hand, the insoluble residues of the sediments studied consist of quartz, feldspars and mica. The matrix is carbonate micrite, containing various percentages of clays. Mineralogically the carbonate fraction consists of calcite, Mg-calcite, aragonite and dolomite. Mg-calcite, forming the radial cortex of the ooids, is the most unexpected and significant of such components. In addition, the Mg-calcite micritic cement is the most commonly observed diagenetic product resulting in the formation of hardgrounds in some areas. The clay minerals of the (< 2 mu m) grade are: illite, smectite, chlorite, illite-smectite, kaolinite and palygorskite. They are mainly detrital in origin. The fluvial loads of the Shatt Al-Arab (i.e. Tigris and Euphrates rivers) and Karun rivers, sand and dust from north-westerly storm winds (Shamal) are the main potential sources for the detrital sediments accumulating in the area of study. The indigenous marine organisms and some inorganic precipitation (as Mg-calcite), are additional sources of the sediments and increase in percentage toward the open waters. Bedair,-H.M.; Al-Saad,-H.T., Dissolved and particulate-adsorbed hydrocarbons in the waters of Shatt al-Arab River, Iraq., WATER-AIR-SOIL-POLLUT. 1992. vol. 61, no. 3-4, pp. 397-408 N-alkanes were measured both in dissolved and particulate-adsorbed phases of water samples collected from 5 stations located along Shatt al-Arab River in Iraq. The aim of this study was to provide a background information on the presence, origin, and distribution of n-alkanes in the waters of Shatt al-Arab River. Total concentrations of n-alkanes were lower in the dissolved phase (29.37 mu g/L) than in the particulate-adsorbed fraction (17.62 mu g/g dw). Distribution of n-alkanes in both fractions is characterized by two distinct patterns. The CPI values were found to be from 0.99 to 1.98 in the dissolved fraction and from 0.70 to 2.10 in the particulate fraction. Petroleum hydrocarbon inputs and urban related oil discharges (anthropogenic pollution) may also have contributed to the input of n-alkanes in Shatt al-Arab, particularly near the city of Basrah. Results obtained in this study indicate that the n-alkanes in the waters of Shatt al-Arab River are of aquatic biogenic and anthropogenic (petroleum related) origins. Cherif,-O.H.; Al-Ghadban,-A.-N.; Al-Rifaiy,-I.A., Distribution of foraminifera in the Arabian Gulf, Micropaleontology 1997 vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 253-280 Ninety-eight foraminiferal species identified in forty sediment samples collected from different parts of the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) are illustrated and their distribution investigated. The identified foraminiferal fauna of the Gulf consists of 15% Textulariina (agglutinated forms), 37% Miliolina (porcellaneous forms), 0.1% Lagenina, 1% Globigerinina (planktic forms) and 47% Rotaliina (the last mentioned three suborders constituting the hyaline forms). Cluster analysis of quantitative data on the distribution of tests of foraminiferal species in the samples allow us to determine four assemblages, generally corresponding to the major geomorphic provinces of the Gulf: a western Iranian Shallow Shelf assemblage, an assemblage distributed all over the Axial Zone of the Arabian Gulf, a deep water assemblage of the Central Basin of the Gulf extending up to the Strait of Hormuz and an Arabian Shallow Shelf assemblage. The study of the geographical distribution of these assemblages and their relation to major geographical characteristics of the surrounding lands suggests that the nature of the foraminiferal assemblages depends mainly on biotic factors. The fauna of the Iranian Shelf displays a high diversity (average Yule-Simpson diversity index for the assemblage 39.2) as it receives an appreciable amount of nutrients from drainages in the topographically high Iranian hinterland. The fauna of the Arabian Shelf displays relatively low diversities (average Yule-Simpson diversity index for the assemblage 16.1) as the arid Arabian hinterland is practically deprived of active drainage. The foraminiferal fauna of the deepest parts of the investigated localities display low diversities and include appreciable proportions of agglutinated forms. Lowest diversities are observed near the Strait of Hormuz (Yule-Simpson diversity index of 14.9), highest diversities near the mouth of Shatt Al-Arab (Yule-Simpson diversity index of 62.9). This suggests that the amounts of nutrients provided by drainages debouching in a landlocked basin is an important factor determining the constitution of the foraminifera of bottom sediments. Douabul,-A.A.Z.; Abaychi,-J.K.; Al-Asadi,-M.K.; Al-Awadi,-H., Restoration of heavily polluted branches of the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq, WATER-RES. 1987 vol. 21, no. 8, pp. 955-960 In view of the desire to improve the water quality of the heavily polluted branches of the Shatt al-Arab River at the City of Basrah, it was proposed to maintain effective flushing as well as contracting sewerage system. The present study was conducted in order to examine the water quality of these branches in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed flushing system. It has been found that their waters contained very low levels of dissolved oxygen and relatively high amounts of both COD and BOD sub(5). The annual average water quality parameters for Basrah Branches were: dissolved oxygen 3.4 ppm; pH 7.67; hydrogen sulphide 1.4 ppm; ammonia 97 mu g-at. N 1 super(-1); COD 15.9 mg 1 super(-1); BOD sub(5) 12.7 mg 1 super(-1); dissolved silicates 202 mu g-at. Si 1 super(-1); dissolved reactive phosphate 13.4 mu g-at. P-PO super(3) sub(4) super(-)1 super(-1); nitrate 10.4 mu g-at. N-NO super(-) sub(3)1 super(-1); nitrite 2.1 mu g-at. N-NO super(-) sub(2)1 super(-1) and chlorophyll- alpha 14.3 mg m super(-3). Based on our calculations, it has been concluded that the proposed system is effective, thus within a flushing cycle all of the above mentioned parameters will become within the acceptable values of the Shatt al-Arab water quality. Moreover, this system has no appreciable effect upon the water quality characteristics of the Shatt al-Arab River due to the fact that it discharges a high volume of water annually. However, It has been recommended to dredge the deposited sludge to a minimum depth of 50 cm (DBO). Fawzi,-I.; Salman,-H.H.; Al-Mudaffar,-N.,Temporal distributions of some chemical parameters of Garmatt-Ali River southern Iraq, MAR.-MESOP. 1991 vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 251-261 Garmatt-Ali River is a tributary of Shatt Al-Arab, north of Basrah (Iraq) sums up the changes in TDS, major cations and anions in the River Euphrates and the marshes through which it passes. Chemical analysis of Garmatt-Ali river water for TDS, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO sub(4) and HCO sub(3) were carried out and studied statistically as time series to investigate the variations of different concentrations with time. TDS, Na, Ca Cl, SO sub(4) follow the same regime while HCO sub(3) and Mg concentrations are found to divert. Except for HCO sub(3) and Mg a remarkable annual and seasonal pattern of variation in some water quality parameters characterised by overlapping episodes has been observed. Hadi,-R.A.M.; Al-Mousawi,-A.H.A.; Al-Zubaidy,-A.-J.M.,A study on the primary productivity in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary at Basrah, Iraq., J.-BIOL.-SCI.-RES. 1989. vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 593-606 The primary productivity was measured in the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary and five of its main canals around the center of Basrah city. The primary productivity of the estuary and two of its eastern canals was rather low and ranged from 18.5 to 52.9 mg c super(-3) h super(-1). The primary productivity in three of its western canals (major sewage-discharging canals) was very high and ranged from 31.5 to 3180.9 mg c super(-3) h super(-1). Chlorophyll-a analysis at the same stations showed a similar trend. These variations were documented with NH sub(3)-N, PO sub(4)-P and SiO sub(2)-Si results. Hammar marsh, Shatt Al-Arab, and north-west Arabian Gulf, MAR.-POLLUT.-BULL. 1993 vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 559-564 Sediment samples taken from different locations of Hor Al-Hammar marsh, Shatt Al-Arab estuary and North-West Arabian Gulf, were analysed to determine origins and sources of hydrocarbons and fatty acids. In Hor Al-Hammar there are two different sources: one from phytoplankton and zooplankton and the other from aquatic plants dominant in the region. These are characterized by carbon numbers such as C19, C25, C27 for hydrocarbons and C16, C18 for fatty acids. The same patterns were observed in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary, while in the North-West Arabian Gulf, odd and even carbon numbers were observed; these came from different sources such as phytoplankton, especially diatoms, zooplankton, bacteria, and fungi. The input of terrigenous material such as wax of aquatic plants is missing in this area. Transportation from Shatt Al-Arab and Khor Al-Zubair was another source of higher molecular weight compounds to the North-West Arabian Gulf. Ho,-Ju-Shey; Khamees,-N.R.; Mhaisen,-F.T., Ergasilid copepods (Poecilostomatoida) parasitic on the mullet Liza abu in Iraq, with the description of a new species of Paraergasilus Markevich, 1937, SYST.-PARASITOL. 1996 vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 79-87 Five species of ergasilids parasitic on the mullet Liza abu (Heckel) in the Shatt Al-Arab River in the south of Iraq are reported. They are: Dermoergasilus varicoleus Ho, Jayarajan & Radhakrishnan, 1992; Ergasilus mosulensis Rahemo, 1982; E. rostralis Ho, Jayarajan & Radhakrishnan, 1992; Mugilicola kabatai Piasecki, Khamees & Mhaisen, 1991; and Paraergasilus inflatus n. sp. In addition to describing the new species, a redescription of E. mosulensis is also given. Hussain,-N.A.; Ali,-T.S.; Saud,-K.D., Seasonal fluctuations and composition of fish assemblage in the Shatt Al-Arab River at Basrah, Iraq, J.-BIOL.-SCI.-RES. 1989. vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 139-150 Seasonal changes and composition of fish assemblage in Shatt Al-Arab River were studied from Feb. 1987 to Jan. 1983. A total of 1507 fish comprising 33 species were collected. Among them five species Nematalosa nasus, Gambusia affinis, Liza abu, Acanthopagrus latu, Heteropneustes fossilis , formed about half (44.4%) of the total specimens collected. Species composition and abundance seem to be affected by the chlorinity more than temperature. Ibrahim,-F.H., B, Cadmium toxicity and accumulation in the aquatic plant Vallisneria spirallis, MAR.-MESOP. 1993 vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 67-79 The present investigation was conducted to study the mechanism of uptake and accumulation of cadmium by a local river weed Vallisneria spirallis collected from Shatt Al-Arab river in Iraq. The results indicate that the process involves 2 stages. The first stage was rapid and 70% of the uptake that occurred in the 20 days duration of the experiment was taken up in the first 10 days, then the uptake became linear with time. Cadmium uptake by V.spirallis did not exhibit a constant Q sub(10) being 1.2 between 10 and 20 C and 1.5 between 20 and 30 C. Neither EDTA nor resuspension in fresh medium had any effect on bound cadmium by V.spirallis. The difference in cadmium bound by plants kept in dark and others kept in light was not significant even when carbohydrates were depleted from the plants. SCMU and sodium iodoacetate had small effects on cadmium bound by V.spirallis. Mohammed,-H.M.A.; Bishop,-J.M.; Ye,-Y., Kuwait's Post Gulf-War Shrimp Fishery and Stock Status from 1991/92 Through 1995/96, Reviews-in-Fisheries-Science [Rev-Fish-Sci] 1998 vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 253-280 Comparisons of catch and effort data from 5 seasons by dhow and industrial fleets showed annual landings to vary around the long-term average of 2100 tons. No direct long-term effects of the Gulf War were identified, but indirect effects have caused substantial changes in Kuwait's shrimp fishery. The effort expenditure in 1993/94 reached an all-time high of 17,615 industrial boat-days, more than the sum total of the last three seasons' effort (16,400 industrial boat-days) prior to the War. With a fixed number of industrial vessels, dhow boats have been responsible for the increased effort. Low total landings and catch rates since the Gulf War reflect low stock abundance and high effort. Penaeus semisulcatus, Kuwait's most important shrimp species, dominated shrimp landings for all 5 seasons, but its importance to the total landings declined to a historical low during the 1995/96 season accounting for only 50% of the dhow landings and presumably the industrial boat landings. The primary factors for this decrease appear to be increasing fishing pressure during the shrimp season as well as illegal trawling during closed season and altered discharge rates of the Shatt Al-Arab. Growth performance indices for P. semisulcatus, Metapenaeus affinis, and Parapenaeopsis stylifera during the 1995/96 season compared closely with those of the 1988/89, 1989/90, 1991/92, and 1992/93 seasons when shrimp populations experienced high densities, decreased water temperatures resulting from the oil-fire smoke, or overfishing and other environmental conditions. Fishing mortality of all species for 1995/96 exceeded the natural mortality, a clear indication of overexploitation. Results of bio-economic analysis show that 4000 industrial boat-days would maximize economic returns, while 8000 industrial boat-days would maximize the sustainable yield. Both the values are higher than estimates prior to the War. With both reversible (overfishing) and irreversible (altered Shatt Al-Arab discharge influences operating), prudent management of trawling effort will become increasingly important if Kuwait is to maintain its position as a shrimp exporter. Rahma,-J.H.; Jaweir,-H.J.,Population structure of N. indica and D. heteropoda (Annelida: Polychaeta) in Shatt Al-Arab, MAR.-MESOP. 1990 vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 337-351 The population structures of 2 species of polychaeta in 2 areas in Shatt Al-Arab, Al-Khundak River at Ashar and Al-Majdia River at Germat All were studied. It was noted that Namalycastis indica was dominant in Al-Khundak and Dendronereides heteropoda in Al-Majdia. The population density ranged between 68-116 worm/m for N. indica and 4-24 worm/m for D. heteropoda in Al-Khundak River, while in Al-Majdia River the population density ranged between 2-16, 12-88 for N. indica and D. heteropoda respectively. The jaw length was used as an index to determine the body length. A linear correlation was noted between jaw length and body length for both species. It was noted from the size frequency for both species that there is a clear interference between worm size in the population. The egg carrying worms found at all time during study except in November for N. indica, in which the highest percentage for the egg carrying worms for this species was 35% reached in October. While in D. heteropoda, the egg carrying worms disappeared during October-January and reappeared at the beginning of February. The jaw length of egg carrying worms ranged between 0.15-0.35 mm for N. indica and 0.12-0.24 mm for D. heteropoda. Saad,-M.A.H., Distribution of nutrients in Shatt Al-Arab Estuary, BULL.-INST.-OCEANOGR.-FISH.-CAIRO 1985 vol. 11, pp. 27-42 The seasonal distribution of nutrients in the Euphrates and Tigris Estuary (Shatt Al-Arab, Iraq) was investigated and discussed. The increase in nitrate and nitrite concentrations is due principally to the discharge of sewage and industrial wastes, as well as the waters of the feeding rivers mainly Karun. Very high phosphate concentrations found in some bottom samples coincided with the decay of phytoplankton and the release of phosphate from the sediments, sewage wastes and runoff from cultivated lands. The increase in silicate content, especially in the bottom samples at some locations, is due mainly to the decline of diat=oms and the increase in the rate of dissolution of diatom frustules in the sediments. Nonbiological factors seem to greatly affect the content of nutrients in Shatt Al-Arab. Saeed,-T.; Al-Ghadban,-A.N.; Al-Shemmari,-H.; Salman,-S.D.; Oshana,-V.K.; Ali,-M.H., Life cycle and population dynamics of Annina mesopotamica (Ahmed), (Isopoda, Flabellifera) in the Shatt Al-Arab region, Basrah, Iraq, HYDROBIOLOGIA 1996 vol. 330, no. 2, pp. 119-130 A population of the intertidal, ovoviviparous, cirolanid isopod Annina mesopotamica was studied at the Al-Chibassy tributary of the Shatt Al-Arab river from 14 May 1973 to 29 April 1974, and at the Garmat-Ali river of the Shatt Al-Arab, Basrah, Iraq from 5 November 1984 to 30 June 1986. Population density varied between 128 to 5760 individuals m super(-2) with a mean of 1218 m super(-2). Highest numbers occurred between June and September. Breeding extended for most of the year except November/January to February/March, although ovigerous females were present throughout the year. The incubation period varied with season, and was ca. 2 weeks during the warmest period, and about a month at lower temperatures. Egg numbers varied between 4 to 66 with mean 24. Brood size was linearly proportional to female size. The size frequency distribution of the population was polymodal with a predominance of females over males. Four different types of growth curves were found: exponential, concave, convex, and intermediate between concave and convex. Growth rate varied between 0.63 and 2.19 mm/month. Mortality was higher among summer cohorts. Life span varied between 5 and 11 months. Subba-Rao,-D.V.; Al-Yamani,-F., Phytoplankton ecology in the waters between Shatt Al-Arab and Straits of Hormuz, Arabian Gulf: A review, Plankton-Biology-and-Ecology [Plankton-Biol-Ecol] 1998 vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 101-116 In the Arabian Gulf, a north to south gradient in the distribution properties
of phytoplankton seems to exist. Low species diversity (<1 16 species),
high biomass ( similar to 94 mu g/Ch a/l) and high production ( similar
to 3181 mu g/Cl/h) characterize the Shatt Al-Arab estuarine waters in the
north. To its south off Kuwait a higher species diversity (148 species),
low biomass ( similar to 14 mu g/Chl a/l) and low production ( similar
to 867 mu g/CI/h) exist. Waters in the Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz
further south have the highest species diversity ( similar to 527 species),
and lower biomass ( similar to 1.18 mu g/Chl a/1). Due to the impact of
oceanic waters, production in these southern waters is probably lower than
in the northern waters. The number of taxa phytohydrographically associate
Al-Ghadban, A. N. MAIN TITLE: Sediment characteristics of ROPME sea
area bottom sediments A. N. Al-Ghadban, P. G. Jacob, Environmental
Sciences Department, Environmental and Earth Sciences Division.PUBLISHER:
Kuwait : KISR, 1993.
F .Al-Yamani ,Assessment of the effects of the Shatt Al-Arab's altered
discharge regimes on the ecology of the northern Arabian Gulf / F. Al-Yamani
.. [et al.] PUBLISHER: Kuwait : KISR, 997.
Mathews, C. P. ??Stocks of metapenaeus affinis in Kuwait and Iraq waters
/ C.P. Mathews, J. M. Bishop, S. Salman, Mariculture and Fisheries
Department, Food Resources Division, Marine ??Sciences Center, University
of Basrah, Iraq. PUBLISHER: Kuwait : KISR, 1987.
SHATT-AL-ARABA
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Iran-Iraq: Role of the Shatt Al-'Arab
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OCEANOGRAPHIC PROCESSES IN THE COSTAL SEAS AROUND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
The Persian Gulf War of 1991 brought serious environmental damage to
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Mgrations of the commercial penaeid shrimp Metapenaeus affinis
Oil spillage has disrupted the spawning of shrimp and fish.
A Global Representative System of Marine Protected Areas
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