Analysis of Water Quality Using Physico-Chemical Parameters in the Shatt AL-Arab Estuary, Iraq

Abstract

Six sampling stations, Al-Qurna, paper factory, Al- Sindebad, AL-Ashar, Al-Sebah and Al-Fao , representing different sectors of Shatt AL-Arab estuary were selected to the distribution of the Physical and chemical parameters. Water sample analyzed from August 2008 to July 2009,Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC) , temperature, salinity and pH as well as nutrients were also analyzed . The mean range of the following parameters were recorded: pH (7.56-7.84), EC (1.29-3.22 mmohs/cm 2 ), Ca (87.18-130.26 mg/l), Mg (60.35-111.17 mg/l), Cl (304.7-753.31 mg/l), TSS (11-38.58 mg/l), TDS (891-2040.42 mg/l), DO (5.16-10.05 mg/l), turbidity (4.57-39.03 FTU), water temperature (21.09-22.47 °C), air temperature (23.54-35.26 °C), SO 2- (285.73-663.89 mg/l), HCO 3 (204.39-255.22 mg/l), and Nutrient(NO 2 , NO 3 ,PO 4 ). Also the seasonal variation of all the parameters were monitored during this study and the result showed some fluctuation in some of them during different seasons at different locations of the estuary The results indicate that the water is no-polluted and can be used for domestic, irrigation and fisheries.