Total Hardness Values Research Articles

Time periods ranking according to the degree of the water source pollution

The quality of river water was assessed by identifying time periods for which the values of turbidity, chromaticity, oxidizability and total hardness are maximum or minimum. Periods with high values of indicators were identified for which strict quality control of water purification is required: from January to April for total hardness and from April to July for turbidity, chromaticity and oxidizability. It was revealed that the largest deviations from the standard values in terms of indicators with their total impact on water pollution fall on the period from April to July, and the most unfavorable month is May. It has been established that the priority pollutant for the studied sections is water turbidity.

The effect of electromagnetic field technique on wells water hardness reducing

This study was conducted on nine wells water within Kirkuk city for the period 1st July 2015 until 13th June 2016 to assess the electromagnetic field's effectiveness in groundwater purification, where the study focused on the design apparatus with different electromagnetic fields accomplished by exposing the water to electromagnetic fields while the water is passing through the device. Electromagnetic water treatment process consists of two phases, the first by using different electromagnetic fields 1.4,1.7,1.9 Tesla with the stability of the water passage time 20 minutes through electromagnetic field and the second phase is consists of fixed electromagnetic field intensity 1.9 Tesla with change water retention time 5, 10, 20 minutes during the electromagnetic field . Study showed the effect of electromagnetic treatment on wells water hardness. The total hardness decreases at a rate of 18% when the field intensity 1.4 Tesla and 31% when the field intensity1.7Tesla , while the total hardness value decrease at a rate of 48% when the field intensity 1.9. The total hardness decreased at a rate of 15% when retention time 5 minutes and to 30% when retention time 10 minutes , while the total hardness decreased at a rate of 57% when retention time 20 minutes

Study of using some microalgae in treatment of domestic wastewater

The present study includes growing five species of microalgae which are Chlorella sacchrophila, Chlorella vulgaris, Scendesmus obliquus, Botryococcus braunii, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii algae and using of biological treatment of domestic wastewater. The present study shows that the studied microalgae has ability to reduce the pollutants average in domestic wastewater for all stations. As the results show that the highest percentage of removal in electrical conductivity (31%) register in case using C. vulgaris, while the lowest percentage (5%) register when using C. sacchrophila. The used algae variant in their ability to reduce Salinity value which reaches the highest percentage of reduce for salinity values (21%) when using C. vulgaris and the lowest percentage of reduce was ( 6%) register when using C. sacchrophila .
 The highest percentage of highness of PH (30%)when using C. reinhardtii. The lowest percentage of highest (9.3%) register when using C. sacchrophila. The highest percentage of lowness in alkalinity value (85%) when using C. reinhardtii, whereas lowest percentage lowness was (54%) when using C. sacchrophila and C. vulgaris. The highest removal percentage of calcium and magnesium hardness value register when using B. braunii was (75% and 58%) respectively, while the lowest percentage of removal calcium hardness was (11%) when using C. vulgaris, whereas the lowest percentage of removal magnesium hardness was (37%) when using S. obliquus. The highest lowness percentage in values of total hardness when using B. braunii (66%), while the lowest percentage of lowness was registered in case using C. vulgaris which reaches (26%).
 The highest percentage of highness for dissolved oxygen values was (56%) register when using C. reinhardtii, while the lowest percentage of highness was (36%) when using C. vulgaris. BOD values were low which reaches the highest percentage of lowness (43%) when using S. obliquus, while the lowest percentage of lowness (21%) when using C. vulgaris. Nutrients represented by nitrate and phosphors, reach the highest percentage of lowness for nitrate (64%) register when using B. braunii, whereas the lowest percentage was (38%) register when using C. sacchrophila. The lowest removal percentage of Phosphors reaches (32%) when using C. vulgaris whereas the highest removal percentage was registered (64%) in case using S. obliquus.

Development of novel heat-treated sausage with Pleurotus ostreatus: Low energy, enhanced bioactivity, reduced amount of meat and fat.

The use of Pleurotus ostreatus to reduce calories and increase bioactivity in processed meat products is an increasingly common practice. In this study, a novel sausage containing P. ostreatus was developed based parameters like protein, antioxidants, total phenolic content, cohesiveness, energy, fat, ΔE, hardness, and gumminess values using a D-optimal mixture design. The results showed that over 20% of P. ostreatus could be used in sausage production. Moreover, it was concluded that the optimized sausages contain less fat (33.05%) and meat (18.6%) and therefore have a lower calorie value (19.03%). In addition, P. ostreatus added to the sausage formulation decreased the use of animal raw materials, increased the bioactive properties of the sausages, and did not cause a significant change in the amino acid profile.

Evaluation of Bartın river water quality index and suitability as irrigation water with physicochemical parameters

In this study, it was aimed to determine the water quality of Bartın River and its usability as irrigation water. In order to evaluate the change of water quality according to the precipitation the samples were collected from 4 points in December and July months. pH, NO3, SO4, Cl-, total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solid (SS), turbidity, some cations and metals were analyzed in the collected samples. The assessment of physicochemical parameters was made according to the Surface Water Quality Regulation [1]. It was determined that SS and turbidity parameters increased after precipitation and 98% of turbidity was caused by SS. Cl-, Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2, SO4-2, TP were determined higher in the dry period. Although COD, total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), NO3 were higher in the rainy season, the difference between the two periods is not much. According to the water quality index, water quality was poor at all sampling points during the rainy season. In the dry period, good quality was also determined at only 1 sampling point. COD is the parameter with the greatest effect on effective weight and water quality. Irrigation water suitability was evaluated with the indexes sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), EC, %Na, magnesium ratio (MR), Kelly index (KI), potential salinity (PS) and total hardness (TH). River water is suitable as irrigation water in both periods according to SAR, %Na, MR, KI indexes. However, since the potential salinity (PS) value is greater than 3 µeq/L at the SP4 in the dry period, it is not suitable as irrigation water. Its total hardness value is >180 mg/L, so it is in the very hard water class.

ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND BIOMETRIC ANALYSIS FOR COMMON CARP Cyprinus carpio L., 1758: A CASE STUDY FROM BIȚINA POND (ILFOV COUNTY, ROMANIA)

Weight-length relationships (WLRs), Fulton’s K condition factor and the size structure were investigated for common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linne, 1758) collected from Bițina 3 Pond – a freshwater ecosystem used for recreational fishing, located 40 km away from Bucharest. Negative allometric growth was estimated for common carp as: TW = 0.0563xTL<sup<2.7111</sup<; TW = 0.2301 x SL<sup<2.4175</sup< (N = 30, November 2021). The values for condition factor K ranged between 1.44 and 2.67. Water samples were collected from 7 sampling points (SP) and were subjected to physico-chemical characterization. Consequently, it was determined the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate phosphorus (P-PO<sub<4</sub<<sup<3-</sup<) and nitrogen pollutant species: nitrate nitrogen (N-NO<sub<3</sub<<sup<-</sup<), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO<sub<2</sub<<sup<-</sup<) and ammonium-nitrogen (N-NH<sub<4</sub<<sup<+</sup<). Total hardness values present very significant correlation with conductivity (r=0.7305***) and distinct significant correlation with pH (r=0.5765**). The results indicated that water meets the requirements for optimal development of aquatic organisms. This paper provides novel information on weight-length relationships, Fulton’s K condition factor along with environmental parameters for Cyprinus carpio collected from freshwater ponds designed for sport fishing.

Multilayered Edible Coatings to Enhance Some Quality Attributes of Ready-to-Eat Cherimoya (Annona cherimola)

Multilayer coating can be applied on fresh fruit to protect and enhance its shelf life. This study evaluated the application of a multilayer protein and chitosan coating on fresh cherimoya. To determinate the effect of the multilayer coating on the shelf life on the fruit, total phenolic content, pH, °Brix, weight loss, and hardness values were tested. The ripening process is associated with an increase of soluble solids, and results showed that the presence of the multilayered coating maintains the total phenolic content, pH, and °Brix values over time while reducing the water loss. This effect is probably due to the presence of the coating that creates a barrier on the food surface that reduces the respiration rate and affects the ripening process, demonstrating the method’s feasibility to be used to enhance the shelf life of fresh-cut cherimoya.

Evaluation of Total Hardness and Qualitative Analysis of Boiler Water at the Food Jam Industry, Tangerang, Indonesia

Food industry is one of the most crucial and rapidly growing economic sectors in Indonesia. One of the examples is the food jam industry. This industry was located in Tangerang, Indonesia. The majority of the food jam industry uses its own source of water, so this part is also important to water producers in Indonesia. Water used in the food jam industry should meet the requirements of at least drinking water quality, so the factories need to treat the water. Good quality water is water that requires good physical, chemical, and bacteriology properties. Hard water is a term known for water that contains a high concentration of minerals such as Calcium (Ca) and Mag-nesium (Mg). Moreover, water with very high degrees of hardness is harmful to health. In this study, we want to evaluate and determine the pH, total hardness, and total dissolved solids (TDS) at three different times namely morning, midday, and afternoon. The results obtained in the range of pH analysis are 6.98 to 7.99 with all cover times. The total hardness in the boiler water and the TDS are around 252.6 to 388.2 mg/L and 310 to 406 mg/L, respectively. These results indicated that it has fulfilled the requirements for total hardness values under the Minister of Health Regulations (Permenkes) No. 492/Menkes/Per/IV/2010.

Evaluation of physical and chemical properties of water from some wells in Balad district within Salah al-Din governorate

This study was conducted on water samples from 4 wells in the Balad district, Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq, to assess the water quality. Four wells were studied for the period from the month of November 2019 to February 2020, the chemical and physical analyzes were carried out in the Environmental Laboratory of the College of Science, Tikrit University. Electrical conductivity values rates ranged between (590-3492)µs/cm.pH values rates ranged (7.02-7.85). The sulfate values ranged between (49.672-796.279) mg/L. Dissolved solids of well water were (753-3614) mg/L. Total alkalinity values ​​were low during study period, as recorded (84.5-174.25) mg/L. The chloride ions values rates ​​ranged between (52.5-241.25) mg/L. Reason of groundwater very hardness due to geological factors of study area ,Which was mostly the result of ion bicarbonates , ranging values of total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness between (795-1905) mg / L, (610-1025) mg / L, (135-1010) mg/L respectively. As for heavy metals, the study recorded values ​​for lead whose rates ranged between (0.355-0.509) mg/L, while zinc recorded values ​​ranging between (0.033- 3.841) mg/L, The results of the study showed that the physicochemical parameters of well water were not conformity with the Iraqi and international specifications for drinking water, except for well 2. The research aims to assess the water quality of some groundwater wells and indicate its suitability for irrigation and drinking in the light of international and Iraqi standards

Assessment of Physio-Chemical Parameters of Goverdhan Sagar Lake (GSL)

Abstract: The study was carried out to assess the Current physico-chemical and biological status of lake Goverdhan Sagar of Udaipur. The physico-chemical and biological parameters of the lake have been studied at three different locations for a period of four months from Jan’2022 to April’2022. Physico-chemical parameters of lake were found to be moderate throughout the study period as per drinking water standards. As per tests performed following water quality parameters were found, the average Temperature of water was found to be 28.31 ͦC, Colour and Odour disagreeable, and pH of lake was found with mean value of 9.1. Area of Study the mean value of BOD 4.02 ppm and COD 45.88 ppm was observed. The mean value of dissolved Oxygen (DO) 5.4 was found and satisfactory for the survival and growth of aquatic organisms. In present study the mean value of nitrogen was found as 7.23 ppm, which is under permissible limit. The hardness is mainly due to calcium and magnesium ions. During the study, mean value of total hardness, Calcium hardness and Magnesium hardness was observed as 31.50 ppm, 7.60 ppm and 23.91 ppm respectively, which are under permissible limits. finding of lake water which recorded mean value of total alkalinity 253.25 ppm. During the study mean value of chloride content observed as 165.48 ppm which is below the permissible limit. Fluoride 0.58 ppm was found as a mean value. The High value of pH, EC and TDS characteristics of Lake Goverdhan Sagar shows its nutrient rich and alkaline nature. The water quality indicated that the water of lake is suitable for the fishery purpose. However, water of the lake was not found suitable for potable and domestic uses as the high value of bacterial load, bio-chemical oxygen demand and Chemical oxygen demand showed its high pollution status.

Chemical Analysis of Drink Water Samples for some Water Purification and Treatment Stations in El-Beida City - Libya and Compared with Residential and Mineral Water

This study was conducted in the city of El-Beida-Libya on different samples from 11 drinking water purification and treatment stations, compared with the source water (residential water) and some of the most popular mineral water samples in the Libyan local markets. During this work, a number of chemical properties of the studied samples were examined, such as pH, Electric Conductivity (EC) (µS/cm),Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (mg/l), Alkalinity (as HCO3-) (mg/l), Total Hardness (TH) (mg/l), Ca++(mg/l), Mg++ (mg/l), Na+(mg/l), K+ (mg/l), Cl- (mg/l) and NO3- (mg/l). The results obtained in the current study indicate that there are variation among stations. Whereas the pH values were ranged between (5.99 - 7.48), EC values were ranged (10.03 – 590 µS/cm), TDS values were ranged (5 - 283.33), Alkalinity (as HCO3-) values were ranged (44.73- 390.40 mg/l), Total hardness values were ranged (8.01-248.20 mg/l), Ca++ values were ranged (3.2-99.42 mg/l), Mg++ (1.92-59.52 mg/l), Na+ (1.92-23.24 mg/l), K+ (0.03-1.95 mg/l), Cl- (9.46-56.74 mg/l) and NO3- (6.33-12.17 mg/l). Most of the parameters analyzed in this study were within the guidelines given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Libyan National Centre for Standardization and Metrology ( LNCSM) for drinking water while few others were not. Overall, the water from all the locations was found to be safe as drinking water except for the sample number S8 (Al Nabaa for drinking water purification and treatment), which is considered poor quality in terms of chemical properties specifications.

Characterization of the groundwater quality in Udham Singh Nagar of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand

The Udham Singh Nagar district is affluent in fertile land and water resources and even favoured for industrial advancement, resulting in a rapid increase of industrialization and urban growth, which are the inevitable causes of groundwater contamination. In recent years the increased rate of urbanization and Integrated Industrial Estate (IIE) in Pantnagar, Kashipur and Sitarganj area (of the district) have increased the demand for groundwater. Proper groundwater resource planning and monitoring on a regional scale are required to cope with the pace of rapid urbanization and industrialization along with dire irrigation needs. To suffice this strategy, the spatial distribution of water quality shall determine the sustainable approach to be implemented in an area. This research aims to assess the hydrochemical quality of the groundwater in Udham Singh Nagar district (areal extent 3055 Km2), Uttarakhand. The groundwater samples collected from the aquifer have shown anomalous values of Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Magnesium (Mg2+), Iron (Fe), and Lead (Pb2+) on undergoing major elemental analysis, which confirms degradation in the groundwater quality. Moreover, the Piper Trilinear Diagram (PTD) has identified groundwater's hydrochemical facies and characterization. Based on the interpretation of TDS, most groundwater samples < 500 mg/L of dissolved solids, making it desirable for drinking. Therefore, this phenomenon attributes to suitable drinking water present in the aquifer of Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.

Characterization and diversity of macroin-vertebrates in groundwater in the region of Souk-Ahras (North-East of Algeria)

Abstract A preliminary inventory of macroinvertebrate communities and a regular physicochemical analysis of groundwater were carried out in the Souk Ahras region (north-eastern Algeria). It aims to study and analyze the structure and distribution of underground aquatic species, thus determining the relationship that may exist between the quality of water in wells and springs with the diversity of aquatic fauna present in the habitats. Through 2018, 14 stations (10 wells and 4 springs) were monitored on a monthly basis, while water and aquatic fauna samples were taken. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the physicochemical quality parameters was carried out from the average values of each parameter. It has been observed that the waters are highly mineralized, due to the high values of total hardness, salinity, and sulfate levels in certain stations. The sources of contamination are mainly due to the raw wastewater circulating in the small canals. Also “seguias” are used either to evacuate wastewater or for irrigation, which seeps down to the water table. The collected aquatic fauna in all the 14 stations is diversified and contains 29 families which correspond to 4 taxa.

WHAT WE DRINK IS IT SAFE? AN ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER IN KOCH BIHAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

The groundwater quality of Koch Bihar District (West Bengal, India) has been assessed to determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking. Eight parameters have been taken into account for calculating the water quality index (WQI): pH, total hardness (TH), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe) and sulfate (SO42-). Secondary data on water quality were collected from Central Ground Water Commission (2018), and the samples of water have been collected from the various locations and analyzed accordingly. The physico-chemical data were evaluated following the standards of BIS and WHO guidelines. The calculated WQI ranges from 23.62 to 95.12. In terms of groundwater quality for drinking purposes, Tufanganj-1 and Koch Bihar-1 seem to be the worst blocks. The magnesium (Mg) concentration exceeds the acceptable limit of 30 mg/l in Mathabhanga I, Mathabhanga II, Koch Bihar II, Dinhata II, and Sitai Block and Koch Bihar II exceeds its permissible limit (100mg/ l). The Iron (Fe) value exceeds the acceptable limit of 0.5 mg/l in Koch Bihar II. The Total Hardness (TH) value exceeds the acceptable limit (200 mg/l) in Mekhliganj, Mathabhanga-I, Koch Bihar-I, Koch Bihar-II, Tufanganj II, Dinhata II, Sitai. However, no sample crosses the maximum acceptable limit for pH, carbonate, chloride, and sulfate. It is suggested that water drawn from such sources be disinfected adequately before being used for drinking or other domestic purposes.

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS OF ALETO STREAM, ELEME, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Aim: The physico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations of Aleto stream were investigated to determine its status.Research Design: Samples were collected randomly from four points; upstream, outfall, downstream of Aleto stream with Agbonchia stream serving as control. Methodology: The physico-chemical parameters: temperature, pH, EC, turbidity, TSS, TDS, total hardness, calcium hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, COD, BOD, DO, color, odor and taste were determined using standard methods. Heavy metal levels were determined using AAS.Results: The physico-chemical characteristics revealed range values of EC (5400-5600 µs/cm), turbidity (39-90NTU), TDS (2780-3020 mg/L), Total Hardness (550-600 mg/L), calcium hardness (500-550 mg/L), chloride (1798-2043 mg/L), COD (50-115 mg/L), BOD (12-23 mg/L) and DO (12-15 mg/L) were above WHO permissible limits for upstream, outfall and downstream while alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, and temperature ranges of 22-23 mg/L, 3.7-4.7 mg/L, 0.6 -1.9 mg/L and 26-26.3OC respectively were within maximum allowable limit of WHO. The pH was slightly alkaline for Aleto Stream. Color and taste for the water samples were above recommended limits. The heavy metal levels were Fe: 0.488, 0.499, 0.499 and 0.142; Zn: 0.094, 0.094, 0.095 and 0.061; Cd: 0.055, 0.053, 0.051 and 0.022; Pd: 0.358, 0.386, 0.419 and 0.110; Cr: 0.131, 0.141, 0.152 and 0.018; As: &lt;0.01, &lt;0.01. &lt;0.01 and &lt;0.01 for downstream, upstream, outfall and control samples respectively. The result suggests that there is significant difference in the mean values of the parameters in the water sources considered. Conclusion: Thus, regular surveillance should be carried out on the stream to detect any alteration in the water quality in order to avert any outbreak of health disorders.

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Analysis of Fish Pond Effluents in Warri and Its Environs, Nigeria

Aims: This study was to ascertain the bacteriological and physicochemical characteristics of fish pond effluents.&#x0D; Study Design: Waste water samples were collected from six (6) different ponds, three (3) earthen ponds (A, B &amp; C) and three (3) concrete ponds (D, E &amp; F).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a laboratory in the Department of Environmental Management and toxicology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria. The research lasted for six months.&#x0D; Methodology: Standard procedures were adopted for sample collection, microbiological and physicochemical analyses. Waste water samples were analyzed for total bacterial count, total coliform count and Escherichia coli (E. coli) count. Physicochemical parameters measured were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature and many others.&#x0D; Results: Pond C which was an earthen pond was found with the highest bacterial, coliform and E. coli. counts (2.8 × 105 ±0.01, 1.2 × 103 ±0.10 and 0.5 ×102 ±0.04 cfu/ml), and pond F, a concrete pond, recorded the lowest bacterial and coliform counts of (2.3 × 104 ±0.05, 0.2 × 103 ±0.00 cfu/ml respectively and insignificant E. coli count. The isolated bacteria species were Lactobacillus sp., E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Enterobacter sp. and Proteus sp. The occurrence of the isolated bacteria was highest in pond C with 71.43%. The values of turbidity and total hardness were above WHO and FEPA standards, while values of other physicochemical characteristics complied with WHO and FEPA standards. The antibiotics susceptibility test of the bacterial isolates revealed multiple antibiotics resistance.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study revealed that these ponds were disgustingly infected with pathogenic bacteria that could affect cultured fishes by causing diseases, lowering the fish yield and resulting into economic loss, threatening human’s health and contaminating the environment where the effluents are discharged into.

Quality appraisal of drinking water from different sources in Nepal

This research was investigated to evaluate the quality assurance of water from different sources. All together 250 water samples (135 well water, 48 boring water, 50 treated water, and 17 tap water) were received from different parts of Nepal from December 2019 to April 2020. The physicochemical parameters of water samples were performed according to the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The membrane filtration technique was applied for the determination of Total Coliform bacteria. The measurements of water quality parameters were compared with the upper and lower limits of the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS), 2005. Out of 135 well water samples, pH (1.48%), conductivity (2.22%), turbidity (42.96%), total hardness (4.44%), iron (54.07%), ammonia (48.88%), and nitrate (2.22%) elevated values compared to National Drinking Water Quality Standards, 2005. Likewise, 2.08%, 6.25%, 64.58%, 4.1%, 47.91%, and 58.33% of boring water samples showed higher values than the National Drinking Water Quality Standards for pH, conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, iron, ammonia, respectively. Conductivity, total hardness, chloride, and iron were found below the standards for both treated and tap water samples. Arsenic concentration was found within the standard for all water samples while 0.74% of well water samples showed a higher concentration of chloride compared to the standard. Results revealed that the minimum and maximum concentrations of some parameters were found to vary among the water sources. Among the total water samples, 94.8% well water, 76.4% tap water, 56.0% treated water, and 14.6% boring water samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. This concludes that most of the water sources were polluted with fecal contamination and without proper purification may lead to the risk of waterborne diseases. Therefore, systematic and regular monitoring of water sources should be implemented to maintain water quality.

Groundwater Quality and Sustainability Evaluation for Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study in an Arid Region, Iraq

Water resources are of great importance in the world's agriculture, especially regarding the scarcity of these resources. That calls for attention appropriate for analysis, study, and research in all issues and aspects that would contribute to the development and maintenance of those resources and achieve the maximum possible levels of quality and efficiency of use. The study was conducted during the fall season of 2020 to study groundwater quality (well water) in the city of Al-Qaim of Anbar Province to explain its suitability for agricultural exploitation in the region. The study included seven sites in Al-Qaim (Rtemi, Medicis, Eastern Akash, Okesha, Sawab, Albu-Hayat, and Al-Karah) to assess the validity of irrigation. The pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), positive ions (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+), and negative ions (HCO3, Cl-2, SO4) and CO3 were measured. The results showed that the studied well water is acceptable for irrigation purposes in terms of pH value, as for the electrical connection, it was six wells within the class (C2), which is adequate for irrigation for medium-salty crops, except for one well, which is a fine well within class C3 suitable for irrigation of high salinity crops. The total hardness values were low and did not pose any risk; as for the positive and negative ions, they were within the permissible limits within the specified classifications. By measuring the positive ions, the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) value was calculated and determined to be within the class S1, which means that the groundwater in the region is suitable for irrigation.

ABIOTIC ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE SELECTED FISH FARMS IN BABYLON AND BASRAH PROVINCES, IRAQ.

The study is part of a comprehensive work to investigate impact of fish enemies on cultivated species. It has taken in consideration some vital abiotic characteristics necessary for cultivated fishes. Three fish farms were selected in two provinces, namely Al-Manahel fish farm (presently called Al-Belad) in Babylon province; Basrah University fish farm (Marine Science Center) and Al-Mutawaa fish farm situated south to city of Basrah. Water samples were monitored on monthly basis for the period from January to October 2002. Several parameters namely, temperature, pH, salinity, total alkalinity and total hardness were measured. The highest water temperature (31ºC) was recorded in July and August from Al-Mutawaa fish farm and the maximum pH value 8.0 was encountered during January from Basrah university fish farm and the lowest pH= 7.2 in May from the same farm. Results indicate a notable rise in salinity in Al-Mutawaa fish farm and the highest (6.0 g/L) encountered in June and the lowest (2.8 g/L) in March. The maximum concentration of total alkalinity (172 mg/L) was from Al-Mutawaa as well recorded in September. Values of total hardness were almost similar in Al- Manahel and Basrah university fish farms, but the latter revealed a bit higher value in May (581 mg/L), whereas Al-Mutawaa fish farm showed, by no means, the highest concentrations all the year round, but the maximum (880 mg/L) was detected in March.

Coating of fruit with an edible soybean protein isolate film doped with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose for improved preservation

Coating a film on the surface of fruits to prolong the shelf life is an often-used method. However, wax coating is not sustainable and environmentally compatible. In this study, soybean protein isolate (SPI) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) were dissolved to form a coating solution with glycerin added as a plasticizer. The results showed that the tensile strength (TS) of the films increased from 6.52 to 20.76 MPa and the elongation at break (EAB) decreased from 68.07% to 12.67% when HPMC content increased from 0% to 20%, respectively. The intermolecular forces between the SPI and HPMC molecules made the polymers film-forming and the obtained film more continuous and stronger. The obtained film was tested on grapes and cherry tomatoes, which tightly coated with the film without any cracks. This greatly delayed their deterioration. By comparing the mass loss, total soluble solids, hardness, titratable acids, and pH values, the results showed that the coated grapes and cherry tomatoes exhibited higher freshness than the bare ones. This study fabricated an environmentally friendly coating that could prolong the shelf life of fruits, which will potentially promote the healthy development of the fruit industry.