The potential of some snails as bioindicator of trace metals level in East Hammar marsh, south of Iraq

الملخص EN

East Hammar marsh in south of Iraq has enormous environmental importance.

It represents habitats for biodiversity of different organism as Mollusca (snails).

Determination of concentration and distribution of cadmium(Cd), copper(Cu), lead(Pb) and zinc(Zn) in water (as dissolved and particulate matter), sediments and three species of freshwater snails Bellay bengalensis, Linnaean auricular a and Melanie's tuberculation were carried out during September 2007 to September 2008 in four selected stations of East Hammar marsh.

Some environmental parameters of the marsh were measurements included water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, as well as total organic carbon in sediments.

Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometers in addition to other suitable tools were used throughout this study.

Total concentrations in the snail were higher than water and sediment whereas B.

bengalensis recorded the highest values in contrast with L.

auricular a and M.

tuberculation.

Seasonal variations were observed in the mean concentrations of the studied metals in both phases of water due to the differences of water levels and suspended particulate matter in the study area during seasons as well as the differences in the added pollutants to the environment of E.

Hammar during the study period.