Ecological characteristics of the southern sector of euphrates river at Al-Nasiryia city II. seasonal variations in nutrients

Abstract EN

Monthly water samples were collected from two selected stations in the Euphrates River, for the period from June 2000 to May 2001.

Station I was chosen at one kilometer before the river entering Al-Nasiryia city, but station 2 is located at the city center closer to Al-Naser Bridge at 5 Km apart from station 1.

Nutrients 1 ncentrations (namely nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate) were measured on onthly basis.

A distinct change in values of all parameters was detected.

Nitrate ues were always exceeding those of nitrite and the highest was in February measuring 65.5 and 50.6 ug / 1 for station 1 and 2 respectively.

Values of both stations ere unstable all at the year round.

Those of nitrite showed fluctuating pattern and vealed notable decline towards colder months.

Maximum values were recorded in y 1.32 and 1.01 u.g / 1 for both stations respectively.

The highest phosphate centrations were encountered in January 1.31 and 1.18 u.g / 1 respectively.

Values, ever, showed unrecognized trend throughout the year.

It was chiefly affected by estic and agricultural wastes discharged to the river, Silicate values were, in neral, high except in January when the lowest values were recorded.