Ecological study of zooplankton in the Shatt al-Basrah Canal, Basrah-Iraq

Abstract EN

Seasonal abundance and distribution of Zooplankton were studied at three stations in the Shatt Al- Basrah canal, during the period from 2 April 2011 to 2 January 2012.

The lowest value of zooplankton density recorded 5 ind./m3 at station one in winter 2012, and the highest 621200 ind./m3 at station three in spring 2011.

Rotifera were dominated in zooplankton community by 55%, followed by Copepoda with 27 % then by Cirriped larvae 13 %.

Water temperatures, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were measured at each station, as well as some ecological indices were calculated.

Water temperature ranged from 12 to 33.2 ºC at station one and three respectively.

Salinity values changed from 15.6 to 35.1 psu at station one and three respectively with a decline in spring and an increase in summer.

pH values were on the alkaline side, dissolved oxygen varied from 2.53 to 8.7 mg/l in spring and autumn at station three and one respectively.

The maximum diversity index values were 0.7 at station one, richness index values 0.54 at station three and evenness index values 0.87 at station two.

Higher similarity was obtained between station 1 and 3 and lower value recorded between stations 2 and 3.