Relationships between environmental variables and both of planktonic and epiphytic diatoms in the East Hammar marshes, Southern Iraq

Abstract EN

The Mesopotamian marshlands are one of the most internationally important wetlands in the Middle East, as it constitutes a care ground for many species of birds migrating from Siberia and Europe as well as for its rich biodiversity.

East al-Hammar is a major marsh located in the southern part of Iraq.

The relationship between diatom species and environmental variables in the east Hammar marsh was studied during the period from August 2018 to April 2019 in three stations.

A total of 69 taxa of diatoms belonging to 34 genera were identified.

Diatom assemblages in east Hammar marsh included brackish water forms 30%, marine-brackish water forms 21%, fresh species 16%, and marine water forms 10% the rest 23% were variable uncertain ecological preference from fresh to marine.

The results of canonical corresponds analysis (CCA) showed several important groups of diatom species were obtained by this analysis, the first group of diatom species include marine- brackish forms where have positive correlations with air and water temperature, EC and salinity, while the second group has positive relationship with hydrogen ion and alkalinity, diatom species in the third group have a positive correlation with transparency and dissolved oxygen.

The fourth group has a positive relationship with turbidity.

Finally, CCA analysis shows five groups of diatom species have a positive correlation with the nutrient and that can use as a bio indicator for water pollution.