Iraqi Journal of Science and Technology

This study aimed to use biological treatment of cellulosic wastes, that cause environmental pollution, by using local bacterial isolate of Bacillus subtilis which is efficient for cellulolytic activity. Optimum conditions for detection of bacterial isolate activity, which represented by pH, cellulose concentration and temperature to show the effect of condtions on cellulolytic efficiency. The cellulolytic activity of bacterial isolate was tested by growing the bacterial isolate in a range of pH values 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0, a range of cellulose concentrations 0.3,0.6,1.0,1.5 and 2.0% and under effect of different temperatures 37, 45, 55 and 65 C°. The optimum conditions were determined by measuring the bacterial growth by using optical density (absorbance) at wave length 600 nm, to know the bacterial growth, glucose concentration was estimated and the ratio of cellulose consumption in all samples was calcutaed. The optimum conditions were founded at pH 7.0, cellulose concentration 1.5 %, and at 37 C°.

The hydrological modeling system WMS 9.1 is used to study collapse scenario of one of Turkish dams (Iliso) delineate inundation areas reaching Mosul Dam. (LANDSAT 8) images are used to classifying the study area along Tigris river downstream and surroundings. (DEM) for year (2000) with resolution (90) meter data is utilized to define the centerline of Tigris river, and to prepare of the cross sections across the river, which were required as an input for the mathematical modeling calculations using (SAPDBK91) program. The results of mathematical modeling showed that the maximum depth of the water flood at water levels of (520, 525) meters above sea level near Mosul dam water depth is about (7.1 to 7.4 meter) which equivalent to (313.9, 314.2) meter above sea level. Finally it was found that the collapse of the Ilisu dam has no effect on the safety of Mosul dam as long as the level of the Mosul reservoir does not exceed 311.6 meters above sea level.

X-ray Fluorescence Technique (XRF) was used to analyze the components of the Aloe vera plant of the metal elements and measuring the concentration of most of the main elements in the installation of the Aloe vera plant. The High-Purity Germanium System (HP Ge) was also used to know the qualitative natural radioactivity for the Aloe vera plant. The study results indicated that Aloe vera plant contains a group of useful mineral elements for the human body, the most important of which are (Fe, Ca, Mg, S, Na, K) and it was found that Aloe vera whether applied topically or taking by mouth is not without danger, especially if used in a wrong way because some doses may be poisonous in case of some elements such as selenium and lead.

This study is to take advantage of residues of agricultural fields Rice straw for the production of the plastic wood which was used in many applications because of the lack of good varieties of wood in Iraq environment, prepared composites of wood of polypropylene reinforced with fine Rice straw with size of particle >300µm and fraction of weight 40% and addition improving quality factors were preparal including the particles Silane coupling agents .It became clear from this study that the treatment of Rice strawthe particles with Silane coupling agent at a ratio ranging between %2 -0.1have indicated improvement of resistance to Flexural creep which led to bending resistance of the compounds material to Flexural creep strain% and this inturn led to an increase of the value of bending modulus Flexural Creep Modulus .The increase in the proportion of material containing Silane decreased flexural creep strain energy and this due to the increase the bonding between the base material and material consolidation and that inturn also led to increase flexural strength(F.S)compared with composite non treatment with Silane coupling agents.

This study dealt with the effect of adding different concentrations of waste glass in different percentages 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% to concrete mix by partially replacing it with sand to illustrate the effect on some mechanical properties of the concrete after 14 and 21 days of immersion in water. It was found that the maximum value of Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength and Density were at the rate of 30% of the waste glass instead of sand after the period of 21 days. The study also showed that a gradual decrease in the values of water absorption by increasing the addition of waste glass, and the minimum value is at 50% of the waste glass added at the period of 21 days of immersion in water.

The efficiency of dried powder of water hyacinth leaves to adsorb some heavy metals such as Chromium, Cadmium, Zinc and Cobalt on the surface of dried leaves particles from industrial polluted water was investigated. Also the study included detection of metal which has the most removing capacity, the results of the effect of some factors on removing process such as pH, contact time and the adsorption dose showed that the Chromium was most removing metal among the other heavy metals by the water hyacinth dried leaves (1gm.) at pH 7 for one hour. The effect of different factors on the removing of hexavalent chromium was studied and the results revealed that the dried powder leaves had high efficiency to remove the metal with maximum removing percent (82%) at pH 2 and contact time 120 min. The bioadsorption by water hyacinth dried leaves is a new technique that can be used for removing heavy metals or pollutants from industrial water

This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive cycle of Khishni fish, Liza abu in Tigris River (Southern Baghdad). A total of 439 male and 524 female khishni were captured for two years and the capturing was weekly, immediately dissected for general biological parameters. Six reproductive stages have been distinguished for both male and female and were termed as; resting, maturing, early pre spawning, advance pre spawning, spawning and post spawning. Male GSI ranged between 0.27 to 9.74 in Sep. to Mar., and for female it was 0.94 to 13.35 in October to April respectively. Spawning occurred in the periods of May to July when temperatures reach 24.7 – 28.9˚C. The study concluded that, Khishni fish, L. abu in Tigris River have complete reproductive cycle (six stages for both male and female) and spawning take place for three months in the periods of May to July when temperatures significantly raised to 24.7 – 28.9˚C.

This research aimed to produce UV resist mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis KS3 as biological agent against important date larvae of insect Ephestia cautella (Walker). UV irradiation was used at 30, 60, 90 and 120 second treatment. The UV resists mutants evaluated as bioagents activity against 2nd instars larvae of Ephestia cautella. Number of spores reduced twice logarithmic cycles after 30 sec of treatment, another one log cycle reduced at 60 sec treatment. Number of treated bacteria becomes constant after 90 and 120 second. There is no change of the appearance of bacterial mutant colonies that examine at 30 and 60 sec, while differences of bacterial colony shape recognized for 90 and 120 mutants with reduction of crystal toxin protein to 0.6 mg ml-1 compared with 2 mg ml-1 produced by native bacteria. Mutant isolates produced alpha amylase, protease and hemolysin as well as native bacteria. Mutant isolates had the biological activity even after prolonged UV treatment without any photoprotactant additives.

Two-dimensional (2D) field data was used to evaluate the performance of three electrical resistivity arrays for shallow subsurface investigations. The three arrays analyzed include Wenner-α, Dipole-dipole and Wenner-Schlumberger. The study was conducted at the University of Technology Baghdad /Iraq to evaluate the performance of these arrays in subsurface soil investigations. The three profiles were surveyed with total length of 60 m for each line, and the depth of penetration reach to 12m. Results showed two geoelectrical layers: the upper layer with high resistivity represents the topsoil layer (loamy soil) and the second layer with low resistivity represents the clayey layer. Among the three arrays tested, Wenner-Schlumberger array was the best for the study area as it was suitable for field conditions, more informative, provides high signal strength and deeper depth of penetration in the soil.

This study was conducted in private apricot orchard in Saba̕a Al- Bour township- Baghdad during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons to investigate the influence of different fertilizer sources,(Mineral, Bio) on the growth of 7 years old apricot trees (Zanjelli cultivar). five of fertilizer sources (B): with out application (B1), application of 15 g.tree-1 of Phosphorene biofertilizer (B2), application of 15 g.tree-1 of Nitrobeine biofertilizer (B3), application of 15 g.tree-1 from each of (Phosphorene + Nitrobeine) (B4) and application of NPK fertilizers as recommended for apricot trees (B5). Each treatment replicated three times with a factorial experiment using RCBD. The experimental results showed that the fertilizers application especially B5 and B4 increased significantly the leaf area, concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and manganese in leaves. It can be concluded that in spite of the superiority of NPK fertilizer, biofertilizer can improve leaves mineral content in apricot trees.