Mesopotamia Environmental Journal

Larvae of the common green lacewings, Chrysoperla rufilabris, were fed different diet levels (2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80) of eggs of the moth Ephestia kuehniella in all three larval instar every day. Demographic parameters, including developmental times, survival rates, adult weights, fecundity, and adult longevity of both males and females were studied. Larvae that were provided highest number (80 eggs) of eggs of E. kuehniella every day had a significantly shorter developmental times (larval period, pupal period, and pre- ovipositional period), gained significantly high weight, and maximum fecundity. All the larvae under the low-levels of eggs (2, 5, and 10) treatments died and failed to pupate. These results might be beneficial for mass-rearing of C. rufilabris and for understanding its population dynamics in the field under different levels of prey populations.

A field experiment was carried out during autumn 2013 in a private farm at Al- Hashemia (20 km south east of Hilla ), to study the effect of salicylic acid sprays and phosphorus in the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under deficit irrigation conditions. Split-split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications were used . The irrigation treatments (A0, full irrigation and A1, deficit irrigation), were operated at main plot , while sub plot operated phosphorus concentrations B0, B1, B2 (without spray , spray phosphorus concentration of 1000 and 2000 mg P .l-1 ), and salicylic acid concentrations C0, C1, C2 (without spray, 0.5 and 1.0 mM, respectively) in sub-sub plots. Maize seed (cv. Buhooth 106 ) were seeded in 20/7/2013 on ridges(70 cm) , and the data on vegetative growth were calculated and analyzed and the average were tested according to least significant difference. The most important results were summarized as follow: Deficit irrigation led to a significant increase in the number of days from planting until male and female flowering , and to reduce significantly all growth indicators (length and weight of root , plant height , number of leaves , chlorophyll content , leaf area and leaf area index). Salicylic and phosphorus spraying led to remove or reduce the negative impact of water stress. Spray phosphorus ( 1000 mg P.l-1 ) was superior and gave the higher rate of growth indicators (root length , plant height , leaves number , chlorophyll content , leaf area and leaf area index). Spraying of salicylic C2 acid (1 mM) was superior by giving a higher rate of plant height , leaf area and leaf area index . The interaction between the factors had a significant effect in most of the studied characteristic.

The investigation was carried out to determine the extent of molds or spores contamination on wheat flour in three types (tow locally + one imported)on Babylon province.Molds were isolated from wheat flour samples by using PDA(Potato dextrose Agar) medium. Four replicates were inoculated with1 mL of different dilution of wheat flour into medium agar by spread plate technique and identified the mold by compound microscope with followed taxonomic keys of reference. The major genera of molds isolated according to decreasing frequency were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Mucor, Rhizoctonia, Trichoderma, Rhizopus, Nigrospora, Bipolaris, Macrophomina. The coefficient correlation analysis revealed to positive correlation between moisture content and molds present(0.73).The results showed that differed species and genera association of mold in wheat flour after three months storage at two temperature(5 and 30 oC). The results indicated that stored at temperature 5 oC decrease the population and types of molds on wheat flour.

The present study on water quality of the East Al-Hamare marsh after restoration was assessed by using the Canadian council of ministers of the environmental water quality index (CCME WQI) ,the model was applied in two approaches based on the historical data and the CCME aquatic life guidelines as object , we chosen two station in Al-Hammar marsh for the period September 2008- September 2009 ,the index calculation were 13 environment factors: water temperature ,oxegen demand, salinity, Bod5,ph,No3,No2,Po4,sil,Tds,Tss,Turbdity,transperancy, the general historian for the period 2003-2004 was under Marginal assessment in first station and Fair in second station , in the present study WQI value was under fair assessment in two station respectively.

The current study included invistigate a response of five aquatic plants used to removed some of the pollutants found in an industrial waste water disposed from Textile Industry. The study conducted in laboratory for a period of 13 days and the species of aquatic plants were Phragmites australis , Typha domingensis , Ceratopyllum demersum , Potamegatone Perfoliatus and Hydrilla varcillata in polyethylene contianor and with addition two azo dye ,Reactive blue , Reactive yellow and mixture of theme in three concentrations of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 mg / L in each of theme .chlorophyll and protein content was estimated, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes were estimated , the result show a decrease in total chlorophyll in species Phragmites australis , Typha domingensis , Ceratopyllum demersum , Potamegatone Perfoliatus and Hydrilla varcillata while decrease in protein content in species Phragmites australis , Typha domingensis , Ceratopyllum demersum , Potamegatone Perfoliatus and Hydrilla varcillata .the study showed high content (MDA) during the period of the experiment (0.67-4.04) , (0.64-5.98) , (9.56-31.6) , (12.709-61.29) and (0.88-34.53) nmole/mg P. australis , T. domingensis , C. demersum , P. perfoliatus and H. varcillata respectively. and increasing the activity of (CAT) during the period of the experiment ranged (43.9-140.7) , (8.8-101.4) , (25.5-136.7) , (23.3-129.7) and (33.4-85.5) unit/mg for plants P. australis , T. domingensis , C. demersum , P. perfoliatus and H. varcillata respectively.and increasing the activity of (SOD) enzyme during the period of the experiment ranged (0.086-0.53) , (0.23-3.46) , (0.608-8.46) , (3.89-15.2) and (0.411-4.35) unit/mg for plants P. australis , T. domingensis , C. demersum , P. perfoliatus and H. varcillata respectively. this response were due to environmental stress for instance contaminants, by developing a complex antioxidant defense system against abiotic stress by aquatic plants .This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals(Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb) in canned tuna found in the local market of Hilla city, the results show that the concentarions of irons were above the limits and was ranged between 57.41 ppm to 101.55 ppm, while the concentration of copper was within the limits and was ranged between 5.43 ppm to 6.48 ppm, the concentration of zinc was also within the permited limits and was ranged between 17.5 ppm to 37.5, while all of nickel, cadmium, chromium and lead was not detected in all the samples.

This study was respect to detect possible environmental effects on the eastern Euphrates drainage from the Abo-Garak to south of Kifil city in Babylon province. Five sites were selected along the study area and Omit it during October 2013 to August 2014. Physical and chemical properties are measured (air and water temperature , pH , electrical conductivity , salinity, TDS ,TSS , BOD5, dissolved oxygen , Alkalinity , Total Hardness , calcium , magnesium ) and nutrients (nitrite , nitrate , reactive phosphate) as well as . The average of the studied heavy metals Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu the dissolved phase of water were 113.89 , 6.35 , 1.5 and 0.8μg /l for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu , respectively .Heavy metals concentrations in the particulate form were 291.83, 9.39, 3.07 and 12.15 μg/g dry weight for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu respectively. In the sediments, the concentrations of these heavy metals in the exchangeable phase were 318.66, 12.91, 6.27 and 13.23μg/g for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu , respectively. While in the residual phase were 461.53, 5.29, 8.62 and 27.07 μg/g for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu , respectively . The results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals in water for the particulate phase were higher than in the dissolved phase , while in sediment, their concentrations in the residual phase were higher than their concentrations in the exchangeable phase except for Cd which was in the exchangeable phase higher than in the residual phase. The concentration and distribution of heavy metals in macrophytes Ceratophyllum demersum were (923.63 , 462.34 , 740.45 and 90.59)μg/g dry weight for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu , respectively . While , (728.57, 162.17 , 244.13 and 118.87) μg/g dry weight for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu , respectively. for Fe , Cd , Pb and Cu in Hydrilla verticillata . The study area was very hard water and high BOD5. The nutrients showed clear seasonal variation in their concentration

The importance of Lead environmental pollutant has long been recognized, to human and animal health. In Iraq Lead pollution was documented in Bagdad and in Sulaimani city.To explore the protective role of vitamin E against lead acetate side effects on lipids profile as a pro- athergenic agent in adult male rabbits.This study was conducted on 30 male adult rabbits divided equally in to 3 groups. 1st group considered as control and 2nd orally administered 2.5 mg/Kg B.W. lead acetate, and the 3rd orally administered 2.5 mg/Kg B.W lead acetate +100 IU / Kg B.W. vitamin E for 90 days. At the end of experiment blood samples were collected for measurement of total cholesterol and triacylglycerides, HDL- cholesterol analysis. Hearts were isolated for aortic sectioning. Results revealed that Lead acetate caused a significant( p<0.05) increase in total- cholesterol; LDL& VLDL –cholesterol; total triacylglycerol ; and CRI , and decrease in HDL- cholesterol and AAI. Otherwise Vitamin E was efficient in restoration these variables to semi normal values with an exception ,significant elevation of HDL( p<0.05) . Histopathological analysis of aortic sections showed marked replacement of myfibers with macrophages lipid loaded cells in lead acetate group, these deleterious changes in the myocardium which were improved in hearts of vitamin E received group. In conclusion Vitamin E was efficient in reducing the side effects of Lead on lipids profile and preventing atherosclerosis development.

The present study conducted on epiphytic algae from four host macrophytes (Phragmites australisTrinex, Typha domengensis Pers, Ceratophyllum demersum L., and Potamogeton pectinatus L.) in restoring marshes of Mesopotamian marshes, southern Iraq. The study was carried in Al- Hawizah marshes. Three classes, nine orders, twenty three genera and thirty-four species of epiphytic algae were described in the studied restoration marshes.

Damietta Branch; one of the two main branches of the River Nile has a length of about 242 kmwith an average width of 200 m and depth varying between 12 and 20 m. It receives polluted waters from different sources including industrial, agricultural and urban sewage that are causing serious environmental impacts on its vegetation and freshwater. The total number of plant species in the study area is 70, belonging to 54 genera and related to 30 families. These species can be classified ecologically into four major groups, three submerged hydrophytes, six floating hydrophytes, seventeen emergent species and 44 canal bank species. On the basis of duration, the recorded 70 species are grouped into two categories: perennials (46 species) and annuals (24 species). Hydrosoil and water variables which significantly correlated with the abundance and distribution of vegetation groups are soil texture (sand and silt), water-holding capacity, electrical conductivity, soluble anions (chloride and sulphate), total phosphorus and extractable cations (sodium, calcium and magnesium). The successive changes of the macrophytic plant vegetation in the Damietta Branch are frequently results from human activities which are causing considerable change in the hydrosoil and water chemistry, factors linked with species changes.