Marsh Bulletin

Abstract
A national effort to draw attention to the importance and restoration of degraded Iraqiwetlands was initiated in 2004 with significant international interest and assistance. Overall,that enthusiasm focused on specific regions of Iraq and opened doors to consider all wetlandsin Iraq. Over the next nine years, numerous projects to restore wetland habitat for fish andwildlife and for human use focused on the Chebayish and Hawizeh Marsh areas ofsoutheastern Iraq. The Iraq Ministry of Environment, Iraq Ministry of Water Resources, andNature Iraq have launched national biodiversity surveys and Key Biodiversity Areasassessments throughout the nation. A key milestone in 2007 was Iraq’s accession to its firstinternational environmental treaty, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Iraq’s first RamsarWetland of International Importance at Hawizeh Marsh, the Central Marshes National Park,and draft management plans for both areas were created. More progress on these projects andother national wetland initiatives has not been fully possible yet.
Two national initiatives to advance wetland conservation across Iraq should be pursued:(i) a national wetland policy that appeals to all the regions and peoples of Iraq; and (ii) a planto expand the influence of the Ramsar Convention across Iraq. These efforts could supportexpansion of the number of Ramsar sites in Iraq as announced in Iraq’s National Report to theRamsar Convention in 2012. This paper discusses each of the issues noted here, drawing onexamples in other jurisdictions. The development of the oil and gas deposits associated withthe Hawizeh Ramsar site is also discussed.

Abstract
In the present study, from April to August 2010, twelve sites of groundwater withinSulaimani Governorate ( Sharawany, Mama Yara, Peshasazy, Twi Malik, and Ibrahim Pasha)were selected in order to evaluate some physico – chemical characteristics and seasonalanalysis (Spring, Summer, and Autumn ) for heavy metals ( Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb ).
The results showed the range of studied parameters as following: 19.6 ºc-24.4 ºc for watertemperature. pH value of the study sites range from 7.14-8.48 and 201, 50 - 943 μs.cm-1
forElectrical conductivity.
Heavy metals content of Chrome (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead(Pb) for each seasons ( Spring , Summer and Autumn ) in groundwater determined, Chromeconcentration in water samples were 0 – 0.002 mg.l-1
, 0 – 0.003 mg.l-1 and 0 – 0.002 mg.l-1
forall seasons respectively . On the other hand Zinc was ranged in water samples during Spring ,Summer ,and Autumn from 0 – 3.759 mg.l-1 , 0 - 1.887 mg.l-1 0 – 0.026 mg.l-1 respectivelyWhile Nickel concentration were ranged between 0 – 0.002 mg.l-1 in Spring, 0 – 0.004 mg.l-1in summer below detectable level ( BDL) in Autumn. Cadmium in the water samples rangedbetween 0 – 0.001 mg.l-1 for all seasons. Lead is the other metal was determined ingroundwater ,it was below detectable level ( BDL) during Spring , and 0 – 0.001 mg.l-1, 0–0.007 mg.l-1 for Summer and Autumn respectively

Abstract
This study investigates the applicability of the two-parameter climate elasticity ofstreamflow index to assess the impact of global warming on regional hydrology of Teeb riverwatershed, south of Iraq. The results indicate that the streamflow response to rainfall andtemperature anomalies exhibits a non-linear relationship. A 50% rainfall increase in the Teebwatershed results in a 10% increase in streamflow at mean temperature, but no increase instreamflow for temperature increases of 1.5 C. A 20% rainfall decrease results in a (20-30%)decrease in streamflow at mean temperature but only 10% decrease in streamflow if thetemperature increases 1.5 C.Results also indicate that the streamflow elasticity for climatechanges is a useful index to assess the sensitivity of streamflow to both precipitation andtemperature departure. Water resource issues in the Teeb watershed are likely to be morecritical if the adopted climate changes scenarios are correct.

Abstract
A comparative study was conducted between groundwater and surface water in theartificial spawning of common carpfishCyprinus carpio. The results showedthatartificialspawning in groundwater occurred earlyabout 45 days before artificial spawningin surface water, the temperature in the groundwater was 22 ◦C and hatching rate was higherin groundwater (85%) than in surface water

Abstract
Water quality surveys were designed and implemented during Dec.2011 to Feb. 2012 atthree stations, in the Hor Al-Gebaysh, Al-Bourgah and Harer. Physical and chemical stressorsincluding the natural water quality parameters, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, salinityand pH as well as nutrients were studied. The mean ranges of the following parameters wererecorded: In Hammar Low value of salinity was 1.24 ppt in spring and higher was 2.11ppt insummer. Al-Bargah low value was 1.41ppt in winter and higher 2.01ppt in summer, whileThe lower value recorded in Al-Gebayesh was 1.12 ppt in winter but higher value was 1.98ppt in Autum Air temperature in Al-Gebayesh the range was from 14.82- 36.08°C. Dissolvedoxygen concentrations have generally been high. Determination of heavy metals (Pb , Cu andNi) in three locations Al-Gebaysh, Al-Bourgah and Harer. The result showed that the Al-Bourgah and Harer as the most contaminated site with heavy metal. Levels of Ni in sedimentranged was 112 μg/g d.w in winter 2012,The levels of Pb higher was 41.61 μg/g d.w in Harerand lower 25.23 μg/g d.w in Al-Gebaysh, while Cu metal was 10.21 μg/g d.w in winter in Al-Bourgah to 19.12 μg/g d.w in Harer in summer.

Abstract
Sixty five water samples were collected from the river Shatt Al-Arab for the period ofOctober 2011 to October 2012, the data were collected on a monthly base form five stationsQurna, Al- Sindebad, Abu Alkhaseeb, Al-Seba and Al-Fao. Some physiochemicalparameters were measured as ammonia, nitrate, total Nitrogen (sum of all Nitrogen forms:NH4
1+, NO2
1-, NO3
1- and organic Nitrogen), phosphate (PO4-P) Organic phosphorus and totalphosphorus. The result indicate that organic form of Nitrogen is the dominant percentage,ranges from 65% to 73% and Ammonium range from 27% to 33%. The percentage oforganic Phosphors form is the dominate form 84% to 98%, compared to Orthophosphursform. This shows the presence of these parameters in high concentration thus indicate that theriver suffer from organic pollution.

Abstract
The paper presents document regarding concentration, distribution and possible sourcesof selected trace elements; Cd, Zn, Mn, Co, and V by using Atomic absorption in coresediments from Hor Al-Ezaim in Hor AL-Huwaiza, southern Iraq. The levels of elementsshowed a wide range of variations in different core depths. Contamination Factor (CF) andgeo-accumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to understand the pollution status of the studyarea based on the background values. All the levels of trace elements in the sediment coresamples were low, which indicates minimum pollution in these areas. Concentrations of thesepollutants could be due to natural and anthropogenic sources.