Mesopotamia Environmental Journal

This study includes an ecological assessment of the fish assemblage of Sawa Lake. The results were compared with
studies of Shatt al-Arab River, Al-Hammar Marsh, and Al- Huwayzah Marsh (Al-Saffia Reserve) to clarify the status of fish
assemblage environment in this area using (Richness, Diversity, Evenness, Similarity and Integrated Biological Index IBI).
Six metrics were chosen to calculate the (IBI) depending on the following major categories. The first (species richness) is
represented by the total number of native species, two species were obtained. The second major category covered three
metrics the first is represented by the percentage of Planiliza abu individuals accounted for 71.4%. The second metrics
represented by the percentage of tolerant species which is represented 100%, while not recording any percentage of
individuals that are considered sensitive native species (metric three). The third major category checks two metrics which
are collected the percentage of individuals that are considered omnivores and carnivores which constituted 71.4% and
28.6% respectively. The results of the present study showed that the environmental assessment of Sawa Lake was weak
assessment, with a value of the Integrated Biological Index 28.9 and this value is lower compared with other results in Shatt al-Arab River, Al-Hammar Marsh, and Al-Saffia Reserve. The values of richness index (D), diversity (H) and Evenness (J) were (0.22), (0.59) and (0.86) respectively in Sawa Lake.

The current research included a comparative anatomical study of the epidermis of the stem, leaf, calyx, and corolla of
two species of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. and Albizia julibrissin Durazz cultivated in Iraq, and a comparison of crosssectional sections of each of the stems, leaflets, petiole, pulvinus and fruits, in addition to the venation system, as well as a
study of the cuticle ornamentation of the leaflets, corolla, and fruits using a scanning electron microscope, which is the first
study in Iraq. The study revealed the importance of these characters in isolating the two species, especially the anticlinal
walls of upper epidermis of leaflets, characteristics of pulvinus, leaflet especially those of vascular bundles while other
features of limited taxonomic value as the outline of sections and epidermis of the stem.

In this study, the reuse of household wastes as filter media was explored for treating laundry wastewater in addition to
sand media. These wastes included walnut husks and aluminum foil used in pharmaceutical drug packaging. For eight days,
the filtration system operated at flow rates between 0.02 and 0.04 m3/h. PO4, TDS, and TSS were the variables examined.
The results demonstrate that compared to sand and walnut husk filters, aluminum foil filters were more successful in
removing phosphate, total suspended solids, and total dissolved solids. The results showed that the wastewater's pH is
naturally alkaline, measuring at 7.8, which is the typical guideline value for laundry wastewater. TDS and TSS values
ranged (10400-8600) mg/L higher than the permissible limit. Maximum removal efficiency values were (72.55%, 49.67%,
and 78.48) for (PO4, TSS, and TDS) respectively for flow rate of0.02 m3
/h were accomplished by the suggested new
aluminum foil filter.

The freshwater species found in the Hilla River's water quality were assessed in the current study using a number of
environmental biomarkers (molecular). Freshwater mussels (Sesarma boulengeri, Unio tigridis) and two kinds of fish
(Tilapia zilli - Aspius vorax) were also collected throughout the six-month study period at three places along the Hilla River
(from the Sinjar area to the north of the city to the Hashemia). When the level of statistical analysis was significant (p 0.05),
there were significant links to the level of protein in the species of fish that were observed. The results of (physical and
chemical parameters) were refers to that in three sites that more different, especially were in second site which was more
pollutant. In addition to the moral distinctions between the locations, this also relates to the variance in water quality
between them. As a result, the protein rate (expressed by the protein's Kda molecular weight) appeared. Several proteins
were studied: Heat shock protein, 75 KDa as a response to stressors, and troponin, 180 KDa to 220 KDa, respectively, but
in T. zilli, 28 KDa polypeptide as (rainbow trout by N-terminal), cortisol, 17 KDa, and Lysozyme, 17 KDa. Plasma
membrane Ca ATPase 130 KDa and hemocynin 75 KDa are found in Sesarma boulengeri.Carbonic anyhydrase 28 KDa and
apomyglobin 17 KDa in Uniotigridis. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the molecular weight of the proteins that
appeared (protein profile, unknown proteins), for use in assessing the river's water quality.

The workers in the field of car repairing are usually exposed to the exhaust emissions from cars containing polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can cause an increase in the possibility of cancers to them. One of the most
representative of these PAHs is naphthalene according to the reports of many organizations (WHO, and EPA). Therefore,
the levels of naphthalene were measured in the blood serum of three groups of workers (auto repairmen, painters, spare
parts sellers) in addition to control group. The results indicate that the above-mentioned groups are exposed to high levels of
PAHs, where there was a high significant difference (P<0.05) in naphthalene levels among studies groups. Automobile
worker recorded High levels of naphthalene (2.46 ng/ml) flowed by painter group (1.52 ng/ml), and spare part seller group
recorded lowest levels (0.096 ng/ml).

Climate change effect many countries and Iraq is one of them, which affects water resources. Olerace(
Spinacia oleracea) was grown well when using water of drainage by increasing content of MDA, GSH, ROS
and proline as a biochemical adaptation, their concentrations increased to : 18.08 (mmol/l), 4.59 (µmol/l).,12.05
µg/g and 4.14, respectively.The concentrations of Zn , Fe and Cu in eastern daring water were : 0.001, 0.001
and o.111 Mg/L, respectively Although it was having higher amounts of total hardness, drainage water was
within irrigated water's limitations. The results of current study showed possibility utilize the drainage water
from the eastern Euphrates which is not polluted with studied heavy metals and not saline and it is suitable for
irrigation of plants.

The current study aims to remove Safranin-O and Crystal Violet from aqueous solutions using some species of fungi,
including Aspergillus niger and Alternaria spp. as an ideal alternative to expensive traditional industrial methods and an
alternative to chemicals that have a detrimental effect on the environment. The effect of the initial dye concentration and the
size of the inoculum was studied in different incubation periods. The results of this study showed that Aspergillus niger is
more efficient than Alternaria spp. in removing the Safranin-O dye more than the percentage of removing the crystal violet
at a concentration of 25% during three days with a removal rate of 75%, followed by a removal rate of 71%, but when the
concentration was 5%, it was the lowest percentage for removing crystal violet, and during one day of treatment, where the
percentage of removal was 43%.When using Alternaria spp., its effectiveness in removing dyes was equal, as the highest
removal rate was 65% when using the two dyes at a concentration of 25% within three days of treatment, followed by a
removal rate of 61% for both dyes at a concentration of 15% during two days of treatment, and the lowest removal rate
reached 43% for both. dyes at a concentration of 5% during one day of treatment.

The current study aims to remove Safranin-O and Crystal Violet from aqueous solutions using some species of fungi,
including Aspergillus niger and Alternaria spp. as an ideal alternative to expensive traditional industrial methods and an
alternative to chemicals that have a detrimental effect on the environment. The effect of the initial dye concentration and the
size of the inoculum was studied in different incubation periods. The results of this study showed that Aspergillus niger is
more efficient than Alternaria spp. in removing the Safranin-O dye more than the percentage of removing the crystal violet
at a concentration of 25% during three days with a removal rate of 75%, followed by a removal rate of 71%, but when the
concentration was 5%, it was the lowest percentage for removing crystal violet, and during one day of treatment, where the
percentage of removal was 43%.When using Alternaria spp., its effectiveness in removing dyes was equal, as the highest
removal rate was 65% when using the two dyes at a concentration of 25% within three days of treatment, followed by a
removal rate of 61% for both dyes at a concentration of 15% during two days of treatment, and the lowest removal rate
reached 43% for both. dyes at a concentration of 5% during one day of treatment.