Research Article:

Kaissar I. Hamed, College of Engineering/ University of Thi Qar
Hayder A. Lafta, Marshes Research Centre/ University of Thi Qar 

E-mail addresses: Haider_abdalhassan@utq.edu.iq

ABSTRACT

This present study evaluated the restoration of marsh water which occurred by mixing
Almasab Alaam Drainage with Euphrates river as resources for feeding water to marsh water
in southern of Iraq. Four samples of restored southern marshes (S2: Kurmashia, S3: Sunaf
Marsh, S4: Al- Hemidi region and S5: Hammar marsh ) were selected during the period from
November 2010 to July 2011. The physical properties ( Electrical Conductivity (Ec), Total
Dissolved Solids(TDS) and pH were studied, it was found that all regions are polluted with
high values of EC and TDS concentration affected by the mixing process and strongly
deviated from Water Health Organisation (WHO) levels, while pH values indicated that
marsh water with alkalinity range and within guide levels according to (WHO). Also chemical
parameters ( cationic and ionic) were investigated in this study. It was found that Almasab
Alaam drainage quality affected these parameters (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphate, chloride
and Potassium) and appeared in high concentrations exceeded the permitted levels according
to WHO for the same studied period. Trace elements were presented for Copper (Cu), Zinc
(Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Chromium (Cr) and obtained a results with unpolluted area of
these marshes water except for manganese and chromium during some months. Results
showed that it is dangerous to continue with this mixing process and Al masab Alaam
Drainage should be stopp to use as resource for restoration of marsh water in southern of Iraq.

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