IRAQI JOURNAL OF DESERT STUDIES

Abstract

The current study included the use of algae as bioindicators to assess the quality of the Euphrates River within the city of Haditha. Four sites on the river were selected and samples were collected every month for a year since March 2017. Some important environmental factors have been studied for the growth of algae, including water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentrations such as phosphates and nitrates. Two biological indices were applied: (Shannon Weaver Diversity Index) and (Algal Genus Pollution Index), which are based on water quality. The results showed that the water ranged from clean to medium pollution except site 2, which is likely to have a high level of pollution. During the study, 206 species of algae were identified. The predominance was to Bacillarophyta followed by Chlorophyta then Cyanophyta and Euglenophyta and then Pyrrophyta. The predominant species were: Bacillaria paxillifer, Cocconeis placentula, Nitzschia amphibia, N.cryptocephala, N.dissipata and Fragilaria crotensis