Ecological Observations on Epipelic Algae in Euphrates River at Hindiya and Manathira, Iraq

An environmental study conducted on epipelic algae in Euphrates River between two districts (Hindiya and Manathira). Four sites selected along the studied area and monthly sampling for the period between March 2010 and February 2011.The study included some physicochemical factors for water and sediment of the river. the study also conducted quality and quantity of epipelic algae. The factors were ranged as: 3-43°C, 10-32°C for air and water temperature respectively, 7.3-8.4, 3.6-10.5mg/l, 0.1-6.4 mg/l for pH, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand respectively. Chlorophyll-a concentration was ranged ND- 11.2 µg/l, while phaeophytin a concentration was ND- 31 µg/l. Total organic carbon of the sediment ranged 0.18-1.3%. A total of 169 taxa of epipelic algae identified and comprised of Bacillariophyceae (71% and 120 species), Cyanophyceae (23 species), Chlorophyceae (14 species), Euglenophyceae (9 species) and Pyrrophyceae (3). Total number of epipelic algae ranged 1.7- 5200 individuals/cm2. Some species showed dominance during most of the study period, such as: Melosira italica, Navicula caspidata, Cyclotella comta, Syndra ulno, Nitzschia sp., Oscillatoria sp. and Scendesmus sp.