PARENT SESSION
Special Session 9: Restoration of Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq
Organized by: CJ Richardson and BG Warner
Tuesday, August 9, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Exhibit Hall 210a-e, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Sediment and soil characteristics of the Abu-Zirig and Kurmashia Marshes, Central Marshes, Iraq.

Sameer, Sama^*,1, Douabul, Ali^*,1, Abaychi, Jamal^*,1, Alwash, Azzam^*,1, ¹ The Iraq Foundation, Baghdad, Iraq

ABSTRACT- Soon after inundation, ecological surveys were designed and implemented by Iraq Foundation (April 04-March 05) for both Abu Zirig & Kurmashia, Central marsh, Iraq. Thirteen stations in Abu Zirig and seven stations in Kurmashia were established to include representative coverage of these marsh ecosystems, especially with respect to hydrological variables. Surface sediments (< 5cm deep) were collected at three time intervals. Two sediment cores about 30 cm long were collected from Abu Zirig and one core from Kurmashia to characterize recent sedimentation. Grain-size, total organic carbon, calcium carbonate, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were estimated in sediment samples. Water flow rates were measured in the field and water samples were collected for analysis of temperature, suspended particulate matter, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, micro-nutrient content, and chlorophyll a monthly beginning June 2004. Benthic communities including mollusks and epipelic algae were identified and their abundances were recorded for each location. Comparisons between dead and living diatoms were studied also. More than 20 metals including the most toxic elements were determined in the sediments and their means were compared with previous data reported for the area. Hydrocarbons were also examined to obtain some insight to the origin and deposition of these compounds. Finally polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also determined, emphasis were placed upon the source/s of carcinogenic hydrocarbons including benzo-a-pyrene. The results obtained during this survey establish important background information and a baseline for future restoration work in the Iraqi marshes. Results to date benthic environments both biologically and chemically show at the Abu Zirig study site are showing favourable signs of successful restoration. We recommend that ecological studies continue in order to monitor restoration processes. <

Key words: marshes, Mesopotamia, Iraq, soils