Trophic levels of tidal and non-tidal marshes of southern mesopotamia

Abstract

Carlson’s Trophic State Index (CTSI) was applied to assess the trophic status of two kind of southern Mesopotima marshes. Six stations were selected, three in non-tidal Chebiyesh marshes and other three in tidal East Hammer marsh. The results indicated that the values of CTSI of the six stations fluctuated between 47.59-61.96 ranged from mesotrophic to Eutrophic. The increase of salinity during 2018 drastically affect CTSI values in East Hammer marsh. In general, both tidal and non-tidal marshes were eutrophic mainly due to direct release of untreated domestic swage and agricultural drainage waters. Trophic status of southern Iraqi marshes potentially impacted by transparency of the marsh, chlorophyll a and phospharus concentrations.