The salinity effect and sedimentary types for the fauna distribution during the Holocene in Southern Iraq

Abstract

In the present study, abundance and distribution of fauna in the sub surface sediments of the eight stations, Abo Flos, Ras Al-Besha, Khor Al-Umaya, Khor Shitana, Umm Qaser, Khor Al-Zubair, Kutaiban and Al-Faw were investigated. The stations selected for the present study were located at the southern region of Mesopotamia plain in Iraq. A reconnaissance survey in the study area showed the distribution of many marine species in the coastal areas (Khor Shitana, Umm Qaser, Khor Al-Zubair and Al-Faw). They were affected by the marine water areas with few effects of tidal flat and current waves. The affinities of the studied species are coming from the Indian Ocean towards the Red sea and the Arabian Gulf. The salinity and texture of sediment are the main factors that control the ecology and distribution of recent fauna. The soil texture for eight stations are sandy silt, clayey silt, silt, sandy silt and mud respectively.