Estimation of validity Tigris River Water for Swimming in Baghdad City

This study was conducted during 2012 utilizing selected four swim areas on the Tigris river in Baghdad city. Twenty water samples from four swim areas during swim season were collected for quality analyses using chemical, physical and bacterial parameters. The result revealed that  the temperature, pH and means dissolved solid in the Tigris river water in all swim areas were within limit recommended by environmental protection Agency standards. While mean of the total dissolved solid, turbidity, chlorophyll and blue green algae were ranged from 0.69-0.89 g/l, 10.15-1248 NTU, 1.85-222.82 µg/l and 338-7999 cells/ml respectively. The total viable counts (TVCs) of bacteria were ranged from 128 to 10000 cells/ml. The total Coliforms (TCs) and fecal Coliforms (FCs) were ranged  from 300-1600ml and126-1600 /100ml respectively. During the study 77 isolates of enteric bacteria were isolated and identified. Escherichia coli isolated from all water samples (20 isolates) which it represents 100%, Enterobacter  spp. were 70%, Klebsiella spp. were 60%, Protus mirabilis were 65%, Protus vulgaris were 15%, Vibrio spp. were 30%, Morganella morgani were 10%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 5%, Salmonella Sp. was 5% and Staphylococcus spp. were 25%. Key word: Tigris river, swimming, bacteria

Bacterial and Heavy Metals Analyses in Fish at Shawaka Area of Tigris River

This study was conducted from October to December 2012. 35 fish were collected from the Shawaka area of the Tigris river for quality analyses using bacteriological and chemical parameters. Results of bacteriological analysis showed that the total viable bacteria count  in the fish gut, skin and gill were ranged from 35.35×103 - 6×103 cfu/g, 34.9×103 -21×103 cfu/g and 30.1×103 - 1.9×103 cfu/g respectiveluy. 151 bacterial isolates  were obtained and identified into 14 genera (13 Gram negative bacteria + one Gram positive bacteria). The predominant bacteria from different organs were  Staphylococcus spp., E. coli, Proteus spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp. respectively. The results of  study indicated that most fish samples were polluted with high levels of  heavy metal Pb, Cd and Hg. Concentration of these heavy metals exceed limits for the fish recommended by the World Health Organization   (WHO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Key word: Tigris river, Fish, Bacteria, Heavy Metal