A study of algal species with some water parameters in

three springs within Gali Ali-bag valley

ByShoreh Sh. Yaseen

Mahmoud Kh. Mahmoud

Supervised byBalqis H. Rasul

Kurdistan Regional GovernmentMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific ResearchSoran UniversityFaculty of Science-Biology Department

28 May 2015 Thursday پێنجشه ممه 2715 گوالن

IntroductionAlgae are micro and macroorganisms living as Tychplankton (epipelic, epilithic, epiphytic) and Phytoplankton which are mostly photosynthetic green plants. They are found in unicellular, colonial, coenobic, and filamentous forms.Many types of classification have been made each based on specific and comprehensive morphological and cytological characteristics.The benefit of algae are primary producers in aquatic ecosystem, using as a food in meal , used for biofuel, antibiotic, water purification , soil fertilization and others. Springs are groundwater rises to the surface through rock faults, fractures or depressions. Springs are formally defined as points of natural, concentrated discharge of groundwater at a rate high enough to maintain flow on the surface.

Materials and methods:

Field and sample collection:Water samples were collected from three spring sites in Gali

Ali bag valley monthly from October till December 2014, for physical, chemical and biological analysis.

Altitude:The altitude of each sites was measured by a portable

Global Positional system (GPS; model Garmin).

Physical and chemical studies:Generally physical and chemical water properties in the lab

– was carried out according to (APHA, 1999).

B

Figure A. Map of Iraq B. Map of studied area shows the sampling sites

A

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Microscope calibration with their magnifications

Temperature:Using a precision glass mercury thermometer (0-50˚C)

Hydrogen ion concentration (pH):Hydrogen ion concentration was measured directly in the

field by electrometric method using portable pH-meter.

Specific Electrical conductivity (EC):The electrical conductivity of water samples was measured in

the field directly using a portable EC meter.

Total Alkalinity:Total alkalinity was estimated in the laboratory using

titration method.{ Alkalinity as mg.CaCO3.l-1 = A*B*50000/ml.sample }

Where: A= ml. of standard acid B= normality of standard acid (0.02 N)

Total Acidity:Acidity was determined by titration method.

{ Acidity as mg.CaCO3.l-1 = A* B* 50000/ml of sample. }

Where: A= ml of standard NaOH titrant used B= normality of standard NaOH (0.02 N)

ChlorideIt was determined by Argentometric method using silver

nitrate titrant.{ mg.l-1 = (A-B) * N * 35450/ml of sample }

Where: A= ml titration for sample, B= ml titration for blank, N= normality of AgNO3

Algal studies:Algal collection:

Epilithic algae collection scraped from rocks by spatula and stored in vials 50 – 100 ml with its own spring water

Photos and Measurements:Photos were taken with digital camera. Examination of algae were

made with an Olympus ocular micrometer

Preservation of Algae:Each samples were preserved in Lugol’s solution, added 0.7ml of

solution to 100ml of sample. Saturated solution of blue CuSO4 was prepared and adding a few drops of it to the sample for remaining algal true colour

Identification of Algae:Non-diatom algae were identified with the help of available literature

Prescott (1970), Lind and Brook (1980), Bold and Whyne (1985), Bando et al., (1989), Komark and Anagnostidis (2005), and (John et al., 2011).

Results

:

:

a

1

2

1

2

3

4

5

6

Division Classes Order Families Genus Species %

Cyanophyta 1 3 4 7 14 56

Chlorophyta 3 4 4 4 9 36

Euglenophyta 1 1 1 1 2 8

Total 5 8 9 12 25 100

Table : The total number of non-diatom algal species

recorded during the studied period in the studied sites

with their percentage (%).

3

Table : The total number of non-diatom algal species with

their percentage (%) from the total recorded during the

period study.

Genera No. of

species

Percentage

%

Aphanocapsa sp. 1 4

Merismopedia sp. 1 4

Lyngbya sp. 1 4

Oscilltoria sp. . 6 24

Phormidium sp. 2 8

Spirulina sp. 2 8

Nostoc sp. 1 4

Ulothrix sp. 2 8

Spirogyra sp. 3 12

Cladophora sp. 2 8

Oedogonium sp. 2 8

Euglena sp. 2 8

Total 25 100

4

Division: Cyanophyta

Class: Cyanophyceae

Order: Chroococcales

Family: Chroococcacea

Aphanocapsa Naegeli, 1849.

Aphanocapsa elachista West and

West

Merismopedia Meyen, 1889.

Merismopedia convolutade Breb.

Order: Oscillatoriales

Family : Oscillatoriaceae

Lyngbya Agardh, 1824.

Lyngbya connectens

(Beuhl)Lyengar.

Oscilltoria Vaucher, 1892

Oscilltoria articulata Gardner

Oscilltoria curviceps (Ag.)

Gomont.

Oscilltoria lemosa (Ag.) Gomont.

Oscilltoria nigra Vauch.

Oscilltoria obscura Bruhl et.

Biswas.

Oscilltoria okeini (Ag.) Gomont.

Family: Phormidiaceae

Phormidium Kuetzing, 1843.

Phormidium anomala C. B.

Rao

Phormidium calcicola Gardner

Spirulina Tupinem. Gardner,

1827.

Spirulina major Kuetz. ex.

Gomont.

Spirulina subsalsa Oerst. ex.

Gomont.

Order: Nostocales

Family: Nostocaceae

Nostoc Vaucher, 1903.

Nostoc carneuam (Ag.) Born.

Division: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Codiolales

Family: Codiolaceae

Ulothrix Kuetzing, 1833.

Ulothrix cylindricum Precott.

Ulothrix zonata (Weber &

Mohr.) Kuetz.

Class: Zygnematophyceae

Order: Zygnematales

Family: Zygnemataceae

Spirogyra Link, 1820.

Spirogyra communis (Hass.)

Kuetz.

Spirogyra singularis Nords

Spirogyra fallax (Hansg.) will.

Class: Cladophorophyceae

Order: Cladophorales

Family: Cladophoraceae

Cladophora Kuetzing, 1843.

Cladophora fractavar.

normalisRabh. Ex Heer.

Cladophora glomeratat (L.) Kuetz.

Order: Oedogoniales

Family:Oedogoniaceae

Oedogonium Link, 1820.

Oedogonium angustatum (Wittr.)

Tiff.

Oedogonium automnale Wittr.

Division: Euglenophyta

Class: Euglenophyceae

Order: Euglenales

Family: Euglenaceae

Euglena Ehrenberg, 1838.

Euglena elastica Presc.

Euglena gracilis Klebs

Conclusion The hydrogen ion concentration pH was in alkaline

side of neutrality. The studied spring sites were thermostatic with a

fluctuation of ±1˚C. The alkalinity of the studied areas was mainly

composed of bicarbonate alkalinity. A total of 25 non diatom algal species belong to 3

divisions, 5 classes, 8 orders, 9 families, 12 genera were identified.

The high number of species per genus were Oscilltoriae and Spirogyra with 6 and 3 species respectively.

Recommendation: Conducting studies on water quality in addition to

heavy metals, and hydrocarbons, especially for those springs that used by peoples for drinking purposes to ensure their potability.

More studies on microalgae including toxicity and ecological variables.

Thank You