The Effect Of Human Activities On The Qualitative and Quantitative Composition Of Epiphytic Algae On Ceratophyllum demersum L. in Al- Warar Canal, Ramadi, Iraq

The current study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative makeup of epiphytic algae on the aquatic host plant Ceratophyllum demersum L. Four locations along the in Al-Warar Canal, Ramadi Governorate were surveyed during the seasons of Autumn 2022, Winter 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023. The study also involved quantifying the physiochemical parameters, including Temperture of water, pH, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Hardness (TH), Sulphate (SO4-2), Demand Oxygen (DO), Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Nitrate (NO3−), and Phosphate (PO43−). The total number of epiphytic algae species was Two hundred thirty-six communities of algae attached to the C. demersum L plant, belonging to 57 genera, were identified during the study period. The phylum Cyanophyceae (8) genera, belonging to (34) species, were identified, while the green algae Chlorophyceae (20) genera, belonging to (65) species, were identified. The diatom algae Bacillariophyceae has been identified in (27) genera, dating back to (133) species. The order of the diatom algae, Bacillariophyceae-centralis, has been identified in (2) genera, dating back to (4) species. The order of the feathery diatom algae Bacillariophyceae-Pennales has been identified in (25) genera dating back to (125). As for the Euglenophyceae algae, (2) genus belonging to four species have been identified. The study showed that the diatom algae Bacillariophyceae dominate the other algal groups, distinguishing Iraqi waters.