Evaluating the Water Quality of Al-Chibayish Marsh, Southern Iraq by Using the Canadian Index CCME-WQI

Al-Chibayish Marsh is one of the most important marshes located in southern Iraq. Many sewage plants discharging into the marsh and affect its water quality. The present study aims at evaluating the water suitability for drinking, irrigation and other domestic uses. Water samples were collected monthly from six stations in the marsh during August 2018 to July 2019. Twenty variables were monitored to apply the Canadian index, there are including water temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids , total dissolved solids, dissolved Oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, active Phosphate, Sulfate, Chloride, Sodium, Potassium, Sodium adsorption ratio, Boron and fecal coliform bacteria. The findings showed that the water of Al-Chibayish Marsh was marginal to poor for general uses, while it was poor for drinking or irrigation at all stations. The Iraqi Marshes Protection Law against pollution must be enforced to prevent the obvious deterioration of the marsh water to improve its quality.