The Effect of the Power Plant on the Biodiversity of Zooplankton

The research was conducted to study the impact of thermal pollution on the Nasseriyah power plant ( NPP ) on the zooplankton community and the water quality of the Euphrates River. The study area included four stations: the first before the discharge point (control station), the second station, the discharge point of the hot liquid station flows, and the third and fourth stations after the discharge point. Several physical and chemical variables that directly relate to the presence of zooplankton and water quality have been selected, namely water temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and BOD5. The study results showed a significant decrease in the quality of river water compared to national and international determinants and a decrease in the number, density, and diversity of zooplankton species. We observed the complete disappearance of the class of Cladocera in the second station in some months of study due to the negative impact of the plant flows. Keywords: NPP, Zooplankton, Cladocera