Influence of Health-Related Factors on Water Quality and Prevalence of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Fish within the Tigris River Spanning Tikrit City

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Hala Mahmood Esmaeel, Dr. Yassien Hussien Owaied, Dr. Ashraf Jamal Mahmoud

Abstract

This study encompasses two aspects: firstly, the examination of various physical and chemical properties of the Tigris River water in Tikrit city; secondly, the identification of parasitic animal groups affecting multiple fish species in the Tigris River, along with determining their prevalence and intensity. The study revealed alterations in certain physical and chemical properties of the water between November 2021 and October 2022. Notable fluctuations were observed in average temperature, ranging from 48.0-13.0 degrees Celsius for air and 29.0-11.7 degrees Celsius for water. The pH varied between 7.0-8.7, turbidity values spanned 20.4-27.5, sodium ions ranged from 14.2-19.8 mg/L, potassium levels were between 2.0-5.8 mg/L, and total dissolved solids varied from 200-270 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen values fluctuated between 8.3-5.0 mg/L, BOD values ranged from 1.2-4.3 mg/L, total hardness values were 200-306 mg/L, and sulfate values were between 86-120 mg/L. During this period, 618 fish from several species within the Cyprinidae family were collected. Examination results indicated infection with various types of parasites at differing prevalence rates, including Dactylogyrus vastator, Ligophorus imitd, Lamproglena pulchella, and Pseudulamproglena annulata. Statistical analysis revealed significant temporal and spatial differences at a significant level (P <0.05).


 

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Hala Mahmood Esmaeel, Dr. Yassien Hussien Owaied, Dr. Ashraf Jamal Mahmoud