The approximate biochemical composition (protein, carbohydrate, fat and minerals) of three algal species Oscillatoria sp., Schizothrix sp. and Chlorella vulgaris that were isolated from the Shatt al-Arab River were determined. The species C. vulgaris contained the highest level of protein, while Schizothrix sp. contained the highest level of fats and carbohydrates. The C. vulgaris analysis showed the highest level of calcium and magnesium, while Schizothrix sp. showed the highest level of phosphorus. The biochemical composition is a possible factor determining the nutritional quality of the algae.

The hydrographical parameters of air, water, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and total alkalinity of the coastal waters in front of al-Mukalla were determined. The results obtained reflect the effect of the warm tropical zone of the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, irregular topography, local hydrographic conditions, and the result of the upwelling current.

The present investigation comprised the short-term lethal toxicity tests of two refined oils as a WSF (kerosene and gasoline) towards three species of snails (Theodoxus jordani, Melanopsis nodosa and Melanoides tuberculata) found in the Shatt al-Arab River, under laboratory conditions using renewal toxicity tests, by calculating the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) at different time intervals. The snail M. nodosa was the most sensitive to the WSF of the two refined oils, followed by the snail T. jordani and the snail M. tuberculata. The WSF of gasoline was more toxic to the three snail species than was the WSF of kerosene.

Water samples collected from the Rumaila River (R.R.) north Rumaila - Basrah were investigated by chemical analysis for the period Sept. 2000 - Feb. 2001 to assign the feasibility of injection to the oil fields in Rumaila. Quantitative analytical methods were employed. Predicted calculations based on the results obtained indicated that R.R. water has a tendency toward corrosion and scale formation, i.e. the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) = +1.4. The total dissolved solid value of 4500 mg/l included 1800 mg/l chloride. The biological tests showed an infinite bacterial count and ~350 colonies/ml of anaerobic bacteria. A comparison was made between R.R. water and Qarmat Ali River (QAR) water analytical results. The deleterious effects of all parameters on the injection water system and the oil fields were discussed. It was concluded that R.R. water would cause pore plugging and chemical and biological corrosion to the injection system equipment. Chemical conditioning of both R.R. and QAR water according to standard methods was suggested prior to use for injection into the oilfields.

Two boreholes were chosen in the southern part of the Mesopotamian floodplain. Grain size distribution, x-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis were determined for the clay fraction. The results showed that the dominant clay mineral is kaolinite followed by palygorskite, illite, montmorillonite, and illite-montmorillonite mixed layers. It is suggested that the origin of palygorskite is a neoformation in the sabkha region, in the presence of high evaporation, hypersalinity, and a notable quantity of carbonates.

Food habits of the fish Sillago sihama (Froskal) were studied in the Iraqi marine waters of the northwest Arabian Gulf. The feeding activity ranged from 5.2% in May to 86.4% in October, and the feeding intensity from 0.3 point/fish in May to 4.6 points/fish in November. This species is a benthic carnivore. According to a relative importance index, crabs dominated the food items, consisting of 45.25% of all food intake, followed by shrimps (28.46%), polychaetes (24.01%), and bivalves (2.28%).

The study area represents the rocky island located to the north of the Khor al-Zubair ports, in the northwest Arabian Gulf. 19 sediment samples were collected from the Khor al-Zubair channel with a grab sampler. Twelve cores of 0.5, 1, and 2 meters depth were taken from the surrounding area of rocky island. Moreover, 10 rock samples were chosen. Grain size distribution, mineralogical, and petrographic analyses were done. The results indicate that the sediments of Khor al-Zubair consist mainly of silty clay, whereas sandy sediments dominate in the rocky island. The statistical parameters of the sediments reflect the complicated hydrodynamic processes controlling the sedimentation. The major constituents of heavy minerals are the opaque minerals pyroxene, hornblende, and epidote, whereas the dominant minerals are garnet, zircon, and tourmaline. This assemblage of heavy minerals indicates the participation of many sources of sediments; as Mesopotamian sediments, bank erosion, the outcrops of neighboring formations, and dust fallout. Petrographic studies show that the rocks are composed of quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments cemented by calcareous clay. The cementing material is micrite of high-Mg calcite. The rocks in the study area are inclined towards the water and disappeared in the surrounding area. The assemblages of heavy minerals in these rocks show a wide variation with depth. These rocks represent beach rocks formed by complex hydrodynamic processes and the supplying of sand from the surrounding area.

Monthly quantitative samples of Balanus amphitrite amphitrite were collected for 18 months (October 1994 - March 1996) from the intertidal zone of the Qarmat Ali River. Six quadrats of 0.01 m² each were taken each month. The population density ranged between 9250 - 18333 individuals/m² in October 1994 and May 1995 respectively. It was found that this barnacle reproduces continuously and that larvae were released throughout the year.

It was found that the LC₅₀ of glyphosate (48%) for Ctenopharyngodon idella was 6.6 mg/l within 48 hours. Exposure of fishes to glyphosate led to significant reductions in the red blood cell counts, packed cell volumes, and hemoglobin concentration, while the number of white blood cells increased. The numbers of micronuclei in the red blood cells of fishes exposed to this herbicide in concentrations of up to 2 ppm were elevated. Meanwhile, exposure of fishes to ultra glyphosate (Roundup, 36%) in concentrations below 6 ppm did not show changes in the values of blood or the frequency of micronuclei in the exposed fish.