Assessment of some heavy metals in various aquatic plants of Al-Hawizeh Marsh, southern of Iraq

Aquatic plants in Al-Hawizeh Marsh, southern Iraq, exhibit significant heavy metal contamination, with cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and iron (Fe) levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Among the six species studied—Azolla filiculoides, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Najas marina, Phragmites australis, and Typha domingensis—C. demersum and N. marina showed the highest accumulation of these metals. Seasonal variations were also observed, with higher concentrations detected during summer months. The study used bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis to assess bioaccumulation, highlighting potential ecological risks to biodiversity in this UNESCO-listed wetland.

Al-Abbawy, D. A., AL-THAHAIBAWI, B. M. H., AL-MAYALY, I. K. A., & YOUNIS, K. H. (2020). Assessment of some heavy metals in various aquatic plants of Al-Hawizeh Marsh, southern of Iraq. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d220141