Dissertation Discussion
The College of Science for Women / University of Baghdad examined the thesis entitled (Primary productivity of Phytoplankton and Benthic algae in Baghdad Tourist Island Lake and the related environmental changes) of the student (Saja Hassan Al-Abdulameer), in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor in Biology/Ecology Supervised by Prof. Dr. Fikrat M. Hassan.
The Dissertation aims to :
The thesis was conducted to the primary productivity of algae (phytoplankton and benthic algae) and to study the physicochemical properties of the water.It also focuses on identifying the limiting nutrients for algal growth, understanding the factors affecting primary productivity, and analyzing the algal community composition and its seasonal changes.
The study includes a research study on the assessment of the environmental status of Baghdad Tourist Island Lake through the estimation of the primary productivity of algal communities and the measurement of the physicochemical properties of the water. It also involves a quantitative and qualitative analysis of algal communities, including phytoplankton and benthic algae. Moreover, several key ecological indices were calculated, namely: diversity indices, the Iraqi Water Quality Index, the Environmental Risk Index, and Carlson’s Trophic State Index.
The study concluded that Baghdad Island Lake revealed that the water exhibits good aeration, high hardness, and a tendency toward alkalinity. Based on productivity measurements and Carlson’s Trophic State Index, the lake is classified as oligotrophic to mesotrophic, indicating low to moderate nutrient levels. Biodiversity indices showed a high degree of biological diversity, while the algal community displayed temporal fluctuations, suggesting that environmental factors play a significant role in shaping phytoplankton dynamics. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the lake and emphasize the need for continued monitoring and sustainable management. Furthermore, the study provides a foundation for future ecological assessments and conservation planning aimed at preserving the lake’s water quality and biological integrity amid ongoing environmental pressures.
The final grade: Excellent

