The College of Education for Pure Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, has researched a master's thesis on (The impact of some environmental factors on the biodiversity of water birds in the Shatt al-Arab - Basra Governorate - Iraq). The thesis submitted by the researcher (Wusan Ali Thamer Jabr Al-Hajjaj) included consideration of the environmental and human importance of the Shatt al-Arab and as a result of the negative changes that have occurred in this waterway. The study aimed to determine the quality of water and estimate some heavy elements in the Shatt al-Arab, in addition to determining the biodiversity and numbers of water birds. The study also identified the sources of disturbance along the Shatt al-Arab, as well as finding the influential relationship between environmental factors, heavy elements and disturbance on the biodiversity of water birds. To achieve these goals, three sites were identified on the Shatt al-Arab, namely Al-Salal, Al-Ashar and Abu Al-Khaseeb. Water samples were collected and analyzed. Four physical properties of the water were measured, namely temperature, pH, salinity and conductivity, in addition to ten chemical properties, with the concentrations of ten types of heavy elements measured. A bird survey was also conducted and the sources of disturbance were identified at each site. The thesis concluded that there was a state of physical pollution, such as high salinity and conductivity. Similarly, the chemical characteristics showed levels above the permissible limits, such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates. The study also found low concentrations of heavy metals. During the study period, various types of human activities were recorded that negatively affected the biodiversity of birds. The results of the CCA analysis showed a significant impact of water quality and heavy metals on the biodiversity of waterfowl in the Shatt al-Arab. The current results indicate the negative impacts of pollution sources on the Shatt al-Arab and water scarcity on the living organisms in the riverbed, which has a negative impact on human health
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