A scientific team from University of Basrah, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Saad Shahin Hammadi and the membership of Dr. Abdul-Zahra Al-Helou, Dr. Muhammad Nasser Fares and Dr. Abdul-Karim Taher Yusr, conducted a field tour to search for the causes of fish deaths, see the situation of Shatt Al-Basrah and collect samples
The tests that were conducted on the water showed that the salinity of the Shatt water is within the natural limits of the river as it is a drain for the drainage of salty water, where the salinity reached 17.3 grams per liter. It was also noted that the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 1.36 mg per liter, and the presence of some salt-tolerant dead fish such as tilapia, and also the water level decreased in the river and the release of unpleasant odors from the river water and the presence of masses of algae on the banks
The team concluded that the death case that occurred was due to the lack of oxygen due to the high temperature and the role of sewage water and the consumption of oxygen by bacteria and algae to break down the organic compounds emitted by the exits of sewage pipes, in addition to the high water temperature, which led to cases of fish suffocation and death
The team recommended the necessity of opening the gates of Shatt Al-Basrah regulator for the purpose of recycling and replenishing the water, as well as stopping the discharge of sewage water until after the river is filled with water during the tide and draining the water during the low tide. The team explained its follow-up and evaluation of Shatt Al-Basrah water on a daily basis
