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Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, Section of Aquatic Ecology, P.O. Box: 765, Baghdad, Iraq.

 

The distribution of benthic organisms in Samarra impoundment was investigated from November 1986 to October 1987.  Water temperature, current velocity, dissolved oxygen content and BOD₅ were meassured.  A total of eight taxa were collected.  Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Tendipes sp. larvae were the dominant taxa in sediments of the main water body, whilst Mesocyclops leuckarti dominated the pool region.  Variations in the community structure within the impoundment were evident from the results of community analysis.  The pool region receiving untreated sewage showed higher water temperatures, less oxygen content, higher BOD₅ values and absence of current.  The possible factors influencing the distribution of benthic organisms are discussed.