Microbiological pollution and heavy metals in two freshwater turtles from Garmat Ali- River in Basrah City/ Southern Iraq

Abstract

The microbiological pollution and some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Aland Pb) levels in two freshwater turtles species (Mauremyscaspicacaspica(Gmelin 1774), and Rafetus(Trionyx) euphraticus(Daudin 1802)) collected from Garmat Ali- River . Samples of two freshwater Turtles were collected during summer season of the year 2017, were examined. Total- plate techniques were used for microbial pollution while heavy metal concentrations in two turtles species were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Total bacteria count had the highest number of bacteria in M. c. caspicawith 29.60 x 105cfu/ml. the total plate count had the highest bacteria number in the R. euphraticus– 19.26 x 105cfu/ml ranged. bacterial pathogens isolated include: E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., Vibrio spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Microbial species were characterized based on morphological and biochemical tests. M. c. caspicaTurtle had iron concentration of 21.52±0.031 mg/kg while R. euphraticusTurtle had iron concentration of 34.69±0.152 mg/kg. M. c. caspicaand R. euphraticushad copper concentrations of 0.87±0.034 and 0.92±0.057 mg/kg respectively. M. c. caspicahad a lead concentration of 0.06±0.041 mg/kg while R. euphraticushad a copper concentration of 0.09±0.064 mg/kg.