On Monday, October 5, 2026, the College of Marine Sciences at the University of Basrah held a public defense of the Master's thesis submitted by graduate student Anwar Suhail Qadouri in the Department of Natural Marine Sciences. The thesis, titled "Some Environmental Characteristics of Water, Sediments, and Phragmites Australis in Southern Iraqi Water Bodies," was discussed at 9:00 AM in the college's conference hall.

The esteemed examining committee consisted of the following professors:

Prof. Dr. Makia Mahlal Khalaf – Chair (College of Science, University of Basrah)

Assistant Professor Dr. Imad Jassim Mohammed – Member (College of Marine Sciences, University of Basrah)

Assistant Professor Dr. Alaa Adel Mazhar – Member (College of Marine Sciences, University of Basrah)

Assistant Professor Dr. Amal Ahmed Mahmoud – Member and Supervisor (College of Marine Sciences, University of Basrah) This study aimed to assess the environmental status of several water bodies in Basra Governorate by measuring water environmental characteristics and estimating nutrient levels (total nitrogen and total phosphorus), as well as measuring five heavy metals: cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). The study included measuring these elements in water, sediments, and the vegetative parts of reeds at four stations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway: Al-Masahab, Abu Al-Khasib, Al-Siba, and Ras Al-Bisha, over four seasons: autumn 2025, winter, spring, and summer 2026.

The researcher concluded that there was a clear spatial and seasonal variation in water environmental characteristics, with a notable increase in the levels of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, in addition to cadmium, nickel, and lead, in the water, sediments, and reeds.

After a thorough and distinguished defense by the student of the content of her thesis, and a precise and fruitful scientific discussion by the members of the committee, the thesis was accepted and the student was awarded a master’s degree with distinction.