Abstract: In recent years, there has been a significant amount of research conducted on microplastics (MPs) as emerging pollutants. These particles, which are < 5 mm in size, are the primary cause of environmental and aquatic contamination. Due to the high exposure to MPs and insufficient information available on their toxicity to humans and animals, it is important to prioritize and assess the risks associated with MPs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to polystyrene (PS)-MPs on Wistar rats. Following an acclimatization period, 120 rats with an average weight of 190±10 g were randomly allocated into 24 cages a week before the commencement of the experiment. Over varying durations ranging from 1 to 28 days, the rats were exposed to PS-MPs at low (0.5 mg) and high (0.1 mg) doses. Additionally, a control group received corn oil without MPs. The digested tissue samples were observed under a fluorescence microscope, which revealed the presence of small pieces of MPs in the form of fibers, due to environmental pollution. The liver, kidneys, and colon tissues were histopathologically analyzed, and biomarkers of toxicity were measured in the rats’ blood. The results of the animal study indicated that PS-MPs were minimally toxic, and there was no tissue damage in the rats. However, some minor signs were found in biochemical biomarkers. Therefore, further research is necessary to fully understand the potential risks associated with exposure to MPs.

This study investigated the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNAs on the surface of microplastics (MPs) collected from a hospital wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and the Qarasou river in Kermanshah, Iran. The MPs were characterized using stereo-, scanning electron-, and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopies to determine their appearance, quantification, qualification, and morphology. The virus RNAs were extracted by rinsing the surface of the MPs with distilled water, followed by swapping and transferring the scratched material into viral transport medium. Identification was performed using SARS-CoV-2 molecular detection kits and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The most common type of MPs found in the wastewater acted as a vector for the virus RNA, whereas virus RNA was only identified in one sample of river water. These findings suggest that MPs can facilitate the spread of the virus through WWTPs and into receiving water bodies. Thus, research on MPs acting as carriers of COVID-19 should be emphasized as determining the presence of the coronavirus on the surface of MPs is crucial in determining a country’s health strategies. Furthermore, this study shows that MPs have the potential to act as vectors for pathogens and create new microbial niches in aquatic environments.

Nowadays, heavy metals are regarded as the most significant contaminants due to industrial activities and have an impact on their presence in milk. The presence of heavy metals in milk could have a serious negative impact on public health. The current study aims to determine the amount of various heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Zn) in raw Awassi ewe’s milk collected from Kwashe industrial area, Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The sheep were grazed in Sulaivany plain contaminated by drains of industrial effluents of several crude oil refineries and other 200 different factories. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was utilized to analyze the milk specimens after wet digestion. Results displayed that the heavy metals concentration was in the range of 3.64-4.27 mg/L for Pb, 0.59-1.13 mg/L for Cu, 0.01-0.09 mg/L for Co, 0.12-1.46 mg/L for Cd, 0.24-0.29mg/L for Cr, 0.89-0.99 mg/L for Ni, 0.89-0.94 mg/L for Fe and 3.99-6.13 mg/L for Zn. Statistical analyses showed that excusing Cr, and all other studied heavy metals concentrations were higher than the human-health safety recommended. Furthermore, among the heavy metals in the current study, the Zn was the highest mean value recorded (4.99 mg/L) and it exceeded the limited value (3.8 mg/L) by WHO/FAO, (1999). The permissible level of pb in milk is 0.05 mg/L, and the mean concentration of pb in the milk sample (3.99 mg/L) was significantly higher than the permissible value. Moreover, the mean value of Cd (0.75 mg/L), Cu (0.79 mg/L), Co (0.038 mg/L), Ni (0.948 mg/L), and Fe (0.91 mg/L) were above the limited value (0.01 mg/L) for Cd, 0.03 mg/l for Cu, (0.001-0.008) for Co, (0.1mg/L) for Ni and 0.1 for Fe, respectively. While the Cr concentration (0.27 mg/L) was lower than the recommended level (0.3 mg/L). Therefore, it was observed that the amount of heavy metals in the sheep milk utilized in this investigation possesses a health risk. Hence, it is always needful to persuade the pollutants in milk in the current area. KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, Milk, polluted area, oil refinery, sheep, Kwashe industrial area

In the current study to investigate the characte – rization of Microplastic – released into the Qara-Sou river, Kermanshah, Iran, 12 sampling sites were surveyed along a 100 km stretch of the river. The maximum and minimum numbers of MPs were about 10,000 and 45,000 items per m3. The average concentration of MPs in the Qara-sou river was 23,666 ± 12147 items per m3. The dominant size and shape of MPs ranged from 0.025 to 1 mm (~44%) and fiber shapes (~78%). In addition, SEM-EDS analyses confirmed the presence of carbon-dominant peaks with O, Ca, Fe, Al, and Si. FTIR spectra have identified some MPs in the PVC, PU, PS, PE, and nylon polymer categories. A high level of MPs was discharged into the Qara-sou river, which should be attracting the attention of the community and decisionmakers to reduce damage to the environment and human health.

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether heavy metals are transported from industrial effluent to forage, sheep, and human through food chain and evaluation of the potential health risks associated with heavy metal pollution. For the analysis of metals, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used. The results showed that sites had significant (P<0.01) impact on heavy metal concentration in effluent, soil and forage. The data of selected heavy metals in animals were higher in wool samples than the blood samples. It was also found that sex in human samples were significantly (P<0.01) effect on the level of metals; as it was illustrated that all metals in male blood were considerably higher than female blood. Health risk index values were higher than one among the majority of metals which indicate that the land is not suitable for grazing animals.

The present investigation was conducted to assess the quality of industrial effluents of Kwashe industrial area in Kurdistan region, Iraq and evaluate the potential effects of these effluents on the quality of soil. Industrial effluents samples were collected at from the discharge point of various industries including (oil refineries, plastic, paper and printing, steel, aluminum, leather tanning, paint, food, detergent, fertilizer, construction, nylons, metals pipe, chemical, asphalt and petroleum product) at three different locations and analyzed for various physic-chemical characteristic. Soil samples were collected from different fields and analyzed for several soil properties. Result revealed; nearly almost physicochemical characteristics of industrial effluents are higher than the permissible levels of worldwide standard. Result also shows that the quality of industrial effluents is significantly deteriorated much more with the distance it passes through two plains in the region. Almost soil properties are negatively affected by effluents, organic matter in the soil affected by industrial effluents is higher 5 times greater than the normal range of organic matter in the soil due to the continuous deposition of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. Soil content of macronutrients is significantly affected by industrial effluents. Significant correlation between some studied soil parameters were found as determination coefficients (R2 ) are highly significant (P<0.01). Keywords: industrial effluent, petroleum refinery, soil properties, soil pollution

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Kwashe Industrial Area (KIA) in Iraqi Kurdistan Region on sheep ecology. KIA contains around 220 industrial factories, from which are more than 50 private crude oil refineries. Each day, these factories release thousands of hazardous untreated industrial effluents and create two main drains that join together and descend both Sulaivany and Duban plains that are mainly used for wheat cultivation and sheep forging to reach Mosul dam. The study is well documented and spotted a great impact on 15000 sheep habitat and niche. The sacristy of water resources in this plain, particularly in summer forces sheep to drink this hazardous effluent to be transferred through food chain to human being, and many direct health cases are investigated in this study. Annually, ten of sheep were stunned in the heavy asphalt and dies. Emissions of a variety NOx, SOx, CO2, CO, H2S, and many other volatile organic compounds like methane causes the spread of respiratory illness among the sheep in this area. Majority of the children in the surrounding villages have developed asthma and respiratory illnesses.

Here in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly in Duhok zoo, animal welfare is mostly neglected. Animals are not treated normally. As far as the author is aware, there is no study undertaken to understand the students or public attitudes toward animals in Duhok zoo. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of the students of the University of Zakho, Faculty of Sciences, Departments of Environmental Sciences, and Biology about animal welfare concerns of Duhok Zoo. The study was undertaken at University of Zakho, Faculty of Sciences. Two hundred questionnaires were divided into the students of both Environmental Sciences and Biology Departments. The questionnaire comprised of 15 questions with 3 sections, which were: first, students identification including name, age, and sex. Second, information on animal welfare, and the last one was recording their opinions on the questionnaire. With each question, students had chosen one of the following opinions: Completely Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Somewhat Agree, and Completely Agree. All participants agreed to answer the questionnaire voluntarily. Results revealed that most of the students were of opinion that Duhok zoo should be improved; in addition, most of them were entirely or somewhat disagreed that Duhok zoo is acceptable in general. They had an agreement with the idea that there should be educational programs inside the zoo, and in addition, the zoo does not cover environmental needs for the most, if not all, captive animals. Students were also agreed that there should be conservation programs to conserve captive animals, especially endangered and rare species. However, almost all of the students did not want the zoo to be closed entirely. According to the findings of the students' attitudes obtained, it can be concluded that the zoological park of Duhok city has many shortages regarding the welfare of animals in dealing with their captive animals.

The aim of the present study was determining the contamination and prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes larvae on pastures permanently grazed by sheep and goats in different areas of Duhok province under the climate of the spring season. Samples of herbage were collected from different pastures and the larvae were identified and then counted. Out of 144 herbage samples, 89 (61.81%) were found positive in all selected areas during the three months (March, April and May). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in contamination rates and pasture larvae count were observed among the months of study whereas they did not significant among the study areas. The most favorable environmental conditions for survival and development of nematodes larvae on pasture were found in April and followed by March. Also, a significant correlation was observed between environmental variables and pasture larvae three-stage count (PL3C). It can be concluded that changes in environmental conditions among the months of spring season have a significant effect on the contamination of GI nematodes larvae in different grazing pastures of Duhok province. These results could be beneficial in planning control program of nematodes parasites.

Water samples from twenty wells and twenty springs were assessed to determine whether samples from springs and wells have similar concentrations of selected characteristics, including electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TA), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, Sulphate (SO4 2- ) Nitrate (NO3-), total hardness (TH), magnesium (Mg2+) and Calcium (Ca2+). Comparisons were made between concentrations of chemical and Physical characteristics in water samples from springs and wells within the same aquifer. Samples were collected monthly from the wells and springs during March 2017 to February 2018. The samples were tested for chemical and Physical characteristics according to the standard methods of American Public Health Association. There were significant differences between all data selected from springs and wells except Mg and DO. In addition, no significant difference was found between the mean pH values. The results indicated that the water samples lie within the permissible limits as compared with WHO (World Health Organization) for drinking uses, however some samples of water are without the permissible limit such as EC, TDS, and TH. The spring water samples were found to be better than well water samples. The results showed that eight wells and four springs’ water samples requires treatment for drinking uses.

The present study was designed to determine whether playing two music types will improve behaviour of non-pregnant, nonlactating Arabi sheep. Thirty Arabi ewes, aged 2 – 3 years, were included in the study. Ewes were divided into three groups, 10 ewes each. The groups were: Control (with no music exposure); Classic music exposure and Fast music exposure. The sound level for classic and fast music groups was 80 dB with the frequency of 1 KHz. The behavioural data were collected using direct observations for six respective days. Results revealed that using music, both classic and fast, significantly decreased the frequency of aggressive behaviours (P < 0.001), vocalization (P < 0.01), defecation (P < 0.05) and walking behaviour (P < 0.05). In addition, there were significant effects of music on the average time spent standing (P < 0.01), lying and feeding (P < 0.001). Whereas no significant difference was found on the average time spent drinking. It was shown that there were significant differences in time spent lying (P < 0.01) and time spent feeding (P < 0.01) over time. Finally, there was a significant difference in the proportion of time spent lying (P < 0.001) as well as in the proportion of time spent feeding between control and music groups (P < 0.01). From this study, it can be concluded that exposing non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes to classical music is beneficial for ewes’ welfare, due to the reduction of aggressive behaviour.

The present study was conducted at poultry laboratories, department of animal production, Agriculture College, Duhok University, Kurdistan region, Iraq, (2016). Three lines of quail (White, light brown and dark brown) and their crosses that resulted from diallel cross design; aged 8 weeks old were used. A total of 54 blood samples by about 5 ml, from both sexes within each genotype aged 8 weeks old, were collected directly after slaughtering and bleeding for 3 second. PVC %, hemoglobin (Hb), Hetrophyl (H), Lymphocyte (L), H/L ratio, total protein, globulin, albumen and cholesterol were studied. The results showed insignificant differences among genotypes and between sexes for both PVC and Hb, while H, L, H/L, total protein, globulin, albumen and cholesterol appeared high significant (p<0.01) differences among the nine studied genotypes. The effect of sex was significant (p<0.05) for H, L and cholesterol. Interaction between genotype and sex was just significant for albumen. There was a significant negative correlation between H/L ratio and globulin (-0.39). Dependence of H/L ratio on globulin, resulted in derives a prediction equation.

This work was carried out at the Animal Production Project, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry, University of Duhok, during the hottest months of the year (1st June to 31st August, 2012), where twenty adult Karadi ewes were randomly divided into two equal groups. The 1st was kept under cooling condition and the 2nd was left under natural conditions. Rectal temperature was carried out with the aid of a digital clinical thermometer and respiratory rate was determined by counting flank movements and recorded as frequencies per mint. Also, Blood sample (10 ml) was collected from jugular vein at biweekly intervals throughout the experiment, to determine some hematological parameter (Hemoglobin, Packed cell volume and N/L ratio and as well as serum total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, AST, ALT, T3 and T4). Results revealed that ewes maintained under heat stress had a significantly (P<0.01) higher rectal temperature (40.21 ± 0.15 vs. 38.09 ±0.10 ºC), respiratory rate (50.65 ± 1.42 vs. 36.88 ± 0.83) (breath/mint) and are lighter (50.22 ± 0.88 Kg vs. 52.66 ± 0.68 Kg) than control ewes. Also, ewes kept under heat stress had significantly (P<0.01) lower values of PCV, Hb , protein, albumin, cholesterol and higher N/L ratio, T3 ,T4, and AST as compared with ewes kept under cooling conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of propolis extract on haemato-biochemical parameters of Karadi ewes. Four different doses (0, 1, 2, and 3 ml) of propolis were orally given to the animals on a weekly base throughout the 8 weeks experimental period. Karadi ewes that received Propolis extract had a significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume, hemoglobin and lower neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio than control. Furthermore, the serum total protein and globulin contents were higher in propolis treated ewe groups. However, the concentration of glucose, Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol were almost same in all experimental groups.

This work was carried out at the Animal Production Project, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry, University of Duhok, during the hottest months of the year (1st June to 31st August, 2012), where twenty adult Karadi ewes were randomly divided into two equal groups. The 1st was kept under cooling condition and the 2nd was left under natural conditions. Rectal temperature was carried out with the aid of a digital clinical thermometer and respiratory rate was determined by counting flank movements and recorded as frequencies per mint. Also, Blood sample (10 ml) was collected from jugular vein at biweekly intervals throughout the experiment, to determine some hematological parameter (Hemoglobin, Packed cell volume and N/L ratio and as well as serum total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, AST, ALT, T3 and T4). Results revealed that ewes maintained under heat stress had a significantly (P<0.01) higher rectal temperature (40.21 ± 0.15 vs. 38.09 ±0.10 ºC), respiratory rate (50.65 ± 1.42 vs. 36.88 ± 0.83) (breath/mint) and are lighter (50.22 ± 0.88 Kg vs. 52.66 ± 0.68 Kg) than control ewes. Also, ewes kept under heat stress had significantly (P<0.01) lower values of PCV, Hb , protein, albumin, cholesterol and higher N/L ratio, T3 ,T4, and AST as compared with ewes kept under cooling conditions