Isolation, Purification and Identification of Seven species of Algae in three drinking water plants supply springs in Sulaimani province and growth control of isolated algae by using some plant extracts

In this study, three drinking water treatment plant supply springs were selected within different sites in Sulaimani province - Kurdistan region of Iraq. Samples were collected over period of eight months from May to the end of December 2015. Five stations were selected, Stations 1, 2 and 3 were located at Bestan Sowr drinking water project in Sharazur district, station 4 was located at Saray Subhan Agha drinking water project in Said sadiq district and station 5 was located at Khurmal drinking water project in Khurmal district within Halabja district. The study involved an Isolation, purification and identification seven species of algae by using Chu-10 media and Bold Basal Medium (BBM), and evaluation of the effectiveness of plant extracts (as antialgal) on the growth of isolated algae by Agar-Well Diffusion Method. Seven strains of algae from studying stations were isolated, purified and identified after collection which were: Ulothrix zonata, Desmodesmus lunatus, Desmodesmus itascaensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Calothrix fusca, Chroococcus turgidus and Navicula riediana. These isolated algae included 2 species of blue-green algae, 4 species of green algae, and 1 species of diatoms. In this study, the suggested plants extracts for use as inhibitors belong to different families of plant (5 plants) which were Hordeum vulgare (Barley straw), Peganum harmala, Artemisia annua, Thymus vulgaris and Nasturtium officinale (Watercress). On the assessment of the effectiveness of crude plant extracts (as antialgal) on the growth of selected algae by Agar-Well Diffusion Method, the results showed that the greater inhibition zone diameter was obtained 62 mm against Calothrix fusca by using crude extracted from Peganum harmala in concentration 80 mg/ml, and less inhibition zone diameter was 7 mm against Ulothrix zonata by using crud extracted from Artemisia annua in concentration 30 mg/ml. Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) did not show any effective against any type of isolated algae in all concentrations. Generally inhibition zones diameters differed according to the algal types and types and concentration of plant’s extracts.