The Department of Ecology at the College of Science at the University of Basra organized a discussion session on the environmental survey of terrestrial plants in Al-Qurna District, north of Basra, and the use of some of them as accumulators for petroleum hydrocarbons.

The session, which was lectured by graduate student Nour Amer Ismail, aimed to explain the disturbance and impact of vegetation cover and plant biodiversity and the various pollutants it is exposed to from crude oil.

The session dealt with how to measure environmental factors affecting plant biodiversity and increasing oil concentrations in the environment, which leads to damage to plant cells and tissues, and the importance of using terrestrial plants as accumulators for petroleum hydrocarbons.

The study recommended increasing green spaces and afforestation to improve the environment and get rid of pollutants, as they have economic and medical importance, and plants are a source of air purification.