The Formation Models of Gypsum Barrier, Chemical Temporal Changes and Assessments the Water Quality of Sawa Lake, Southern Iraq

Seasonal Radon Concentration Measurements at Sawa Lake, Samawa City-South of Iraq

Thesis

Full-text available

Jan 2020

Ahmed A. Sharrad

In the present study, seasonal measurements of radon activity concentration were carried out for water and soil of Sawa Lake, Samawa City-South of Iraq. The measurements were conducted in two seasons, winter and spring, using RAD7 continuous radon monitoring detector manufactured by Durridge company, USA. For winter season, (85) water samples were collected from different locations; the period of assessment was two months (from December, 1st 2018 to February, 1st 2019). Radon activity concentrations were ranged from (0.085 Bq/L) to (0.965 Bq/L), while the average value was (0.322 Bq/L), the annual effective dose (AED) of inhalation was estimated and is found to be ranged from (0.000080 mSv.y-1) to (0.000917 mSv.y-1) with a mean value of (0.000325 mSv/y). Radon measurements during the spring season have been carried out with a period of two months (from March 1st, 2019, to April 26, 2019). Radon concentrations have been determined for (85) collected water samples and found to be in the range of (0.093±0.085 Bq/L) and (1.15±0.35 Bq/L) with an average value of (0.409±0.24 Bq/L), the annual inhalation dose in the spring season varied between (0.0000883 mSv/y) and (0.001065 mSv/y); with an average value of (0.000389 mSv/y). Physiochemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, resistivity, and turbidity were determined for the collected water samples during both seasons and the correlation between these parameters and radon concentrations was established. Radon concentrations in soil gas have been measured during winter and spring seasons. A total of (30) locations around the lake in each season were chosen for in situ analyzing. RAD7 detector is used for this purpose. Radon soil gas activity concentration for the winter season is found to vary from (86.9 ± 54 Bq/m3) and (6448 ±480 Bq/m3) with an average value of (1963±267 Bq/m3). Associated annual effective dose due to inhalation has been found to be in the range of (0.000826-0.061282 mSv/y), with an average value of (0.01866 mSv/y). For the spring season, radon concentrations in soil gas varied from (40 ±50 Bq/m3) to (4970±360 Bq/m3), with a mean value of (1434.17 ±205 Bq/m3). Annual inhalation dose due to these concentrations has been estimated and is found to vary between (0.000380 mSv/y) and (0.061282 mSv/y), with an average value of (0.01363 mSv/y).

Outstanding Universal Values of the Sawa Lake as a World Natural Heritage

Conference Paper

Apr 2016

Salih Muhammad Awadh

OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUES OF THE SAWA LAKE AS A WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE

Article

Jan 2016

Salih Muhammad Awadh

This work has been accomplished through a dense field work on the Sawa Lake. The aim of this work is to highlight on characteristics that are consistent with outstanding universal values to be a new Iraqi site belongs to the World Natural Heritage. This study sorted many unique characteristics might ensure that Sawa Lake as a world natural heritage sites. This study shows that the lake had met four natural criteria of the outstanding universal values: (1) the seventh criterion which states to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. (2) The eighth criterion which stated to be outstanding example representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. (3) The ninth criterion which stated to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. (4) The tenth criterion which state to contain most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

Environmental Study of Groundwater Quality of Selected Wells in Al- Zubair, Southern Iraq and their Uses

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Raad Mahmoud Nasif

Twenty-five groundwater samples from the Al-Zubair area, southern Iraq, were analyzed for physical and chemical variables. The study showed that the groundwater is of acidic type and in it tends towards light alkalinity. Both electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids showed increased concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The hydrochemical formula for most groundwater wells are (Ca-Cl), (Ca-SO4), (Mg-SO4), and (Na-Cl) type due to the high concentrations of these ions in the water., it was found that this water is not suitable for human drinking. Due to its high salinity compared to the requirements of international standard and Iraqi standard standards, while it is suitable for drinking animal's construction purposes, it has not exceeded the permissible limits. Also, it has been found that this water is not suitable for industrial and irrigation purposes, where it is possible to grow crops that tolerate high salinity ‫ل‬ ‫بيئية‬ ‫اسة‬ ‫در‬ ‫نوعية‬ ‫الزبير‬ ‫في‬ ‫المختارة‬ ‫االبار‬ ‫بعض‬ ‫في‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ، ‫جنوب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫استعماالتها‬ ‫و‬ 2 ‫جيجان‬ ‫بتول‬ ، 1 ‫االمير‬ ‫عبد‬ ‫فاطمة‬ ، *1 ‫الخفاجي‬ ‫رعد‬ ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫جامعة‬ ‫الهيثم)،‬ ‫فه(ابن‬ ‫الصر‬ ‫للعلوم‬ ‫بيه‬ ‫التر‬ ‫كلية‬ ، ‫الحياة‬ ‫علوم‬ ‫قسم‬ 1 2 ، ‫الحياة‬ ‫علوم‬ ‫قسم‬ ‫ثانوية‬ ‫كلية‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫الخالصة‬ ‫تم‬ ‫اختيار‬ 25 ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫جنوب‬ ‫بير‬ ‫الز‬ ‫منطقة‬ ‫من‬ ‫ة‬ ‫مختار‬ ‫ألبار‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫من‬ ‫عينة‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫نوعية‬ ‫فة‬ ‫لمعر‬ ‫حيث‬ ‫حمضية‬ ‫اسة‬ ‫الدر‬ ‫منطقة‬ ‫في‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫النتائج‬ ‫أظهرت‬ ‫الكيميائية.‬ ‫و‬ ‫يائية‬ ‫الفيز‬ ‫ات‬ ‫المتغير‬ ‫تحديد‬ ‫خالل‬ ‫بعض‬ ‫في‬ ‫الذائبة‬ ‫الصلبة‬ ‫اد‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫بائية‬ ‫الكهر‬ ‫التوصيلية‬ ‫من‬ ‫كال‬ ‫تركيز‬ ‫في‬ ‫يادة‬ ‫ز‬ ‫هناك‬ ‫الخفيفة.‬ ‫القلوية‬ ‫نحو‬ ‫تميل‬ ‫اس‬ ‫در‬ ‫اظهرت‬ ‫االبار.‬ ‫تلك‬ ‫مياه‬ ‫يد‬ ‫الكلور‬ ‫و‬ ‫يتات‬ ‫الكبر‬ ‫و‬ ‫البوتاسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫المغنيسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫الكالسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫الصوديوم‬ ‫االيونات:‬ ‫اكيز‬ ‫تر‬ ‫ة‬ ‫الهيدروكيميائية‬ ‫الصيغة‬ ‫وكذلك‬ ‫ات.‬ ‫النتر‬ ‫و‬ ‫بونات‬ ‫البيكر‬ ‫و‬ ‫نوع‬ ‫من‬ ‫كانت‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫االبار‬ ‫معظم‬ ‫مياه‬ ‫ان‬ (Ca-Cl) (‫و‬ SO4-Ca (‫و‬) 4 SO-Mg) (‫و‬ Cl-Na ‫الماء.‬ ‫في‬ ‫األيونات‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫العالية‬ ‫اكيز‬ ‫التر‬ ‫بسبب‬ ‫الي‬ ‫التو‬ ‫وعلى‬) ‫غير‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫هذه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫تبين‬ ‫اقية‬ ‫العر‬ ‫اصفة‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫العالمية‬ ‫الصحة‬ ‫منظمة‬ ‫متطلبات‬ ‫مع‬ ‫البحث‬ ‫النتائج‬ ‫نة‬ ‫مقار‬ ‫وعند‬ ‫اني‬ ‫الحيو‬ ‫لالستهالك‬ ‫مناسبة‬ ‫انها‬ ‫اال‬ ، ‫ملوحتها‬ ‫تفاع‬ ‫الر‬ ‫ا‬ ‫نظر‬. ‫شرب‬ ‫كمياه‬ ‫البشري‬ ‫لالستهالك‬ ‫صالحة‬ ‫ألن‬ ،. et al khafaji-Al 4293 ‫ألن‬ ، ‫اإلنشائية‬ ‫اض‬ ‫لألغر‬ ‫تصلح‬ ‫أنها‬ ‫حين‬ ‫في‬ ‫مقبولة.‬ ‫حدود‬ ‫ضمن‬ ‫تقع‬ ‫الذائبة‬ ‫الصلبة‬ ‫اد‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫العناصر‬ ‫جميع‬ ‫اض‬ ‫لألغر‬ ‫ايضا‬ ‫صالحة‬ ‫غير‬ ‫هي‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫هذه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫وجد‬ ‫فقد‬ ‫لذلك‬ ، ‫المسموحة‬ ‫الحدود‬ ‫تتجاوز‬ ‫لم‬ ‫عناصرها‬ ‫جميع‬ ‫التي‬ ‫المحاصيل‬ ‫لري‬ ‫استخدامها‬ ‫ويمكن‬ ،.، ‫الري‬ ‫و‬ ‫الصناعية‬ ‫العالية‬ ‫الملوحة‬ ‫تتحمل‬ Introduction : Groundwater is the second main water source worldwide. The composition of groundwater is subject to the influence of many climatic factors, topography and hydrographic nature. However, the main effect on groundwater quality is through the chemical composition of the water-bearing rocks and the chemical composition of the deep water that participates in feeding the water-bearing levels located at the top and coming to it through the weak permeability separating layers [1]. Therefore, one of the most important objectives of this research is to study the hydrochemical situation prevailing in the study area, its physical and chemical properties.

Environmental Study of Groundwater Quality of Selected Wells in Al- Zubair, Southern Iraq and their Uses

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

Raad Mahmoud Nasif

Twenty-five groundwater samples from the Al-Zubair area, southern Iraq, were analyzed for physical and chemical variables. The study showed that the groundwater is of acidic type and in it tends towards light alkalinity. Both electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids showed increased concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The hydrochemical formula for most groundwater wells are (Ca-Cl), (Ca-SO4), (Mg-SO4), and (Na-Cl) type due to the high concentrations of these ions in the water., it was found that this water is not suitable for human drinking. Due to its high salinity compared to the requirements of international standard and Iraqi standard standards, while it is suitable for drinking animal's construction purposes, it has not exceeded the permissible limits. Also, it has been found that this water is not suitable for industrial and irrigation purposes, where it is possible to grow crops that tolerate high salinity ‫ل‬ ‫بيئية‬ ‫اسة‬ ‫در‬ ‫نوعية‬ ‫الزبير‬ ‫في‬ ‫المختارة‬ ‫االبار‬ ‫بعض‬ ‫في‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ، ‫جنوب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫استعماالتها‬ ‫و‬ 2 ‫جيجان‬ ‫بتول‬ ، 1 ‫االمير‬ ‫عبد‬ ‫فاطمة‬ ، *1 ‫الخفاجي‬ ‫رعد‬ ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫جامعة‬ ‫الهيثم)،‬ ‫فه(ابن‬ ‫الصر‬ ‫للعلوم‬ ‫بيه‬ ‫التر‬ ‫كلية‬ ، ‫الحياة‬ ‫علوم‬ ‫قسم‬ 1 2 ، ‫الحياة‬ ‫علوم‬ ‫قسم‬ ‫ثانوية‬ ‫كلية‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫بغداد،‬ ‫الخالصة‬ ‫تم‬ ‫اختيار‬ 25 ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ‫جنوب‬ ‫بير‬ ‫الز‬ ‫منطقة‬ ‫من‬ ‫ة‬ ‫مختار‬ ‫ألبار‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫من‬ ‫عينة‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫نوعية‬ ‫فة‬ ‫لمعر‬ ‫حيث‬ ‫حمضية‬ ‫اسة‬ ‫الدر‬ ‫منطقة‬ ‫في‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫النتائج‬ ‫أظهرت‬ ‫الكيميائية.‬ ‫و‬ ‫يائية‬ ‫الفيز‬ ‫ات‬ ‫المتغير‬ ‫تحديد‬ ‫خالل‬ ‫بعض‬ ‫في‬ ‫الذائبة‬ ‫الصلبة‬ ‫اد‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫بائية‬ ‫الكهر‬ ‫التوصيلية‬ ‫من‬ ‫كال‬ ‫تركيز‬ ‫في‬ ‫يادة‬ ‫ز‬ ‫هناك‬ ‫الخفيفة.‬ ‫القلوية‬ ‫نحو‬ ‫تميل‬ ‫اس‬ ‫در‬ ‫اظهرت‬ ‫االبار.‬ ‫تلك‬ ‫مياه‬ ‫يد‬ ‫الكلور‬ ‫و‬ ‫يتات‬ ‫الكبر‬ ‫و‬ ‫البوتاسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫المغنيسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫الكالسيوم‬ ‫و‬ ‫الصوديوم‬ ‫االيونات:‬ ‫اكيز‬ ‫تر‬ ‫ة‬ ‫الهيدروكيميائية‬ ‫الصيغة‬ ‫وكذلك‬ ‫ات.‬ ‫النتر‬ ‫و‬ ‫بونات‬ ‫البيكر‬ ‫و‬ ‫نوع‬ ‫من‬ ‫كانت‬ ‫الجوفية‬ ‫االبار‬ ‫معظم‬ ‫مياه‬ ‫ان‬ (Ca-Cl) (‫و‬ SO4-Ca (‫و‬) 4 SO-Mg) (‫و‬ Cl-Na ‫الماء.‬ ‫في‬ ‫األيونات‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫العالية‬ ‫اكيز‬ ‫التر‬ ‫بسبب‬ ‫الي‬ ‫التو‬ ‫وعلى‬) ‫غير‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫هذه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫تبين‬ ‫اقية‬ ‫العر‬ ‫اصفة‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫العالمية‬ ‫الصحة‬ ‫منظمة‬ ‫متطلبات‬ ‫مع‬ ‫البحث‬ ‫النتائج‬ ‫نة‬ ‫مقار‬ ‫وعند‬ ‫اني‬ ‫الحيو‬ ‫لالستهالك‬ ‫مناسبة‬ ‫انها‬ ‫اال‬ ، ‫ملوحتها‬ ‫تفاع‬ ‫الر‬ ‫ا‬ ‫نظر‬. ‫شرب‬ ‫كمياه‬ ‫البشري‬ ‫لالستهالك‬ ‫صالحة‬ ‫ألن‬ ،. et al khafaji-Al 4293 ‫ألن‬ ، ‫اإلنشائية‬ ‫اض‬ ‫لألغر‬ ‫تصلح‬ ‫أنها‬ ‫حين‬ ‫في‬ ‫مقبولة.‬ ‫حدود‬ ‫ضمن‬ ‫تقع‬ ‫الذائبة‬ ‫الصلبة‬ ‫اد‬ ‫المو‬ ‫و‬ ‫العناصر‬ ‫جميع‬ ‫اض‬ ‫لألغر‬ ‫ايضا‬ ‫صالحة‬ ‫غير‬ ‫هي‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫هذه‬ ‫أن‬ ‫وجد‬ ‫فقد‬ ‫لذلك‬ ، ‫المسموحة‬ ‫الحدود‬ ‫تتجاوز‬ ‫لم‬ ‫عناصرها‬ ‫جميع‬ ‫التي‬ ‫المحاصيل‬ ‫لري‬ ‫استخدامها‬ ‫ويمكن‬ ،.، ‫الري‬ ‫و‬ ‫الصناعية‬ ‫العالية‬ ‫الملوحة‬ ‫تتحمل‬ Introduction : Groundwater is the second main water source worldwide. The composition of groundwater is subject to the influence of many climatic factors, topography and hydrographic nature. However, the main effect on groundwater quality is through the chemical composition of the water-bearing rocks and the chemical composition of the deep water that participates in feeding the water-bearing levels located at the top and coming to it through the weak permeability separating layers [1]. Therefore, one of the most important objectives of this research is to study the hydrochemical situation prevailing in the study area, its physical and chemical properties.

Environmental Study of Groundwater Quality of Selected Wells in Al-Zubair, Southern Iraq and their Uses

Article

Jul 2023

Twenty-five groundwater samples from the Al-Zubair area, southern Iraq, were analyzed for physical and chemical variables. The study showed that the groundwater is of acidic type and in it tends towards light alkalinity. Both electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids showed increased concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The hydrochemical formula for most groundwater wells are (Ca-Cl), (Ca-SO4), (Mg-SO4), and (Na-Cl) type due to the high concentrations of these ions in the water., it was found that this water is not suitable for human drinking. Due to its high salinity compared to the requirements of international standard and Iraqi standard standards, while it is suitable for drinking animal's construction purposes, it has not exceeded the permissible limits. Also, it has been found that this water is not suitable for industrial and irrigation purposes, where it is possible to grow crops that tolerate high salinity

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Sawa Lake’s Physical Parameters Between (1985–2020) and Drought Investigations Using Landsat Imageries

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2022

Lake Sawa located in Southwest Iraq is a unique natural landscape and without visible inflow and outflow from its surrounding regions. Investigating the environmental and physical dynamics and the hydrological changes in the lake is crucial to understanding the impact of hydrological changes, as well as to inform planning and management in extreme weather events or drought conditions. Lake Sawa is a saltwater lake, covering about 4.9 square kilometers at its largest in the 1980s. In the last decade, the lake has dried out, shrinking to less than 75% of its average size. This contribution focuses on calculating the bank erosion and accretion of Lake Sawa utilizing remote sensing data captured by Landsat platforms (1985–2020). The methodology was validated using higher-resolution Sentinel imagery and field surveys. The outcomes indicated that the area of accretion is significantly higher than erosion, especially of the lake’s banks in the far north and the south, in which 1.31 km2 are lost from its surface area. Further analysis of especially agricultural areas around the lake have been performed to better understand possible reasons causing droughts. Investigations revealed that one possible reason behind droughts is related to the rapid increase in agriculture areas surrounding the lake. It has been found that the agriculture lands have expanded by 475% in 2020 compared to 2010. Linear regression analysis revealed that there is a high correlation (69%) between the expanding of agriculture lands and the drought of Lake Sawa.

The quality of groundwater in the Samawah desert (Iraq) and its impact on increasing the likelihood of severe desertification in the cultivated pasture lands

Article

Oct 2020

This research examined the chemical and physical properties of the ground water in the different parts of the Samawah desert in order to assess its suitability for agricultural purposes'and whether it causes an increase in the salinization of natural pasture lands used for the purpose of agricultural production, and thus exposes them to severe desertification. Several parameters are examined for (16) wells and (3) artesian wells which are located in the different regions of Samawah desert depending on the scientfic methods of sample collection in mid-February (2019). The results showed that there are differences in the ground water aspects (chemical and physical aspects) among wells water and most of the wells water was a saline water which causes an increase in the likelihood of pasture lands being exposed to severe desertification as a result of using this water for agricultural production purposes in those lands. However, there are three wells where have a good quality of water, therefore, these three wells are suitable for agricultural uses, unlike the rest of the examined wells, where the water was not suitable for agriculture or suitable for agriculture, but taking care of the soil.

The Origin and MgCl2– NaCl Variations in an Athalassic Sag Pond: Insights from Chemical and Isotopic Data

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2018
AQUAT GEOCHEM

The examination of past and new chemical–isotopic data (2H/1H–18O/16O, 11B/10B and 87Sr/86Sr ratios) shows the meteoric origin of the Sawa Lake (Muthanna Governorate, Iraq) and its connection with the local aquifers, which feed the lake via the groundwater emerging from its floor through fault systems. The chemical and isotopic evaporation models are traced by geochemical computer codes by using a different composition of some potential inflows to the lake (e.g., the Euphrates River and Dammam aquifer). The main product of the chemical evaporation models is gypsum, as confirmed by the mineralogical examination of the sediment and the surrounding outcrops. A strong 18O–2H enrichment is a consequence of the evaporation effect in arid regions; δ18O–Cl models and δ11B = + 23.4‰ exclude the contribution of any seawater-derived fluids. This latter value along with 87Sr/86Sr = 0.707989 suggests a mixed origin from the Eocene–Miocene aquifers. The isotope and chemical evaporation paths from the meteorically recharged sources match the lake composition. However, compositional switches from NaCl toward MgCl2 occurred in the last decade and are related to post-drought periods, showing that the interaction of the recharging waters with the local soils (Na–Mg exchange and/or the leaching of the top layer salts) have a role in the chemical composition. This demonstrates that the lake is significantly influenced by climatic variations

Organic Geochemistry and Stable Carbon Isotopes of Oil Seepages in the Abu-Jir Fault Zone at Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Article

Jan 2015

Salih Muhammad Awadh

Oil seep samples along Abu-Jir Fault Zone were studied to determine their chemical characterization and origin. They are dominated by the normal alkanes, more complex mixture of branched and cyclic hydrocarbons. Organofacies coupled with the stable carbon isotopes have been integrated to infer the oil seep origin. Oil seeps contain H2S gas, which derives as a catabolic by product of sulfate-reducing bacteria from gypsum of the Fatha Formation during the early diagenetic under anoxic conditions which is demonstrated by values of C29/H that are greater than 1. The oil seeps are characterized by δ13C values vary from -29.0 to -27.96‰ and from -28.34 to -27.88‰ in the saturated and aromatic compounds, respectively; consequently, they have low values of the canonical variable ranged from -3.47 to -0.17 reflecting a marine non-waxy oil generated from planktonic kerogen of type-II that has been partially mixed with the terrestrial origin. The values of the tricyclic terpanes (C22/C21 and C31R/H) that are higher than 0.5 and 0.25 respectively support the marine source rocks. The Triassic age was suggested for the oil age in the dependence of the occurrence of the aromatic dinosteranes which marked dinoflagellates were participated in the oil derivation.

Organic Geochemistry and Stable Carbon Isotopes of Oil Seepages in the Abu-Jir Fault Zone at Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq ‫المستقره‬ ‫الكاربون‬ ‫ونظائر‬ ‫العضوية‬ ‫الجيوكيمياء‬ ‫النفطي‬ ‫للنضوحات‬ ‫ة‬ ‫الجير‬ ‫ابو‬ ‫فالق‬ ‫نطاق‬ ‫في‬ ‫محافظة‬ ‫االنبار‬ ‫اق‬ ‫العر‬ ، ‫عوض‬ ‫محمد‬ ‫صالح‬ ،* ‫حسين‬ ‫عاصي‬ ‫صفوك‬ 2

Article

Jan 2015

Oil seep samples along Abu-Jir Fault Zone were studied to determine their chemical characterization and origin. They are dominated by the normal alkanes, more complex mixture of branched and cyclic hydrocarbons. Organofacies coupled with the stable carbon isotopes have been integrated to infer the oil seep origin. Oil seeps contain H 2 S gas, which derives as a catabolic by product of sulfate-reducing bacteria from gypsum of the Fatha Formation during the early diagenetic under anoxic conditions which is demonstrated by values of C29/H that are greater than 1. The oil seeps are characterized by δ 13 C values vary from-29.0 to-27.96‰ and from-28.34 to-27.88‰ in the saturated and aromatic compounds, respectively; consequently, they have low values of the canonical variable ranged from-3.47 to-0.17 reflecting a marine non-waxy oil generated from planktonic kerogen of type-II that has been partially mixed with the terrestrial origin. The values of the tricyclic terpanes (C22/C21 and C31R/H) that are higher than 0.5 and 0.25 respectively support the marine source rocks. The Triassic age was suggested for the oil age in the dependence of the occurrence of the aromatic dinosteranes which marked dinoflagellates were participated in the oil derivation.

Organic Geochemistry and Stable Carbon Isotopes of Oil Seepages in the Abu-Jir Fault Zone at Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Article

Jan 2015

Salih Muhammad Awadh

Oil seep samples along Abu-Jir Fault Zone were studied to determine their chemical characterization and origin. They are dominated by the normal alkanes, more complex mixture of branched and cyclic hydrocarbons. Organofacies coupled with the stable carbon isotopes have been integrated to infer the oil seep origin. Oil seeps contain H 2 S gas, which derives as a catabolic by product of sulfate-reducing bacteria from gypsum of the Fatha Formation during the early diagenetic under anoxic conditions which is demonstrated by values of C29/H that are greater than 1. The oil seeps are characterized by δ 13 C values vary from-29.0 to-27.96‰ and from-28.34 to-27.88‰ in the saturated and aromatic compounds, respectively; consequently, they have low values of the canonical variable ranged from-3.47 to-0.17 reflecting a marine non-waxy oil generated from planktonic kerogen of type-II that has been partially mixed with the terrestrial origin. The values of the tricyclic terpanes (C22/C21 and C31R/H) that are higher than 0.5 and 0.25 respectively support the marine source rocks. The Triassic age was suggested for the oil age in the dependence of the occurrence of the aromatic dinosteranes which marked dinoflagellates were participated in the oil derivation.

Day’s goby, Acentrogobius dayi Koumans, 1941 (Pisces: Gobiidae) in the desert Sawa Lake, south-west Baghdad, Iraq

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2015

Three adult specimens of the fish species Acentrogobius dayi were collected from Sawa Lake, south-west of Baghdad, Iraq. The current report represents the first record of A. dayi from Sawa Lake and from other inland water bodies of Iraq.

Lake Water Quality Assessment Based on Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images and In-Situ Testing

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2023

In recent years, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia has experienced several developments in buildings and road construction. A stormwater retention pond was built as a part of the construction plan to prevent the occurrence of floods downstream of the development sites. However, poor monitoring and maintenance of the pond caused water contamination, which had bad effects on the nearby environment and lake ecosystem. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the current water quality in the pond by using a combination between Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle images and in-situ sampling. Four water quality parameters were investigated, namely turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. Aerial images were taken using a multispectral aerial mapping camera attached to UAV. The in-situ testing was performed on the same day of image capturing at 5 different locations. According to the results, it was found that the pH and water temperature were within the normal levels with maximum and minimum values of 7.34 and 6.94 for pH and 28.39oC and 28.04oC for temperature, respectively. Turbidity readings appaired with a significant variation with a maximum value of 30.9 NTU at the lake outlet and a minimum value of 18.8 NTU at the middle of the lake. Dissolved oxygen concentration was noticed to be low, with an average value of 4.3 mg/l. Water quality mapping showed the concentration distribution of each water quality parameter along the lake surface. In each map, the differences in terms of colours were found to be not significant because of the size of the lake, which is relatively small, as well as because of the small differences in terms of water quality ridings at each sampling point.

Geochemistry of Sabkhas in Abu Ghraib, Western Baghdad, Iraq

Article

Aug 2023

The study aims to detail the chemistry of Sabkha located in Abu-Graib, western Baghdad to know the content of the rare elements distributed. Sabkhas are found in dry areas with significant evaporation rates. The quantity of dissolved salts rises as water evaporates from the shallow basins, eventually causing salt to crystallize. The creation of the distinctive salt pans and crusts on the top is greatly influenced by this process. The trace elements (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Ba, Ta, Tl, Pb, Th, U, I, and Br) beside the major oxides were analyzed using XRF technique. There are no clear significant differences in the distribution of the elements between the two Sabkhas in the village of Kadim Alaa’ab and the village of Haj Shiaa. Sabkhas are characterized by limited oxygen supplies in the brine, high temperatures, and precipitation of evaporite minerals including chlorides, sulfates, and sulfides. Halite predominates in the Sabkha sediments due to the association of chloride with Na2O. The CaO is distributed forming calcite, dolomite and gypsum as well as a small amount of clay minerals. The association of trace elements, especially Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl and Br, is mainly concentrated with clay minerals, followed by their concentration in silica, especially Y, Zr and Th. As for halite, it is not associated with trace elements.

Addressing environmental and parasitic contamination problem of the water and sediments of the euphrates river by granular activated date (GAD) seeds and studying some physical and chemical properties in Al-Najaf governorate

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2023

Shaimaa A. Shlash

In order to know the efficiency of sterilization in eliminating parasites and its suitability for environment measurements, samples of the water and sediments was taken from six stations the Euphrates River. The samples were transported in clean and sterile bottles to the laboratory. A sedimentation method was used for parasites. Ten species of parasites isolated from water of the six stations while isolated seven were exists in the sediments of these stations. The water and sediments of the station first were contaminate with parasites rate 25.8% and 13.7%, the water and sediments of the second station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.8% and 20.2%, the water and sediments of the third station are contaminated with parasites rate 4.2% and 18.2%, the water and sediments of the fourth station are contaminated with parasites rate 22.8% and 18%, the water and sediments of the fifth station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.0% and 5.4% and the water and sediments of the sixth station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.9% and 1.7%. Giardia lamblia rate 25.4% it is most found in water while Trichomonas hominis rate 18.4% It is most found in sediments. A result of the study shows significant difference between of the temperature of air and water in all study stations, the air temperature ranged (40.10-15.2°C) and the water temperature between (26.3-9.4°C) while PH was (9.89-7.5), recorded electrical conductivity (5745-2515 ls/cm) and salinity was (4.80-1.56 g/cm) the river's water was of low salinity also dissolved oxygen was (12.9-6.2 mg/L). Date seed used as granular by activated carbon used for purification and remove parasite from water filter and waste water treatment.

Evaluating the Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction in Southwest Iraq Using Environmental Isotopes Technique

Article

Full-text available

May 2023

This study aims to use the environmental isotopes technique to evaluate the interaction between groundwater and surface water at a location between two cities in the southwest of Iraq; namely Al-Kifl and Al-Samawa. The salinity of the Euphrates River water increases sharply as it passes in this area, to a level that affects its usage for municipal purposes. A total of 111 samples were collected from the rivers, drainages, springs, shallow and deep wells, and from Sawa Lake, and all the samples were subjected to chemical (TDS, SO4, Cl, and B) and isotopic (deuterium and oxygen-18) analyses. The chemical and isotopic results showed no interference between the quality of the groundwater (from wells and springs) and Sawa Lake water with the Euphrates River water, in the study area, and hence, neither the groundwater nor Sawa Lake affects the river water quality. Statistically, the t-test analysis showed significant differences among those water samples (p-values less than 0.05 for almost all the chemical and isotopic parameters). On the other hand, drainage water showed a strong relationship to the river water, which indicates a high and strong influence of the drainage water on the river water quality when it mixes with the Euphrates River water.

Glass Wastes Sorption Efficiency for Removing Cadmium from Aqueous Solutions

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023

This research aims to test the ability of glass waste powder to adsorb cadmium from aqueous solutions. The glass wastes were collected from the Glass Manufacturing Factory in Ramadi. The effect of concentration and reaction time on sorption was tested through a series of laboratory experiments. Four Cd concentrations (20, 40, 60, and 80) as each concentration was tested ten times for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 min. Solid (glass wastes) to liquid was 2g to 30ml was fixed in each experiment where the total volume of the solution was 30ml. The pH, total dissolved salts and electrical conductivity were measured at 30ºC. The equilibrium concentration was determined at 25 minutes, thereafter it was noted that the sorption (%) decreased whenever increasing Cd concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich's equations showed that the sorption intensity is 2.402 and the adsorption capacity is 3.126, and the sorption of Cd fits with the Freundlich equation. Consequently, it was clarified how glass waste material can be utilized for reducing the high levels of Cd concentrations from aqueous solutions as a step to combat environmental pollution.

Salt Crystallization and Mineralogy of Sabkhas in Abu Ghraib, Western Baghdad, Abu Graib, Iraq

Article

Feb 2023

The research aims to study Sabkha mineralogy to determine the mineral types, the nature of the precipitation, and the patterns of salt crystallization. Two Sabkhas in Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, were studied. It was found that the Sabkhas were formed in flat ponds from saturated solutions in a semi-arid to arid climate. Halite predominates, followed by anhydrite and gypsum as evaporite minerals. As for the minerals of the Sabkha soil, it consisted of feldspar, calcite, quartz, and dolomite, in addition to the clay minerals represented by kaolinite, illite, and chlorite. Needle forms, hopper shapes, dendritic crystals, and polygon shapes are the main crystallization patterns dominantly found in the Sabkhas. All these types of crystallization occurre under normal temperatures.

Addressing environmental and parasitic contamination problem of the water and sediments of the euphrates river by granular activated date (GAD) seeds and studying some physical and chemical properties in Al-Najaf governorate

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2022

A.L Noor Mahdi Hasnawi al Shengeel

In order to know the efficiency of sterilization in eliminating parasites and its suitability for environment measurements, samples of the water and sediments was taken from six stations the Euphrates River. The samples were transported in clean and sterile bottles to the laboratory. A sedimentation method was used for parasites. Ten species of parasites isolated from water of the six stations while isolated seven were exists in the sediments of these stations. The water and sediments of the station first were contaminate with parasites rate 25.8% and 13.7%, the water and sediments of the second station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.8% and 20.2%, the water and sediments of the third station are contaminated with parasites rate 4.2% and 18.2%, the water and sediments of the fourth station are contaminated with parasites rate 22.8% and 18%, the water and sediments of the fifth station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.0% and 5.4% and the water and sediments of the sixth station are contaminated with parasites rate 12.9% and 1.7%. Giardia lamblia rate 25.4% it is most found in water while Trichomonas hominis rate 18.4% It is most found in sediments. A result of the study shows significant difference between of the temperature of air and water in all study stations, the air temperature ranged (40.10-15.2°C) and the water temperature between (26.3-9.4°C) while PH was (9.89-7.5), recorded electrical conductivity (5745-2515 ls/cm) and salinity was (4.80-1.56 g/cm) the river's water was of low salinity also dissolved oxygen was (12.9-6.2 mg/L). Date seed used as granular by activated carbon used for purification and remove parasite from water filter and waste water treatment.

Temporal dynamic drought interpretation of Sawa Lake: case study located at the Southern Iraqi region

Article

Full-text available

May 2022
NAT HAZARDS

Sawa Lake is a historical, cultural, and environmental landmark of great importance in education and tourism. Its unique advantages make it a potential global natural heritage and geopark in 2021. The current research is devoted to investigate and assess the actual reasons behind the rapid decline of the water level of Sawa Lake, which has begun to drop dramatically in an unprecedented situation. Landsat data are employed for interpreting the temporal and spatial changes of both water and vegetation covers. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data are used for water volume estimation. Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index was used in comparing the rainfall rate to the changing of land use-land cover. Additionally, the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index are established on the Landsat OLI imageries using ENVI 5.3 software. The data analysis showed that one of the most important reasons for the Sawa Lake water level drop is the massive pumping of the groundwater from a site located to the south of the lake to feed the Mamlahat Al-Samawa from which NaCl is extracted.

Manufacture of Portland Cement from Claystone of Nfayil Formation Middle Miocene, in Southern Desert of Iraq

Article

Dec 2021

The research aims to assess the claystone exposed in the Nfayil Formation (Middle Miocene) for Portland cement (P.C.) manufacturing based on mineralogy and geochemistry. The importance of the study is to avoid the miming of the agricultural soils that are mining now for the cement industry. Claystones of Nfayil Formation and the limestone of the Euphrates Formation were used to design the raw mixture as clay to limestone (1:3). The chemical composition (%) of the designed mixture was calculated using the Alligation Alternative Method (A.A.M.) as CaO (65.52), MgO (1.05), SiO2 (21.65), Al2O3 (7.43), Fe2O3 (2.62), Na2O3+K2O (1.52) and SO3 (0.26), which are suitable for P.C. The lime saturation factor (LSF = 92.8), silica saturation factor (SSF = 0.87), alumina ratio (AR = 2.8), silica ratio (SR = 2.16), and calcium to silica (CS = 3.04) of the planned mixture are all within the permissible range. A clinker was successfully manufactured as composed mainly of belite, alite, aluminate, and ferrite.

A Statistical Technique for Modelling Dissolved Oxygen in Salt Lakes

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2021

An integrated linear regression technique was developed and validated to model dissolved oxygen in salt lakes by using R software and based on data from Sawa Lake, Iraq. The technique helps understand and evaluate salty aquatic ecosystems in the presence of water quality data gaps. The technique involved selecting the important water quality parameters that have significant statistical relationship with dissolved oxygen. In order to make the regression development simpler, the validation approach was incorporated with the model. Linearity, homogeneity, normality, outliers, and influential data points were verified. The simulation approach was also capable of displaying the interaction between the selected water quality parameters and the other insignificant parameters. The statistical analysis results indicated that dissolved oxygen in salt lakes is a function of total dissolved solids. The developed model represented dissolved oxygen with R-squared of 90.73% and p-value of 1.08E-06. Furthermore, the model results showed that the influence of salty ions on dissolved oxygen/total dissolved solids model is the same. It was found that temperature has a significant impact on the developed dissolved oxygen model. In addition, the model simulation revealed that salt melting surrounding the lake due to temperature variation during the year cycle increased total dissolved solids in the lake water. Consequently, the lake dissolved oxygen levels were impacted.

دراسة تأثير المضاد الحيوي سبروفلوكساسينCiprofloxacin ( (CPX على التركيب النسجي للمبيض في الارانب البيض

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2020

أجريت هذه الدراسة في البيت الحيواني لقسم علوم الحياة/ كلية التربية للبنات / جامعة الكوفة للمدة من شهر تشرين الاول 2016 لغاية شهر ايار 2017 تضمنت الدراسة استعمال 72 من الارانب البيض المختبرية نوع Oryetolagus cuniculus.L. وقد قسمت إلى ( 4) مجاميع لكل مجموعة ( 18 ) ارنب حيث حقنت بمضاد ( السيبروفلوكساسين Ciprofloxacin ) بتركيز مقداره (1 ملغم/كغم) من وزن الجسم أما البكتريا فكانت الجرعة ( 1ملغم /كغم) من وزن الجسم ولمدة أسبوع ، أسبوعين ، واربعة اسابيع على التوالي , بعد انتهاء فترة التجريع والحقن لكافة حيوانات التجربة تم قتلها وتشريحها لغرض الدراسة النسيجية التي تضمنت دراسة الجهاز التناسلي الانثوي وكذلك تم اخذ عينات من الدم لغرض حساب بعض المعايير الدموية والكيموحيوية. أظهرت نتائج التحليل الاحصائي عند مستوى احتمالية (P<0.05) أن المضاد الحيوي (السيبروفلوكساسين) احدث تغيرات وزنية المتمثلة بحصول انخفاض معنوي (P<0.05) في معدل الوزن الكلي في الجسم ومعدل وزن المبيض في الاناث .بينت نتائج التحليل الاحصائي لدراسة ان الحقن العلاجية المفردة لعقار (السيبروفلوكساسين) وتجريع البكتريا متباينة في تأثيرها على بعض المعايير الدموية حيث لم تظهر المجاميع المعاملة بالعقار والبكتريا تغيرات في الاسبوع الاول والثاني بينما كان هناك انخفاضا معنويا وتحت مستوى احتمالية (P<0.05) في الأسبوع الرابع متمثل بانخفاض معنوي (P<0.05) في عدد كريات الدم البيض WBC و الحمر(RBCs) ومستوى خضاب الدم (Hb) مقارنة بمجموعة السيطرة. بينت الدراسة النسيجية للمقاطع النسيجية باستخدام المجهر الضوئي حصول تغيرات نسيجية مرضية في المبيض في الاناث مختلفة الشدة والظهور بين العقار والبكتريا مقارنة بمجموعة السيطرة حيث أظهرت نتائج الفحص المجهري التأثيرات الواضحة على التركيب النسجي للمبيض في الاناث مقارنة مع مجموعة السيطرة .

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND SOME OF HEAVY METALS IN BAHR AL-NAJAF-IRAQ

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2019

The present study was conducted to evaluate some physical and chemical parameters such as (water temperature, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, and sulfate ions) and the concentrations of some heavy metals such as (Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Manganese and Iron) in water of Bahr Al-Najaf. Five sites were chosen in Bahr Al-Najaf; the samples were monthly collected from April 2017 to March 2018. The results showed that water temperature ranged between (12.3-37.8) C 0 , pH values (7.16-8.88), electrical conductivity (EC)(3.8-77.8) ms/cm, salinity (2.43-49.79) ppt turbidity (Tur) (7.16-45.5) NTU, total dissolved solids(TDS)(2476-32366) mg/l, total hardness (TH) (553.18-2073)mg/l, calcium(Ca +2) and magnesium (Mg +2)ions (122.91-689.37) and (80.29-609.21) mg/L respectively, sulfate ions (SO 4)-2 (360.9-1263.1)mg/l, dissolved oxygen (DO) (6.6-17.8) mg/l, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5) (0.73-12.77) mg/l. The study results of heavy metals concentrations in water showed that Zinc (Zn) ranged between (0.001-13.86) ppm, lead (Pb) (0.02-1.87) ppm, cadmium (Cd) (0.001-3.33) ppm, manganese (Mn) (0.006-0.23) ppm, iron (Fe) (0.03-0.91) ppm. The water quality of Bahr Al-Najaf depression under this study was considered of salinity, slightly alkaline, very hard and concentrations of BOD 5 were recorded in some months exceeding the permissible limit. It seems clearly that Bahr Al-Najaf depression was contaminated by domestic sewage. Increasing levels of heavy metals in Bahr Al-Najaf depression exceeded the permissible limit, giving a hint of water pollution by heavy metals.

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND SOME OF HEAVY METALS IN BAHR AL-NAJAF-IRAQ

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2019

The present study was conducted to evaluate some physical and chemical parameters such as (water temperature, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, and sulfate ions) and the concentrations of some heavy metals such as (Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Manganese and Iron) in water of Bahr Al-Najaf. Five sites were chosen in Bahr Al-Najaf; the samples were monthly collected from April 2017 to March 2018. The results showed that water temperature ranged between (12.3-37.8) C 0 , pH values (7.16-8.88), electrical conductivity (EC)(3.8-77.8) ms/cm, salinity (2.43-49.79) ppt turbidity (Tur) (7.16-45.5) NTU, total dissolved solids(TDS)(2476-32366) mg/l, total hardness (TH) (553.18-2073)mg/l, calcium(Ca +2) and magnesium (Mg +2)ions (122.91-689.37) and (80.29-609.21) mg/L respectively, sulfate ions (SO 4)-2 (360.9-1263.1)mg/l, dissolved oxygen (DO) (6.6-17.8) mg/l, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5) (0.73-12.77) mg/l. The study results of heavy metals concentrations in water showed that Zinc (Zn) ranged between (0.001-13.86) ppm, lead (Pb) (0.02-1.87) ppm, cadmium (Cd) (0.001-3.33) ppm, manganese (Mn) (0.006-0.23) ppm, iron (Fe) (0.03-0.91) ppm. The water quality of Bahr Al-Najaf depression under this study was considered of salinity, slightly alkaline, very hard and concentrations of BOD 5 were recorded in some months exceeding the permissible limit. It seems clearly that Bahr Al-Najaf depression was contaminated by domestic sewage. Increasing levels of heavy metals in Bahr Al-Najaf depression exceeded the permissible limit, giving a hint of water pollution by heavy metals.

Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in Sawa lake sediments, southern Iraq using magnetic study

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2019

Heavy metal contamination comprises a great concern in environment. A magnetic study combined with heavy metal analyses was performed in the Sawa Lake in Al-Muthanna governorate (southern Iraq). Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Ni, As and Pb) has been measured and magnetic susceptibility (χ) of sediment samples collected from the lake bottom was calculated. The results confirmed that a cement plant, which is located less than two kilometres away from the lake has no contamination levels on the lake’s sediments. No enhancement in the magnetic susceptibility was observed. X-ray florescence (XRF) was performed for heavy metal analyses. Spatial variations of χ with mean value of 4.58 x 10−8 m3kg−1 and results of other magnetic parameters suggest the magnetic carriers are predominantly hard magnetic phase like hematite and existence of small super-paramagnetic proportions. XRF analyses show average concentrations of (Cr, Fe, Ni) and very low for (As, Pb) which is typical for relatively clean areas. Magnetic susceptibility was insignificant correlated with heavy metals due to low concentrations of both magnetic signals and heavy metal contents. This study has shed some light on the importance of applying the χ measurements techniques to monitor and assess lakes sediment pollution.

Potential Geopark and Geotourism in Iraq

Chapter

Oct 2024

Salih Muhammad Awadh

Mesopotamia, a Greek term for the region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, is the name given to Iraq. These rivers originate in the northern Anatolian highlands, join, and flow into the Arabian Gulf. The earliest civilizations were in Iraq. Its territory is densely packed with numerous, diverse archaeological sites. The civilizations of Ur, Akkadian, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Aramaic, Islamic, the Ziggurat, the city of Hatra, the Iwan of Khosrow, the Malawiyya, the Mustansiriya School, the Tower of Babel, and the Ishtar Gate are a few examples of prehistoric and posthistoric civilizations that existed in Iraq. Each of these civilizations left its distinct imprint. Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations like the Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Chaldean (Neo-Babylonian) built magnificent cities, put in place governmental frameworks, and created techniques for agriculture, writing, mathematics, and astronomy. From here, it is obvious that Iraq is home to ancient civilizations’ archaeological sites, which have left behind a rich legacy that has attracted tourists’ attention. Action must be taken to promote tourism to these sites that are compatible with the environment and geodiversity. This chapter’s attempt to cover the most significant geotourism destinations focuses on the exceptional Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Because of its scarcity or absence, readers in the Middle East or Arab readers in particular may have difficulty finding studies, research, and references that are explicitly focused on geotourism. A beginner may struggle to understand the practical side of geotourism due to his lack of familiarity with the objectives and benefits of the specialization. These and other factors inspired the author to write this chapter as a must-have reference and how-to guide for both novice and experienced researchers. With this project, we hope to raise awareness of geotourism in the country, which is well-known around the world but underappreciated locally. The development of geotourism thinking will aid in the long-term development of geological sites. This chapter looks at potential geoparks, geotourism development strategies, and the links between geoparks and natural heritage. Through its aesthetic, social, economic, scientific, and security features, it emphasizes the critical elements of this specific tourism pattern. These goals included educating visitors about the geological features around them, encouraging them to travel in a way that preserves the site’s geographic character, and improving the site’s tourist, scientific, cultural, and economic value to promote sustainable development for the local population. This chapter draws upon the previous publication, “Geotourism in The Middle East,” which in turn is based on the author’s earlier works.

Monitoring and assessment of drought in Sawa Lake, West of Al-Muthanna governorate, using remote sensing technology

Conference Paper

Jan 2024

Numerical Modeling of Reaeration Coefficient for Lakes: A Case Study of Sawa Lake, Iraq

Article

Full-text available

May 2024

Accurate determination of reaeration coefficient in lakes is a key factor for accurate modeling of dissolved oxygen. This study developed a new numerical model to determine the lake reaeration coefficient of Sawa lake, Iraq based on solving the transform mechanisms of dissolved oxygen without the using the empirical and laboratory methods. The model solved the gas transport at the water-air surface numerically to predict the dissolved oxygen and the reaeration coefficient simultaneously. Results showed that the lake reaeration coefficient was 0.001 day-1 at 20 °C with low root mean squared errors (0.138, 0.137, and 0.168 mg/L for the three years of simulation 2007, 2012, and 2017, respectively) and absolute mean errors (0.121, 0.114, and 0.145 mg/L in 2007, 2012, and 2017, respectively). It was noticed that the lake habitat was impacted causing unhealthy conditions (low reaeration rate), and there was upward dissolved oxygen movement due to the presence of positive trend in the yearly cycle of temperature. In addition, including this numerical approach along with other water quality models can improve the predictions of other water quality parameters.

Water volume variations estimation using satellite data: A case study of Sawa Lake, Iraq

Conference Paper

Jan 2023

Topographic and hydrological detection of Sawa Lake and its aquatic springs in Iraq using Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler technologies, Side Scan Sonar and Topographical survey

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2018

Raheem Hameed Al-abdan

Sawa Lake is one of the most important tourist lakes in Iraq. It is a closed lake located in the southern plateau of Iraq in the arid region. Most of its feeding is groundwater, and there is no clear surface water source feeding it. A topographic survey was conducted for the first time for the rocky cliff, bottom and coasts of lake, Three water springs feeding it were discovered which have distinctive geomorphic characteristics located in the middle of the lake stems from distant depths. High-resolution topographic equipment (2 mm) were used in topographic lift operations. These data have been collected, processed and integrated by using ARC GIs10.2.1. First-time topographic maps of the Lake Bottom, Coast, Rocky Cliff and surrounding areas have been produced based on sea level rise, as well as follow-up of their levels depending on benchmark point. Results of the survey showed topographic differences between the earth's surface, which ranged between 18.6 - 9m, and the serious decline of water levels were also identified. In this study, which lasted for six years (2012-2017), it was proven that the lake's level declined from 15.77 m on 17 / 11/2012 to retreat to (13.80 m) on 17/11/2017.

The Formation Models of Gypsum Barrier, Chemical Temporal Changes and Assessments the Water Quality of Sawa Lake, Southern Iraq

Abstract

No full-text available

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