The Govanda Formation was deposited during the Miocene in the intermontane areas between the Zagros suture and imbricate zones.The Govanda Formation was studied in the Sherwan Mazin area within Mergasor district,Erbil...The Govanda Formation was deposited during the Miocene in the intermontane areas between the Zagros suture and imbricate zones.The Govanda Formation was studied in the Sherwan Mazin area within Mergasor district,Erbil Governorate to identify the lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis in order to determine the depositional environment of the formation.The formation in the studied section is 116 m thick and mainly consists of reddish-brown,hard,thickbedded,chert-bearing conglomerate,pinkish shale and yellowish-grey,thick-bedded,detrital,fossiliferous limestone.The formation is unconformably underlain by the Upper Cretaceous Tanjero Formation and conformably overlain by the Merga Red Beds series.Four different lithostratigraphic units were identified,based on field observation and petrographic analysis,including a basal conglomerate unit(A),a shale unit(B),a well-bedded limestone unit(C)and a thick and massively-bedded limestone unit(D).The presence of a thick conglomerate bed at the base of the formation indicates a large unconformity that lasted nearly 40 million years.Based on detailed microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks,five main microfacies and 15 submicrofacies are recognized.The main microfacies types include mudstone,wackestone,packstone,grainstone and boundstone microfacies.Based on the microfacies types the depositional environment are defined as open lagoon,reef,fore-reef and back-reef environments of normal to saline,nutrient rich water.展开更多
This study presents an integrated study of expansion process of salinized land in Basrah Province, a typical salt-affected area in southern parts of Iraq, by using geo-information techniques. Satellite images （Landsa...This study presents an integrated study of expansion process of salinized land in Basrah Province, a typical salt-affected area in southern parts of Iraq, by using geo-information techniques. Satellite images （Landsat TM 1990） and thematic maps （ETM 2003） were used to provide comprehen- sive views of surface conditions such as vegetation cover and salinization detection. With ERDAS soft- ware, the normalized differential salinity index （NDSI） and salinity index （SI） were computed and then evaluated for soil degradation by salinization. ARC/INFO software was used along with field observa- tion data （global positioning system） for analysis. During the past 13 years, the salinized land in study area increased by 6 579.1 km2 and in 2003 covered 34.5% of the total area; in the meantime, vegetation cover has decreased by 4 595.9 km2 and in 2003 covers only 24.1% of the study area. Environmental changes show that, between 1990 and 2003, 37.5% of vegetation cover and 45.9% of marshlands were transformed into salty meadow and wet salty crust, respectively. In addition, there was 16.6% of sand lands converted into dry puffy salty crust. Results using spatial analysis methods showed that 7 894.9 km2 （41.4%） of land had no risk of environment degradation by soil salinity, 4 595.9 km2 （24.1%） bad slight risk, 4 042.8 km2 （21.2%） had moderate risk, and 2 536.3 km2 （13.3%） of the total land area was at a high risk of environment degradation by soil salinity. In conclusion, the study area was ex- posed to a high risk of soil salinity.展开更多
Iraq is part of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. The area is known as dry land, famous with gap of crop yield as a result of the water shortage problem. Six basins with total catchment area of 614.19 km2 at r...Iraq is part of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. The area is known as dry land, famous with gap of crop yield as a result of the water shortage problem. Six basins with total catchment area of 614.19 km2 at rain-fed of Northern Sinjar District (Iraq) had been chosen to investigate both of the potential of rainwater harvesting (RWH) and three supplemental irrigation (SI) scenarios S1, S2, and S3 (100%, 75%, and 50% of full irrigation requirement) to support the wheat yield (bread and durum) under various rainfall conditions for the study period 1990-2009. The results indicated that, the total volume of harvested runoff can be considered for irrigation practices, that reached up to 42.4, 25.1, 0.6, 10.9 (× 106 m3) during 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1998-1999, and 2001-2002, respectively. The total irrigated area ranged between 10.9 - 5163.7 and 8.8 - 3595.7 (ha) for bread and durum wheat crop for the four selected seasons respectively. The yield scenarios for supplemental irrigation condition Y1, Y2, and Y3 give 68 - 9712, 94 - 12,999, and 105 - 22,806 Ton for bread wheat, and for durum wheat give 56 - 8035, 87 - 10,906, and 103 - 17,396 Ton.展开更多
Diyala River is the third largest tributary of the Tigris River running 445 km length and draining an area of 32,600 km2. The river is the major source of water supply for Diyala City for municipal, domestic, agricult...Diyala River is the third largest tributary of the Tigris River running 445 km length and draining an area of 32,600 km2. The river is the major source of water supply for Diyala City for municipal, domestic, agriculture and other purposes. Diyala River Basin currently is suffering from water scarcity and contamination problems. Up-to-date studies have shown that blue and green waters of a basin have been demonstrating increasing variability contributing to more severe droughts and floods seemingly due to climate change. To obtain better understanding of the impacts of climate change on water resources in Diyala River Basin in near 2046-2064 and distant future 2080~2100, SWAT （soil and water assessment tool） was used. The model is first examined for its capability of capturing the basin characteristics, and then, projections from six GCMs （general circulation models） are incorporated to assess the impacts of climate change on water resources under three emission scenarios： A2, AIB and B1. The results showed deteriorating water resources regime into the future.展开更多
This research was conducted at the sand dunes stabilization research s tation in Baiji district, Iraq. Three techniques for sand dunes stabilization ar e selected: the first method is stabilization by clayey block ba...This research was conducted at the sand dunes stabilization research s tation in Baiji district, Iraq. Three techniques for sand dunes stabilization ar e selected: the first method is stabilization by clayey block barriers; the seco nd method is stabilization by dry planting of tamarix (tamarix articulata) cutti ngs and the third is stabilization by using cane branch barriers. Randomized sam ples were taken from the surface and subsurface layers of the stabilized and shi fting sand dunes to evaluate the effect of the three techniques on wind erosion parameters. The results indicate high significant differences between the wind e rosion parameters in the surface and subsurface layers in the stabilized sand du nes, while there are insignificant differences between the subsurface layer of t he stabilized dunes and the surface and subsurface layers in the active sand dun es. The results clarify the fact that there is an increase in the percentage of clay, silt, organic matter, mean weight diameter and the percentage of the dry a ggregates (>0.84 mm). A decrease is found in the rate of disaggregation for the dry aggregates in the samples of the surface layer of stabilized dunes when comp ared with the subsurface layer of stabilized dunes and the surface layer of the shifting sand dunes. There is a positive high significant correlation among the aggregate stability parameters and the percentage of clay and silt, and the cont ent of organic matter in the studied layers.展开更多
This study was carried out at Sand Dunes Stabilization Researches Station in Baiji district (230 km north of Baghdad, Iraq) to evaluate the effects of local soil conditioners manufactured from oil derivatives and plan...This study was carried out at Sand Dunes Stabilization Researches Station in Baiji district (230 km north of Baghdad, Iraq) to evaluate the effects of local soil conditioners manufactured from oil derivatives and plant residuals on sand dunes fixation as the first step for sand dunes stabilization. The results indicate that the fuel oil has the first place in improving wind erosion parameters in the study area, such as increasing mean weight diameter, dry aggregates percentage, the needed time for complete disaggregation by dry sieving, and decreasing the disaggregation rates. Bitumen emulsion occupies the second place, while the plant residuals occupies the third place and has slight effects on the studied parameters. Effects of conditioners on natural vegetation cover are negative in oil derivatives treatments, while positive in plants residuals treatments.展开更多
Field experiments were conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in citrus orchards of Baghdad and Wasit governorates, Iraq, during 2013-...Field experiments were conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in citrus orchards of Baghdad and Wasit governorates, Iraq, during 2013-2014 season. Control program was implemented in six citrus orchards of mixed citrus varieties： Orange, Citrus sinensis; Mandarin, C. reticulate; Lemon, C. lemon; and Bergamot, C. aurantium. Ceranock traps 240/ha were hanged in trees of two separate orchards in each location, with third orchard served as control. Delta and McPhail traps supplied with pheromone were used to monitor Medfly population density in treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity and presence in citrus orchards started during the first week of October coincide with the beginning of fruits ripening. The result indicated that Medfly population density in Wasit orchards was more than that of Baghdad orchards. The total trapped insects after two weeks of Ceranock were 59, 94, 142 and 205, 277, 765 adults for the firsst, second and the control orchards in the two locations, respectively. The percentage of fruit injuries were increased dramatically when fruits mature and its color turn to yellowish reaching of 35%, 56%, 21% and 32% in mandarin and orange fruits in Baghdad and Wasit orchards, respectively, compared with 3%, 4%, 4% and 5% in treated orchards, respectively. Calculated percentage of fruit damage indicated that reduction in injuries were 97% in mandarin and 96% in orange at Baghdad orchards and were 95% and 96%, respectively, in Wasit orchards. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system as a control measure for Medfly in citrus orchards.展开更多
A field experiment was conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in apricot orchards, Central of lraq during the 2013 field season. Contr...A field experiment was conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in apricot orchards, Central of lraq during the 2013 field season. Control program was implemented in three orchards of mixed apricot varieties. Ceranock traps were hung in each tree of two separate orchards. Delta and McPhail traps were used to monitor Medfly population density in each treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity in apricot orchards started during the last week of April coincided with the beginning of maturity for fruits of early varieties. The total of trapped insects in monitoring traps after one week of Ceranock application were 0, 1 and 31 adults for the 1st, 2nd and the control orchards, respectively. Three weeks later and on, the number of trapped adults started to increase dramatically. At the end of apricot season and after 45 days of Ceranock trap application, the number of trapped insects in monitoring traps reached 110, 111 and 2,349 adults/week, respectively, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd orchard. The use of Ceranock traps reduced Medfly population density by 86%-97%. The percentage of fruit injuries in early maturing varieties were 0.75%, 1% and 34% for the 1st, 2nd and control orchards, respectively. While, late varieties were 2% and 3% for 1st and 2nd orchards, and 69% for the control. The percentage of reduction in fruit damages reached to 95% and 97%, respectively in the 1st and 2nd orchard. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system as a control measure for Medfly in apricot orchards.展开更多
The Babylon Governorate is situated in the middle of Iraq. It covers an area of 5,315 km2 and has 2,092,998 inhabitants distributed throughout its five major cities （Qadhaa）. Presently, there is no landfill site in ...The Babylon Governorate is situated in the middle of Iraq. It covers an area of 5,315 km2 and has 2,092,998 inhabitants distributed throughout its five major cities （Qadhaa）. Presently, there is no landfill site in the governorate that meets the environmental criteria for the disposal of municipal and industrial waste. Consequently, GIS （geographic information system） and methods of multi-criteria decision making were used here to select the best sites in each city in the Babylon Governorate that would fulfil the environmental requirements. Two sites were chosen in each city. As the groundwater is very shallow in this area, the design should ensure against groundwater pollution by leachate from these sites. To avoid this problem, soil investigation was conducted at these sites so that the most suitable landfill design could be accomplished. The results of soil investigation in these sites include the soil profile, groundwater depth, chemical properties, allowable bearing capacity, Atterberg limits test results and material characteristics of the soil strata. From the research, it is believed that the best design is one that puts the landfill above ground.展开更多
In central part of Iraq within the vicinity of Karbala-Najaf, two cliffs called ＂Tar Al-Say＇ed＂ and ＂Tar Al-Najaf＂ form conspicuous geomorphological forms between the Mesopotamia Plain and the Western and Souther...In central part of Iraq within the vicinity of Karbala-Najaf, two cliffs called ＂Tar Al-Say＇ed＂ and ＂Tar Al-Najaf＂ form conspicuous geomorphological forms between the Mesopotamia Plain and the Western and Southern Deserts. The top surface between the two cliffs （tars） is covered by alluvial fan sediments, laid down by A1-Khir Valley when merging in a large depression due to the drop in the gradient of the valley. Consequently, the depression was divided into two parts, to the left is called Al-Razzazah Depression, whereas to the right is called Bahir Al-Najaf. This affected the course of the River Euphrates. The deposition stopped due to an uplift movement which caused the elevation of the two cliffs which are covered by alluvial fan sediments. The two cliffs had and are still suffering from retreating, due to lateral erosion by wave actions in Al-Razzazah Depression. Springs located along a straight line, sag pond, deflected drainage, shutter ridges and pressure ridges can be noticed in the area. The age of both cliffs is estimated to be upper Late Pleistocene--early Holocene.展开更多
The study was conducted in date palm groves in Swaib region of Baghdad for the agricultural season 2012. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula,...The study was conducted in date palm groves in Swaib region of Baghdad for the agricultural season 2012. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, sex pheromone lure and its longevity in harsh desert climate. Various trap types and height have been studied for traps baited with B. amydraula pheromone lure. Results indicated that an average of 11.33 males/trap/week was captured on traps baited B. amydraula lure during the last week of April, which represents the onset of insect in the field. The highest rate of trap catches was recorded as 20 males/trap/week during the first week of May. Around 90% of the moths were emerged during these two weeks. B. amydraula pheromone lure remained effective over a period 7-8 weeks. Traps which placed at a height of three meters from the ground level were found more efficient than those suspended at six meters. An average of trap catches was 1.99-5.32 males/trap/week for traps placed at three meters height and whereas 1-3.99 males/trap/week was recorded on traps placed in six meters height. Delta trap was found more effective than funnel traps when applied against B. amydraula.展开更多
The present work studies the environmental isotopes assess groundwater characteristics of the different parts of the main aquifer in the northeast Missan Province in south of Iraq. Water samples of groundwater and sur...The present work studies the environmental isotopes assess groundwater characteristics of the different parts of the main aquifer in the northeast Missan Province in south of Iraq. Water samples of groundwater and surface water were collected for two dry and wet seasons during the water year of 2011-2012. The study shows that most of the groundwater in the aquifer falls above the global meteoric water line, and all the samples fall below the Mediterranean meteoric water line, indicating that these samples are a mixture of two water types. The tritium content of these samples supports this conclusion. The overall conclusion of this study indicates that there are two sources of groundwater recharge in the studied area： the ephemeral streams （Teeb and Dewerge） and major precipitation sources. According to the tritium levels at or below one tritium unit （TU） obtained from the water, supply wells are highly confined or ＂not vulnerable＂. Overall, the 3^H results imply that recent recharge has taken place during the last four to five decades. In the recharge area, the high tritium content in the southern part of the Teeb area suggests that the recharge originates from rapid infiltration of surface runoff. Therefore, the groundwater resources in the study area should be protected from contamination, because it will influence the aquifer in a relatively short period of time if any contamination enters the recharge areas of the aquifer.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus(HBV) positivity and pregnancy outcomes. Also, the association between HBV-related risk factors and HBV status was studied.Methods: A total of 100 HB...Objective: To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus(HBV) positivity and pregnancy outcomes. Also, the association between HBV-related risk factors and HBV status was studied.Methods: A total of 100 HBV positive pregnant women were recruited and the pregnancy outcomes were compared with 301 HBV negative women. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV by HBs Ag ELISA. Data were collected for recruited subjects using interview questionnaire.Results: Data analysis showed that 51/100(51%) of the HBV-positive subjects gave a history of HBV in the family which was significantly higher than that of HBV-negative patients [41/301(13.6%) P = 0.001]. A significant association was found between positive history of surgery and HBs Ag positivity(P = 0.009). Then, pregnancy outcomes were stratified according to the HBV positivity. No significant association was found between HBV status and pregnancy outcomes(P > 0.05 for all).Conclusions: Positive family history of HBV and previous surgical procedures are associated with higher rate of HBV positivity. No association is found between HBV positivity and pregnancy outcomes.展开更多
Indices of Biological Integrity (IBIs) are being increasingly used as useful and direct tools for assessing general health of aquatic ecosystems. Although such ecosystems in Iraq, especially the southern marshes, unde...Indices of Biological Integrity (IBIs) are being increasingly used as useful and direct tools for assessing general health of aquatic ecosystems. Although such ecosystems in Iraq, especially the southern marshes, underwent severe alterations during the last two decades, including extensive desiccation in the 1990s, such tools are largely lacking. Phytoplankton Index of Biological Integrity (P-IBI) was developed from data collected seasonally from 2005 up to 2007 in different sites of the southern marshes of Iraq to evaluate the trend of these ecosystems based on phytoplankton data. Ten metrics were selected for measuring P-IBI for the first time in Iraq as a proposed project from Nature Iraq and Twin Rivers Institute, American University of Iraq-Sulaimani. Although generally fluctuated both spatially and temporally, mean P-IBI scores showed better conditions in Al Hawizeh marsh (Good) as compared to the Central and West & East Al Hammar marshes (Fair to Good). However, the results generally indicated evidence of improvement at the Central and West & East Al Hammar marshes, whereas no recovery of the status of water was evident throughout the data obtained at Al Hawizeh marsh. Values were generally higher in winter. These observations clearly reflect the relative stability of the Hawizeh marsh ecosystem which was not subject to the desiccation process in the 1990s, while the severely dried systems of the Central and Hammar marshes are showing positive responses to the restoration efforts that were started after 2003. Among the ten metrics comprising the index, relative abundance of diatoms had the most prominent effect on the P-IBI value in the three marshes. Metrics such as chlorophyll- a concentration and relative abundance of Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta also played a significant role in determining the index value. Continuous monitoring based on the selection of the most suitable metrics is recommended.展开更多
In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) a...In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are integrated to monitor, map, and quantify the land use/cover change in the southern part of Iraq (Basrah Province was taken as a case) by using a 1:250 000 mapping scale. Remote sensing and GIS software were used to classify Landsat TM in 1990 and Landsat ETM+ in 2003 imagery into five land use and land cover (LULC) classes: vegetation, sand, urban area, unused land, and water bodies. Supervised classification and normalized difference build-up index (NDBI) were used respectively to retrieve its urban boundary. An accuracy assessment was performed on the 2003 LULC map to determine the reliability of the map. Finally, GIS software was used to quantify and illustrate the various LULC conversions that took place over the 13-year span of time. Results showed that the urban area had increased by the rate of 1.2% per year, with area expansion from 3 299.1 km2 in 1990 to 3 794.9 km2 in 2003. Large vegetation area in the north and southeast were converted into urban construction land. The land use/cover changes of Basrah Province were mainly caused by rapid development of the urban economy and population immigration from the countryside. In addition, the former government policy of "returning farmland to transportation and huge expansion in military camps" was the major driving force for vegetation land change. The paper concludes that remote sensing and GIS can be used to create LULC maps. It also notes that the maps generated can be used to delineate the changes that take place over time.展开更多
The study is conducted to estimate the resistance of three soils (EL Hartha clay loam, Barjisiya sandy loam and the soil near the sand dunes in Sheikh sa'ad area sandy soil) to wind erosion, it is also aimed at g...The study is conducted to estimate the resistance of three soils (EL Hartha clay loam, Barjisiya sandy loam and the soil near the sand dunes in Sheikh sa'ad area sandy soil) to wind erosion, it is also aimed at getting full acquaintance of the relationship between the soil loss and the physical and chemical features of soil. In addition to the experiment of some soil stabilizers, polyacrylamide (PAM) concentration of 0.2 % and crude oil in concentration of 1 % in order to reduce or prevent wind erosion. The study shows that the amendment increased the dry soil aggregate >1 mm, mean weight diameter and soil moisture. It is clear that polyacrylamide had greater effect than that of crude oil, besides the great effectiveness of these amendments in decreasing bulk density and relations of soil loss.展开更多
Water Quality Index (WQI) was applied in Dokan Lake, Kurdistan region, Iraq using ten water quality parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Alkalinity, Sodium, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, N...Water Quality Index (WQI) was applied in Dokan Lake, Kurdistan region, Iraq using ten water quality parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Alkalinity, Sodium, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate and Nitrite). The relative weight assigned to each parameter ranged from 1 to 4 based on the importance of the parameter for aquatic life. The results indicated that water quality of Dokan Lake declined from Good in the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1999, 2000 and 2008 to Poor in 2009. The impact of various anthropogenic activities was evident on some parameters such as the EC and BOD. It is suggested that monitoring of the lake is necessary for proper management. Application of the WQI is also suggested as a very helpful tool that enables the public and decision makers to evaluate water quality of lakes in Iraq.展开更多
To reveal the law of oiliness of the Upper Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East and factors controlling the oiliness, the Mishrif Formation of the H oilfield in Iraq was examined comprehensively. Based o...To reveal the law of oiliness of the Upper Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East and factors controlling the oiliness, the Mishrif Formation of the H oilfield in Iraq was examined comprehensively. Based on core observation and description, casting thin section analysis, and statistics of physical property and pore-throat structure parameter, etc., in combination with previous achievements and understanding, it is pointed out that the coring interval of Mishrif Formation has strong oiliness heterogeneity, and can be divided into 4 grades, oil rich, oil immersed, oil spot, and oil trace; the oil-bearing grade has obvious facies-controlled characteristic in macroscopic view; and in different oil-bearing grades, relatively oil-rich sections present higher karst development intensity, better physical properties and pore-throat structure characteristics. It is concluded through the study that the sedimentary microenvironment and eogenetic karstification determine the macroscopic oiliness of the reservoir in Mishrif Formation of H Oilfield, and the improvement of pore-throat structure caused by eogenetic karstification is the decisive factor of the micro oil-bearing difference of the reservoir. Finally,the genetic model of reservoir development and oil-bearing difference was established.展开更多
Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea a...Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea about future prospects. The medium high （A2） and medium low B2 scenarios have been used for purpose of this study as they are more likely than others scenarios, that beside the fact that no climate modeling canter has performed GCM （global climate model） simulations for more than a few emissions scenarios （HadCM3 has only these two scenarios） otherwise pattern scaling can be used for generating different scenarios which entail a huge uncertainty. The results indicate that the average annual rainfall shows a significant downward trend for both A2 and B2 scenarios. In addition, winter projects increase/decrease in the daily rainfall statistics of wet days, the spring season show very slight drop and no change for both scenarios. However, both summer and autumn shows a significant reduction in maximum rainfall value especially in 2080s while the other statistics remain nearly the same. The extremes events are to decrease slightly in 2080s with highest decrease associated with A2 scenario. This is due to the fact that rainfall under scenario A2 is more significant than under scenario B2. The return period of a certain rainfall will increase in the future when a present storm of 20 year could occur once every 43 year in the 2080s. An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall depends on several factors such as the return period, season of the year, the period considered as well as the emission scenario used.展开更多
Countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) are considered as arid and semi-arid areas that are suffering from water scarcity. They are expected to have more water shortages problem due to climatic change....Countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) are considered as arid and semi-arid areas that are suffering from water scarcity. They are expected to have more water shortages problem due to climatic change. Iraq is located in the Middle East covering an area of 433,970 square kilometers populated by 31 million inhabitants. One of the solutions suggested to overcome water scarcity is Rainwater Harvesting (RWH). In this study Macro rainwater harvesting technique had been tested for future rainfall data that were predicted by two emission scenarios of climatic change (A2 and B2) for the period 2020-2099 at Sulaimaniyah Governorate north east of Iraq. Future volumes of total runoff that might be harvested for different conditions of maximum, average, and minimum future rainfall seasons under both scenarios (A2 and B2) were calculated. The results indicate that the volumes of average harvested runoff will be reduced when average rainfall seasons are considered due to the effect of climatic change on future rainfall. The reduction reached 10.82 % and 43.0% when scenarios A2 and B2 are considered respectively.展开更多
文摘The Govanda Formation was deposited during the Miocene in the intermontane areas between the Zagros suture and imbricate zones.The Govanda Formation was studied in the Sherwan Mazin area within Mergasor district,Erbil Governorate to identify the lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis in order to determine the depositional environment of the formation.The formation in the studied section is 116 m thick and mainly consists of reddish-brown,hard,thickbedded,chert-bearing conglomerate,pinkish shale and yellowish-grey,thick-bedded,detrital,fossiliferous limestone.The formation is unconformably underlain by the Upper Cretaceous Tanjero Formation and conformably overlain by the Merga Red Beds series.Four different lithostratigraphic units were identified,based on field observation and petrographic analysis,including a basal conglomerate unit(A),a shale unit(B),a well-bedded limestone unit(C)and a thick and massively-bedded limestone unit(D).The presence of a thick conglomerate bed at the base of the formation indicates a large unconformity that lasted nearly 40 million years.Based on detailed microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks,five main microfacies and 15 submicrofacies are recognized.The main microfacies types include mudstone,wackestone,packstone,grainstone and boundstone microfacies.Based on the microfacies types the depositional environment are defined as open lagoon,reef,fore-reef and back-reef environments of normal to saline,nutrient rich water.
基金supported by the Basrah University,Iraq and the Outstanding Doctorate Thesis Foundation of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,the Youth Chenguang Project of Science and Technology of Wuhan City of China (Nos.20015005037 and 20055003059-34)the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (No.2005ABA047)
文摘This study presents an integrated study of expansion process of salinized land in Basrah Province, a typical salt-affected area in southern parts of Iraq, by using geo-information techniques. Satellite images （Landsat TM 1990） and thematic maps （ETM 2003） were used to provide comprehen- sive views of surface conditions such as vegetation cover and salinization detection. With ERDAS soft- ware, the normalized differential salinity index （NDSI） and salinity index （SI） were computed and then evaluated for soil degradation by salinization. ARC/INFO software was used along with field observa- tion data （global positioning system） for analysis. During the past 13 years, the salinized land in study area increased by 6 579.1 km2 and in 2003 covered 34.5% of the total area; in the meantime, vegetation cover has decreased by 4 595.9 km2 and in 2003 covers only 24.1% of the study area. Environmental changes show that, between 1990 and 2003, 37.5% of vegetation cover and 45.9% of marshlands were transformed into salty meadow and wet salty crust, respectively. In addition, there was 16.6% of sand lands converted into dry puffy salty crust. Results using spatial analysis methods showed that 7 894.9 km2 （41.4%） of land had no risk of environment degradation by soil salinity, 4 595.9 km2 （24.1%） bad slight risk, 4 042.8 km2 （21.2%） had moderate risk, and 2 536.3 km2 （13.3%） of the total land area was at a high risk of environment degradation by soil salinity. In conclusion, the study area was ex- posed to a high risk of soil salinity.
文摘Iraq is part of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. The area is known as dry land, famous with gap of crop yield as a result of the water shortage problem. Six basins with total catchment area of 614.19 km2 at rain-fed of Northern Sinjar District (Iraq) had been chosen to investigate both of the potential of rainwater harvesting (RWH) and three supplemental irrigation (SI) scenarios S1, S2, and S3 (100%, 75%, and 50% of full irrigation requirement) to support the wheat yield (bread and durum) under various rainfall conditions for the study period 1990-2009. The results indicated that, the total volume of harvested runoff can be considered for irrigation practices, that reached up to 42.4, 25.1, 0.6, 10.9 (× 106 m3) during 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1998-1999, and 2001-2002, respectively. The total irrigated area ranged between 10.9 - 5163.7 and 8.8 - 3595.7 (ha) for bread and durum wheat crop for the four selected seasons respectively. The yield scenarios for supplemental irrigation condition Y1, Y2, and Y3 give 68 - 9712, 94 - 12,999, and 105 - 22,806 Ton for bread wheat, and for durum wheat give 56 - 8035, 87 - 10,906, and 103 - 17,396 Ton.
文摘Diyala River is the third largest tributary of the Tigris River running 445 km length and draining an area of 32,600 km2. The river is the major source of water supply for Diyala City for municipal, domestic, agriculture and other purposes. Diyala River Basin currently is suffering from water scarcity and contamination problems. Up-to-date studies have shown that blue and green waters of a basin have been demonstrating increasing variability contributing to more severe droughts and floods seemingly due to climate change. To obtain better understanding of the impacts of climate change on water resources in Diyala River Basin in near 2046-2064 and distant future 2080~2100, SWAT （soil and water assessment tool） was used. The model is first examined for its capability of capturing the basin characteristics, and then, projections from six GCMs （general circulation models） are incorporated to assess the impacts of climate change on water resources under three emission scenarios： A2, AIB and B1. The results showed deteriorating water resources regime into the future.
文摘This research was conducted at the sand dunes stabilization research s tation in Baiji district, Iraq. Three techniques for sand dunes stabilization ar e selected: the first method is stabilization by clayey block barriers; the seco nd method is stabilization by dry planting of tamarix (tamarix articulata) cutti ngs and the third is stabilization by using cane branch barriers. Randomized sam ples were taken from the surface and subsurface layers of the stabilized and shi fting sand dunes to evaluate the effect of the three techniques on wind erosion parameters. The results indicate high significant differences between the wind e rosion parameters in the surface and subsurface layers in the stabilized sand du nes, while there are insignificant differences between the subsurface layer of t he stabilized dunes and the surface and subsurface layers in the active sand dun es. The results clarify the fact that there is an increase in the percentage of clay, silt, organic matter, mean weight diameter and the percentage of the dry a ggregates (>0.84 mm). A decrease is found in the rate of disaggregation for the dry aggregates in the samples of the surface layer of stabilized dunes when comp ared with the subsurface layer of stabilized dunes and the surface layer of the shifting sand dunes. There is a positive high significant correlation among the aggregate stability parameters and the percentage of clay and silt, and the cont ent of organic matter in the studied layers.
文摘This study was carried out at Sand Dunes Stabilization Researches Station in Baiji district (230 km north of Baghdad, Iraq) to evaluate the effects of local soil conditioners manufactured from oil derivatives and plant residuals on sand dunes fixation as the first step for sand dunes stabilization. The results indicate that the fuel oil has the first place in improving wind erosion parameters in the study area, such as increasing mean weight diameter, dry aggregates percentage, the needed time for complete disaggregation by dry sieving, and decreasing the disaggregation rates. Bitumen emulsion occupies the second place, while the plant residuals occupies the third place and has slight effects on the studied parameters. Effects of conditioners on natural vegetation cover are negative in oil derivatives treatments, while positive in plants residuals treatments.
文摘Field experiments were conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in citrus orchards of Baghdad and Wasit governorates, Iraq, during 2013-2014 season. Control program was implemented in six citrus orchards of mixed citrus varieties： Orange, Citrus sinensis; Mandarin, C. reticulate; Lemon, C. lemon; and Bergamot, C. aurantium. Ceranock traps 240/ha were hanged in trees of two separate orchards in each location, with third orchard served as control. Delta and McPhail traps supplied with pheromone were used to monitor Medfly population density in treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity and presence in citrus orchards started during the first week of October coincide with the beginning of fruits ripening. The result indicated that Medfly population density in Wasit orchards was more than that of Baghdad orchards. The total trapped insects after two weeks of Ceranock were 59, 94, 142 and 205, 277, 765 adults for the firsst, second and the control orchards in the two locations, respectively. The percentage of fruit injuries were increased dramatically when fruits mature and its color turn to yellowish reaching of 35%, 56%, 21% and 32% in mandarin and orange fruits in Baghdad and Wasit orchards, respectively, compared with 3%, 4%, 4% and 5% in treated orchards, respectively. Calculated percentage of fruit damage indicated that reduction in injuries were 97% in mandarin and 96% in orange at Baghdad orchards and were 95% and 96%, respectively, in Wasit orchards. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system as a control measure for Medfly in citrus orchards.
文摘A field experiment was conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in apricot orchards, Central of lraq during the 2013 field season. Control program was implemented in three orchards of mixed apricot varieties. Ceranock traps were hung in each tree of two separate orchards. Delta and McPhail traps were used to monitor Medfly population density in each treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity in apricot orchards started during the last week of April coincided with the beginning of maturity for fruits of early varieties. The total of trapped insects in monitoring traps after one week of Ceranock application were 0, 1 and 31 adults for the 1st, 2nd and the control orchards, respectively. Three weeks later and on, the number of trapped adults started to increase dramatically. At the end of apricot season and after 45 days of Ceranock trap application, the number of trapped insects in monitoring traps reached 110, 111 and 2,349 adults/week, respectively, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd orchard. The use of Ceranock traps reduced Medfly population density by 86%-97%. The percentage of fruit injuries in early maturing varieties were 0.75%, 1% and 34% for the 1st, 2nd and control orchards, respectively. While, late varieties were 2% and 3% for 1st and 2nd orchards, and 69% for the control. The percentage of reduction in fruit damages reached to 95% and 97%, respectively in the 1st and 2nd orchard. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system as a control measure for Medfly in apricot orchards.
文摘The Babylon Governorate is situated in the middle of Iraq. It covers an area of 5,315 km2 and has 2,092,998 inhabitants distributed throughout its five major cities （Qadhaa）. Presently, there is no landfill site in the governorate that meets the environmental criteria for the disposal of municipal and industrial waste. Consequently, GIS （geographic information system） and methods of multi-criteria decision making were used here to select the best sites in each city in the Babylon Governorate that would fulfil the environmental requirements. Two sites were chosen in each city. As the groundwater is very shallow in this area, the design should ensure against groundwater pollution by leachate from these sites. To avoid this problem, soil investigation was conducted at these sites so that the most suitable landfill design could be accomplished. The results of soil investigation in these sites include the soil profile, groundwater depth, chemical properties, allowable bearing capacity, Atterberg limits test results and material characteristics of the soil strata. From the research, it is believed that the best design is one that puts the landfill above ground.
文摘In central part of Iraq within the vicinity of Karbala-Najaf, two cliffs called ＂Tar Al-Say＇ed＂ and ＂Tar Al-Najaf＂ form conspicuous geomorphological forms between the Mesopotamia Plain and the Western and Southern Deserts. The top surface between the two cliffs （tars） is covered by alluvial fan sediments, laid down by A1-Khir Valley when merging in a large depression due to the drop in the gradient of the valley. Consequently, the depression was divided into two parts, to the left is called Al-Razzazah Depression, whereas to the right is called Bahir Al-Najaf. This affected the course of the River Euphrates. The deposition stopped due to an uplift movement which caused the elevation of the two cliffs which are covered by alluvial fan sediments. The two cliffs had and are still suffering from retreating, due to lateral erosion by wave actions in Al-Razzazah Depression. Springs located along a straight line, sag pond, deflected drainage, shutter ridges and pressure ridges can be noticed in the area. The age of both cliffs is estimated to be upper Late Pleistocene--early Holocene.
文摘The study was conducted in date palm groves in Swaib region of Baghdad for the agricultural season 2012. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, sex pheromone lure and its longevity in harsh desert climate. Various trap types and height have been studied for traps baited with B. amydraula pheromone lure. Results indicated that an average of 11.33 males/trap/week was captured on traps baited B. amydraula lure during the last week of April, which represents the onset of insect in the field. The highest rate of trap catches was recorded as 20 males/trap/week during the first week of May. Around 90% of the moths were emerged during these two weeks. B. amydraula pheromone lure remained effective over a period 7-8 weeks. Traps which placed at a height of three meters from the ground level were found more efficient than those suspended at six meters. An average of trap catches was 1.99-5.32 males/trap/week for traps placed at three meters height and whereas 1-3.99 males/trap/week was recorded on traps placed in six meters height. Delta trap was found more effective than funnel traps when applied against B. amydraula.
基金supported by Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects(BAP)under Grant no.12201045 for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of Turkey(Konya)
文摘The present work studies the environmental isotopes assess groundwater characteristics of the different parts of the main aquifer in the northeast Missan Province in south of Iraq. Water samples of groundwater and surface water were collected for two dry and wet seasons during the water year of 2011-2012. The study shows that most of the groundwater in the aquifer falls above the global meteoric water line, and all the samples fall below the Mediterranean meteoric water line, indicating that these samples are a mixture of two water types. The tritium content of these samples supports this conclusion. The overall conclusion of this study indicates that there are two sources of groundwater recharge in the studied area： the ephemeral streams （Teeb and Dewerge） and major precipitation sources. According to the tritium levels at or below one tritium unit （TU） obtained from the water, supply wells are highly confined or ＂not vulnerable＂. Overall, the 3^H results imply that recent recharge has taken place during the last four to five decades. In the recharge area, the high tritium content in the southern part of the Teeb area suggests that the recharge originates from rapid infiltration of surface runoff. Therefore, the groundwater resources in the study area should be protected from contamination, because it will influence the aquifer in a relatively short period of time if any contamination enters the recharge areas of the aquifer.
文摘Objective: To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus(HBV) positivity and pregnancy outcomes. Also, the association between HBV-related risk factors and HBV status was studied.Methods: A total of 100 HBV positive pregnant women were recruited and the pregnancy outcomes were compared with 301 HBV negative women. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV by HBs Ag ELISA. Data were collected for recruited subjects using interview questionnaire.Results: Data analysis showed that 51/100(51%) of the HBV-positive subjects gave a history of HBV in the family which was significantly higher than that of HBV-negative patients [41/301(13.6%) P = 0.001]. A significant association was found between positive history of surgery and HBs Ag positivity(P = 0.009). Then, pregnancy outcomes were stratified according to the HBV positivity. No significant association was found between HBV status and pregnancy outcomes(P > 0.05 for all).Conclusions: Positive family history of HBV and previous surgical procedures are associated with higher rate of HBV positivity. No association is found between HBV positivity and pregnancy outcomes.
文摘Indices of Biological Integrity (IBIs) are being increasingly used as useful and direct tools for assessing general health of aquatic ecosystems. Although such ecosystems in Iraq, especially the southern marshes, underwent severe alterations during the last two decades, including extensive desiccation in the 1990s, such tools are largely lacking. Phytoplankton Index of Biological Integrity (P-IBI) was developed from data collected seasonally from 2005 up to 2007 in different sites of the southern marshes of Iraq to evaluate the trend of these ecosystems based on phytoplankton data. Ten metrics were selected for measuring P-IBI for the first time in Iraq as a proposed project from Nature Iraq and Twin Rivers Institute, American University of Iraq-Sulaimani. Although generally fluctuated both spatially and temporally, mean P-IBI scores showed better conditions in Al Hawizeh marsh (Good) as compared to the Central and West & East Al Hammar marshes (Fair to Good). However, the results generally indicated evidence of improvement at the Central and West & East Al Hammar marshes, whereas no recovery of the status of water was evident throughout the data obtained at Al Hawizeh marsh. Values were generally higher in winter. These observations clearly reflect the relative stability of the Hawizeh marsh ecosystem which was not subject to the desiccation process in the 1990s, while the severely dried systems of the Central and Hammar marshes are showing positive responses to the restoration efforts that were started after 2003. Among the ten metrics comprising the index, relative abundance of diatoms had the most prominent effect on the P-IBI value in the three marshes. Metrics such as chlorophyll- a concentration and relative abundance of Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta also played a significant role in determining the index value. Continuous monitoring based on the selection of the most suitable metrics is recommended.
基金Supported by the Al-Basrah University, Iraq, the Geo-information Science and Technology Program ( No IRT 0438)China)
文摘In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are integrated to monitor, map, and quantify the land use/cover change in the southern part of Iraq (Basrah Province was taken as a case) by using a 1:250 000 mapping scale. Remote sensing and GIS software were used to classify Landsat TM in 1990 and Landsat ETM+ in 2003 imagery into five land use and land cover (LULC) classes: vegetation, sand, urban area, unused land, and water bodies. Supervised classification and normalized difference build-up index (NDBI) were used respectively to retrieve its urban boundary. An accuracy assessment was performed on the 2003 LULC map to determine the reliability of the map. Finally, GIS software was used to quantify and illustrate the various LULC conversions that took place over the 13-year span of time. Results showed that the urban area had increased by the rate of 1.2% per year, with area expansion from 3 299.1 km2 in 1990 to 3 794.9 km2 in 2003. Large vegetation area in the north and southeast were converted into urban construction land. The land use/cover changes of Basrah Province were mainly caused by rapid development of the urban economy and population immigration from the countryside. In addition, the former government policy of "returning farmland to transportation and huge expansion in military camps" was the major driving force for vegetation land change. The paper concludes that remote sensing and GIS can be used to create LULC maps. It also notes that the maps generated can be used to delineate the changes that take place over time.
文摘The study is conducted to estimate the resistance of three soils (EL Hartha clay loam, Barjisiya sandy loam and the soil near the sand dunes in Sheikh sa'ad area sandy soil) to wind erosion, it is also aimed at getting full acquaintance of the relationship between the soil loss and the physical and chemical features of soil. In addition to the experiment of some soil stabilizers, polyacrylamide (PAM) concentration of 0.2 % and crude oil in concentration of 1 % in order to reduce or prevent wind erosion. The study shows that the amendment increased the dry soil aggregate >1 mm, mean weight diameter and soil moisture. It is clear that polyacrylamide had greater effect than that of crude oil, besides the great effectiveness of these amendments in decreasing bulk density and relations of soil loss.
文摘Water Quality Index (WQI) was applied in Dokan Lake, Kurdistan region, Iraq using ten water quality parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Alkalinity, Sodium, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate and Nitrite). The relative weight assigned to each parameter ranged from 1 to 4 based on the importance of the parameter for aquatic life. The results indicated that water quality of Dokan Lake declined from Good in the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1999, 2000 and 2008 to Poor in 2009. The impact of various anthropogenic activities was evident on some parameters such as the EC and BOD. It is suggested that monitoring of the lake is necessary for proper management. Application of the WQI is also suggested as a very helpful tool that enables the public and decision makers to evaluate water quality of lakes in Iraq.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project(2017ZX05032004-001)
文摘To reveal the law of oiliness of the Upper Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East and factors controlling the oiliness, the Mishrif Formation of the H oilfield in Iraq was examined comprehensively. Based on core observation and description, casting thin section analysis, and statistics of physical property and pore-throat structure parameter, etc., in combination with previous achievements and understanding, it is pointed out that the coring interval of Mishrif Formation has strong oiliness heterogeneity, and can be divided into 4 grades, oil rich, oil immersed, oil spot, and oil trace; the oil-bearing grade has obvious facies-controlled characteristic in macroscopic view; and in different oil-bearing grades, relatively oil-rich sections present higher karst development intensity, better physical properties and pore-throat structure characteristics. It is concluded through the study that the sedimentary microenvironment and eogenetic karstification determine the macroscopic oiliness of the reservoir in Mishrif Formation of H Oilfield, and the improvement of pore-throat structure caused by eogenetic karstification is the decisive factor of the micro oil-bearing difference of the reservoir. Finally,the genetic model of reservoir development and oil-bearing difference was established.
文摘Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea about future prospects. The medium high （A2） and medium low B2 scenarios have been used for purpose of this study as they are more likely than others scenarios, that beside the fact that no climate modeling canter has performed GCM （global climate model） simulations for more than a few emissions scenarios （HadCM3 has only these two scenarios） otherwise pattern scaling can be used for generating different scenarios which entail a huge uncertainty. The results indicate that the average annual rainfall shows a significant downward trend for both A2 and B2 scenarios. In addition, winter projects increase/decrease in the daily rainfall statistics of wet days, the spring season show very slight drop and no change for both scenarios. However, both summer and autumn shows a significant reduction in maximum rainfall value especially in 2080s while the other statistics remain nearly the same. The extremes events are to decrease slightly in 2080s with highest decrease associated with A2 scenario. This is due to the fact that rainfall under scenario A2 is more significant than under scenario B2. The return period of a certain rainfall will increase in the future when a present storm of 20 year could occur once every 43 year in the 2080s. An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall depends on several factors such as the return period, season of the year, the period considered as well as the emission scenario used.
文摘Countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) are considered as arid and semi-arid areas that are suffering from water scarcity. They are expected to have more water shortages problem due to climatic change. Iraq is located in the Middle East covering an area of 433,970 square kilometers populated by 31 million inhabitants. One of the solutions suggested to overcome water scarcity is Rainwater Harvesting (RWH). In this study Macro rainwater harvesting technique had been tested for future rainfall data that were predicted by two emission scenarios of climatic change (A2 and B2) for the period 2020-2099 at Sulaimaniyah Governorate north east of Iraq. Future volumes of total runoff that might be harvested for different conditions of maximum, average, and minimum future rainfall seasons under both scenarios (A2 and B2) were calculated. The results indicate that the volumes of average harvested runoff will be reduced when average rainfall seasons are considered due to the effect of climatic change on future rainfall. The reduction reached 10.82 % and 43.0% when scenarios A2 and B2 are considered respectively.
