Multiscale salinity mapping in Central and Southern Iraq by remote sensing

Critical knowledge gaps and research priorities in global soil salinity

“…The salinity increase in the Euphrates River is higher than the Tigris River because most of the drainage water is discharged into the Euphrates River. In the southern coastal areas, the intrusion of sea water into the irrigated lands further compounded the salinity problems (Wu et al, 2013). Information on the extent and characterization of saline soils in Iraq is minimal and scattered.…”

Evaluation of Water Quality Parameters in Marshes Zone Southern of Iraq Based on Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

“…Conversely, the non-point sources are usually associated with the widely covered land usage including forest management practices, agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing. Generally, these pollution sources enter watersheds area through groundwater flow, overland flow or flow from small tributaries (Wu et al 2013).…”

“…The repeated construction of dams due to acute water storage in Turkey and Syria which is the major reason for water quality deterioration in the Iraqi marshlands needs further clarification. Besides, the domestic industrial pollution and hydroelectric power generation along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers also declined the marshland water quality in Iraq (Khattab and Merkel 2014;Abdul Jabbar 2010;Nicholson and Clark 2003;Sun et al 2014;Ustin 2004;Wu et al 2013Wu et al , 2014. Despite the necessity, research is seldom carried out to model the Iraqi marshlands water quality for effective remediation of pollutants.…”

“…The water resource degradation being threatening to the ecosystems and public health requires special attention in terms of remediation. A mathematical model enclosing all these negative effects such as environmentally destructive development, lack of information regarding water quality, poor public awareness and education on the protection of water resources and rapid deterioration of marshland water quality is far from being achieved (Kerekes and Baum 2005;Schwarte 2003;Sun et al 2014;Ustin 2004;Wu et al 2013Wu et al , 2014.…”

“…For instance, salinity in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers near their discharge point at the marsh ranges from 0.5 to 2 parts per thousand (PPT). Thus, 74% of irrigated land that is suffering from certain degree of salination needs remediation (Wu et al 2013(Wu et al , 2014. In fact, salinity being the key parameter to understanding the water quality in marshland zones requires accurate measurement methods.…”