Sediments samples from ten stations along the Euphrates River and seven
samples from selected springs within Al –Anbar governorate, (western part of Iraq),
were collected and analyzed for radioactivity. Sediments samples were dried at 100
ºC for 24 hours. Radioactivity in 1 kg of each sample was measured using gamma
spectrometer system based on a pure germanium detector with efficiency 30%. The
activity of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40 were measured to be within the typical average of
the radioactivity in sediment in world rivers, while relatively elevated concentration
were found in the sediment of some of the studied spring. In current study activity
concentrations of Cs-137 in the sediments were detected which may be caused by
the global fallout as well as caused by transferring of cesium from the relatively high
concentration areas in western desert by the rainwater within the valleys to the
sediments of the Euphrates. The radiological aspects were investigated by
calculating the radiological hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate, annual
effective dose equivalent, hazard indices and gamma index. The radiological hazard
indices were below the recommended international values. Ra-226 and Cs-137
concentrations in water and radiation doses due to drink water of the Euphrates
River were estimated. The maximum estimated interior doses which caused by 137Cs
and 226Ra in water were found to be 1.93 x 10-5mSv/y and 4.01x10-3mSv/y,
respectively.
The activity concentration of natural radioactivity levels, of artificial cesium and transfer factor from soil to plants in agricultural areas at Al- Yusiefya region were determined by using NaI (Tl) detector spectrometer. Ten species of leafy plants have been selected: Spinach, Parsley, Watercress, Lettuce, Rashad, Radish, Green onion, Turnip green, Green beet and Mint. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in leafy vegetable samples were 12.4±3.8, 14.8±4.7, 283±93 and 1.06±0.99 Bg/kg, and in soil samples were 15.9±4.3, 16.1±5.2, 298.5±3.9, and 1.11±0.37 Bq/kg. The radiation hazard indices were evaluated (radium
... Show MoreConcentrations of four heavy metals, Zinc , Copper , Lead and Cadimium were determed in water and sediment samples collected bi-weekly from six sampling sites on the lower part of River Diyala during low flow period (August to October) and high flow period (April to June). A reference point site (1) was situated upstream the effects of the effluent. Present work describes the e
... Show MoreThe present study included the physico-chemical parameters of Lesser-Zab river and its effects on Tigris river. Monthly water samples were taken from the two rivers during January to October 1999.There were no signifcant difference in water temperatures. Both rivers were fresh to oligohalin, alkaline and very hard. Close values were determined in total suspended solids in both rivers with little increasing during rainfall period and high discharge. Water was well areated and over saturation was recorded in several occasions. Dissolved oxygen values of Tigris river were influenced by Lesser-Zab. Cations were more dominant than anions in both rivers. In Lesser-Zab, the anions were increased during spring season and declined in summer which t
... Show MoreGroundwater quality investigation has been carried out in the western part of Iraq (west longitude '40°40). The physicochemical analyses of 64 groundwater samples collected from seven aquifers were used in the determination of groundwater characterization and assessment. The concept of spatial hydrochemical bi-model was prepared for quantitative and qualitative interpretation. Hydrogeochemical data referred that the groundwater is of meteoric origin and has processes responsible for observed brackishness. The geochemical facies of the groundwater reveal that none of the anions and cations pairs exceed 50% and there are practically mixtures of multi-water types (such as Ca–Mg–Cl–HCO3 and Na+K–SO4–Cl water type) as do
... Show MoreDate palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the world’s oldest cultivated fruit crops and belongs to the Arecaceae family. It originated in Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 4000 BC. Large areas of palm groves in Iraq produce various types of dates for internal consumption and export. Their cultivation has spread and has become a significant crop in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Middle East. Date fruits are widely consumed in Iraq, and radiological monitoring of this crop is necessary as activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were measured in 12 soil samples and 12 date samples from
This study is based on samples taken from one of the main branches of Tigris River; Gharaf River, at Kut Barrage in Wasit Governorate, Iraq. It aimes to study the quantity and quality of the mollusca Invertebrates; furthermore. The study evaluates the molluscan biodiversity of the rivers by using appropriate biodiversity indexes. Thus, the first of its kind study in the evaluation of the diversity of mollusc in Gharaf River assemblage. Monthly samples were collected randomly from the river mud, for 12 months, from January till December 2016. During the collection process; 5 stations on the river were chosen for sampling with 10(±1) Km distance between each of the stations, including Wasit Governorate. The study showed the
... Show MoreA total of 722 algal taxa are recorded in Diyala River by different authors. Most of the identification algae belong to three Divisions: Bacillariophyceae (367, 50.8%), Chlorophyceae (179, 24.8%), and Cyanophyceae (126, 17.5%).
Radon concentrations are measured for water samples collected from twenty wells which were drilled in Hashimiya area in addition to twelve samples of surface water using Alpha Gaurd. 140 samples, 7 for each well, were collected represent wet season in continuous pumping and 20 samples, one for each well, were collected represent dry season. Concentration of radon in groundwater is many times of its concentration in surface water. The minimum concentration in groundwater is about (7) Bq/L and (5) Bq/L while the maximum concentration is about (31) Bq/L and (19) Bq/L in wet season and dry season respectively. The range of radon concentrations in river water is between (1.06) Bq/L and (1.21) Bq/L. This study has indicated that there is a flo
... Show MoreAn integrated lithofacies and mineralogical assemblage was used to describe a depositional model and sequence stratigraphic framework of the Maastrichtian–Danian succession in the Western Desert of Iraq and eastern Jordan. Fifteen lithofacies types were grouped into three associations recognized in a distally steepened ramp characterized by an apparent, distinct increase in a gradient paleobathymetric deepening westward. The clay and nonclay minerals are dominated by smectite and palygorskite, with trace amounts of kaolinite, sepiolite, illite and chlorite. Meanwhile, quartz, calcite, dolomite, opal CT (Cristobalite - Tridymite), and apatite are the main nonclay minerals. The widely dominated smectite in the Western Phosphatic Basin of Ir
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