The reduction to pole of the aeromagnetic map of the western desert of Iraq has been used to outline the main basement structural features. Three selected magnetic anomalies are used to determine the depths of their magnetic sources. The estimated depths are obtained by using slope half slope method and have been corrected through the application of a published nomogram. These depths are compared with previous published depth values which provide a new look at the basement of the western desert in addition to the thickness map of the Paleozoic formations. The results shed light on the important of the great depths of the basement structures and in turn the sedimentary cover to be considered for future hydrocarbon exploration

Benthic algae of Tigris river and one of its northern tributary the lower Zab were study at monthly intervals during Nov. 2001-Oct. 2002. Four sites were selected, a total of 115 species of algae were identified during this study, diatoms was the dominating group (86 species) followed by Chlorophyta (18 species), Cyanophyta (7species), Euglenophyta (2 species) and one species for each of Pyrrophyta and Chryzophyta. Pennate diatoms formed the major density within the identified algae and distributed among all stations especially the species Achnanthes minutissima, Navicula gracilis and Nitzschia palea, the diatoms bloomed in spring and autumn seasons. Bio-diversity and density of benthic algae in Tigris river was affected negatively by the e

     Synthesis of sedimentologic, paleocurrent, and organic geochemistry data of the Lower Permian Ga’ara Formation from the Western Desert, western Iraq, shows good hydrocarbon potentiality and deposition by high sinuosity and mixed-load channels, likely by a meandering river system. The Ga’ara Formation includes kaolinitic mudstone beds of various colors and channelized quartzitic sandstone beds. Based on the lithofacies identification, five lithofacies associations have been recognized: channel-floor, point-bar, abandoned channel plug, crevasse splay, and interchannel flood basin. In addition, the paleocurrent analysis and sandstone percentage map indicate a variation of the paleoflow spatially and temporally with a general di

     In this study, lateral groundwater inflow was examined, according to the phenomena of groundwater mixing, groundwater flow and groundwater chemistry. The study region is composed of different aquifer systems; including karst-fracture media (Rattga-Jeed carbonates aquifer), fissure–porous media (Mullusi, Mullusi-Ubaid, Hartha-Rutba, and Digma-Tayarat aquifers) and porous media (Permo-carboniferous clastics rocks of Ga’ra aquifer).The aquifers are vertically super-imposed or of lateral contacts make open hydraulic connection between aquifers system. There is a severe shortage of water resources in the region because of rare precipitation and strong evapotranspiration. These conditions have hampered eco-environm

An 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

    This study deals with the biostratigraphy of Shiranish Formation (Late Cretaceous), depending on the Ammonite and associated Foraminifera in four outcrop sections, three of which are located in Al-Sulaimaniya governorate  (Dokan, Esewa and Kanny dirka sections) and one in Erbil  governorate, northern Iraq (Hijran section). Fourteen species of Ammonite belonging to fourteen genera were determined, which are: Dsemoceratidae, Gaudryceras, Gunnarites, Hoplitoplacenticeras, Kitchinites, Kossmaticeratinae, Neancyloceras, Neokossmaticeras, Nostoceras, Paratexanites, Partschiceras, Phylloceras, Pseudophyllites and Yubariceras. Also, thirty- five species of Foraminifera belonging to thirteen genera w

The core interval at the K.H5\6 and K.H5\8 Wells in the West of Rutba provinces reveals a significant succession across the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene transition. The sampled interval encompasses a series of carbonates belonging to Digma Formation of Latest Cretaceous age, which underlies the Akashat Formtion of Danian age. Fifty-five species belonging to thirty-five genera were recognized. Based on the distribution of these species, eight biozones were distinguished, three biozones are recorded from the K.H 5\6 studied section and two biozones are documented from the K.H 5\8 studied section which refers to Late Maastrichtian age of Digma Formation. Five biozones are recorded from Akashat Formation in the K.H 5\6 studied section and