When the number of confirmed coronavirus disease cases rose in Iraq in the middle of February 2021, the Iraqi government performed a closure approach to constrain mobility and factory operations and enforce social distancing. In this research, the concentrations of air components (PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)), which represent herein the degree of air quality index, were recorded, drawn and evaluated over central (Baghdad, the capital), northern (Kirkuk Province) and southern (Basra Province) Iraq before and during the closure. The experimental duration of this research was 6 months (from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021), which included four periods: pre-closure, first closure (total and partial), second closure (total and partial) and third closure (partial). Moreover, the impact of total closure and partial closure on the quality of the atmospheric layer over Iraq was evaluated and assessed by using Sentinel-5P satellite/Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument and Giovanni–Earthdata images. The results revealed that air pollutant concentrations dropped during the closure periods except at the end of the third closure period due to the lack of people’s commitment by breaking the closure strategy based on economic reasons. It was observed that the lockdown is one of the best solutions to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and that it significantly improved the air quality index, although it has several disadvantageous effects on the economic front of the country. Eventually, since people stay at their residences, the concentration of air pollutants becomes low and the air quality index becomes better.
Well log analysis of selected sections in southern Iraq revealed that primary porosity is the most effective parameters. Secondary porosity seems to be related mainly to dissolution and dolomatization. The Hartha Formation has good water saturation and low production except in the eastern and central part of the study area. Two reservoir units were recognized in Mj-2 whereas only one in Ga-1.
The values of velocity deviation in most wells show high positive deviation, this may indicate relatively high velocity in regard to porosity where pores are commonly not connected such as in interaparticle or moldic porosity. A positive deviation also may indicate low permeability. Negative deviation zone (Only in Ak-1) may represent caving or i
A morphotectonic analysis is conducted on Shatt Al-Arab drainage basin. This study aims to analysis of the river patterns of Shatt Al-Arab channel and their relationship with the development of subsurface geological structures and the neotectonic activity, as well as an attempt to determine the relative amount to this activity.
Transverse river profile analysis is derived quantifiable and comparable parameters such as neotectonic index (Eh*Ln), Eh, Ch, and Bs. These parameters are useful to detect the morphotectonic indicators of Shatt Al-Arab basin. The analysis showed the role of the subsurface structures that affecting the river cross sections shape, through channel incision, as in (Dair and NuhrUmr) cross sections, while in the ot
A total of 228 domestic and wild animals, including sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, camels, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, wild hares, Asiatic jackals, and red foxes were examined for ixodid ticks in the central region of Iraq. Nine species of ixodid ticks belong to two genera namely Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. excavatum Koch, 1844, H. turanicum Pomerantsef, 1946, H. scupense Delpy, 1946, H. dromedarii Koch, 1844, H. schulzei Olenev, 1931, Rhipicephalus annulatus (Say, 1821), R. turanicus Pomerantsef & al., 1940 and R. leporis Pomerantsef, 1946 were recovered. Their distribution among hosts and infestation rates were di
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The Miocene succession of western and southern Iraq is represented by the
Euphrates, Ghar, Jeribe, Nfayil, Fatha, and Injana formations. The Euphrates
Formation (Early Miocene) consists mainly of shallow marine facies; it`s equivalent
the Ghar Formation (Early- Early Middle Miocene) is represented by continental
clastic facies. The Jeribe Formation (Early Middle Miocene) represents shallow
marine environment. The Nfayil Formation (Middle Miocene) also of shallow marine
environment, it`s equivalent the Fatha Formation is represented mainly by supratidal
marine environment. The Injana Formation (Late Miocene) represents the clastic
continental facies.
The studied succession was highly affected by many diagene
Yamama Formation is the most important and widespread Lower Cretaceous Formation in Iraq. Yamama Formation in the Luhais well-12 and Rifaee well-1 are composed of dolomitized in some places and foraminifera and algae bearing limestone, 19 genera and species of foraminifera, 10 genera and species of algae. Two biozones were distinguished Pseudochrysalidina arabica Range zone and Pseudocyclammina lituus Range zone. The age of the formation was determined as Berriasian – Valanginian according to these biozones of Foraminifera. In this study, bryozoa, Gastropoda and Pelecypoda are recorded but less than Foraminifera.
The Yamama Formation belongs to the late Berriasian-Aptian succession, which was deposited during the Lower Cretaceous period within the main shallow marine depositional environment.
Petrographic study and microfacies analysis enabled the recognition of six main microfacies for three association facies. These are the Semi-restricted, Shallow open marine and Shoal environments. The study succession represents deposition of three third order cycles, these cycles where deposited during successive episodes of relative sea level rises and still stand.
The presence of shoal association facies (oolitic packstone microfaces) between the Sulaiy and Yamama formations refer to continue the deposition during the same stage, and may s
... Show MoreDevastated by the combined impact of massive drainage works and upstream damming since the 1980's, Al-Hammar Marsh, Southern Iraq, has completely collapsed with 94 % of its land cover transformed into bare land and salt crusts by 2000. After a policy initiated to restore the Iraqi marshes again in 2003, the marsh recovered about half of its former area. As a part of the ecological recovery assessment of this newly inundated marsh, it is important to investigate the extend impact of desiccation after 3 years of inundation on water quality as the latter plays an important role in the restoration process of the marshes. Therefore, from a restoration point of view, major and trace element distribution and sourcing as well as seasonal variati
... Show MoreAl- Masab AL-Aam canal (or the Main Drain) is a vital strategic project in Iraq. It collects the drain water from the agricultural lands and drains to the Arabian Gulf via Shatt Al-Basra. Fifteen water samples were collected from different sites along the course of the Al- Masab Al-Aam canal southern sector extending from Nasiriyah Basra to evaluate the hydrochemical properties. The variation of the sediment’s texture along the southern sector was investigated. The results reflected that the sediment is characterized by the presence of sand, silt, and clay. It is noted that the amount of salt in the water increases during the summer when temperatures are rising, and consequently, the evaporation rate increases. Changes in the saturatio
... Show MoreThe use of Right dihedral method, Lisle graph, and Mohr diagram allows the analysis of the paleostress. Fault slip data were measured for eighteen data of two stations located within Chia Gara structure in Dohuk area in the High Folded Zone, Northern Iraq. Depending on Mohr diagram, Bott equation, and vertical thickness, the magnitudes of the paleostress at the time of the tectonic activity were determined. Firstly, Georient Software was used to estimate the orientation of the paleostresses (σ1, σ2 and σ3). Secondly, using the rupture –friction law, taking into account the depth of the overburden, the vertical stress (σv) was calculated to determine the magnitude of the paleostresses in the study area. The values in st
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