Euphrates River Research Articles

Hydraulic and Sediment Dynamics of the Euphrates River – Evaluating Scouring, Sediment Transport, and Riverbank Soil Characteristics at the Shatt Al-Hilla Reach

Hydraulic and Sediment Dynamics of the Euphrates River – Evaluating Scouring, Sediment Transport, and Riverbank Soil Characteristics at the Shatt Al-Hilla Reach

Geomorphological Changes of the Terrestrial Features of the Euphrates River between the Cities of Al-Kifl and Al-Mishkhab Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The study area occupies part of the southwestern part of the sedimentary plain from the city of Al-Kifl and Najaf to the city of Al-Mashkhab, which is predominantly characterized by extraversion, which made the study area a low topographical variation. However, this variation contributed significantly to determining the geomorphological forms of the Euphrates River course as well as the direction of the course, which was consistent with the direction of the surface slope from the northwest towards the southeast. Thus, the natural characteristics of the study area vary from geological structure, surface, climate, soil and natural vegetation. When taking into account the true longitudinal extension of the Euphrates River course of (59) km, we find that these characteristics have a prominent impact in causing geomorphological changes in the study area.

Water quality assessment using A Novel Iraqi water quality index for Euphrates River between Karbala and Babylon provinces as a case study

تواجه أجزاء كثيرة من العالم مشاكل ندرة المياه بسبب محدودية الموارد المائية تزامنا مع تزايد عدد السكان. الأنهار هي أنظمة حيوية للمياه العذبة والتي تعتبر بالغة الأهمية لاستمرار الحياة. يتناول هذا العمل مراقبة وتقييم نوعية مياه نهر الفرات بين محافظتي كربلاء وبابل لعشرة مواقع بالقرب من تصريف المنشآت الصناعية وتصريف الأراضي الزراعية ومياه الصرف الصحي ومرافق اخرى ، وتم أخذ العينات شهرياً ومن ثم تحويل النتائج إلى موسمين (جاف – رطب). تم إجراء العديد من التحاليل الفيزيائية والكيميائية والميكروبية بناءً على الطرق القياسية. تم قياس المعلمات التالية (الدالة الحامضية, المتطلب البايلوجي للاوكسجين, الأوكسجين المذاب, درجة حرارة الماء,القولونيات الكلية, العسرة الكلية, الكبريتات, النترات, الكلورايد, الصوديوم, الفوسفات, كاربونات الصوديوم المتبقية, نسبة امتزاز الصوديوم, نسبة الصوديوم المذابة, خطورة المغنيسيوم, البورون, النتريت والمغنيسيوم). وباستخدام مؤشر جودة المياه العراقي الجديد الذي يتناسب مع النظم المائية العراقية ويعكس الواقع البيئي للمياه العراقية، يتضمن مؤشر IWQI الجديد المكونات المذكورة أعلاه، وأظهرت النتائج أن نوعية مياه نهر الفرات في المواقع المدروسة تراوحت بين (رديئة - سيئة للغاية) بالنسبة للمياه العذبة أما بالنسبة لملائمة المياه للزراعة والحياة المائية والشرب فقد تراوحت بين (جيد – غير صالح) خلال المواسم الرطبة والجافة. وبناء على هذه النتائج نستنتج أن المنشآت الصناعية ومياه الصرف الصحي في المدن والمجتمعات الكثيفة التي تعيش على طول ضفة النهر تؤثر سلبا على نوعية مياه النهر.

Spatial Analysis of the Pollution of the Euphrates River Water in the Abu Ghraib District

Spatial Analysis of the Pollution of the Euphrates River Water in the Abu Ghraib District

The effects of the deterioration of water resources in the Euphrates River within the city district in Basra Governorate

The research dealt with the effects resulting from the quantitative and qualitative deterioration of the water of the Euphrates River in Basra Governorate, after the river was cut off by an earthen dam in the (Chibayish) district before entering the study area in 2012. The research dealt with the effects of the deterioration on human health and cases of poisoning caused by the increase in salt concentration in River water. The research also explains the impact of deterioration on aquatic organisms, agricultural production, and the shrinkage of agricultural areas in the north of Basra Governorate, and the impact of this on population migration and the subsequent impact on societal security in Basra Governorate in general, and the resulting deterioration of pressure on the infrastructure in The center of Basra Governorate, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the water of the Euphrates River in Basra Governorate are consistent with Iraqi and international standards.

Sustainable Management Strategies of the Water Pollution of the Euphrates River Within Ramadi City West of Iraq

Sustainable Management Strategies of the Water Pollution of the Euphrates River Within Ramadi City West of Iraq

International water conventions, the exploitation of trans-boundary rivers and the Nile water dispute among Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt

Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt entered into dispute since Ethiopia began the construction of the Renaissance Dam along the Blue Nile in 2011. This article is aimed at assessing the core facts about water conventions, the use of trans-boundary rivers and the main argument points of Egypt and Sudan against Ethiopia's use right of the Nile. Data were obtained from conventions and laws, study reports and television interviews. Percent and ratios were used for quantifying data. The 1997 UN Water Convention, having seven criterions for equitable water use by riparian nations, is a better platform for the negotiation on the Nile water. Ethiopia contributes 86.52 billion m3 to the Nile water although Egypt's contribution is negligible. Despite the built-up of 3 huge dams by Egypt and over 10 by Sudan, these countries aggressively contest the Renaissance Dam of Ethiopia. Egypt diverts about 46 billion m3 water for irrigation. Turk, an upstream nation (alike Ethiopia in the Nile basin), built 11 dams along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers with rare contest from the downstream nations. The existence of ‘adequate rainfall’ and ‘other rivers’ in Ethiopia, the colonial treaties, the Nile as the only resource, and the impact of the Renaissance Dam are among the main points of argument of Egypt and Sudan against Ethiopia's use right of the Nile. The Nile water use by Ethiopia is inevitable as 73.7 % of the rivers' flow, 65.3 % of the hydropower and 50.6 % of the irrigation potential of all Ethiopian rivers is in the Nile basin; besides, significant share of the population has no electric service (>60), no pure water access (42.7 %) and is below poverty line (29.6 %). Thus, the three countries need to be flexible for the ‘give and take’ principle-based negotiation and ensuring the equitable use of the Nile water.

Building cartographic models to evaluate the water quality of the Euphrates River stream extending between the Al-Shinafiya and Al-Nasiriyah cities in southern Iraq relying on GIS technology and water quality indices

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى تقييم نوعية مياه نهر الفرات في المنطقة الممتدة من الشنافية إلى الناصرية من خلال دراسة الخصائص النوعية للنهر ومعرفة نوعية مياهه وذلك باستخدام النموذج الكندي ( CCME WQI) والمؤشر الحسابي الموزون ، بعد ذلك تم تصنيف أصل المياه وفق طريقتي بايبر و شولير سولن ، وتبين أن جميع عناصر الخواص الفيزيائية والكيميائية عالية ، أما بالنسبة للنموذج الكندي فقد تراوحت قيم المؤشر بين (62.2-74.7)، أعلى قيمة سجلت للموقع (4)، وهو يقع ضمن المياه المقبولة ، وأقلها للموقع (1)، في حين كانت قيم (Wi*Qi) للنموذج الرياضي الموزون تراوحت بين (0.072-60.939). أعلى قيمة سجلت للخاصية (PO4) وأقلها للخاصية (TDS)، أما بالنسبة لتصنيف نوعية المياه وفق طريقة بايبر فقد تبين آن (3) من عينات مياه منطقة الدراسة تصنف على مياه أنها مياه قلوية أرضية وان الكبريتات والكلوريدات هي السائدة فيها ، آما العينات الستة الأخرى فثلاثة منها كانت نوعية المياه فيها على صورة كلوريد و الثلاثة الأخرى كانت ضمن فئة المياه الغنية بالكالسيوم ، أما حسب طريقة شولير سولن فإن جميع عينات مياه نهر الفرات هي من مجموعة الكلوريدات وتضم عائلة واحدة هي عائلة كلوريد الصوديوم .

Evaluation of Lead, Copper and Iron Concentrations in Cyprus papyrus and Rivers in Iraq

In February 2023, samples were gathered from the research location. Five samples were taken from each leaf of the aquatic plant Cyprus papyrus, which is a member of the Cyperaceae family, as well as from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The primary heavy metals detected were lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). Samples were collected from various areas in Iraq, including the Diyala River site, AL Rustamiya site, Karbala site, Babylon site, and AL-Rashdiya site as a control. The samples collected from each site consisted of water and Cyprus papyrus. The ICP-AES analysis successfully determined the concentration of elements in the samples. The results indicated that the Pb average concentration in plants varied across different sites, with the highest levels recorded in Diyala River, followed by AL Rustamiya, Babylon, Karbala, and Rashdiya sites (Control) at 3.67, 2.11, 0.55, 1.26, and 0.046 ppm, respectively. These values were compared with the UNEP standard of 0.01 ppm. Similarly, water samples also exhibited elevated levels of Pb average concentration in the same order of sites, with values of 2.97, 0.48, 0.41, 0.35, and 0.0891 ppm, compared with the UNEP standard of 0.005 ppm. Furthermore, the analysis of Fe average concentrations in plants revealed the highest levels in Diyala River, Babylon site, AL Rustamiya site, Karbala site, and Rashdiya (Control) at 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.1 ppm respectively. In water samples, Fe average concentrations were also found to be elevated in the same order of sites, with values of 1.3, 0.07, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.01 ppm. The presence of Cu was not detected in any of the samples collected from either plants or rivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in the Iraqi environment and examine their impact on living organisms.

Erosion of Rivers and their Impact on Land Ownership of Vernacular Settlements: Insights from Two Settlements Near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Iraq

It is usual for human settlements to rise along the river banks because rivers provide water: the major source of sustenance of communities. However, riverbank erosion along rivers has huge implication for these settlements that border them. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq causes land loss that impacts adjacent properties and land ownership rights. This study examines such erosion and land submersion in two locations in Iraq: along the Euphrates in Ramadi and the Tigris in Baiji. The research employs historical maps and multi-temporal satellite data from 1968-2022. The GIS analysis quantified erosion areas and compared changes to cadastral records to determine direct impacts to property boundaries and land rights. The results identified significant conversion of privately held waterfront land into nonusable flooded river channels, amounting to billions in loss of value. Owners forfeited all functional land access without current provisions for relocations or erosion mitigation planning. The research concludes that intensifying hydrologic shifts could exponentially increase economic disruption for vulnerable property holders without integrated monitoring tools and policy responses to the dynamic river morphologies.

Effect of Climate Change on Wetland Areas in West Iraq Using Satellite Data and GIS Techniques

Iraq is considered to amongst those countries in the Middle Eastern region that are most exposed to the effects of climate change, which will have notable effects on wet areas and lakes. Natural or industrial water resources must be paid particular attention due to their importance in preserving environmental and biological systems, in addition to their economic and social importance. As a result of the effects of climatic change, water resources in Iraq have seen a multitude of changes. The aim of this study is to determine changes in the wetland area around AL-Razzaza Lake, Karbala province, Iraq, during the years 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2023. Landsat 5 satellite data from 2000, 2005, and 2010, and Landsat 8 and 9 data for 2015 and 2023, respectively, were used in this analysis, which was conducted using NDWI as a free, open-source program (ArcMap 10.8) to detect these changes; NDWI is a natural water anisotropy index used to detect the surface area of bodies of water in satellite images. The results revealed a clear decrease throughout the study period, as the wetland area of the lake in 2000 was 1189.7 km2, which represents a decrease of 34.3% compared to the total area of the lake (1810 km2); it decreased by 52.7% in 2005 (855.5 km2) and continued to decrease for 2010, 2015, and 2023, by 79.2%, 80%, and 85%, (376.5 km2, 362.9 km2, and 270.4 km2, respectively). The wetland area of Al-Razzaza Lake decreased between 2000 and 2023 by 919.3 km2, that is, an average of 40 km2per year. It was found that the lake wetland area sharply declined over the study period due to a lack of water surface resources via the Euphrates River, as well as climatic changes and poor water resource management. It is anticipated that the lake will lose more than half its current wetland area by 2040 if the current decline continues. These results are considered important in terms of preparing a strategic plan to preserve water bodies and wet areas in Iraq, including Al-Razzaza Lake. Remote sensing and GIS technologies have played a major and essential role in detecting such changes. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-09-013 Full Text: PDF

Water Quality Assessment of the Euphrates River from Haditha to Al-Nasiriyah, Iraq

A comprehensive assessment of four gauging stations along the Euphrates River reach (Haditha, Al-Hindiya, Samawa, and Al-Nasiriyah) was conducted to assess the water quality deterioration spatially and temporarily for the period 2005-2021. The spotlight is on discharge rates and climate conditions, which mainly controlling water quality and availability. The mean monthly discharge rate was taken 2005–2021, in addition to the water quality parameters (TDS, pH, EC, Mg+2, Ca+2, Na+, SO4-2, Cl-, and HCO3-, BOD5, COD, FCB, and E. coli). The discharge rates showed a visible decrease downstream, causing the river salinity and all the ion concentrations to rise. The statistical package of social sciences revealed two groups of water pollution sources: The F1 reflects natural conditions produced from the dissolution of the basin rocks, with a percentage of 28.0% from the total variance; the eigenvalue is 4.4. F2 reflects the anthropogenic sources, contributing 14.5% and having an eigenvalue of 2.1. The total ionic salinity plot indicated less than 2000 mg/l at the Haditha and Al-Hindiya sites and between 3000 and 4000 mg/l at downstream sites (Samawa and Al-Nasiriyah). The transportation of dissolved loads is decreased downstream following the discharge rate as indicated by the rating curves, as follows: 781000, 542628.4, 443861, and 432950.4 tons/month for Haditha, Al-Hindiya, Samawa, and Al-Nasiriyah, respectively. Water type shows a notable downstream deterioration, from MgSO4 at Haditha and Na2SO4 at Al-Hindiya to NaCl at Samawa and Al-Nasiriyah sites.

The Effect of Heavy Water Waste on the Euphrates River in Increasing the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals

The Effect of Heavy Water Waste on the Euphrates River in Increasing the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals

Evaluating Surface Water Quality of Euphrates River in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, Iraq with Water Quality Index (WQI)

The present study illustrates the rapid pollution of Euphrates River, inwards Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf governance (Al-Kufa River) in Iraq, which is one of the most important rivers in the region. The river faces formidable pressure due to encroachments, discharge of untreated domestic and industrial waste, drainage water from cultivated orchards, and dumping of solid waste. This study was conducted to assess the temporary and locative organic pollution in the region. Water Quality Index (WQI) of the Al-Kufa river was determined according to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) method by calculating seven parameters (water temperature, DO, COD, EC, TDS, turbidity, and pH) in two sampling stations. Surface water samples were collected in a period of four months (September to December) in 2023. WQI level, correlation analysis between parameters, and Iraqi and CCME drinking water specification standards were employed to classify the surface water status. The results show that the ecological condition can be classified as marginal with WQI= 49 and poor with WQI= 42 in stations 1 and 2, respectively.

Climate Change Projections in Euphrates River Watersheds in the Middle of Iraq

Climate Change Projections in Euphrates River Watersheds in the Middle of Iraq

Metaheuristic algorithms applied in ANN salinity modelling

Salinity is a classic problem in planning the quality of freshwater resources management. Recent studies related to hybrid machine learning models have shown it's capability to simulate salinity dynamics. However, previous studies of metaheuristic algorithms have not dealt with comparing single- and hybrid-based algorithms in much detail. The present study aimed to develop univariate salinity by applying an artificial neural network model (ANN) integrated with (hybrid-based) coefficient-based particle swarm optimisation and chaotic gravitational search algorithm (CPSOCGSA). The methodology was developed and tested using electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) data collected from the Euphrates River in Babylon Province, Iraq, from 2010 to 2019. The CPSOCGSA performance was evaluated by various single-based ones, including multi-verse optimiser (MVO), marine predator's optimisation algorithm (MPA), particle swarm optimiser (PSO), and the slim mould algorithm (SMA). The principal finding here confirms that hybrid-based outperformed four single-based algorithms based on different criteria. The outcomes for TDS were 0.004, 0.0248, and 0.98 for CPSOCGSA-ANN technique concern scatter index (SI), root-mean-squared error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R2), respectively. For EC, the results were 0.96 for R2, 0.0386 for RMSE, and 0.006 for SI. Due to its predictive accuracy, the proposed CPSOCGSA-ANN approach is suggested as a potential strategy for predicting monthly salinity data. Considering agriculture's vital role in Babylon Province's economy, this study may help inform future freshwater quality management decisions.

A study of Physicochemical Parameters, Heavy Metals and in the Euphrates River, Between the cities of Hit and Ramadi in Anbar Governorate

A study of Physicochemical Parameters, Heavy Metals and in the Euphrates River, Between the cities of Hit and Ramadi in Anbar Governorate

The Déesse and the Dam: Extractive Audacity, Montage, and the Politics of Ecological Devastation on the Euphrates

A montage in Syrian filmmaker and activist Omar Amiralay’s Film Essay on the Euphrates Dam (1970) juxtaposes the dam’s industrial machinery with an eighteenth-century bce limestone statue of the goddess Ishtar, excavated from the Syrian site of Mari on the Euphrates River and known as the déesse au vase jaillissant (goddess with a flowing vase). This article analyses Amiralay’s visual and semiotic conflation of the dam’s architectural infrastructure and the déesse, raising questions regarding the politics of preservation under the Syrian Assad family regime (1971–present). Amiralay’s film valorises industrial labour while presenting a view of the rural lifeways that surround the Euphrates through the lens of salvage ethnography, suggesting that the advent of the dam will render these rural ways obsolete. The documentary records the months before over 60,000 people evacuated the region that would soon become the dam’s reservoir, Lake Assad. I argue that, read alongside film and literature that recentres the dam’s displaced (al-maghmurin; the drowned), Film Essay offers a counter-narrative to the ‘climate thesis’ of the Syrian Civil War (2011–present) and ties the conflict to longer histories of false promises and political subjugation embodied by the Tabqa Dam project.

Electrocoagulation removal of COD and TDS from real municipal wastewater sourced from the Euphrates River using multipole arrangement

This study investigated the performance of the electrocoagulation (EC) process for removing organic pollutants, as measured by chemical oxygen demand (COD), and reducing total dissolved solids (TDS) from real municipal wastewater sourced from the Euphrates River. A systematic approach was followed, where initial control tests were conducted to identify the optimal electrode configuration, which was a multipole arrangement of aluminum electrodes.The independent operating parameters studied were electrolysis time (10–60 min), applied current (0.2–1.4 A), and mixing speed (50–250 rpm). The response surface methodology (RSM), facilitated by a Box-Behnken design (BBD), was employed to model and optimize the EC process. The developed mathematical models revealed that the COD removal efficiency, final TDS value, and energy consumption were strongly dependent on the coagulation process parameters.The results showed that under the optimized conditions of 60 min of electrolysis time, 1 A of applied current, and 50 rpm mixing speed, a maximum COD removal efficiency of 92.43 % was achieved. At these optimal values, the final TDS concentration was reduced to 1299 ppm. The energy consumption for the batch EC process was also determined, with the lowest value being 5.47 kWh/m3.The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the electrocoagulation process, particularly when utilizing a multipole electrode arrangement, for the treatment of real municipal wastewater. The developed models and optimization approach can be used to predict the performance and determine the optimal operating conditions for similar wastewater treatment applications. Future research prospects include investigating the removal of other pollutants, integrating the EC process with other treatment technologies, and evaluating the long-term economic feasibility of the system.

Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Drainage Alhfar in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate According to the Iraqi Guide WQI

A study was conducted on the eastern drainage of the Euphrates River (Alhfar) in Diwaniyah at three stations, summer and winter. The drainage Alhfar was evaluated using the WQI and Was selected 12 parameters, namely (PH, E.C, TDS, Turb., T.H, Cl, Mg, Ca, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd), From the results, it is noted that the first site recorded (302, 290) in summer and winter, respectively, according to WQI, while the second site recorded (294.5, 298.8) in summer and winter, respectively, The WQI value for the third site was (310 a, 380), according to WQI the water in the first and second sites was very poor water due to the increase in the proportion of determinants. In the third site, the water was unsuitable water because the WQI was very high in summer and winter.