Polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A (BPA) used to manufacture drinking water bottles. Kurdistan region in northern Iraq is a developed area with increased pollution from plastic bottles. Trace amounts of BPA...Polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A (BPA) used to manufacture drinking water bottles. Kurdistan region in northern Iraq is a developed area with increased pollution from plastic bottles. Trace amounts of BPA have been detected in bottled water samples. The absorption of BPA was measured with HPLC using a vertical cultivation system with Bulbs of the Allium Cepa plant planted in these plastic bottles with monitored growth. Vertical cultivation was found to have a low level of BPA in the plant cells, making it a safe cultivation method under specific climate conditions. The mean concentration of BPA in vertical cultivation is 0.19 ug/ml (3.8 ng for a 20 uL injection), and the Limit of Quantification (LOQ) is 0.63 ug/ml (12.7 ng for 20 uL injection). While Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows that the concentrations are relatively low in water samples stored at room temperature compared to those exposed to direct sunlight (40°C) and water bottle samples stored at (-4°C), The correlation coefficients were found to be good (0.9992). SEM is used for plastic bottle samples stored at different temperatures. The images identify compound decay and explore the morphology of BPA in manufactured plastic materials.展开更多
Evaluation of water quality is important for the management of water resources. The current study is focused on the interpretation of the water quality monitoring data of the Tigris River in Iraq by the application of...Evaluation of water quality is important for the management of water resources. The current study is focused on the interpretation of the water quality monitoring data of the Tigris River in Iraq by the application of the principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and water quality index (WQI). Twelve water quality parameters were taken from 14 stations along the river Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, NO3−, TH, TDS, BOD5, and EC to apply the PCA and CA. The results show that the mean of all the parameters was under the standards except Ca2+, EC, Mg2+, TH, and SO42−. The amount of EC is the critical factor that affects the river water quality. The PCA obtained one principal component responsible for 97% of the variation caused by different pollution sources. The CA divided the river into three regions of sampling stations with similar water quality, the best in the north, and the worst in the far south. In this paper, the computer-automated tool (IraqWQI) was presented and evaluated, which has been developed by authors to classify and measure the quality of Iraqi surface water. The proposed index is of hundred degrees and includes six variables for drinking water quality Cl−, TH, TDS, COD, DO, and total coliform (TC) according to the Iraqi specifications. The result of the IraqWQI application showed a decrease in the water quality of the river and its suitability for drinking in the south of the country. The best value of the index was (81.48, Good) in Fishkhabour during winter, and the worst value was (46.23, Bad) in Qurnah during summer. The result of this study proved the success and importance of using statistical techniques and WQI as useful tools for the management, control, and conservation of surface water. .展开更多
Iraq covers an area of 437072 km2 in the northeastern part of the Middle East. Its population now is more than 40 million. It relies mainly on its water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributa...Iraq covers an area of 437072 km2 in the northeastern part of the Middle East. Its population now is more than 40 million. It relies mainly on its water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Recently, Iraq has been experiencing a severe water scarcity problem. This is mainly due to climate change, increased hydrological projects in riparian countries, and water resources mismanagement inside Iraq itself. To overcome the problem, a new strategy should be implemented. Such strategy should consider two main courses of action: a) serious negotiations with riparian countries to reach an agreement giving Iraq equitable water shares from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. b) Prudent water management practices inside Iraq that consider adopting realistic distribution of water between the governorates, rational policies aiming at increased water use efficiencies within Irrigation networks, increased use of non-conventional sources of water, adjustment of water tariffs and their collection procedures, improving agricultural techniques, introduction of intensive guidance and public awareness programs, and promulgation of new legislations, in addition to creation of human resources development programs.展开更多
Forecasting river flow is crucial for optimal planning,management,and sustainability using freshwater resources.Many machine learning(ML)approaches have been enhanced to improve streamflow prediction.Hybrid techniques...Forecasting river flow is crucial for optimal planning,management,and sustainability using freshwater resources.Many machine learning(ML)approaches have been enhanced to improve streamflow prediction.Hybrid techniques have been viewed as a viable method for enhancing the accuracy of univariate streamflow estimation when compared to standalone approaches.Current researchers have also emphasised using hybrid models to improve forecast accuracy.Accordingly,this paper conducts an updated literature review of applications of hybrid models in estimating streamflow over the last five years,summarising data preprocessing,univariate machine learning modelling strategy,advantages and disadvantages of standalone ML techniques,hybrid models,and performance metrics.This study focuses on two types of hybrid models:parameter optimisation-based hybrid models(OBH)and hybridisation of parameter optimisation-based and preprocessing-based hybridmodels(HOPH).Overall,this research supports the idea thatmeta-heuristic approaches precisely improveML techniques.It’s also one of the first efforts to comprehensively examine the efficiency of various meta-heuristic approaches(classified into four primary classes)hybridised with ML techniques.This study revealed that previous research applied swarm,evolutionary,physics,and hybrid metaheuristics with 77%,61%,12%,and 12%,respectively.Finally,there is still room for improving OBH and HOPH models by examining different data pre-processing techniques and metaheuristic algorithms.展开更多
Searching for alternative methods for traditional irrigation is World trend at days due to a reduction in water and increased of drought due to climate changes therefore farmers need use modern methods of scheduling w...Searching for alternative methods for traditional irrigation is World trend at days due to a reduction in water and increased of drought due to climate changes therefore farmers need use modern methods of scheduling water and minimizing water losses while also increasing yield. To meet the future increasing demands water and food there is a need to utilize alternative methods to reduce evaporation, transpiration and deep percolation of water. Any countries use recycled water (drain and sewage) and desalination water from the sea or drains to irrigate crops plus computing actual crop evapotranspiration (ET<sub>c</sub>) so as to calculate the amount of water to apply to a crop. The paper aims to assess the actual evaporation and evaporation coefficient of carrots, by planting carrots in a field and the crop was exposed to several sources of water (DW and RW) and comparing ET<sub>c</sub>, K<sub>c</sub> and production among plots of three sites (A, B and C). The study used two types of irrigation water (drain water (DW) and river water (RW)). The results were to monthly rate and accumulated actual evapotranspiration to C (irrigation by RW only) more than A (67% RW and 33% DW) and B (17% RW and 83% DW) via 7% and 58%, respectively. The yield to C more than A and B by 17% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion the use of DW can cause a reduction in crop consumptive of carrot crops also causes a reduction in yield, crop length, root length, root size, canopy of crop, number of leaves and biomass of the plant therefore, the drainage water needs to treated before irrigating crops And making use of it to irrigate the fields and fill the shortfall in the amount of water from the river. The drain water helped on filling the water shortage due to climate changes and giving production of carrot crop but less than river water.展开更多
The Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are part of the Iraqi Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) that belongs to the Arabian Plate. Therefore, both deserts lack tectonic forms like folds and faults;however, very rarely faul...The Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are part of the Iraqi Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) that belongs to the Arabian Plate. Therefore, both deserts lack tectonic forms like folds and faults;however, very rarely faults and regional lineaments can be seen in both deserts. Although both deserts are tectonically stable, tens of Neotectonic indications can be seen everywhere in both deserts. Among those indications are: Straight valleys, perpendicular valley bendings, sinkholes aligned along straight lines, dislocated valleys, knickpoints within valleys aligned along straight lines, regional lineaments, anomalous valley shapes, trends, and types, dissected alluvial fans. We have used existing geological maps of different scales and Esri World Imagery to recognize those Neotectonic indications. All those recognized features are excellent indications that both the Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are tectonically not stable. Accordingly, new terminology is suggested instead of the Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) which is the “Less Disturbed Shelf”.展开更多
The use of three-dimensional maps is more effective than two-dimensional maps in representing the Earth’s surface. However, the traditional methods used to create digital surface models are not efficient for capturin...The use of three-dimensional maps is more effective than two-dimensional maps in representing the Earth’s surface. However, the traditional methods used to create digital surface models are not efficient for capturing the details of Earth’s features. This is because they represent only three-dimensional objects in a single texture and do not provide a realistic representation of the real world. Additionally, there is a growing demand for up-to-date and accurate geo-information, particularly in urban areas. To address this challenge, a new technique is proposed in this study that involves integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information System, and Architecture Environment software to generate a highly-detailed three-dimensional model. The method described in this study includes several steps such as acquiring high-resolution satellite imagery, gathering ground truth data, performing radiometric and geometric corrections during image preprocessing, producing a 2D map of the region of interest, constructing a digital surface model by extending the building outlines, and transforming the model into multi-patch layers to create a 3D model for each object individually. The research findings indicate that the digital surface model obtained with comprehensive information is suitable for different purposes, such as environmental research, urban development and expansion planning, and shape recognition tasks.展开更多
Iraq depends on its water resources from the water of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing, and Iraq is experiencing a water short...Iraq depends on its water resources from the water of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing, and Iraq is experiencing a water shortage problem. The situation is expected to be graver in the future if no action is considered. It is expected that the population will be about 70 million in 2050 and about 90 million in 2070. In such a case, thus, the quantities of water available in the future will not be sufficient to produce most of the requirements of food security, whether that be from agricultural or animal products. To overcome this problem, water management planning should be based on scientific background to overcome the present and expected problems. One of the main factors to be considered should be based on scientific studies of the virtual water footprint of different food crops to provide the largest possible amount of virtual water and avoid the acute shortage of its national water from surface and ground irrigation water (blue water) and rainwater (green water), in addition to working hard to provide the largest possible amount of desalinated water and refined sewage (gray water). In addition, any strategic plan for sustainable development in the country must be comprehensive so that it is not satisfied with improving the situation in the field of food security related to water security, but rather among its other elements is community development that directly affects food security, including setting policies to reduce consumption by reducing the steady increase in population where the population rate is 2.97% now. Collective awareness and guidance programs in all the fields of water and food security are very important to be adopted, so that everyone knows that the issue of food security and what derives from it are an existential issue related to the survival of Iraq as a state and people. In this research, facts are stated so that action is to be considered to minimize the water shortage problem. The new strategic water resources management plan is to be adopted that considers existing and future expected problems.展开更多
Drought becomes a serious issue in Iraq as upstream countries water policies and climate change consequences. It has negative impacts on different sectors, the environment, biodiversity, economy, and water resources. ...Drought becomes a serious issue in Iraq as upstream countries water policies and climate change consequences. It has negative impacts on different sectors, the environment, biodiversity, economy, and water resources. Long periods of severe drought and no rainfall winter are continuing during the last decades and the trend lines of the drought index gravitate toward unrecorded levels. This research studied the drought by using the standardized precipitation index “SPI” by analyzing the rainfall record since 1980 for the northern prone of Iraq which includes Kurdistan Region Governorates “KRG” (Sulaymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk), Mosul, and Kirkuk to find out the drought pattern, magnitude, and duration, and mapping the results. This index is a very powerful index that is used worldwide when only rainfall data are available. SPI generator is used for more accuracy and confidence. The results show that all governorate has a vital issue and has a drought magnitude passed the thresholds of M = -1.0, -1.5, -2.0, -2.5, -3.0, and -4.0 which means a deficit in the soil moisture content, surface water, and groundwater. In Sulaymaniyah, the record for SPI3, SPI6, and SPI48 respectively is about -3.4, -3.54, and -2.63;in Erbil -2.73, -4.67, and -2.72;in Dohuk -4.22, -4.34, and -2.25;in Mosul -2.57, -2.16: in Kirkuk -3.39, -3.04, and -3.41. It is clear that all governorates have depletion in groundwater except Mosul which has contentious recharge, and in Erbil, both soil moisture and surface water has no huge deficit due to high rainfall and snowpack in the region. The results concluded that the whole region is subject to drought and under threat of water resources depletion;it needs urgent long-term plans in a sustainable manner to manage and conserve those sources and mitigate the climate change consequences.展开更多
Iraq relies in its water resources on the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries. The country is located in the lower part of the catchment area of these rivers. The long-term average annual flow tha...Iraq relies in its water resources on the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries. The country is located in the lower part of the catchment area of these rivers. The long-term average annual flow that enters Iraq from these rivers is about 30 BCM from the Euphrates, 21.2 BCM from the Tigris, 24.78 BCM from tributaries and 7 BCM from side valleys between Iraq and Iran. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing due to climate change and hydrological projects established in the upper parts of the catchment. It is indicated that precipitation will decrease by 15% - 25% during this century and that means that the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers will be reduced by 29% - 73%. This will cause a grave depletion of groundwater resources. Türkiye is trying to finish building 22 dams and 19 hydropower stations. Iran built 12 dams and diverted the flow of some tributaries inside Iran and blocked all the valleys that contribute water from its land to Iraq. For these reasons, Iraq is experiencing shortages in its water resources and there is some sort of friction and conflict between riparian countries within the Tigris and Euphrates basins because each country tries to secure its water resources. In this research, the factors affecting the hydro politics within these basins are water scarcity, climate change and hydrological projects, population growth rate, energy issues, water mismanagement, economic changes, expansions of projects and technology, political issues, international water laws and public awareness. In case the situation remains as it is, Iraq will experience many problems in health, environment, economy, and security. To solve the problem of water scarcity in Iraq, two parallel lines of action are to be considered. These are: 1) Reach agreements with Riparian Parties;2) Develop a long-term strategy that should take the following: a) Rehabilitating of existing dams, barrages & pump stations, b) Improving the efficiency of diversion and supply, c) Using of nonconventional water resources, d) Irrigation modernization using suitable techniques, e) Developing a public awareness program, f) Developing human resources program and establishing an agenda for training, g) Developing an agri- cultural plan that takes into consideration the possibility of reducing crops that consume a lot of water.展开更多
Flash floods are one of the most dangerous natural disasters,especially in hilly terrain,causing loss of life,property,and infrastructures and sudden disruption of traffic.These types of floods are mostly associated w...Flash floods are one of the most dangerous natural disasters,especially in hilly terrain,causing loss of life,property,and infrastructures and sudden disruption of traffic.These types of floods are mostly associated with landslides and erosion of roads within a short time.Most of Vietnamis hilly and mountainous;thus,the problem due to flash flood is severe and requires systematic studies to correctly identify flood susceptible areas for proper landuse planning and traffic management.In this study,three Machine Learning(ML)methods namely Deep Learning Neural Network(DL),Correlation-based FeatureWeighted Naive Bayes(CFWNB),and Adaboost(AB-CFWNB)were used for the development of flash flood susceptibility maps for hilly road section(115 km length)of National Highway(NH)-6 inHoa Binh province,Vietnam.In the proposedmodels,88 past flash flood events were used together with 14 flash floods affecting topographical and geo-environmental factors.The performance of themodels was evaluated using standard statisticalmeasures including Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)Curve,Area Under Curve(AUC)and Root Mean Square Error(RMSE).The results revealed that all the models performed well(AUC>0.80)in predicting flash flood susceptibility zones,but the performance of the DL model is the best(AUC:0.972,RMSE:0.352).Therefore,the DL model can be applied to develop an accurate flash flood susceptibility map of hilly terrain which can be used for proper planning and designing of the highways and other infrastructure facilities besides landuse management of the area.展开更多
Relative radiometric normalization (RRN) minimizes radiometric differences among images caused by inconsistencies of acquisition conditions rather than changes in surface. Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) has ...Relative radiometric normalization (RRN) minimizes radiometric differences among images caused by inconsistencies of acquisition conditions rather than changes in surface. Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) has the ability to automatically extract control points (CPs) and is commonly used for remote sensing images. However, its results are mostly inaccurate and sometimes contain incorrect matching caused by generating a small number of false CP pairs. These CP pairs have high false alarm matching. This paper presents a modified method to improve the performance of SIFT CPs matching by applying sum of absolute difference (SAD) in a different manner for the new optical satellite generation called near-equatorial orbit satellite and multi-sensor images. The proposed method, which has a significantly high rate of correct matches, improves CP matching. The data in this study were obtained from the RazakSAT satellite a new near equatorial satellite system. The proposed method involves six steps: 1) data reduction, 2) applying the SIFT to automatically extract CPs, 3) refining CPs matching by using SAD algorithm with empirical threshold, and 4) calculation of true CPs intensity values over all image’ bands, 5) preforming a linear regression model between the intensity values of CPs locate in reverence and sensed image’ bands, 6) Relative radiometric normalization conducting using regression transformation functions. Different thresholds have experimentally tested and used in conducting this study (50 and 70), by followed the proposed method, and it removed the false extracted SIFT CPs to be from 775, 1125, 883, 804, 883 and 681 false pairs to 342, 424, 547, 706, 547, and 469 corrected and matched pairs, respectively.展开更多
Increasing global energy consumption has become an urgent problem as natural energy sources such as oil,gas,and uranium are rapidly running out.Research into renewable energy sources such as solar energy is being purs...Increasing global energy consumption has become an urgent problem as natural energy sources such as oil,gas,and uranium are rapidly running out.Research into renewable energy sources such as solar energy is being pursued to counter this.Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources,as it has the potential to meet the world’s energy needs indefinitely.This study aims to develop and evaluate artificial intelligence(AI)models for predicting hourly global irradiation.The hyperparameters were optimized using the Broyden-FletcherGoldfarb-Shanno(BFGS)quasi-Newton training algorithm and STATISTICA software.Data from two stations in Algeria with different climatic zones were used to develop the model.Various error measurements were used to determine the accuracy of the prediction models,including the correlation coefficient,the mean absolute error,and the root mean square error(RMSE).The optimal support vector machine(SVM)model showed exceptional efficiency during the training phase,with a high correlation coefficient(R=0.99)and a low mean absolute error(MAE=26.5741 Wh/m^(2)),as well as an RMSE of 38.7045 Wh/m^(2) across all phases.Overall,this study highlights the importance of accurate prediction models in the renewable energy,which can contribute to better energy management and planning.展开更多
The Sinjar anticline is a double plunging, trending almost E-W in the northwestern part of Iraq. It extends in Syria for about 42 km, whereas in Iraq, its length is about 91 km, and the width is about 31 km. The north...The Sinjar anticline is a double plunging, trending almost E-W in the northwestern part of Iraq. It extends in Syria for about 42 km, whereas in Iraq, its length is about 91 km, and the width is about 31 km. The northern limb (45° - 80°) is steeper than the southern limb (15° - 25°), with average plunges dip of 35° and axial plane dipping of 47.5° southwards. The exposed rocks in the anticline range in age from Upper Cretaceous, represented by the Shiranish Formation, to Upper Miocene, represented by the Injana Formation. Google Earth image was used to calculate structural data, which were used to indicate the structural origin of the Sinjar anticline. This was achieved by calculating the Aspect Ratio (AR), Fold Symmetry Index (IFS or IFS), and length of the mountain front (FS). Accordingly, it was found that the structural origin of the Sinjar anticline is a fault-bend fold.展开更多
The searching about methods to connect the variables with each other to reach equations including multi variables. The dimensional analysis is a method to facilitate the solution of difficult mathematic equations and ...The searching about methods to connect the variables with each other to reach equations including multi variables. The dimensional analysis is a method to facilitate the solution of difficult mathematic equations and experimental formulas;therefore methods of simplifying the difficult equations and obtaining a new equation with different variables is needed. In this study will use 2 methods (statically with dimensionally analysis) to obtain electric conductivity of water of Euphrates river by multi parameters that are time (t), temperature (Te), density, viscosity, discharge and water depth in upstream of Alhindya barrage which located in Babylon governorate, Iraq during winter 2019. The equations were obtained for EC with Te and t by data were collected from Alhindya barrage office with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.999 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.995 by statically ways. Dimension analysis was utilized via 2 stages. In first stage was obtained on equation of EC with respect to Te, water density (ρ) and dynamic viscosity (μ) with constant time, depth of water and discharge and we obtain on R<sup>2</sup> was 0.994 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.986. In second stage was obtained formula of EC with respect to Te, water density (ρ), dynamic viscosity (μ), with variable time, depth of water and discharge with we obtain on R<sup>2</sup> = 0.945 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.94. The result of research indicates that applying the dimension analysis to connect more than one variable with each other to find best solutions and best methods to facilitate the solving the equations. From dimension analysis gave a clear visualization of the association of several variables to give a result that helps measure the electrical conductivity of water in the absence of a water test device.展开更多
Iraq, like most Middle Eastern countries, is suffering from the effects of Climate Change. The effects are in form of deterioration and degradation of lands, including agricultural lands, an increase in dust storms, a...Iraq, like most Middle Eastern countries, is suffering from the effects of Climate Change. The effects are in form of deterioration and degradation of lands, including agricultural lands, an increase in dust storms, an increase in daily temperatures, decreasing annual rainfall, decreasing annual snowfall, decreasing annual water income in the main rivers, streams and ephemeral wadis, increasing of desertification, increasing of areas covered by sand dunes, decreasing of green areas, decreasing of wetlands. According to regional studies, the living conditions and environment after 3 - 4 decades in Iraq and some neighboring countries will be very difficult, especially due to increasing daily temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall. To conduct the current study, we have reviewed tens of published articles, and scientific reports followed by relevant interviews on TV, and daily observations of events caused by climate change. One of the most common reasons for climate change is the emission of CO2</sub>, and the most common reason contributing to the increase of the effects of climate change is the absence of awareness in the community and the deficient official preparedness. The preparedness, however, to avoid and/ or mitigate the effects of climate change is very low, not only on the governmental level but also on popular scales. Therefore, the harsh effect of climate change increasing in severity and causing great damage to infrastructure, and personal properties, and is leading to more causalities. Recommendations to mitigate the consequences of climate change are given in two scales, governmental and popular.展开更多
The growing demand for current and precise geographic information that pertains to urban areas has given rise to a significant interest in digital surface models that exhibit a high level of detail. Traditional method...The growing demand for current and precise geographic information that pertains to urban areas has given rise to a significant interest in digital surface models that exhibit a high level of detail. Traditional methods for creating digital surface models are insufficient to reflect the details of earth’s features. These models only represent three-dimensional objects in a single texture and fail to offer a realistic depiction of the real world. Furthermore, the need for current and precise geographic information regarding urban areas has been increasing significantly. This study proposes a new technique to address this problem, which involves integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Architecture Environment software environments to generate a detailed three-dimensional model. The processing of this study starts with: 1) Downloading high-resolution satellite imagery; 2) Collecting ground truth datasets from fieldwork; 3) Imaging nose removing; 4) Generating a Two-dimensional Model to create a digital surface model in GIS using the extracted building outlines; 5) Converting the model into multi-patch layers to construct a 3D model for each object separately. The results show that the 3D model obtained through this method is highly detailed and effective for various applications, including environmental studies, urban development, expansion planning, and shape understanding tasks.展开更多
Iraq is part of the Fertile Crescent with the two large rivers:Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries that secure the required quantity and quality of water to the Iraqi population for their different uses;includi...Iraq is part of the Fertile Crescent with the two large rivers:Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries that secure the required quantity and quality of water to the Iraqi population for their different uses;including agriculture,industry,and other domestic requirements.During the last decades,however,the quantity and quality of water in these rivers decreased causing water scarcity in the country.This scarcity is having severe impacts on food security in Iraq since large cultivated areas in different parts of the country that grow different agricultural products have been abandoned due to lack of water.The worsening situation is attributed mainly to global climate changes including decreasing rainfall amounts,increase in air temperature,and insufficient water inflows in the two main rivers and their tributaries.This last issue is exasperated by the unfair water sharing policies of the riparian countries namely Turkey and Iran.In writing this article relevant data from different sources were used.Numerous published reports and papers dealing with this important issue were consulted,while at the same time,the long experience of the authors in these very important issues was also drawn upon to elucidate the difficulties that are current today and those expected in the future in this field.展开更多
Erbil city is constructed in a flat plain with moderate gradient increasing northwards, the plain is dissected by tens of ephemeral wadis. The maximum elevation in the high lands NE of Erbil city is 1062 m (a.s.l.), w...Erbil city is constructed in a flat plain with moderate gradient increasing northwards, the plain is dissected by tens of ephemeral wadis. The maximum elevation in the high lands NE of Erbil city is 1062 m (a.s.l.), whereas the elevation of the center of Erbil city is 420 m (a.s.l.). The average gradient from the highest part to the center of the city is 2.15%, increasing towards northeast to reach 4.79%. The mean annual rainfall is 365 mm, while the average monthly rainfall is about 24.42 mm. The site of the city is mainly covered by alluvial fan sediments. Towards northeast, however, the exposures of the Bia Hassan Formation, which consists of alternation of conglomerate and claystone cover considerable areas (82 km<sup>2</sup>) and form the high lands NE of Erbil city. The exposed rocks are thick claystone alternating with coarse conglomerate. Two very heavy torrential rain events have caused flash floods in Erbil city on 30th October and 17th December 2021. The rainfall intensities were 52 mm/day and 60 mm/day, respectively, causing destructive floods. The most affected areas were Zirin (north of Erbil) and Dara Too (northeast of Erbil), respectively, with very heavy property damages and tens of fatalities. The main reasons for the floods were the partially constructed embankments of the 150 m ring-road, and the urban development within large and wide drainage basins. Different climate data were used for the purpose of this article, with field checks.展开更多
Climate changes are one of the most significant aspects, which cause a threat to all human beings living on the planet Earth. Climate changes could happen due to both natural internal processes and external forcing, o...Climate changes are one of the most significant aspects, which cause a threat to all human beings living on the planet Earth. Climate changes could happen due to both natural internal processes and external forcing, or due to persistent anthropogenic changes. The identified drastic temperature changes, increase in the emitted greenhouse gasses, and sea-level changes as witnessed from the acquired data;such as from ice cores, during the past centuries and even decades are all due to climate changes. Due to the increase in the emitted greenhouse gasses, major sectors in the Earth will be hit severely, such as agriculture and industry. Human welfare and health services will consequently suffer and development, in general, is going to be hampered. Large parts of the Earth will be unfavorable for living due to different reasons;such as inundation by seawater, decrease in temperature;however, some scientists believe that the increase in the percentages of the emitted greenhouse gasses has decreased or delayed the possibility of starting a new ice age. We have presented all possible scenarios, which may happen due to climate changes including temperature changes, emitted greenhouse gasses, sea level, and other harsh effects not only on human beings but all other living animal and plant species.展开更多
文摘Polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A (BPA) used to manufacture drinking water bottles. Kurdistan region in northern Iraq is a developed area with increased pollution from plastic bottles. Trace amounts of BPA have been detected in bottled water samples. The absorption of BPA was measured with HPLC using a vertical cultivation system with Bulbs of the Allium Cepa plant planted in these plastic bottles with monitored growth. Vertical cultivation was found to have a low level of BPA in the plant cells, making it a safe cultivation method under specific climate conditions. The mean concentration of BPA in vertical cultivation is 0.19 ug/ml (3.8 ng for a 20 uL injection), and the Limit of Quantification (LOQ) is 0.63 ug/ml (12.7 ng for 20 uL injection). While Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows that the concentrations are relatively low in water samples stored at room temperature compared to those exposed to direct sunlight (40°C) and water bottle samples stored at (-4°C), The correlation coefficients were found to be good (0.9992). SEM is used for plastic bottle samples stored at different temperatures. The images identify compound decay and explore the morphology of BPA in manufactured plastic materials.
文摘Evaluation of water quality is important for the management of water resources. The current study is focused on the interpretation of the water quality monitoring data of the Tigris River in Iraq by the application of the principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and water quality index (WQI). Twelve water quality parameters were taken from 14 stations along the river Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, NO3−, TH, TDS, BOD5, and EC to apply the PCA and CA. The results show that the mean of all the parameters was under the standards except Ca2+, EC, Mg2+, TH, and SO42−. The amount of EC is the critical factor that affects the river water quality. The PCA obtained one principal component responsible for 97% of the variation caused by different pollution sources. The CA divided the river into three regions of sampling stations with similar water quality, the best in the north, and the worst in the far south. In this paper, the computer-automated tool (IraqWQI) was presented and evaluated, which has been developed by authors to classify and measure the quality of Iraqi surface water. The proposed index is of hundred degrees and includes six variables for drinking water quality Cl−, TH, TDS, COD, DO, and total coliform (TC) according to the Iraqi specifications. The result of the IraqWQI application showed a decrease in the water quality of the river and its suitability for drinking in the south of the country. The best value of the index was (81.48, Good) in Fishkhabour during winter, and the worst value was (46.23, Bad) in Qurnah during summer. The result of this study proved the success and importance of using statistical techniques and WQI as useful tools for the management, control, and conservation of surface water. .
文摘Iraq covers an area of 437072 km2 in the northeastern part of the Middle East. Its population now is more than 40 million. It relies mainly on its water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Recently, Iraq has been experiencing a severe water scarcity problem. This is mainly due to climate change, increased hydrological projects in riparian countries, and water resources mismanagement inside Iraq itself. To overcome the problem, a new strategy should be implemented. Such strategy should consider two main courses of action: a) serious negotiations with riparian countries to reach an agreement giving Iraq equitable water shares from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. b) Prudent water management practices inside Iraq that consider adopting realistic distribution of water between the governorates, rational policies aiming at increased water use efficiencies within Irrigation networks, increased use of non-conventional sources of water, adjustment of water tariffs and their collection procedures, improving agricultural techniques, introduction of intensive guidance and public awareness programs, and promulgation of new legislations, in addition to creation of human resources development programs.
基金This paper’s logical organisation and content quality have been enhanced,so the authors thank anonymous reviewers and journal editors for assistance.
文摘Forecasting river flow is crucial for optimal planning,management,and sustainability using freshwater resources.Many machine learning(ML)approaches have been enhanced to improve streamflow prediction.Hybrid techniques have been viewed as a viable method for enhancing the accuracy of univariate streamflow estimation when compared to standalone approaches.Current researchers have also emphasised using hybrid models to improve forecast accuracy.Accordingly,this paper conducts an updated literature review of applications of hybrid models in estimating streamflow over the last five years,summarising data preprocessing,univariate machine learning modelling strategy,advantages and disadvantages of standalone ML techniques,hybrid models,and performance metrics.This study focuses on two types of hybrid models:parameter optimisation-based hybrid models(OBH)and hybridisation of parameter optimisation-based and preprocessing-based hybridmodels(HOPH).Overall,this research supports the idea thatmeta-heuristic approaches precisely improveML techniques.It’s also one of the first efforts to comprehensively examine the efficiency of various meta-heuristic approaches(classified into four primary classes)hybridised with ML techniques.This study revealed that previous research applied swarm,evolutionary,physics,and hybrid metaheuristics with 77%,61%,12%,and 12%,respectively.Finally,there is still room for improving OBH and HOPH models by examining different data pre-processing techniques and metaheuristic algorithms.
文摘Searching for alternative methods for traditional irrigation is World trend at days due to a reduction in water and increased of drought due to climate changes therefore farmers need use modern methods of scheduling water and minimizing water losses while also increasing yield. To meet the future increasing demands water and food there is a need to utilize alternative methods to reduce evaporation, transpiration and deep percolation of water. Any countries use recycled water (drain and sewage) and desalination water from the sea or drains to irrigate crops plus computing actual crop evapotranspiration (ET<sub>c</sub>) so as to calculate the amount of water to apply to a crop. The paper aims to assess the actual evaporation and evaporation coefficient of carrots, by planting carrots in a field and the crop was exposed to several sources of water (DW and RW) and comparing ET<sub>c</sub>, K<sub>c</sub> and production among plots of three sites (A, B and C). The study used two types of irrigation water (drain water (DW) and river water (RW)). The results were to monthly rate and accumulated actual evapotranspiration to C (irrigation by RW only) more than A (67% RW and 33% DW) and B (17% RW and 83% DW) via 7% and 58%, respectively. The yield to C more than A and B by 17% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion the use of DW can cause a reduction in crop consumptive of carrot crops also causes a reduction in yield, crop length, root length, root size, canopy of crop, number of leaves and biomass of the plant therefore, the drainage water needs to treated before irrigating crops And making use of it to irrigate the fields and fill the shortfall in the amount of water from the river. The drain water helped on filling the water shortage due to climate changes and giving production of carrot crop but less than river water.
文摘The Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are part of the Iraqi Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) that belongs to the Arabian Plate. Therefore, both deserts lack tectonic forms like folds and faults;however, very rarely faults and regional lineaments can be seen in both deserts. Although both deserts are tectonically stable, tens of Neotectonic indications can be seen everywhere in both deserts. Among those indications are: Straight valleys, perpendicular valley bendings, sinkholes aligned along straight lines, dislocated valleys, knickpoints within valleys aligned along straight lines, regional lineaments, anomalous valley shapes, trends, and types, dissected alluvial fans. We have used existing geological maps of different scales and Esri World Imagery to recognize those Neotectonic indications. All those recognized features are excellent indications that both the Iraqi Western and Southern deserts are tectonically not stable. Accordingly, new terminology is suggested instead of the Stable Shelf (Inner Platform) which is the “Less Disturbed Shelf”.
文摘The use of three-dimensional maps is more effective than two-dimensional maps in representing the Earth’s surface. However, the traditional methods used to create digital surface models are not efficient for capturing the details of Earth’s features. This is because they represent only three-dimensional objects in a single texture and do not provide a realistic representation of the real world. Additionally, there is a growing demand for up-to-date and accurate geo-information, particularly in urban areas. To address this challenge, a new technique is proposed in this study that involves integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information System, and Architecture Environment software to generate a highly-detailed three-dimensional model. The method described in this study includes several steps such as acquiring high-resolution satellite imagery, gathering ground truth data, performing radiometric and geometric corrections during image preprocessing, producing a 2D map of the region of interest, constructing a digital surface model by extending the building outlines, and transforming the model into multi-patch layers to create a 3D model for each object individually. The research findings indicate that the digital surface model obtained with comprehensive information is suitable for different purposes, such as environmental research, urban development and expansion planning, and shape recognition tasks.
文摘Iraq depends on its water resources from the water of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing, and Iraq is experiencing a water shortage problem. The situation is expected to be graver in the future if no action is considered. It is expected that the population will be about 70 million in 2050 and about 90 million in 2070. In such a case, thus, the quantities of water available in the future will not be sufficient to produce most of the requirements of food security, whether that be from agricultural or animal products. To overcome this problem, water management planning should be based on scientific background to overcome the present and expected problems. One of the main factors to be considered should be based on scientific studies of the virtual water footprint of different food crops to provide the largest possible amount of virtual water and avoid the acute shortage of its national water from surface and ground irrigation water (blue water) and rainwater (green water), in addition to working hard to provide the largest possible amount of desalinated water and refined sewage (gray water). In addition, any strategic plan for sustainable development in the country must be comprehensive so that it is not satisfied with improving the situation in the field of food security related to water security, but rather among its other elements is community development that directly affects food security, including setting policies to reduce consumption by reducing the steady increase in population where the population rate is 2.97% now. Collective awareness and guidance programs in all the fields of water and food security are very important to be adopted, so that everyone knows that the issue of food security and what derives from it are an existential issue related to the survival of Iraq as a state and people. In this research, facts are stated so that action is to be considered to minimize the water shortage problem. The new strategic water resources management plan is to be adopted that considers existing and future expected problems.
文摘Drought becomes a serious issue in Iraq as upstream countries water policies and climate change consequences. It has negative impacts on different sectors, the environment, biodiversity, economy, and water resources. Long periods of severe drought and no rainfall winter are continuing during the last decades and the trend lines of the drought index gravitate toward unrecorded levels. This research studied the drought by using the standardized precipitation index “SPI” by analyzing the rainfall record since 1980 for the northern prone of Iraq which includes Kurdistan Region Governorates “KRG” (Sulaymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk), Mosul, and Kirkuk to find out the drought pattern, magnitude, and duration, and mapping the results. This index is a very powerful index that is used worldwide when only rainfall data are available. SPI generator is used for more accuracy and confidence. The results show that all governorate has a vital issue and has a drought magnitude passed the thresholds of M = -1.0, -1.5, -2.0, -2.5, -3.0, and -4.0 which means a deficit in the soil moisture content, surface water, and groundwater. In Sulaymaniyah, the record for SPI3, SPI6, and SPI48 respectively is about -3.4, -3.54, and -2.63;in Erbil -2.73, -4.67, and -2.72;in Dohuk -4.22, -4.34, and -2.25;in Mosul -2.57, -2.16: in Kirkuk -3.39, -3.04, and -3.41. It is clear that all governorates have depletion in groundwater except Mosul which has contentious recharge, and in Erbil, both soil moisture and surface water has no huge deficit due to high rainfall and snowpack in the region. The results concluded that the whole region is subject to drought and under threat of water resources depletion;it needs urgent long-term plans in a sustainable manner to manage and conserve those sources and mitigate the climate change consequences.
文摘Iraq relies in its water resources on the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries. The country is located in the lower part of the catchment area of these rivers. The long-term average annual flow that enters Iraq from these rivers is about 30 BCM from the Euphrates, 21.2 BCM from the Tigris, 24.78 BCM from tributaries and 7 BCM from side valleys between Iraq and Iran. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing due to climate change and hydrological projects established in the upper parts of the catchment. It is indicated that precipitation will decrease by 15% - 25% during this century and that means that the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers will be reduced by 29% - 73%. This will cause a grave depletion of groundwater resources. Türkiye is trying to finish building 22 dams and 19 hydropower stations. Iran built 12 dams and diverted the flow of some tributaries inside Iran and blocked all the valleys that contribute water from its land to Iraq. For these reasons, Iraq is experiencing shortages in its water resources and there is some sort of friction and conflict between riparian countries within the Tigris and Euphrates basins because each country tries to secure its water resources. In this research, the factors affecting the hydro politics within these basins are water scarcity, climate change and hydrological projects, population growth rate, energy issues, water mismanagement, economic changes, expansions of projects and technology, political issues, international water laws and public awareness. In case the situation remains as it is, Iraq will experience many problems in health, environment, economy, and security. To solve the problem of water scarcity in Iraq, two parallel lines of action are to be considered. These are: 1) Reach agreements with Riparian Parties;2) Develop a long-term strategy that should take the following: a) Rehabilitating of existing dams, barrages & pump stations, b) Improving the efficiency of diversion and supply, c) Using of nonconventional water resources, d) Irrigation modernization using suitable techniques, e) Developing a public awareness program, f) Developing human resources program and establishing an agenda for training, g) Developing an agri- cultural plan that takes into consideration the possibility of reducing crops that consume a lot of water.
基金funded by Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED)under Grant No.105.08-2019.03.
文摘Flash floods are one of the most dangerous natural disasters,especially in hilly terrain,causing loss of life,property,and infrastructures and sudden disruption of traffic.These types of floods are mostly associated with landslides and erosion of roads within a short time.Most of Vietnamis hilly and mountainous;thus,the problem due to flash flood is severe and requires systematic studies to correctly identify flood susceptible areas for proper landuse planning and traffic management.In this study,three Machine Learning(ML)methods namely Deep Learning Neural Network(DL),Correlation-based FeatureWeighted Naive Bayes(CFWNB),and Adaboost(AB-CFWNB)were used for the development of flash flood susceptibility maps for hilly road section(115 km length)of National Highway(NH)-6 inHoa Binh province,Vietnam.In the proposedmodels,88 past flash flood events were used together with 14 flash floods affecting topographical and geo-environmental factors.The performance of themodels was evaluated using standard statisticalmeasures including Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)Curve,Area Under Curve(AUC)and Root Mean Square Error(RMSE).The results revealed that all the models performed well(AUC>0.80)in predicting flash flood susceptibility zones,but the performance of the DL model is the best(AUC:0.972,RMSE:0.352).Therefore,the DL model can be applied to develop an accurate flash flood susceptibility map of hilly terrain which can be used for proper planning and designing of the highways and other infrastructure facilities besides landuse management of the area.
文摘Relative radiometric normalization (RRN) minimizes radiometric differences among images caused by inconsistencies of acquisition conditions rather than changes in surface. Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) has the ability to automatically extract control points (CPs) and is commonly used for remote sensing images. However, its results are mostly inaccurate and sometimes contain incorrect matching caused by generating a small number of false CP pairs. These CP pairs have high false alarm matching. This paper presents a modified method to improve the performance of SIFT CPs matching by applying sum of absolute difference (SAD) in a different manner for the new optical satellite generation called near-equatorial orbit satellite and multi-sensor images. The proposed method, which has a significantly high rate of correct matches, improves CP matching. The data in this study were obtained from the RazakSAT satellite a new near equatorial satellite system. The proposed method involves six steps: 1) data reduction, 2) applying the SIFT to automatically extract CPs, 3) refining CPs matching by using SAD algorithm with empirical threshold, and 4) calculation of true CPs intensity values over all image’ bands, 5) preforming a linear regression model between the intensity values of CPs locate in reverence and sensed image’ bands, 6) Relative radiometric normalization conducting using regression transformation functions. Different thresholds have experimentally tested and used in conducting this study (50 and 70), by followed the proposed method, and it removed the false extracted SIFT CPs to be from 775, 1125, 883, 804, 883 and 681 false pairs to 342, 424, 547, 706, 547, and 469 corrected and matched pairs, respectively.
文摘Increasing global energy consumption has become an urgent problem as natural energy sources such as oil,gas,and uranium are rapidly running out.Research into renewable energy sources such as solar energy is being pursued to counter this.Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources,as it has the potential to meet the world’s energy needs indefinitely.This study aims to develop and evaluate artificial intelligence(AI)models for predicting hourly global irradiation.The hyperparameters were optimized using the Broyden-FletcherGoldfarb-Shanno(BFGS)quasi-Newton training algorithm and STATISTICA software.Data from two stations in Algeria with different climatic zones were used to develop the model.Various error measurements were used to determine the accuracy of the prediction models,including the correlation coefficient,the mean absolute error,and the root mean square error(RMSE).The optimal support vector machine(SVM)model showed exceptional efficiency during the training phase,with a high correlation coefficient(R=0.99)and a low mean absolute error(MAE=26.5741 Wh/m^(2)),as well as an RMSE of 38.7045 Wh/m^(2) across all phases.Overall,this study highlights the importance of accurate prediction models in the renewable energy,which can contribute to better energy management and planning.
文摘The Sinjar anticline is a double plunging, trending almost E-W in the northwestern part of Iraq. It extends in Syria for about 42 km, whereas in Iraq, its length is about 91 km, and the width is about 31 km. The northern limb (45° - 80°) is steeper than the southern limb (15° - 25°), with average plunges dip of 35° and axial plane dipping of 47.5° southwards. The exposed rocks in the anticline range in age from Upper Cretaceous, represented by the Shiranish Formation, to Upper Miocene, represented by the Injana Formation. Google Earth image was used to calculate structural data, which were used to indicate the structural origin of the Sinjar anticline. This was achieved by calculating the Aspect Ratio (AR), Fold Symmetry Index (IFS or IFS), and length of the mountain front (FS). Accordingly, it was found that the structural origin of the Sinjar anticline is a fault-bend fold.
文摘The searching about methods to connect the variables with each other to reach equations including multi variables. The dimensional analysis is a method to facilitate the solution of difficult mathematic equations and experimental formulas;therefore methods of simplifying the difficult equations and obtaining a new equation with different variables is needed. In this study will use 2 methods (statically with dimensionally analysis) to obtain electric conductivity of water of Euphrates river by multi parameters that are time (t), temperature (Te), density, viscosity, discharge and water depth in upstream of Alhindya barrage which located in Babylon governorate, Iraq during winter 2019. The equations were obtained for EC with Te and t by data were collected from Alhindya barrage office with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.999 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.995 by statically ways. Dimension analysis was utilized via 2 stages. In first stage was obtained on equation of EC with respect to Te, water density (ρ) and dynamic viscosity (μ) with constant time, depth of water and discharge and we obtain on R<sup>2</sup> was 0.994 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.986. In second stage was obtained formula of EC with respect to Te, water density (ρ), dynamic viscosity (μ), with variable time, depth of water and discharge with we obtain on R<sup>2</sup> = 0.945 and R<sup>2</sup> = 0.94. The result of research indicates that applying the dimension analysis to connect more than one variable with each other to find best solutions and best methods to facilitate the solving the equations. From dimension analysis gave a clear visualization of the association of several variables to give a result that helps measure the electrical conductivity of water in the absence of a water test device.
文摘Iraq, like most Middle Eastern countries, is suffering from the effects of Climate Change. The effects are in form of deterioration and degradation of lands, including agricultural lands, an increase in dust storms, an increase in daily temperatures, decreasing annual rainfall, decreasing annual snowfall, decreasing annual water income in the main rivers, streams and ephemeral wadis, increasing of desertification, increasing of areas covered by sand dunes, decreasing of green areas, decreasing of wetlands. According to regional studies, the living conditions and environment after 3 - 4 decades in Iraq and some neighboring countries will be very difficult, especially due to increasing daily temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall. To conduct the current study, we have reviewed tens of published articles, and scientific reports followed by relevant interviews on TV, and daily observations of events caused by climate change. One of the most common reasons for climate change is the emission of CO2</sub>, and the most common reason contributing to the increase of the effects of climate change is the absence of awareness in the community and the deficient official preparedness. The preparedness, however, to avoid and/ or mitigate the effects of climate change is very low, not only on the governmental level but also on popular scales. Therefore, the harsh effect of climate change increasing in severity and causing great damage to infrastructure, and personal properties, and is leading to more causalities. Recommendations to mitigate the consequences of climate change are given in two scales, governmental and popular.
文摘The growing demand for current and precise geographic information that pertains to urban areas has given rise to a significant interest in digital surface models that exhibit a high level of detail. Traditional methods for creating digital surface models are insufficient to reflect the details of earth’s features. These models only represent three-dimensional objects in a single texture and fail to offer a realistic depiction of the real world. Furthermore, the need for current and precise geographic information regarding urban areas has been increasing significantly. This study proposes a new technique to address this problem, which involves integrating remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Architecture Environment software environments to generate a detailed three-dimensional model. The processing of this study starts with: 1) Downloading high-resolution satellite imagery; 2) Collecting ground truth datasets from fieldwork; 3) Imaging nose removing; 4) Generating a Two-dimensional Model to create a digital surface model in GIS using the extracted building outlines; 5) Converting the model into multi-patch layers to construct a 3D model for each object separately. The results show that the 3D model obtained through this method is highly detailed and effective for various applications, including environmental studies, urban development, expansion planning, and shape understanding tasks.
文摘Iraq is part of the Fertile Crescent with the two large rivers:Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries that secure the required quantity and quality of water to the Iraqi population for their different uses;including agriculture,industry,and other domestic requirements.During the last decades,however,the quantity and quality of water in these rivers decreased causing water scarcity in the country.This scarcity is having severe impacts on food security in Iraq since large cultivated areas in different parts of the country that grow different agricultural products have been abandoned due to lack of water.The worsening situation is attributed mainly to global climate changes including decreasing rainfall amounts,increase in air temperature,and insufficient water inflows in the two main rivers and their tributaries.This last issue is exasperated by the unfair water sharing policies of the riparian countries namely Turkey and Iran.In writing this article relevant data from different sources were used.Numerous published reports and papers dealing with this important issue were consulted,while at the same time,the long experience of the authors in these very important issues was also drawn upon to elucidate the difficulties that are current today and those expected in the future in this field.
文摘Erbil city is constructed in a flat plain with moderate gradient increasing northwards, the plain is dissected by tens of ephemeral wadis. The maximum elevation in the high lands NE of Erbil city is 1062 m (a.s.l.), whereas the elevation of the center of Erbil city is 420 m (a.s.l.). The average gradient from the highest part to the center of the city is 2.15%, increasing towards northeast to reach 4.79%. The mean annual rainfall is 365 mm, while the average monthly rainfall is about 24.42 mm. The site of the city is mainly covered by alluvial fan sediments. Towards northeast, however, the exposures of the Bia Hassan Formation, which consists of alternation of conglomerate and claystone cover considerable areas (82 km<sup>2</sup>) and form the high lands NE of Erbil city. The exposed rocks are thick claystone alternating with coarse conglomerate. Two very heavy torrential rain events have caused flash floods in Erbil city on 30th October and 17th December 2021. The rainfall intensities were 52 mm/day and 60 mm/day, respectively, causing destructive floods. The most affected areas were Zirin (north of Erbil) and Dara Too (northeast of Erbil), respectively, with very heavy property damages and tens of fatalities. The main reasons for the floods were the partially constructed embankments of the 150 m ring-road, and the urban development within large and wide drainage basins. Different climate data were used for the purpose of this article, with field checks.
文摘Climate changes are one of the most significant aspects, which cause a threat to all human beings living on the planet Earth. Climate changes could happen due to both natural internal processes and external forcing, or due to persistent anthropogenic changes. The identified drastic temperature changes, increase in the emitted greenhouse gasses, and sea-level changes as witnessed from the acquired data;such as from ice cores, during the past centuries and even decades are all due to climate changes. Due to the increase in the emitted greenhouse gasses, major sectors in the Earth will be hit severely, such as agriculture and industry. Human welfare and health services will consequently suffer and development, in general, is going to be hampered. Large parts of the Earth will be unfavorable for living due to different reasons;such as inundation by seawater, decrease in temperature;however, some scientists believe that the increase in the percentages of the emitted greenhouse gasses has decreased or delayed the possibility of starting a new ice age. We have presented all possible scenarios, which may happen due to climate changes including temperature changes, emitted greenhouse gasses, sea level, and other harsh effects not only on human beings but all other living animal and plant species.
