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Go to Editorial ManagerAssessing land suitability for irrigation is crucial in boosting agricultural production, particularly in arid regions like Al Teeb, Iraq, where water scarcity poses significant challenges. This study evaluates the irrigation potential of the Al Teeb area by integrating GIS with a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. The research aims to estimate and classify land based on physical and environmental factors, including soil texture, salinity, organic carbon content, available water capacity (AWC), slope, land use/land cover (LULC), proximity to rivers, and road accessibility. These criteria were prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), with higher weights assigned to soil texture and slope due to their influence on water retention and erosion risk. Data for the analysis were collected from field soil sampling, satellite imagery, SRTM elevation data, and thematic maps. Laboratory results and FAO guidelines were applied to assess soil characteristics, while slope and other spatial data were processed in ArcGIS. The integration of these factors through weighted overlay analysis produced an irrigation suitability map, categorizing the land as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, or unsuitable. The results of the irrigation suitability map shows that 2.05% (36.75 km²) of the study area is permanently unsuitable (N) for agricultural production, while 32.66% (584.94 km²) is marginally suitable (S3), 44.82% (802.71 km²) is moderately suitable, and 20.47% (366.62 km²) is highly suitable. Consequently, about 65% of the area is classified as moderately to highly suitable for irrigation.
This study aims to achieve the optimal design of a groundwater desalination plant using reverse osmosis in the Umm- Qasr area in Basra / Iraq. Field and laboratory data for groundwater were collected. Groundwater samples were collected from five observation wells and analyzed for chemical and physical properties every two months from June 2023 to April 2024. Temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and silt density index (SDI) were measured at field. The RO plant was divided to four train with 398.5 m3/hr feedwater for each train and was designed by using the (WAVE) 1.82 software employing different design for each train, recovery rate (50%, 60%, and 65%), number of stages (single-stage and two-stage), and types of membranes (SW30XLE400, SW30XLE440 and SEAMAXX440). The number of membranes per pressure vessel were (6 and 8), with a total membranes number of (264 and 228). The results show the groundwater is very saline with the average value of TDS was 15206 mg/l and very low turbidity and SDI with average values of 0.35 NTU and 0.92 min-1, respectively. T
Soil salinity is a phenomenon that reduce fertility, directly impacting the environment and society. In Iraq, Basrah governorate, salinity is a pressing challenge due to its hot desert climate, where summer temperature’s exceed 50° C. Integrating geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS), researchers can identify high-risk area, monitor temporal changes in salinity, and develop predictive models for agriculture planning and water resource management. Literature review shows that these systems are effective for analyzing salinity in Basrah, providing spatial and temporal understanding that support data-based reclamation plans. However, research gaps remain. Most studies lack temporal updating, relying on satellite data prior to 2015, leaving no updated picture of recent changes despite available high-resolution data. In addition, most focus solely on electrical conductivity (EC) as an indicator, without linking it to the soil's chemical and physical properties. There are no clear attempts to build spatial and temporal predictive models using artificial intelligence or geospatial modeling. Furthermore, the relationship between salinity and hydrological and climatic factors such as groundwater depth, irrigation water quality and evaporation has not been systematically addressed. Research must therefore be intensified, as salinity has long plagued the region and solutions are needed to prevent further exacerbation.