Temporal and spatial changes in water quality of the Euphrates river - Iraq

Iraq, for the first time in its long history, is facing a dire water crisis that depends on the decrease in the quantities and degradation in the qualities of the water that enters its borders via Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These two rivers are supplying more than 98% of Iraq’s water demands for various purposes. Water pollution, desertification, drought, and deterioration in water quality are taking a toll on people and the environment. Degradation of these rivers has become a serious problem. This work aims to study the temporal and spatial changes in water quality of the surface water of the Euphrates River in Iraq, and its effects on the ecological system by monitoring and investigating more than 20 water quality parameters and elemental concentration as well as elemental load throughout the course of the river. Overall, this study has three goals: First, to reveal the changes in water quality parameters. Second, to identify the reasons for these changes. Third, as results of all these changes, many negative consequences concerning human beings and aquatic life happen, so we should try to limit and mitigate the negative consequences concerning these changes by submitting proposals for improvement