Rapid population growth has raised the groundwater resources demand for socio-economic development in the Shatt Al-Arab basin. The sustainable management of groundwater resources requires precise quantitative evaluation, which can be achieved by applying scientific principles and modern techniques. An integrated concept has been used in the current study to identify the groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) in the Shatt Al-Arab basin using remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). For this purpose, nine groundwater occurrence and movement controlling parameters (i.e., lithology, rainfall, geomorphology, slope, drainage density, soil, land use/land cover, distance to river, and lineament density) were prepared and transformed into raster data using ArcGIS software. These nine parameters (thematic layers) were allocated weights proportional to their importance. Furthermore, the hierarchical ranking was conducted using a pairwise comparison matrix of the AHP in order to estimate the final normalized weights of these layers. We used the overlay weighted sum technique to integrate the layers for the creation of the GWPZs map of the study area. The map has been categorized into five zones (viz., very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor) representing 4, 51, 35, 9, and 1% of the study area, respectively. Finally, for assessing the effectiveness of the model, the GWPZs map was validated using depth to groundwater data for 99 wells distributed over the basin. The validation results confirm that the applied approach provides significantly solid results that can help in perspective planning and sustainable utilization of the groundwater resources in this water-stressed region.

Severe flood events in the trans-boundary Shatt Al-Arab basin (Iraq-Iran) claim hundreds of human lives and cause damage to the economy and environment. Therefore, developing a flood hazard model to recognize the basin’s susceptible areas to flooding is important for decision makers for comprehensive flood risk management. The flood hazard map was prepared using geographical information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) along with the application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method to identify the optimal selection of weights for the factors that contribute to flood risk. The flooding causative factors used in this study were rainfall, distance to the river, digital elevation model (DEM), slope, land use/land cover (LULC), drainage density, soils, and lithology. The derived flood hazard map consisted of four distinct categories (zones). These zones that depict high, intermediate, low, and very low flood hazard cover around 20%, 40%, 39%, and 2% of the basin area, respectively. The produced flood hazard map was further verified using a historical flood event in the study area. The results were found to be consistent with the historical data of flood events, revealing the model’s effectiveness in the realistic representation of flood hazard mapping.

This study analyzes six frontal dust storms in the Middle East during the cold period (October–March), aiming to examine the atmospheric circulation patterns and force dynamics that triggered the fronts and the associated (pre- or post-frontal) dust storms. Cold troughs mostly located over Turkey, Syria and north Iraq played a major role in the front propagation at the surface, while cyclonic conditions and strong winds facilitated the dust storms. The presence of an upper-atmosphere (300 hPa) sub-tropical jet stream traversing from Egypt to Iran constitutes also a dynamic force accompanying the frontal dust storms. Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) observations are used to monitor the spatial and vertical extent of the dust storms, while model (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS), Regional Climate Model-4 (RegCM4)) simulations are also analyzed. The WRF-Chem outputs were in better agreement with the MODIS observations compared to those of CAMS and RegCM4. The fronts were identified by WRF-Chem simulations via gradients in the potential temperature and sudden changes of wind direction in vertical cross-sections. Overall, the uncertainties in the simulations and the remarkable differences between the model outputs indicate that modelling of dust storms in the Middle East is really challenging due to the complex terrain, incorrect representation of the dust sources and soil/surface characteristics, and uncertainties in simulating the wind speed/direction and meteorological dynamics. Given the potential threat by dust storms, more attention should be directed to the dust model development in this region.

Barren ground and sites with low coverage by vegetation (e.g., dunes, soil surfaces, dry lakes, and riverbeds) are the main source areas of sand and dust storms (SDS). The understanding of causes, processes (abrasion, deflation, transport, deposition), and influencing factors of sandy and dusty particles moving by wind both in the boundary layer and in the atmosphere are basic prerequisites to distinguish between SDS. Dust transport in the atmosphere modulates radiation, ocean surface temperature, climate, as well as snow and ice cover. The effects of airborne particles on land are varied and can cause advantages and disadvantages, both in source areas and in sink or deposition areas, with disturbances of natural environments and anthropogenic infrastructure. Particulate matter in general and SDS specifically can cause severe health problems in human respiratory and other organs, especially in children. Economic impacts can be equally devastating, but the costs related to SDS are not thoroughly studied. The available data show huge economic damages caused by SDS and by the mitigation of their effects. Management of SDS-related hazards utilizes remote sensing techniques, on-site observations, and protective measures. Integrated strategies are necessary during both the planning and monitoring of these measures. Such integrated strategies can be successful when they are developed and implemented in close cooperation with the local and regional population and stakeholders.

In the Shatt Al-Arab basin, soil erosion is a major problem due to the steepness of the terrain and the significant difference in altitude between the upstream and downstream parts of the basin. Vast quantities of soil are moved annually, resulting in massive repercussions including soil degradation, structural damage, biodiversity loss, and productivity reduction in the catchment area, huge sediment load, and the pollution of streams and rivers. Consequently, the assessment of soil erosion risk and geographical distribution is essential for constructing a database for developing effective control strategies. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was combined with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in the current work to define the soil erosion hazard map in the Shatt Al-Arab basin. The RUSLE model included various characteristics for soil erosion zonation including rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover and management, and conservation support practices. Annual erosion rates in this study in tons per hectare were: extremely high (more than 50); very high (50 to 16.5); high (16.5 to 2.2); medium (2.2 to 1); and low (1 to 0) ton ha⁻¹year⁻¹ representing 16, 4, 13, 7, and 60 % of the basin’s area, respectively. The high soil loss rates are associated with heavy rainfall, loamy soil predominance, elevated terrains/plateau borders with a steep side slope, and intensive farming. Managers and policymakers may use the results of this study to implement adequate conservation programs to prevent soil erosion or recommend soil conservation acts if development projects are to proceed in places with a high soil erosion risk.