اسم المؤلف:
امل حسين علي الموسوي
اسم المشرف:
رحيم حميد عبد ثامر العبدان
المستخلص:
The study entitled (Archaeological Desertification in Thi - Qar Governorate and its Impact on Environment) deals with the influence of archaeological sites in initiating and increasing different shapes of desertification in the area under study. Nine archaeological sites are chosen which are the most important and the biggest archaeological cities in the governorate including ' Larsa, Ur, Eridu, Tal Allaham, Umma, Um Alaqarib, Karsu, Tal Alhabaa, Zarghal ' in which this phenomenon will be investigated. By topography and satellite visuals, it is shown that in these cities which are towns, hills, highlands and sedimentary remnants play a great role, with the help of other human and geomorphological factors, in initiating and increasing desertification directly or indirectly. Among such factors is the geological structure and climatic factors such as high temperature in most months, a matter which causes evaporation. In addition to the few quantities of rains and long periods of drought cause the remnants in the area under study of low moisture content and then disjointed. Besides, other important factors have negative impact on these sites including : the elevations of archaeological sites, the physical and chemical properties of the soil, fewness of natural plant, wrong customs followed in agriculture, rareness of fenders and overgrazing. All these have roles in the ability of soil erosion, forming sand dunes and soil salinity which in turn lead to desertification.Moreover, the study covers the determination of the overall current geomorphological processes in the area of study which serves to crumble building materials and then changing these cities from castles, temples and ziggurats into heaps or remnants. These processes involve erosion, deposition, weathering, landslides and evaporation. All natural and human factors have roles in activating these processes which help desertification shapes such as : erosion of soil remnants and forming sand dunes, soil salinity, soil hardness and dust storms.Shapes of desertification are categorized into four categories : soil erosion (water and wind), sand dunes, dust storms, soil salinity and its waterlogging. All of them fall within severe desertification. The study also shows that there is temporal and spatial difference in the quantity of particles that wind remove from the surface of these cities according to the capacity of the climatic nature of the area. These two variables are the most important ones that govern the degree of windy erosion that forms sand dunes. On the contrary, this process disappears through rainy months, but increases gradually in drought period. Moreover, the study proves that the soil of the area is of high salinity and non - alkaline according to the American lab of salinity, and the spread of sand in the area.In addition, the negative impact of these shapes in the area and its spread to adjacent areas such as farmlands, irrigation canals, archaeological and tourist sites and transport ways. These are accompanied with increasing amounts of dust with different types. Consequently, these affect the civil life through causing respiratory system diseases, namely asthma, allergy and eye diseases. The study suggests the best ways of limiting the environmental impact in the current time and in future.
