| 1. |
- Abdulhameed, Isam Mohammed, et al.
(author)
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Optimising water resources management by Using Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) in the West of Iraq
- 2022
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In: Journal of Water and Land Development. - : Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN). - 1429-7426. ; :53, s. 176-186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Iraq has been suffering from decreasing Euphrates discharge due to the construction of dams within upstream countries and the use of surface irrigation systems. The country is facing a problem with meeting the increasing demand for water as a result of population growth and development in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Therefore, a simulation modelling was applied for western Iraq (Ramadi city as a case study) using the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) for the period 2018–2035. This research follows a four-step approach that involves: (i) evaluating the available water of the Euphrates River under declined water imports caused by the construction of dams in Turkey and Syria, (ii) assessing present and future water demands of the domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors, (iii) improving water productivity (WP) by means of saving more water, (iv) estimating the economic returns under improved water use. The results showed that Iraq would face a serious problem in the coming years, represented by the limited storage of Haditha Dam, which is considered the strategic water storage site for the central and southern regions of Iraq. The study indicated the necessity of finding alternative sources of water supply by adopting new water management strategies to reduce the water deficit.
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| 2. |
- Munawar, Saira, et al.
(author)
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Future Climate Projections Using SDSM and LARS-WG Downscaling Methods for CMIP5 GCMs over the Transboundary Jhelum River Basin of the Himalayas Region
- 2022
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In: Atmosphere. - : MDPI. - 2073-4433 .- 2073-4433. ; 13:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change is one of the leading issues affecting river basins due to its direct impacts on the cryosphere and hydrosphere. General circulation models (GCMs) are widely applied tools to assess climate change but the coarse spatial resolution of GCMs limit their direct application for local studies. This study selected five CMIP5 GCMs (CCSM4, HadCM3, GFDL-CM3, MRI-CGCM3 and CanESM2) for performance evaluation ranked by Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE) and Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE). CCSM4 and HadCM3 large-scale predictors were favored based on ranks (0.71 and 0.68, respectively) for statistical downscaling techniques to downscale the climatic indicators Tmax, Tmin and precipitation. The performance of two downscaling techniques, Statistical Downscaling Methods (SDSM) and Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG), were examined using the Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), bias, NSE and KGE with weights (Wi) for the validation period. The results of statistical measures proved SDSM more efficient (0.67) in comparison to the LARS-WG (0.51) for the validation time for the Jhelum River basin. The findings revealed that the SDSM simulation for Tmax and Tmin are more comparable to the reference data for the validation period except simulation of extreme events by precipitation. The 21st century climatic projections exhibited a significant rise in Tmax (2.37–4.66 °C), Tmin (2.47–4.52 °C) and precipitation (7.4–11.54%) for RCP-4.5 and RCP-8.5, respectively. Overall, the results depicted that winter and pre-monsoon seasons were potentially most affected in terms of warming and precipitation, which has the potential to alter the cryosphere and runoff of the Jhelum River basin.
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| 3. |
- Niaz, Rizwan, et al.
(author)
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A new spatiotemporal two-stage standardized weighted procedure for regional drought analysis
- 2022
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In: PeerJ. - : PeerJ. - 2167-8359. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Drought is a complex phenomenon that occurs due to insufficient precipitation. It does not have immediate effects, but sustained drought can affect the hydrological, agriculture, economic sectors of the country. Therefore, there is a need for efficient methods and techniques that properly determine drought and its effects. Considering the significance and importance of drought monitoring methodologies, a new drought assessment procedure is proposed in the current study, known as the Maximum Spatio-Temporal Two-Stage Standardized Weighted Index (MSTTSSWI). The proposed MSTTSSWI is based on the weighting scheme, known as the Spatio-Temporal Two-Stage Standardized Weighting Scheme (STTSSWS). The potential of the weighting scheme is based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and the steady-state probabilities. Further, the STTSSWS computes spatiotemporal weights in two stages for various drought categories and stations. In the first stage of the STTSSWS, the SPI, SPEI, and the steady-state probabilities are calculated for each station at a 1-month time scale to assign weights for varying drought categories. However, in the second stage, these weights are further propagated based on spatiotemporal characteristics to obtain new weights for the various drought categories in the selected region. The STTSSWS is applied to the six meteorological stations of the Northern area, Pakistan. Moreover, the spatiotemporal weights obtained from STTSSWS are used to calculate MSTTSSWI for regional drought characterization. The MSTTSSWI may accurately provide regional spatiotemporal characteristics for the drought in the selected region and motivates researchers and policymakers to use the more comprehensive and accurate spatiotemporal characterization of drought in the selected region.
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| 4. |
- Elbeltagi, Ahmed, et al.
(author)
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Data intelligence and hybrid metaheuristic algorithms-based estimation of reference evapotranspiration
- 2022
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In: Applied water science. - : Springer. - 2190-5487 .- 2190-5495. ; 12:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For developing countries, scarcity of climatic data is the biggest challenge, and model development with limited meteorological input is of critical importance. In this study, five data intelligent and hybrid metaheuristic machine learning algorithms, namely additive regression (AR), AR-bagging, AR-random subspace (AR-RSS), AR-M5P, and AR-REPTree, were applied to predict monthly mean daily reference evapotranspiration (ET0). For this purpose, climatic data of two meteorological stations located in the semi-arid region of Pakistan were used from the period 1987 to 2016. The climatic dataset includes maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax, Tmin), average relative humidity (RHavg), average wind speed (Ux), and sunshine hours (n). Sensitivity analysis through regression methods was applied to determine effective input climatic parameters for ET0 modeling. The results of performed regression analysis on all input parameters proved that Tmin, RHAvg, Ux, and n were identified as the most influential input parameters at the studied station. From the results, it was revealed that all the selected models predicted ET0 at both stations with greater precision. The AR-REPTree model was located furthest and the AR-M5P model was located nearest to the observed point based on the performing indices at both the selected meteorological stations. The study concluded that under the aforementioned methodological framework, the AR-M5P model can yield higher accuracy in predicting ET0 values, as compared to other selected algorithms.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Zainy, Maher T., et al.
(author)
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The Tectonic and Structural Classifications of the Western Part of the Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt, North Iraq, Review and Discussion
- 2017
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In: Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering. - New Zealand : Scientific Press International Limited. - 1792-9040 .- 1792-9660. ; 7:2, s. 71-89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Zagros fold and thrust belt represents a tectonically significant area, and one of the richest areas in oil and gas reservoirs in the world. The Zagros fold and thrust belt is the deformational product of the Cretaceous-present day convergence of the Arabian and Iranian (Eurasian) plates (subduction and collision). The belt extends more than 2000 km from southern Turkey through the north and northeastern Iraq to the Strait of Hormuz in southwestern Iran. The Zagros fold and thrust belt is divided into two parts which are; Western part within Iraqi region and Eastern part within Iranian region. The western part of the Zagros fold and thrust belt has been traditionally subdivided into several structural zones that are generally striking parallel to the plate boundary. This is characterized by exposure of Late Ordovician to Pliocene - Pliestocene formations with different types of Quaternary Sediments. This research will concentrate on Western part of Zagros fold and thrust belt and the styles of structural classifications, which will aid to clarify and better understand the tectonic and structural history and evolution of the region. We have considered the last version of structural classification as the most relevant one to the reality, especially within outer platform (Unstable shelf). Where it divides the region into four structural zones, which are: Low Folded zone, High Folded Zone, Imbricate Zone, and Zagros Suture Zone and these zones were further divided to several subzones. This classification is based on the structural style and intensity of deformation, stratigraphy, mechanicalstratigraphy and tectono-stratigraphy of the deformed sequences, Age of deformation, surface physiography and morphology. The data used in the classification is more reliable, up to date and relevant.
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| 7. |
- El Jery, Atef, et al.
(author)
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Industrial oily wastewater treatment by microfiltration using silver nanoparticle-incorporated poly (acrylonitrile-styrene) membrane
- 2023
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In: Environmental Sciences Europe. - : Springer. - 2190-4707 .- 2190-4715. ; 35:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Membrane filtration exhibit operational limitations such as biofouling, which leads to concentration polarization and reduces permeability and selectivity, despite advantages such as low operating cost, high selectivity, and permeability. In recent years, the antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been investigated for improving membrane processes; however, the fouling phenomena in presence of AgNPs in the membrane matrix have not been fully discussed. Herein, the antifouling properties of a poly (acrylonitrile-styrene) copolymer incorporated with AgNPs were studied in a microfiltration membrane process. The Creighton method was used to synthesize AgNPs, and the effects of AgNPs on the porosity, morphology, pore size, mechanical strength, permeability, and selectivity of the membranes were investigated. Moreover, to investigate the biofouling of the obtained membranes, microfiltration of industrial oily wastewater was performed at constant pressure over three cycles. Using AgNPs in the membrane matrix resulted in enhanced antifouling properties of the copolymer membrane, which is related to the structure of the AgNPs in the casting solution, as proven by SAXS analysis. The results show that the CFU% for Staphylococcus aureus and E.coli reach 2% and 6%, respectively. Finally, the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) thermodynamic model was applied to study the antifouling mechanism, correctly predict the separation behavior in the membrane, and design, simulate, and optimize the separation processes in the membrane separation plantsa. The DLVO model could predict the separation behavior in the synthesized membranes, and the poly(acrylonitrile-styrene) copolymer membranes containing AgNPs were proven have promising industrial wastewater treatment applications.
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| 8. |
- Al-Madhlom, Qais, et al.
(author)
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Potential use of UTES in Babylon Governorate, Iraq
- 2020
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In: Groundwater for Sustainable Development. - : Elsevier. - 2352-801X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a global attention that the future energy systems will be based on renewable energy like solar and wind. The large-scale utilization of renewables in space heating and cooling requires large Thermal Energy Storage TES to overcome the varying supply and demand. The process of producing the best Underground Thermal Energy Storage UTES system pass through two steps: first, finding the best type of UTES system, second, finding the best locations to install UTES system. Both of these two steps depend extremely on the site specific parameters such that the depth to the groundwater, transmissivity, type of soil, the depth to the bedrock, and seepage velocity. The purpose of this paper is to explain some of the site specific parameters that the type of UTES-system depends on and explain the suitable type of UTES systems. This study considers Babylon province (Iraq) as study area. This province has electricity deficiency due to Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning HVAC applications. The methodology of this study includes reviewing the literature that consider the study area, and using Arc Map/GIS to visualize some of the in-site parameters. The results indicate that the best type of UTES system for the considered region is either aquifer or pit type, due to the type of the soil and the depth to the crystalline bedrock. The hydraulic conductivity and the seepage velocity in the considered region are (0.0023–2.5) m/d and (1.3 × 10−6 – 3.45 × 10−3) m/d respectively. These conditions satisfy the standards which regard aquifer type.
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| 9. |
- Al-Madhlom, Qais, et al.
(author)
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Site Selection Criteria of UTES Systems in Hot Climate
- 2019
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In: Proceedings of the XVII ECSMGE-2019. - Iceland : The Icelandic Geotechnical Society (IGS). ; , s. 1-8
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Underground Thermal Energy Storage UTES systems are widely used around the world. The reason is that UTES is essential in utilizing Renewable Energy sources (RE). The efficiency of the energy system relies strongly on the efficiency of the storage system. Therefore, in the installation of a hyper-energy system, a lot of attention is to be paid in improving the storage system. In order to design an efficient storage system, firstly, standard criteria are to be investigated. These explain the process of making high efficiency storage system that must be specified. The criteria, mainly, depends on: best type and best location. These two variables are in high interference with each other. The bond between the two variables is represented by the geological, hydrological, meteorological, soil, hydrogeological properties/factors of the site. These factors are specified by geo-energy mapping. Despite the importance of this type of mapping, there is no specific criteria/formula that defines the choice. This paper aims to: give a brief literature review for UTES systems (types, classification, advantages/disadvantages for each type, and examples of an installed system). In addition, some factors within geo-energy mapping are highlighted and standard criteria to achieve good storage system are suggested. The suggested criterion comprises a process to transfer the quantity values to quality values according to the expert opinion. The suggested criteria are defined through the following stages: selecting the best type of UTES systems according to hydro-geological in site conditions; using the analytical hierarchy process to rank the best location to install the storage system and then using ArcMap (GIS-Software) to provide representative results as maps. Karbala Province (Iraq) is the study area used here
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| 10. |
- Al-Madhlom, Qais, et al.
(author)
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Site Selection of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Shallow Groundwater Conditions
- 2019
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In: Water. - Switzerland : MDPI. - 2073-4441. ; 11:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) systems are widely used around the world, due to their relations to heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) applications [1]. To achieve the required objectives of these systems, the best design of these systems should be accessed first. The process of determining the best design for any UTES system has two stages, the type selection stage and the site selection stage. In the type selection stage, the best sort of UTES system is determined. There are six kinds of UTES systems, they are: boreholes, aquifer, bit, tank, tubes in clay, and cavern [2–5]. The selection of a particular type depends on three groups of parameters. They are: Site specific, design, and operation parameters (Figure 1). Apart from site specific parameters, the other two types can be changed through the life time of the system. The site specific parameters, e.g., geological, hydrogeological, and metrological, cannot be changed during the service period of the ystem. Therefore, the design of the best type should depend, at first consideration, on site specific parameters.
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