Iraqi National Journal of Earth Science

This study is conducted using data analysis of minerals gained from X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as by using the data of chemical analysis of the main elements measured by the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) at selected areas in northern Iraq Thirty samples (twenty soil and ten rock samples) are collected distributed through five regions (Qayarah, Hamam Alil, Tel kaif, Duhok, and Zakho) with four depths and two rock samples for each section in order to calculate the index of weathering mineral (Xd) and mineralogy index of alteration (MIA) as well as chemical index of alteration (CIA). The aim is to measure the amount of decomposition relative to the resistant minerals in soils and rocks, as well as to assess the amount and capability of these soils as evidence of the degree of development, and then the possibility of classification depending on the degree of resistance to weathering processes. The results show transaction weathering in these areas varying in degree and ability of these soils in resisting weathering processes at different locations and the nature of the original material. The study shows that Zakho soil samples have a high degree of weathering; on the contrary, Qayarah soil samples have a very low degree of weathering due to different topographical and climatic conditions of these two regions. The remaining areas are intermediate in the degree of weathering, considering that these areas have received variable amounts of rain precipitation ranging between 1,000 mm / year as in Zakho and 250 mm / year in Qayarah area. The topography of these areas is different being high in Zakho and low in Qayarah area.

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of Shiranish Formation was studied in Sarah's anticline at the Dokan area, Sulaymania governate in, northeastern Iraq. The studied section consists of marl and marly limestone, Sixty-three Planktonic foraminiferal species belonging to seventeen genera have been recognized which permits the recognition of six zones; these are from older at the base
6- Abathomphalus mayaroensis interval zone (Part).
5- Gansserina gansseri interval zone.
4- Globotruncana aegyptiaca interval zone.
3-Globotruncanella havanensis interval zone.
2- Globotruncanita calcarata total range zone.
1-Globotruncana ventricosa interval zone (Part).
The Planktonic foraminiferal zones were correlated with other zonal schemes in and outside Iraq. They are considered to be extending from Middle Campanian to Late Early Maastrichtian.

In the current study, remote sensing dataset and GIS are used for measuring the spatial distribution of the concentration levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in a selected area of Mosul City (right and left sides) for the period of September 2020 to February 2021, then compared these measured concentrations with the Iraqi and international standards. These pollutants have a negative impact on the environment, human and societal health. Temtop monitor (model: M2000) was used for measuring the concentration levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in the selected areas whose geographical positions (latitude and longitude) were determined using a GPS (Global Positioning System) instrument (model: GPSmap76CSx). For the purpose of comparison with satellite data, dataset of (PM2.5, PM10) is downloaded from the (European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites: EUMETSAT) which are mainly based on Copernicus that supervised by the (European Space Agency: ESA). The results reveal that all PM10 concentration levels have exceeded the limits set given by WHO as well as the Iraqi standards around all sampling stations except in Al-Maidan and Nergal neighborhoods. The results also showed the high concentrations of (PM2.5 and PM10) measured locally with the data taken from the (CAMS) website based on the satellite dataset.

Fundamentally, the current study is concerned with the investigation and diagnosing of Ostracoda fossils from the subsurface section of the Hartha Formation (Late Campanian - Early Maastrichtian) from (Ba-8) well at central Iraq. Fifty-nine Ostracoda species belonging to (29) genera/ subgenera from (13) families are diagnosed and classified to their ranks according to the standard systematic paleontology. Whereat (57) species are attributed to species previously described from local and regional studies. Two species are left under open zoological nomenclature basically because of lack of specimens. As a result, the study inferred that the species diagnosed in the Hartha Formation belong to the Late Campanian - Early Maastricht. As These species are very similar in terms of the external appearance and geologic age to the same species that were compared with them and which were previously described in the regions of East, West, and North Africa as well as the Arabian Gulf region.

Terrain is one of the most important factors affecting on the variation in the amount of rainfalls anywhere in the world, as clearly visible in the study area. The present research is to highlight the variation in the amounts of rainfall in the mountainous and plain areas of the northern Governorates in Iraq. The results show a gradual increase in the amounts of rain from southwest to northeast of the study area, where the increase is proportional to the increase in distance and altitude. And by comparison between the three time periods of the study area stations, it is found that there is a very clear general trend towards a decrease in the values of rainfalls during the second period in all stations of the study area in the mountainous and plain areas. During the third period, a difference appears between the stations, some of which recorded an increase in precipitation values, whereas others recorded a continuous decrease during this period, and others show stability in the values of rainfall. After applying the standard deviation equation, it is observed that there is a positive relationship between the average annual rainfall and the standard deviation, as the more rain rates increase, the increase in the standard deviation; and the standard deviation gradually increases as we move away from plain areas and approach mountainous areas due to the increase in rainfall amounts in upland areas. After applying the equation of the fluctuation coefficient in the values of rainfall, it becomes clear that there is an inverse relationship between the rates of rainfall and the rates of rain fluctuation. As the higher the annual rainfall rates, the lower the fluctuation coefficient and the opposite is correct. In general, the coefficient of oscillation decreases gradually heads towards the northeast of the study area. By applying the correlation coefficient equation to measure the relationship of rainfall to height, the correlation coefficient is (0.7) indicating a strong correlation between precipitation and height.

The research deals with the study of the slope systems of the Ashaali drainage basin in the southern Iraqi desert, using the geoinformatics’ technique, digital elevation models (DEM), satellite images of the Landsat ETM+8, in addition to the topographic, geological, and hydrological maps. The slope systems of the study area are studied through 4 topographic sectors (longitudinal and transverse) that represent the stages of geomorphological development of the drainage basin following Davis erosion cycle, as well as by knowing the regression categories according to the young classification, the direction of the slopes, the sloping parts and the types of slopes (straight, convex, concave). The results show an increase in the area of the slope category 5-10, which reached 25.499%, as well as an increase in the percentage of the direction of the southwestern slopes, which has the highest percentage of 16.277%. As for the sloping parts, the maturity area recorded the highest percentage, estimated at 251 slope parts. In addition, the results show that there is variation in the types of slopes, and the central basin area (maturity stage) of the geomorphological cycle representing all types.

Bathymetry can be defined as the study of water depth, in other words, it is the topography of the bed of sea, ocean and lake floor. In this study, the bathymetry of Terkos Lake, northern Istanbul, Turkey is prepared using field work points and remote sensing data. More than 70,000 eco-sound points are collected; manipulated and entered to GIS geodatabase in order to create the bathymetric map, digital image processing for remote sensing data is also used to produce the map. The shoreline of the lake is detected using Iso Cluster unsupervised classification tool in spatial analyst arc tool from the most recent satellite image captured by Landsat 9 in 25th of March 2022. ARCGIS geodatabase is built in order to create a 0.5m interval bathymetric contour lines showing the bathymetry of the Terkos Lake bed. The Lake level, surface area, water volume curve for the lake are drawn using the results of lake water budget analysis. Results show the possibility of using remote sensing data as an aid to assist in field work related to the production of bathymetric maps. These maps give an indication to decision maker for the amount of sediment in the lake. Water bodies data bank also provides a dynamic database of related measurements as surface area, water volume knowing the water level.

This study aims to determine and evaluate the petrophysical characteristics of the Khasib Formation, which represents the main oil-producing reservoir in the East Baghdad oilfield. To accomplish the aim of the study, the log data for five wells have been interpreted using the Schlumberger Techlog 2015.3 software. The main lithology of the Khasib Formation has been determined as limestone based on the interpretation of neutron, density, and sonic logs and using the M-N cross plot method. The shale volume was determined based on the gamma ray log, and the results showed that the shale volume in the Khasib Formation ranges from about 15% to 27%, and this value increases toward the top of the formation. The total porosity of the Khasib Formation has been determined based on the density and neutron logs, and their values range from about 12% to 23%. The effective porosity is calculated depending on the relationship between the total porosity and shale volume, and the values of this type of porosity range from 8% to 18%. The study shows that the B and C units of the Khasib Formation represent the best hydrocarbon-bearing zones, where these units are characterized by high values of effective porosity and oil saturation. The units A, E and F of the formation are characterized by high values of shale content with low effective porosity, and these units represent cap or seal beds for the oil producing zones. The other units (G, H and I) are characterized by high values of water saturation.