Iraqi Journal of environmental Sciences

Ultraviolet radiation is dangerous to humans. In a relatively short time, it has the potential to induce diseases such as skin cancer, cataracts, and autoimmune disease weakening. On the other hand, the human body produces vitamin D in part because of the UV radiation from the sun. The kidneys and liver convert the necessary vitamin D production in the epidermis to hydroxyvitamin D by the kidneys and liver. The solar ultraviolet radiation for vitamin D photosynthesis (DUV) measured by UV sensors board on the Al-Mustansiriyah solar radiation station. The present paper focuses on supposing an empirical equation to estimate DUV using numerous atmospheric characteristics under clear skies. such as ultraviolet index, aerosol optical depth, total ozone column, solar zenith angle and air mass as an input of the developed models for Mosul, Baghdad and Basra also the results shows that the daily variation of UVI for area of Mosul, Baghdad and Basra, where the highest values appear in summer months which ranged between (10-13), Whereas the lowest values shown during winter season with a range (1.6 - 5 ) and the maximum UVI lies shown in June month was (13.2) in Basra, while the minimum UVI appear in December month was (1.6) in Mosul. The data is used in present paper for the year 2021. The statically evaluation result shows that the estimated DUV by RMSE of 55.96, MBE of 5.84, MAPE of 10.27, MBE of 5.84, and the R of 0.99.

To develop an eco-friendly method for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using rosemary extract and to evaluate their effectiveness in removing hydrocarbons from soil and date palm leaves. Methods Study sites were selected in Baghdad near the Central Oil Company to represent different pollution levels, including highly contaminated and nearly uncontaminated areas and analyzed using XRF and GC-MS to determine hydrocarbon concentrations. Rosemary leaves were processed to obtain the bioactive extract used for the green synthesis of ZnO-NPS through an ultrasonic-assisted aqueous reaction, followed by centrifugation, drying, and sterili-zation. The nanoparticles were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD to determine their morphology. Results: GC analysis of the rosemary extract revealed 32 active compounds including phenolics, organic acids, amines, alcohols, and fatty acids which contributed to nanoparticle sta-bilization and enhanced surface reactivity. SEM confirmed the formation of spherical, smooth, and uniformly dispersed nanoparticles measuring 15–30 nm, with an organic layer of 2–3 nm thickness. DLS analysis showed a narrow size distribution (PDI = 0.18). The application of rosemary-mediated ZnO-NPS resulted in a significant reduction in hydrocarbon concentrations, achieving 25–36% removal in soil and 40–52% in date palm leaves over six months, while maintaining the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SPAD chlorophyll measurements indicated improved photosynthetic performance and reduced oxidative stress due to decreased hydrocarbon toxicity and increased zinc availability for essential enzymatic processes. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using rosemary extract provide an effective and environmentally friendly approach for hydrocarbon remediation, while enhancing plant growth and preserving soil microbial health.

Particulate matter 2.5 is one of the primary components of air pollution. Sources of PM2.5 may be natural or anthropogenic. The main sources of the pollutants in Iraq include burning natural gas, oil, and power plants. The study is based on archived datasets from the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology and satellite data available from ECMWF and NASA for a ten-year period in Baghdad and Basra Airdromes. The spatial and temporal analysis showed that the highest frequency of thunderstorms occurs in April about 64.03%. The highest annual frequency of thunderstorms was for Baghdad Airport station in 2018 and 2002 (20 days) and Basra Airport station in 2003 and 2018 (13 days). The PM2.5 concentration at Baghdad Airport and Basra Airport stations prior to, during, and following the storm was of the category D of the air quality indices. The concentration kept growing without addressing the causes. It looks like the rise in PM2.5 concentrations that thunderstorms increased in the station is caused by arid thunderstorms and the storm's downdrafts, which lift dust upwards. This leads to PM2.5 concentrations remaining in the atmosphere for a longer period. As the Normalized Difference Dust Index results indicate, 90–95% of Baghdad is situated in areas with moderate dust levels for the period 2000-2019, while 95% or more of Basra is situated in areas with moderate to high dust levels for the same period.

A multi-temporal Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 analysis within Google Earth Engine (GEE) was conducted to analyze land use and land cover dynamics in Baghdad, Iraq. The NDVI-NDBI indices revealed that vegetation increased gradually, especially along the Tigris River and in rural areas, while urban expansion peaked around 2021 and slightly declined by 2024. There has been a reduction in degraded land and a partial stabilization of urban growth according to LULC maps. For rapidly growing cities like Baghdad, continuous monitoring and sustainable land-use planning are essential to balancing urban development and environmental preservation. Baghdad has experienced accelerated urban expansion over the last decade, placing increasing pressure on agricultural areas, natural vegetation, and ecological stability. This study applies a cloud-based methodology using NDVI and NDBI indices, annual composite generation, and automated image processing within GEE to quantify changes in vegetation cover, built-up areas, and land degradation across the city for the years 2018, 2021, and 2024. This research aims to examine the relationship between urban growth and vegetation dynamics, identify environmentally vulnerable zones, and support sustainable land-use policies in Baghdad. Results show a substantial increase in vegetation cover rising by approximately 55% in parallel with a slight decline in non-vegetated land. Urban expansion patterns observed in 2021 align with previous studies conducted, confirming the regional trend of increasing built-up surfaces. To enhance sustainability, the study recommends adopting precision agriculture and drip-irrigation systems to increase vegetative cover and reduce water loss, particularly in peri-urban districts highly affected by land degradation.

Throughout their existence, plastics, which are now omnipresent in contemporary life, have been a substantial contributor to the destruction of the environment and the release of carbon. This article aims to investigate the carbon footprint of plastics, beginning with their foundation in polymers derived from petrochemicals and ending with their disposal as pollutants. The manufacturing of plastics requires a significant amount of energy. It depends on fossil fuels, which emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In addition, the environmental effect of plastics is further exacerbated by their lifespan, which includes shipping, consumption, and disposal of the material. This article highlights the urgent need for sustainable alternatives and better waste management techniques to offset plastic pollution's mounting environmental difficulties and carbon emissions.