The Impact of Air Pollution in Iraq on the Environment: A Chemical Study of the Relationships between Pollutants and Climatic Conditions
Abstract
This research aims to study the impact of air pollution in Iraq on the environment by analyzing the chemical interactions between airborne pollutants and various climatic conditions. The study focuses on identifying the main sources of pollution and examining how these pollutants interact with weather factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and their effect on air quality. The methodology of this study involves collecting air samples from three regions that represent diverse geographical, population, and industrial characteristics in Iraq. After collecting the samples, gaseous pollutants and particulate matter are analyzed using advanced techniques such as spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The analysis results are followed up using advanced statistical tools to test hypotheses regarding pollution levels in the different regions. The study reached several findings, the most important of which is that climatic changes, such as rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall, contribute to the worsening of air pollution levels in urban and industrial areas. The results also showed that NO₂ and SO₂ levels are elevated in Baghdad and Basra, increasing the risk of acid rain and its impact on water and soil. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd) concentrations are high in industrial areas, posing a risk to soil and groundwater. The high levels of PM2.5 in Baghdad and Basra represent a health risk, especially to children and the elderly. The study recommended the adoption of strict environmental policies to reduce air pollution, such as improving factory efficiency, encouraging the use of clean energy, and enhancing tree-planting campaigns to mitigate the impact of pollutants. It also emphasized the importance of developing air quality monitoring systems on a regular basis and implementing measures that reduce harmful emissions in urban and industrial areas.
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