Sedimentary and Environmental Properties of Selected Areas in the Southern Marine Environment of Iraq

Research on the southern marine environment of Iraq reveals that sediment transport and deposition processes are consistent across seven studied locations, with silt dominating (88%) except at Khor Shytianah, where sand prevails (90%). The study found an inverse relationship between particle size and salinity/conductivity, indicating a regressive deltaic estuary system. Total organic carbon (TOC) levels peaked in the Shatt Al-Basrah region (2.5%) while pH remained alkaline (8.85). Sediments were shown to have been transported over long distances, with grain size decreasing away from sources. This work provides critical baseline data for environmental management and monitoring in this ecologically sensitive area, particularly amid ongoing climate and urban changes.

AL_ Zlemat, N. S., Al-Humaidan, Z. A., & Chasib, S. K. (2026). Sedimentary and Environmental Properties of Selected Areas in the Southern Marine Environment of Iraq. Mesopotamian Journal of Marine Sciences, 41(1), 48–68. https://doi.org/10.58629/mjms.v41i1.433