Karst in Rawanduz District and its Environmental Impact

Abstract

     This study includes the karst phenomena within Rawanduz district and its environmental impact, which is located in the north-east of Erbil governorate, between latitudes (36 41”0”N-36 35”30”N) and longitudes (44 29”30E-44 55 30”  E) to the east, with an area of   539,95 km², the study area enjoys a humid and temperate climate as well as various natural characteristics that were reflected in turn in the formation of manifestations of karst and its activity, as well as the presence of vegetation in the area, which works to impede surface water run-off and increase filtration  To the earth's interior is provided by the decomposing remains of humus, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the soil and rocks, as it is the main element in the formation of carbonic acid responsible for dissolving limestone rocks.  Various karst manifestations are spread within the study area, represented by (caves, karst springs and karst pits) and other phenomena. Through the field study and counting the numbers of karst phenomena, the concentration of karst caves and springs appears in greater numbers than the rest of the other widespread karst phenomena, as the sizes of the existing caves ranged according to the way they were classified.  The study showed the impact of the risks on the environmental aspects of the study area and its impact on human activity (in the agricultural aspect, settlement, groundwater, transportation and tourism methods).  Through the process of analyzing groundwater and showing the varying percentages of pollutants and their impact on different areas.