RANDOMLY MINING OF RIVER DEPOSITS AT AL-MANSURIAH DISTRICT AND IT'S EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY

Abstract

Study area is within lower Diyala, downstream of Diyala weir. The river deposits along Diyala River and extends to a distance of about 15 kilometers downstream of Diyala weir.

Diyala basin is divided into three parts as follows, upper Diyala. Above Derbendikhan, middle Diyala! From Derbendikhan to Diyala weir and lower Diyala. From Diyala weir to Baghdad. Origin of gravel deposits at study area are the mountains of catchment of Diyala River. There is no outcrop on the surface but only alluvial sediment deposits with thickness of 70 meter.

           Gravel deposits include all rounded particles coarser than 2mm, and they are used for manufacture of concrete for building, highway, in the roads as sub-base and in earth dam as a filter. Impacts of dams on sediment yield are restriction supply of gravels to lower Diyala basin. There are more than (80) gravel pits installed along Diyala river on both sides.

            Total dissolved solids of Diyala River at study area for a period of one year (2009-2010) have got the highest reading (768 ppm) and lowest reading (470 ppm) and annual average (580 ppm) with an increase of (106.2 ppm) for previously studied at 1991. Effect of randomly mining on environment is the reason behind the morphological changes of Diyala River and became more or less as artificial drainage. The removing gardens in flood plain and leaving water pool without levelling. The effect on economy is clear through the daily production that reaches approximately (6500) cubic meter and the local government should pay more attention to save this national property.