Publication Details
Abstract
The Euphrates River is one of the main hydrological arteries that support the economy and infrastructure of southern Iraq. Its water quality has continuously been degraded by wastewaters, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents leaving a massive environmental as well as engineering impact when its waters are used or pass through any structure. This paper therefore presents an assessment study on how polluted Euphrates water impacts transport infrastructure within Babil, Al-Qadisiyyah, Al-Muthanna, Dhi Qar, and Basra governorates. The pollution concentration mapping was done using GIS with integration field data results together with laboratory analysis results for both water and sediment samples taken at different locations along the river inside these governorates where major roads/bridges cross over/nearby it; thus establishing correlations between their spatial distributions. Purely structural effects due to high salinity levels manifested themselves through increased rates of corrosion in steel reinforced concrete structures adjacent to riverbanks were identified. Chloride contributed to the instability problems of the subgrade, pavement cracking as well as accelerating deterioration bridge components material-based restrictions two critical degradation zones identified Al-Nasiriyah Basra exceedance permissible limits long-term stability roads safety bridges regional mobility polluted river water threat integrated mitigation strategy proposed includes pollution control activities use corrosion resistance material maintain regular check structure.