Ditch Irrigation

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1

2

3

4

5

6

Tigris River atSamarra

Tigris River atQurne

Euphrates Riverat Al Kaim

Diyala River atDiyala Weir

(Dam)

Tigris River atMosul M

ass

of s

alt i

ons

in w

ater

(mill

iequ

ival

ents

)

Na (sodium)

Cl (chloride)

FLOOD PLAINS -- SYRIAFLOOD PLAINS -- IRAQRAINFED AGRICULTUREIRRIGATED LANDDESERT LAND – SYRIADESERT LAND - IRAQ

 

amount of agricultural land

(km2)

amountof agricultural land

that is irrigated (km2)

amount of irrigated land w/

salty soil (km2)

amount of irrigated land

w/ severe salinityproblem (km2)

Iraq 60,190 33,050 24,457 978

Syria 54,210 12,670 5,320 1,011

Turkey 260,130 41,860 15,000 0

Why do some irrigation practices cause salinity problems?

Runoff and Pollution

Evaporation and Salt Pollution

Infiltration and Salt Pollution

Plant Uptake and Salt Pollution

• Irrigation diverts run-off from its natural flow to the ocean, and

• Exposes water to increased evaporation resulting in salt build-up.

• This saltier water then infiltrates into the ground and salt accumulates in the groundwater.

• Plant uptake brings the salty groundwater to the surface soil

Irrigation Disrupts the Natural Water Cycle