Download - Ditch Irrigation
Ditch Irrigation
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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