Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering

Using Reflection Anomalies to Detect Radioactive Contaminations in Nineveh Governorate Northern Iraq

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• Abstract

  Remote sensing techniques were used to detect changes in landuse and its relation with the environmental pollution, in the southern and northern limbs of Allan and Atshan structures respectively, within Nineveh Governorate northern Iraq. Time sequential images had been used in order to determine and detect the changes that have taken place over the last two decades, which may have manifested through a combination of threats to the region. These changes could be checked by digital comparison between more than one satellite image data in different time intervals. Landsat imagery taken in January (2004) shows local reflection anomalies throughout the study area. On the contrary, no such anomalies had been observed in previous acquired imagery. This information is used in conjuction with the analysis of geomorphological features, field measurment data, and digital image processing techniques to confirm the local radioactive contaminations. Such information is a prerequiste for any environmental pollution program in the study area. Occupation forces must allow UNEP and WHO and other international agencies to conduct any exploration programs to assess the health risks to the people of Iraq of these radioactive contaminants since 1991.