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Volume :10 Issue : 39 1992
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Effect of Iraqi Invasion on the Kuwaiti Environment (in Arabic)
Auther : Mohammad Al-Sar'awi
The burning of more than 730 oil wells in Kuwiat has caused a lot of direct and in-direct effects on the environment. Kuwait shoreline extends for more than 280 km. Most of the coastal area has been highly affected by the Gulf war. Water column as well as beach sediments were destroyed through oil spills and trench making. Heavy equipment was used along the coast to make defence lines, which caused a lot of damage to beach stability. The supratidal and intertidal flat has been directly affected by oil spills brought to this environment by enemy-made oil pipelines. Some changes in the quality of sediment and water samples are noticed. Wind monitoring also showed high levels of pollution in some areas. More than 200 oil lakes are still scattered within the desert environment. These need urgent cleaning up. Soil contamination requires thorough investigation. In general, the Kuwaiti government and national environmental scientists are working together with environment world experts to save the environment from such disaster.