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Al-Obaidi JR, Yahya Allawi M, Salim Al-Taie B, Alobaidi KH, Al-Khayri JM, Abdullah S, Ahmad-Kamil EI. The environmental, economic, and social development impact of desertification in Iraq: a review on desertification control measures and mitigation strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:440. [PMID: 35595871 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The threat of desertification is considered a global concern that occurs in many environments in different parts of the world, where extensive lands are transformed gradually into desert or semi-desert areas, and this causes economic and health issues. Iraq and many other parts of the Middle East are facing desertification threats in the last twenty years. Despite the significance of this issue, relevant reviews are scarce. The removal of vegetation cover, overgrazing, deforestation in times of war, poor irrigation practices and water scarcity are some of the main causes of desertification in Iraq. Fighting desertification requires cooperative efforts including the utilization of innovative practices, biotechnological approaches, restoration of oases, continuous reforestation, and rehabilitation of agricultural lands. The objective of this review article is to discuss the causes of desertification and land degradation in Iraq, highlighting the main natural and human factors involved, and the consequent impact on the national security, economy, society, and health. In addition, it suggests recommendations for policies and actions that can be integrated to mitigate this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jameel R Al-Obaidi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim 35900, Perak, Malaysia.
| | - Mohammed Yahya Allawi
- Environmental Science Department, College of Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Mosul, 41002, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Bilal Salim Al-Taie
- Environmental Science Department, College of Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Mosul, 41002, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Khalid H Alobaidi
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, 64021, Iraq
| | - Jameel M Al-Khayri
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sumaiyah Abdullah
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - E I Ahmad-Kamil
- Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Heavy-Metal Phytoremediation from Livestock Wastewater and Exploitation of Exhausted Biomass. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052239. [PMID: 33668294 PMCID: PMC7956449 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture is aimed at long-term crop and livestock production with a minimal impact on the environment. However, agricultural practices from animal production can contribute to global pollution due to heavy metals from the feed additives that are used to ensure the nutritional requirements and also promote animal health and optimize production. The bioavailability of essential mineral sources is limited; thus, the metals are widely found in the manure. Via the manure, metallic ions can contaminate livestock wastewater, drastically reducing its potential recycling for irrigation. Phytoremediation, which is an efficient and cost-effective cleanup technique, could be implemented to reduce the wastewater pollution from livestock production, in order to maintain the water conservation. Plants use various strategies for the absorption and translocation of heavy metals, and they have been widely used to remediate livestock wastewater. In addition, the pollutants concentrated in the plants can be exhausted and used as heat to enhance plant growth and further concentrate the metals, making recycling a possible option. The biomass of the plants can also be used for biogas production in anaerobic fermentation. Combining phytoremediation and biorefinery processes would add value to both approaches and facilitate metal recovery. This review focuses on the concept of agro-ecology, specifically the excessive use of heavy metals in animal production, the various techniques and adaptations of the heavy-metal phytoremediation from livestock wastewater, and further applications of exhausted phytoremediated biomass.
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