Reappraising the Land Behind Baghdad: Using CORONA Satellite Imagery to Reassess the Archaeological Landscape of the Diyala Plain, Iraq

High-resolution low-cost declassified CORONA spy satellite imagery is used to detect archaeological sites and relict canals in the Diyala Plain to the east of Baghdad, Iraq. This project seeks to improve upon the ground survey conducted there in the 1950s by providing better geographic control and discovering sites and canals that were not included in the original survey. CORONA imagery provides a sub-2-meter spatial resolution and was acquired shortly after the original ground survey was conducted, providing an excellent medium for comparison. CORONA imagery is subject to significant spatial distortions because of its camera technology and the LPS package for ERDAS Imagine was used for orthorectification. This procedure eliminates the need for camera ephemeris data or mathematical models and relies on ground control points. Google Earth was successfully used as the geographic reference. An attempt was also made to utilize the stereographic nature of the product to photogrammetrically extract digital elevation models, but low topographic relief and poor image contrast contributed to poor results. The highly accurate orthorectified images were then visually inspected for evidence of archaeological sites and relict canals. A total of 655 sites were found in the study area, essentially doubling the number of sites found in the ground survey, although this number likely underrepresents the actual number of sites present on the landscape due to difficulty in distinguishing some features. The sites found generally were smaller in area than those in the ground survey, establishing CORONA\u27s utility for finding sites difficult to detect on the ground. The canal network of the original survey was also greatly extended. The usefulness of CORONA as a tool for archaeological survey is amply demonstrated, although some refinements will be required in establishing the distinguishing characteristics of sites before it can be used in lieu of ground-based survey

Climate change impacts on snow water availability in the Euphrates-Tigris basin

This study investigates the effects of projected climate change on snow water availability in the Euphrates-Tigris basin using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) macro scale hydrologic model and a set of regional climate-change outputs from 13 global circulation models (GCMs) forced with two greenhouse gas emission scenarios for two time periods in the 21st century (2050 and 2090). The hydrologic model produces a reasonable simulation of seasonal and spatial variation in snow cover and associated snow water equivalent (SWE) in the mountainous areas of the basin, although its performance is poorer at marginal snow cover sites. While there is great variation across GCM outputs influencing snow water availability, the majority of models and scenarios suggest a significant decline (between 10 and 60 percent) in available snow water, particularly under the high-impact A2 climate change scenario and later in the 21st century. The changes in SWE are more stable when multi-model ensemble GCM outputs are used to minimize inter-model variability, suggesting a consistent and significant decrease in snow-covered areas and associated water availability in the headwaters of the Euphrates-Tigris basin. Detailed analysis of future climatic conditions point to the combined effects of reduced precipitation and increased temperatures as primary drivers of reduced snowpack. Results also indicate a more rapid decline in snow cover in the lower elevation zones than the higher areas in a changing climate but these findings also contain a larger uncertainty. The simulated changes in snow water availability have important implications for the future of water resources and associated hydropower generation and land-use management and planning in a region already ripe for interstate water conflict. While the changes in the frequency and intensity of snow-bearing circulation systems or the interannual variability related to climate were not considered, the simulated changes in snow water availability presented here are likely to be indicative of climate change impacts on the water resources of the Euphrates-Tigris basin

Analysis of Long-Term Cloud Cover, Radiative Fluxes, and Sea Surface Temperature in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Grant activities accomplished during this reporting period are summarized. The contributions of the principle investigator are reported under four categories: (1) AHVRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) data; (2) GOES (Geostationary Operational Environ Satellite) data; (3) system software design; and (4) ATSR (Along Track Scanning Radiometer) data. The contributions of the associate investigator are reported for:(1) longwave irradiance at the surface; (2) methods to derive surface short-wave irradiance; and (3) estimating PAR (photo-synthetically active radiation) surface. Several papers have resulted. Abstracts for each paper are provided

Commentary on comparison of MODIS snow cover and albedo products with ground observations over the mountainous terrain of Turkey

International audienceThe MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover product was evaluated by Parajka and Blösch (2006) over the territory of Austria. The spatial and temporal variability of the MODIS snow product classes are analyzed, the accuracy of the MODIS snow product against numerous in situ snow depth data are examined and the main factors that may influence the MODIS classification accuracy are identified in their studies. The authors of this paper would like to provide more discussion to the scientific community on the "Validation of MODIS snow cover images" when similar methodology is applied to mountainous regions covered with abundant snow but with limited number of ground survey and automated stations. Daily snow cover maps obtained from MODIS images are compared with ground observations in mountainous terrain of Turkey for the winter season of 2002?2003 and 2003?2004 during the accumulation and ablation periods of snow. Snow depth and density values are recorded to determine snow water equivalent (SWE) values at 19 points in and around the study area in Turkey. Comparison of snow maps with in situ data show good agreement with overall accuracies in between 62 to 82 percent considering a 2-day shift during cloudy days. Studies show that the snow cover extent can be used for forecasting of runoff hydrographs resulting mostly from snowmelt for a mountainous basin in Turkey. MODIS-Terra snow albedo products are also compared with ground based measurements over the ablation stage of 2004 using the automated weather operating stations (AWOS) records at fixed locations as well as from the temporally assessed measuring sites during the passage of the satellite. Temporarily assessed 20 ground measurement sites are randomly distributed around one of the AWOS stations and both MODIS and ground data were aggregated in GIS for analysis. Reduction in albedo is noticed as snow depth decreased and SWE values increased

Remote sensing applications for the assessment of the geomorphic response of fluvial systems to the Holocene Climate Changes

The general goal of this thesis is the identification and description of the geomorphological responses of the fluvial system to the Holocene Climate Changes, proposing a multi-sensor remote sensing approach. In particular, the specific aim of this work is the improvement of the present knowledge on the Holocene and historical morphodynamics of the Lower Mesopotamian waterscape, especially on the paleo-hydrology of the ancient Tigris-Euphrates fluvial system, focusing on the specific process in the dynamics of the waterscapes which plays a key role in the drainage network evolution in lowland areas. Crevasse splays represent significant geomorphological features for understanding the fluvial morphodynamics in lowland areas where avulsion processes prevail. The southern Mesopotamian Plain is the area where the ancient State of Lagash developed between the prehistoric Ubaid Period (c. 5200 - c. 3500 BC) and the late Parthian era (247 BC - AD 244), representing an ideal case study, where the Italian Archaeological Mission has been recently carried on extensive field-works at Tell Zurghul archaeological site. Here, an interdisciplinary approach, combining field surveys and geomorphological mapping through remote sensing techniques, has been applied for analyzing the function and role of the waterscape on the early civilization. Indeed, the geomorphological analysis through a remote sensing approach and the archaeological surveys are both essential for the reconstruction of a complex environmental system, where landforms due to different morphogenetic processes occur, related to the presence of a wide fluvial-deltaic paleo-system and early human societies. The main aim of the focus on this archaeological site is to contribute to the reconstruction of the surrounding waterscape and know more about waterscape-human interactions during the Holocene. The question of human-waterscape relationship worldwide has been and still is a central topic in geomorphological, environmental, and archaeological research. During the Holocene, the Tigris-Euphrates river system, in the lower sector of the Mesopotamian Plain (Iraq), has been characterized by complex morphodynamics in response to both climate fluctuations and extensive construction of artificial canals, dug since the first human settlements belonging to the Early River Valley Civilizations. The Lower Mesopotamian Plain (LMP) coincides with the southern Tigris and Euphrates deltaic plain, developed starting since the mid Holocene. During the early Holocene, the sea-level rise caused a general and rapid northward shifting of the Persian Gulf shoreline: the maximum marine ingression reached the area where the present towns of Nasiriyah and Al-Amara are located about 6000 yrs BP; after which the widespread progradation of the Tigris and Euphrates delta system accounted for the southward shoreline regression up to the present position. The development of a typical bird-foot delta guaranteed an amount of water indispensable for agriculture, cattle, settlements, and transport. Indeed, the high mobility of the channels and the frequent occurrence of avulsion processes (i.e., levees break and related crevasse splays formation) are the main features typically connected to a multi-channel system, guarantying the water supply through seasonal floods. In the area, the water management during the mid Holocene, digging an extensive network of canals and building several dams, can either improve the socio-economic conditions of a settlement or cause the end of another one. Within a wide floodplain characterized by very low elevation ranges such as the LMP, a remote sensing, multi-sensor approach is a suitable method for identifying the main geomorphological features related to the fluvial avulsion processes, describing the associated morphogenetic processes. Optical and multispectral Landsat 8 satellite images have been processed for computing NDVI and Clay Ratio indices, as well as to extract the Regions of Interest (ROIs) focused on the main features that made up a crevasse splay (i.e., crevasse channel, crevasse levee and crevasse deposit). The spectral signatures from active and abandoned crevasse splays have been extracted and compared among them, adopting four different methods of Supervised Classification. The analysis of the crevasse splays has been integrated with the investigation of the micro-topography leading to recognize the crevasse channels and levees, the upward convexity of the crevasse deposits and the distal or proximal position of the parent channel; the re-classification of different DEM sources, such as the optical AW3D30 and GDEM2 datasets with ground resolution of 1 arcsec (i.e., 30 m cell-1), leads to highlighting the “above-floodplain” topographic configuration of these landforms. The analysis here performed leads to investigating the entire Lower Mesopotamian Plain through both large and medium scale geomorphological investigation, identifying active and abandoned channels, discerning between active and abandoned avulsion processes and distinguishing crevasse channels, levees, and deposits. In like manner, human features are recognized, allowing the evaluation of human-environmental interactions

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 21.1 (2017)

Feature: Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Pressure Plate IED\u27s Spotlight: Bosnia and Herzegovina 2- years later Field Notes Research and Developmen

Optimization Models for Iraq’s Water Allocation System

abstract: In the recent past, Iraq was considered relatively rich considering its water resources compared to its surroundings. Currently, the magnitude of water resource shortages in Iraq represents an important factor in the stability of the country and in protecting sustained economic development. The need for a practical, applicable, and sustainable river basin management for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Iraq is essential. Applicable water resources allocation scenarios are important to minimize the potential future water crises in connection with water quality and quantity. The allocation of the available fresh water resources in addition to reclaimed water to different users in a sustainable manner is of the urgent necessities to maintain good water quantity and quality. In this dissertation, predictive water allocation optimization models were developed which can be used to easily identify good alternatives for water management that can then be discussed, debated, adjusted, and simulated in greater detail. This study provides guidance for decision makers in Iraq for potential future conditions, where water supplies are reduced, and demonstrates how it is feasible to adopt an efficient water allocation strategy with flexibility in providing equitable water resource allocation considering alternative resource. Using reclaimed water will help in reducing the potential negative environmental impacts of treated or/and partially treated wastewater discharges while increasing the potential uses of reclaimed water for agriculture and other applications. Using reclaimed water for irrigation is logical and efficient to enhance the economy of farmers and the environment while providing a diversity of crops, especially since most of Iraq’s built or under construction wastewater treatment plants are located in or adjacent to agricultural lands. Adopting an optimization modelling approach can assist decision makers, ensuring their decisions will benefit the economy by incorporating global experiences to control water allocations in Iraq especially considering diminished water supplies.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 201