1 research outputs found
Revealing the effect of an industrial flash flood on vegetation area: A case study of Khusheh Mehr in Maragheh-Bonab Plain, Iran
Floods are one of the most significant environmental hazards that can have harmful effects on
agricultural activities and vegetation. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the de-
structive after-effects of an industrial flash flood on the vegetation of the Khusheh Mehr region.
This flash flood occurred due to a break in the wastewater ponds of the Kaveh Soda factory on
April 25, 2010. Using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and the Normalized Differ-
ence Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from time-series Landsat data over the period of
2000–2020, we analyzed the changes in wastewater ponds and regional vegetation before and af-
ter the wastewater flood occurred. We also investigate the quantitative and qualitative changes in
vegetation during the past 20 years and detect the flood passage through this area. The results
show that 538 ha out of the total 2123 ha of Khusheh Mehr were directly affected by the runoff
resulting from the 2010 flood, and 1250000 m3 of industrial wastewater was discharged in the
study area. The analysis of the vegetation in 2010 showed that during May and July, the effi-
ciency and expansion of vegetation in these areas (NDVI >0.3) decreased by 90% and 55%, re-
spectively, compared to the same periods in 2009 and 2006. The study is significant because it
can help evaluate the effects of the flash flood not only on wastewater ponds and vegetation but
also on the contamination of underground and surface waters as chemicals and industrial waste-
water held in natural and artificial environments are discharged during a flood and directly affect
vegetation. The findings can provide useful information for hazard and land use management and
support policymakers, e.g., payment for financial loss of farmers