Geographical Analysis of Selected Environmental Indicators and Their Effects on Soil Contamination in Al-Mahmoudiya Region

Authors

  • Noor Abdul-Zahra Osman Mustansiriyah University, College of Education, Department of Geography, Baghdad, Iraq Author
  • Abeer Yahya Ahmed Mustansiriyah University, College of Education, Department of Geography, Baghdad, Iraq Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31185/wjfh.Vol22.Iss3/Pt1.1761

Keywords:

Spectral indicators, drought, vegetation cover

Abstract

Soil pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges affecting the sustainability of ecosystems and agriculture, due to the deterioration of soil's physical and chemical properties resulting from human activities such as the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides and industrial drainage. This study aims to utilize environmental spectral indices based on remote sensing techniques to indirectly monitor and analyze soil pollution. The methodology relies on spectral reflectance analysis and spectral ratios to detect changes in soil components such as organic matter, moisture, and heavy metals. Vegetation cover indices such as the Natural Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Cover Index (EVI) were also used to assess the impact of pollution on plant density and soil health. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of spectral indices in tracking temporal changes in soil and identifying pollution zones, thus confirming their importance as a scientific tool to support sustainable environmental management.

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Published

2026-08-01

How to Cite

Osman, N. A.-Z., & Ahmed, A. Y. (2026). Geographical Analysis of Selected Environmental Indicators and Their Effects on Soil Contamination in Al-Mahmoudiya Region. Wasit Journal for Human Sciences, 22(3/Pt1), 232-213. https://doi.org/10.31185/wjfh.Vol22.Iss3/Pt1.1761