Evaluation of environmental quality for Al-Razzaza Lake in Iraq

Al-Razzaza Lake is a significant water source because of its significance to tourism and the economy. The policies of upstream and downstream countries have resulted in a shortage of water supplies, which has caused changes to the lake's characteristics. Therefore, conducting an environmental impact assessment (air, soil, and water) of Al-Razzaza Lake was necessary. The water properties data available at the Water Resources Directorate in Karbala governorate were collected for 4 years (2018–2021), and there needs to be property information for soil and air during these years. During 2022, ten soil, water, and air samples were collected from ten different locations from January to December to test the properties of water, soil, and air. The results demonstrated that eutrophication (TLI > 70) indicates severe eutrophication compared to international standards. According to the soil sample results, there was moderate iron contamination compared to international standards, moderate salinity, moderate potassium concentrations, and a manganese-copper contamination factor (3 < Cf < 6), indicating extensive contamination. Modified contamination level (2 < mCD < 4): Everybody except for sample 2, which has a high (4 < mCD < 8) level of contamination, the results are moderately contaminated. The biodiversity was reduced because of pollution and a lack of vegetation. The air test results indicated no pollution present. From the SWOT analysis and questionnaire, it was discovered that the opportunities outweigh the threats, suggesting that the lake's condition may improve and that the weaknesses outweigh the strengths, indicating that the lake's condition is deteriorating.