Faculty Member at the University of Basrah Publishes Research in a Prestigious International Journal
Wissam Razzaq Mutashar, a faculty member at the Marine Science Center of the University of Basrah, published a joint research paper with a group of researchers entitled “Geohazards and coastal dynamics: a geo-engineering assessment of the southern Iraqi shore (Ras al-Bisha zone)” in the international journal Oceanologia. This journal, ranked in the first quartile (Q1) with an impact factor of 2.3, is published by the Polish Academy of Sciences at the Institute of Oceanography and focuses on marine sciences, oceanography, coastal dynamics, and geological and engineering hazards in coastal environments.
The research addressed the assessment of geological and engineering hazards along the southern Iraqi coast, specifically the area between the Shatt al-Arab estuary and the eastern breakwater of the Grand Faw Port. This was achieved through the development of an advanced geo-engineering framework to study the stability of coastal sediments under the influence of near-daily tides.
The study relied on direct field measurements of the unextracted shear strength of the sediments, in addition to hydrological data on current speeds and tidal heights. A Dual Factor of Safety methodology was applied to assess sedimentary stability during both tidal and tidal conditions. The results led to the creation of spatial hazard maps, classifying areas as stable, critical, and unstable. The study's findings are of direct importance in supporting coastal planning, risk management, and the protection of coastal infrastructure, particularly in light of the hydrodynamic changes associated with the construction of engineering projects.
Department of Media and Government Communication
