The Impact and Risks of the Oil Industry on Air Quality and Land Use in Koya District – Erbil - IRAQ Using Remote Sensin

The oil industry is one of the most important sectors in Iraq, playing a significant role in developing and strengthening the countrys economic infrastructure. Koya District has one oil field. Oil production in Koya has, of course, had a major impact on land use and air quality. Between 2003 and 2023, transformations in land use were primarily driven by the expansion of the oil industry. This sector has significantly influenced agricultural land conversion and accelerated urban growth in the region because of substantial changes in land use and air quality due to oil production activities in Koya District.
Using satellite image classification, we focused particularly on the northwest region of Koya, where the risks associated with crude oil production have strongly affected surface soils. In contrast, the eastern parts of Koya remain relatively unpolluted. Additionally, the southeastern area is characterized by extensive fish ponds, while urbanization has surged to 69.5%. Air pollution in Koya in 2021 was highup to 65molaritybut NO levels dropped after oil production stopped in 2023, falling to 31molarity. This study aims to analyze the changes in land use and air pollution in Koya District under the influence of the oil industry using remote sensing techniques.