Geo-environmental Impact of Gypsum Quarries in Almulawatha area within Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq

   The increase in demand for building materials and stones in recent years has led to the expansion of random quarrying. Therefore, the current study highlights the environmental impact of gypsum rock quarries in the Almulawatha area in Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq. The aims of the study are to evaluate the gypsum rocks of the Fatha Formation within Nineveh Governorate, specifically in Almulawatha area, where the rocks were evaluated environmentally and engineeringly to demonstrate their suitability for various uses. As well as studying the impact of rock quarrying and the environmental and geological problems it causes. This study focused on the environmental and geological impact resulting from these quarries.

Field surveys and field studies were conducted to determine the field physical and geotechnical properties of the region's rocks, in addition to sampling them for the purpose of laboratory study to determine their engineering properties. Field observations and satellite images monitoring have shown the massive expansion of random quarrying operations in the environment of the study area in terms of the spread of large holes and high rock cuts, which will ultimately lead to the formation of swamps and the occurrence of rock slides. It was also noted that all types of extracted rocks are used in the plaster industry, and this has a major negative impact, as the use of the erosion-resistant type in the plaster industry is considered an economic waste. Moreover, the erosion-resistant type is also characterized by the presence of textile veins in it, which gives it an aesthetic appeal when used for packaging purposes. The study area is a ​​low hills, and as a result of the spread of quarrying operations, it has an unclear topography due to the absence of well-studied scientific plans, and the quarrying work being limited to the easiest and cheapest quarrying methods, which has led to a significant distortion of the region’s environment.