ABSTRACT
Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990. The Gulf War, to liberate Kuwait, was started on 16 January 1991. Invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War created history in many ways and one of the most significant and painful consequences of the Gulf War was its impact on environment. The retreating Iraqi forces detonated large number of oil wells. As a result, many wells were on fire, and some were destroyed gushing oil. In addition, large quantity of crude oil was discharged into the marine environment. This large-scale destruction of oil wells and release of crude oil resulted in the spreading of oil and products of combustion polluting land, marine, air and groundwater. The effects of Gulf War on land, air and marine environment decreased with time. However, one of the most important resources of Kuwait, which is groundwater, was also threatened by the pollutants.
