ABSTRACT
Decline in water availability and deterioration of water quality are among the major issues faced by many rivers and dependant human- and ecosystems, most notably in the downstream and delta regions. The Shatt al-Arab River, located in the arid environment of Southern Iraq, is such a case where water availability has significantly reduced and the natural regime of the river has drastically changed due to human interventions, construction of large scale water infrastructure and major water diversions in the upstream basins. River water quality has notably deteriorated due to increasing water withdrawals but also due to untreated wastewater and saline irrigation return flows discharged into the source water bodies. Quantifying in sufficient detail the combined effects of all sources contributing to salinity changes provides the basis for informed water resources management and planning including interventions and investments for improved salinity management.
