Environmental experts warn the ongoing war in the Gulf could cause severe and long-lasting damage to air, land and marine ecosystems. The conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February. Sustained bombing on both sides has ignited fires at oil and industrial sites and raised concern that pollution could spread beyond the immediate conflict zone.
Early March airstrikes on energy infrastructure near Tehran started massive fires and black smoke plumes over the city. Targets included oil storage depots and fuel transport networks in Tehran and Alborz province; later strikes hit larger facilities. Retaliatory attacks also affected energy infrastructure in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Experts say bombing and fires can release a range of pollutants. Alaaeddin Alsbaiee of BASF Chemicals lists nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, hazardous organic compounds, carbon smoke and fine particles smaller than PM2.5. These pollutants can travel by wind and raise respiratory disease risks, especially for children and older people. The WHO warned about pollution from burning fuel depots and reports of "black rain". Pollutants can reach soil and groundwater and may persist for generations, Richard Marcantonio warned. Heavy reliance on desalination means oil spills can reach plant intakes quickly and force shutdowns, Mohamed Dawoud said. Panagiotis Kosmopoulos recommends real-time satellite and ground monitoring so authorities can assess pollution and protect water systems and public health.
Difficult words
- ecosystem — Community of living things and their environment.ecosystems
- infrastructure — Basic systems and facilities for a society.
- pollutant — Substance that makes air, water, soil dirty.pollutants
- desalination — Process that removes salt from seawater.
- groundwater — Water found under the ground in soil and rock.
- monitor — To watch or check a situation over time.monitoring
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Discussion questions
- How could air pollution from fires affect local people's health and daily life?
- What water problems might communities face if pollution reaches soil and groundwater or desalination plants stop working?
- What kinds of monitoring or actions should authorities use to protect water systems and public health?
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