Disaster in Iraq’s Mesopotamian Marshes

The fragile ecosystem of Iraq’s unique wetlands is under serious threat. The Mesopotamian Marshes are fed by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which are both heavily polluted. There used to be enough water to dilute the pollution, until Turkey built 22 dams at the headwaters of the rivers. The flow of water on both rivers dropped to a third. The lack of water flowing down the rivers also means that tidal seawater is encroaching, making the water undrinkable.