التباين المكاني للتلوث الضوضائي في مدينة كربلاء المقدسة

Spatial Incongruity of Noise Pollution In the Holy City of Kerbala

   Noise is a problem from which civilized cities suffer, including the Holy City of Kerbala. It is an issue that has a considerable impact on life style. With the increase of this problem in the city the population has turned obsessed with it. The current study has been dedicated to a one year investigation that lasted from 15th October, 2017 to 15th September, 2018. It is a comprehensive study for all sources of noise and their spatial distribution. What distinguishes this study is the use of up-to-date technology; the most precise sound level meters of international origins have been used, the most up-to-date versions of computer applications (Arc Map 10.5), (Arc Catalog 10.5), and (Arc Scene 10.5) in mapping have been used, in addition to the use of GPS apparatus and other modern technologies.
Chapter one presents the theoretical framework including the definition of the phenomenon subject to study. This is followed by a geographical division of the city into four noise territories, these territories have been categorized into two groups that highlight each other. By this method the city districts in which noise pollution concentrates have been specified, the noise range among the territories has been calculated according to international sound level meters recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their program known as (UNEP) and this is discussed in chapter two. In chapter three noise sources have been specified and neutralized.

   The researcher recognized seventeen major and minor noise sources in the Holy City of Kerbala, the sources have then been categorized into several types , each type was discussed in details including spatial distribution on the map and the intensity of each noise source.
The researcher arrived at the conclusion that certain noise sources are concentrated in certain geographical zones while others are spread all over the city.
Noise leaves sever environmental impacts on the population. It affects the individuals’ general health, their performance and productivity levels, as well as the mental concentration level of employees and students. This aspect has been revealed in chapter four, supported by experiments and field tests under the supervision of experts in environment and educational psychology.
The results of these tests have been analyzed using very precise scientific statistical methods, then the researcher presented the results arrived at about this negative phenomenon that has turned into a concern for the majority of the city population.
The study concludes that the three noise levels in the Holy City of Kerbala exceed the environmental level allowed in residential areas by the World Health Organization (WHO) and that the city is highly noisecontaminated.
Recommendations have been presented to experts to work on eliminating or at least reducing the intensity of this phenomenon with its several negative impacts.