Miqan Wetland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Miqan Wetland | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Miqan Wetland Location of the Miqan Wetlands in Iran | |
| Location | Markazi province، Iran |
| Coordinates | 34°12′N 49°51′E / 34.200°N 49.850°E |
| Type | Desert Wetland |
| Primary inflows | Qara Kahriz, Farahan, Shahrab rivers |
| Primary outflows | Evaporation |
| Catchment area | Miqan catchment |
| Basin countries | Iran |
| Built | Paleocene Era |
| Surface area | 25,000 hectares (97 sq mi) |
| Average depth | Very shallow |
| Max. depth | 1.40 metres (4.6 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) |
| Islands | 3 |
| Settlements | Arak, Iran Davudabad |
Miqan Wetland is a wetland located in Markazi province,[1] Iran. In years with good rainfall, the wetland has significant water level and in the years with less rain, the surface of the wetland generally dries and becomes a desert. The height of the wetland is 1,700 meters (5,600 ft) above sea level and the water inside of it varies in different seasons. Miqan is supplied from different water sources such as rainfall, water of three rivers known as Qarah Kahriz (Koohrood) River, Farahan River, Shahrab River, and Arak's wastewater treatment sewage. The area of the wetland is about 25,000 hectares (97 sq mi),[2] which includes a lake with three islands in the middle and the surrounding plains. Archaeologically, the wetland's formation dates back to the Paleocene, which was due to the movement of the surrounding tectonic plates of the earth.[3]
The Miqan Wetland has special ecological features, including the fact that it hosts a large number of migratory birds each year, among which some rare and protected species can be seen. This wetland has become one of the most important environments in the country due to the high population of Gruidaes (Grus). The vegetation of the region is more of saline plants or halophytes, which makes the wetland an important resource of halophytes in the country. In addition to birds, mammal species, artemia (brine shrimps), and saltwater algae are other living things in the wetland and its surroundings.[4]
The word Miqan literally means believing.[citation needed] In the past, the wetland was named as "Namakzar Farahan." This wetland is also called "Miqan Desert" due to its high evaporation of water.[5] However, the name “desert” does not mean “desert” in Farsi, it is a word used instead of “playa."[citation needed]
Location
Miqan Wetland with an area of 25,000 hectares (97 sq mi).[6] The area of Miqan wetland has reached 61.18 square kilometres (23.62 sq mi) in May 2019 and more than 19 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi) in August 2019.[7] is located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) northeast of Arak city and in the south of Davoodabad city. It is next to Rahzan, Deh Namak, and Miqan villages. The catchment area of the wetland varies between 10,000–12,000 hectares (39–46 sq mi) depending on the amount of the absorbed water. Its average altitude is 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level and its annual rainfall is 258 millimetres (10.2 in). The water level of the wetland (in different seasons of the year) reaches to 140 centimetres (55 in).[3]
Miqan Wetland consists of a seasonal lake, desert, and alluvial plains. The nearest mountain to the wetland is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southeast of it, which is called "Kooh Takht Zard" with the height of 2,269 meters (7,444 ft). There are three islands in the middle of the wetland, the largest of which is 500 square metres (5,400 sq ft). Miqan Wetland is located at the flattest section of Farahan plain and the region of Arak.[8]
History
Miqan Wetland is one of the last ecological plains in Arak. All of the region's water pours into it.
In terms of tectonics, the wetland has two large mountainous sides and a sedimentary plain in the middle. The wetland looks like a valley that has sunk along two faults.
According to experts, the wetland is estimated to be 2000 years old. The history of the formation of the region dates back to the Paleocene.[9]
Water supply
Most of the water entering the wetland is due to rainfall, the surrounding springs, and the seasonal rivers of the region such as Farahan, Shahrab, and Qara Kahriz rivers. In the recent years, the entry of sewage effluent in the city of Arak at the rate of 700 litres per second (25 cu ft/s) has been another source of water supply in the wetland, which has affected the region's ecosystem. The level of groundwater aquifers of the wetland has decreased by 13 metres (43 ft), which doubles the risk of groundwater salinization and secondary environmental damage.[10]
Climate
The climate of the wetland is hot, dry, and Mediterranean. Its annual rainfall is 354 millimetres (13.9 in), and its annual evaporation is four times more than the rainfall. The wetland has a high annual temperature difference and sometimes reaches to 69 °C (156 °F). Indiscriminate human intervention in the last 27 years has caused the temperature of the wetland to rise by one degree.[11]
Due to the location of the city near the wetland, water vapor rising from the surface of the wetland softens the air, increases steam and fog, and has a positive effect on reducing the transfer of fine dust. Therefore, in the winter all flights from the airport which is located near the city are cancelled.[12]
