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Arbeitsgruppe Prof. Dr. W. Shotyk
Inorganic Environmental Geochemistry
Dr. Basem Shomar (PhD)
- Address:
Institute of Environmental Geochemistry
University
of
Heidelberg
INF 236
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Tel.: 06221/546009
Fax: +49 6221 545228
E-Mail: bshomar@ugc.uni-heidelberg.de

Research
Projects in the Palestinian Territories: General Overview
The issue of environmental protection is one of the top priorities
to governments and individuals of all countries. The problems of environmental
pollution are of global concern due to drastic effects they have on human
health, on air, water and soil, on ecological systems and on all kinds of life
on the planet earth. Nowadays, pollution is considered the first priority among
the environmental problems facing the contemporary world. The earth witnesses
today an unprecedented increase in environmental problems. The enormous overall
population growth and consequent industrial, agricultural, energy generation
and communication boom of activities have led to the disturbance of
environmental equilibrium dynamics.
The environment in Palestine suffers from considerable strains. The severe effects of occupation
and the shortage and pollution of resources, coupled with high population
growth and insufficient job opportunities have created many environmental
hazards. Shortage of water and deterioration of water quality constitute a
limiting factor in the economic development of Palestine.
Israeli’s security pretexts and frequent closures of Palestinian territories
caused disruption of economic and municipal activities and aggravated the
existing pollution in every city, town or village in Palestine.
In a region where politics is mixed with vocabularies of
the daily life, the investigations, which extended to more than eight years and
still going, reveal the environment as a victim of politics in the difficult
and troubling area of the Palestinian territories. The details of the already
degraded environment are deteriorating in all components and levels.
Groundwater at the end is unsuitable for drinking by the worsening pollutants.
This means in the absence of any alternative water further illness, especially
among children will appear.
The Gaza Strip as one of the most densely
populated areas in the world with limited and deteriorated resources, has already
started to suffer the outcomes of environmental quality deterioration. The
situation in the Gaza Strip is below the desired standard which is attributed
to the prolonged Israeli occupation and the absence of environmental
legislation and the public awareness. Therefore, there should be collective and
serious efforts on the local, regional and international levels to improve and
protect the environment by prevention and monitoring the environmental themes
with emphasis on the environmental hot spots.
  
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