干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Various important resources of the desert environment were devastated during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait and the Gulf War. These resources include; soil, plants and animals. In addition, to the man-made soil disturbance problems which already existed prior to the Gulf turmoil, new factors were introduced such as; oil pollution, mines placement and tank movement within the fragile desert soil. Polluted soils were characterized by three kinds; oil logged soil close to the burnt oil wells, soil covered with oil mist and lightly affected soil by the soot fallout. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the impact of the Gulf crisis and mainly the burning of oil wells on Kuwait’s desert flora, fauna and soil. Plant and soil samples were analysed for total hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The wild life of Kuwaiti deserts were also evaluated.