Review: Evaporation assessment for sawa lake – Iraq based on water surface temperature WST using remote sensing

The evaporation process is considered a vital geophysical factor because of its close connection with the energy balance and hydrological cycle. This study aims to estimate water surface temperatures and daily evaporation rates in Sawa Lake, Iraq, using Landsat 8 and 5 satellite data and to understand the effect of evaporation on the lake’s water area over the years. Data from the tenth band of Landsat 8 and the sixth band of Landsat 5 were used. The daily evaporation rate was calculated by modifying the Penman equation with the Linacre equation. The SVM classification technique was used to evaluate changes in lake surface area resulting from evaporation for the years 2010, 2014, and 2018 during the winter and summer seasons. The calculated daily evaporation results were acceptable and consistent with the observed daily evaporation data of Al-Khader Meteorological Station/Iraqi Meteorological Authority. The variation in the decrease in the lake’s water area is due to several factors, the most important of which is the evaporation factor, and requires decision-makers to take urgent measures to preserve this vital resource, develop strategic plans for water management, and reduce the phenomenon of water depletion by factories and farms, promote sustainable irrigation techniques, and work to Renewing groundwater sources. In addition, cooperation with local and international bodies will contribute to finding solutions to preserve the lake and ensure its continuity for future generations.