On December 14, 2022 (23 Azar 1401), a specialized meeting was held at the Faculty of Biology, University of Tehran, with the coordination of the Faculties of Biology and Geology within the College of Science. The meeting brought together 16 experts in geology, biology, environmental science, and natural resources to examine the environmental and geological hazards associated with the impoundment of the Chamshir Dam reservoir.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Habibi Rezaei, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, emphasized the importance of collaboration, synergy, and the role of the Faculty in addressing issues that contribute to securing and safeguarding the national interest and territorial resources.
Dr. Hassan Amiri Bakhtiar, a specialist in the geology of the Zagros region, presented the latest findings from the fieldwork and analytical studies conducted by his research team, under his supervision and in collaboration with Mr. Eghbalpour, concerning the geological conditions of the Chamshir Dam area. He explained in detail that the preliminary geological studies of the dam had been conducted without adequate consideration of the geology of the Gachsaran Formation.
Presenting supporting evidence, he stated that a substantial portion of the reservoir basin encompasses Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Gachsaran Formation, all of which contain salt-bearing layers. Given the presence of numerous faults in the area, he noted that salt dissolution and mixing with the reservoir water, as well as water leakage from the reservoir, were highly plausible risks.
Following technical discussions among the experts attending the meeting, the participants stressed the necessity of extracting 20 core samples from the reservoir area to determine the depth and distribution of salt in different sections of the reservoir bed.
Subsequently, Dr. Hossein Akhani critically reviewed the environmental impact assessment report prepared for the initial Chamshir Dam project. Drawing on his field observations, he emphasized that the poor water quality of the rivers upstream of the dam had not been adequately considered. He described the assumptions presented in the report as lacking scientific and empirical validity and, given their questionable reliability, stressed the need for a realistic assessment of the potential risks associated with filling the reservoir, both within the reservoir itself and downstream of the dam.
Other participants in the meeting included Dr. Bahrudi, Dr. Bahlouli, and Dr. Renjbaran from the University of Tehran; Dr. Abdoli from Shahid Beheshti University; Dr. Hamid Abbasi and Mr. Mohammad Darvish from the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands; and Ms. Zahra Yazdani from the Department of Environment.
