Анализ и прогноз экологического состояния поверхностных вод в Узбекистане

Abstract

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, an increasing shortage of water resources and insufficient supply of clean drinking water is forcing the population to use river water for domestic and drinking needs. Moreover, the health of the population largely depends on the quality of surface waters. This fact makes it relevant to monitor surface water, identify areas with high pollution, identify the most dangerous ingredients for the health of the population and take measures to minimize them. The hydrometeorological service of the Republic of Uzbekistan currently uses a methodology for assessing the quality of surface water that was developed back in 1988 and does not meet modern requirements. For this reason, in the operational practice of Russia since 2002, the “Method of a comprehensive assessment of the degree of pollution of surface waters by hydrochemical indicators” has been used, which is more promising. A method for assessing the quality of surface water is proposed, based on an analysis of the source information for all gauging stations and ingredients. This article presents the results of the development of a map of hydroecological zoning based on materials for 1997–2006 and a forecast map of hydroecological zoning for 2015. The forecast is based on hydrochemical data, which included information on the hydrochemical composition of surface waters for 1997–2006 for all posts of the republic. According to the research results, areas with increased pollution of surface water and ingredients with a significant excess of maximum permissible concentrations were identified. Among them, mercury occupies a special place. A comparative analysis of the forecast map with a map of the actual state of surface water quality, developed by us based on the materials of the hydrometeorological service of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2014–2015, is carried out. The analysis showed a good agreement between the forecast data on the location of areas with unsatisfactory surface water quality and the actual materials, which makes it possible to use a forecast map to identify problem areas with high surface water pollution. Studies have revealed the need for high-quality laboratory chemical analyzes of water for all the ingredients included in the database of the hydrometeorological service of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In this case, special attention should be paid to such highly toxic ingredients as mercury. Urgent measures must be taken to inventory mercury sources in surface waters and measures should be developed to minimize its release.