Environmental Risk Assessment in the Masrik River Basin

М А Nalbandyan,А О Nersisyan

doi:10.32819/021009

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the environmental risks of water pollutionin the Masrik River catchment area. The risk assessment studies are based on the results of thehydrochemical monitoring of the Masrik River Basin water quality in 2012‒2014. The main riskfactors for pollution of the river basin area are mining, agriculture, uncontrolled utility flows.Zoning was performed and areas of zones were calculated using a digital elevation model (DEM)in the ArcGIS software environment and taking into account sampling points and river basins. Atthe same time, the territory was ranked by population density. Then a geodatabase (GDB) wascompiled. GDB presents the point assessments of the state of river waters according to the level ofthe pollutant concentration factor and population density. The thematic layers based on the resultsof the indicators in the ArcGIS program were compiled. A map was obtained according to a pointassessment of environmental risk. An integrated assessment of river water pollution was carriedout in different parts of the basin. The population density and total risk index were calculated. Thethree risk zones were identified in the river basin: high, medium and low. In addition to presentingtheoretical value, the conclusions are also of practical importance and can be used in the developmentof river basin risk management programs, measures for quality management and control ofpollution sources in the aread.

Highlights

This article examines the area of the catchment of the Masrik River with its tributaries, in order to assess the environmental risk of river water pollution, taking into account the nature and volume of negative impact on water quality, presented in a spatial representation
The main environmental problems of the region are the pollution of soils and river waters with heavy metals, the accumulation of biogenic components in soils in the zones, the flow of untreated municipal wastewater into the river
The pollution of natural environments with heavy metals is associated with the mining activity of the Sotk gold deposit in the catchment area

Summary

Introduction

This article examines the area of the catchment of the Masrik River with its tributaries, in order to assess the environmental risk of river water pollution, taking into account the nature and volume of negative impact on water quality, presented in a spatial representation. The pollution of natural environments with heavy metals is associated with the mining activity of the Sotk gold deposit in the catchment area. The Sotk gold ore deposit industrial zone is located in the Gegharkunik region at the north ‒ eastern part of Sevan or 20 km East of Vardenis, 2 km from the Sotk pass, at an absolute altitude of 2300‒2500 m. This area was known in antiquity, as evidenced by numerous ancient workings and archaeological finds dating back to the 11th century BC. Ore processing is carried out at the Ararat mining plant, where the ore is delivered by train

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Conclusion