Review of pollution sources and controls in Caspian Sea region

Abstract

Experts believe that the release of over one billion cubic meters of industrial, chemical and household wastewater into the Caspian Sea per annum has polluted the water, and reduced the level of oxygen jeopardizing over 400 aquatic species including sturgeons. Extraction and transportation of oil in the Sea are one of the pollution sources in the Seawater. Caspian Sea contains about 100000 million barrels of oil. It also contains over 35000 million cubic meter of flue gas. Daily extractions of crude oil and gas and transportation of them are the main pollution sources of the Caspian Sea. Many trucks for charring oil from ports along the Caspian Sea are considered as point and nonpoint sources along the seaboard. In addition, many ships, which are navigating in the Sea, are emitting pollution to the Sea. Many cities and industries surround the Caspian Sea. Pollution from these cities and industries enter the Caspian Sea either directly or through rivers. The purpose of this paper is to look at the benefits of environmental management strategies in pollution prevention such as waste minimization and clean technologies. This minimizes the environmental problems due to waste generation and eliminates the cost of treatment and disposal of the waste. The benefits of the environmental management program along the Caspian Sea will ensure the clean water and the better environment of the Sea. Key words: Caspian Sea, pollution, oil, waste minimization.