Southern Aral Sea Region Research Articles

At Shores of a Vanishing Sea: Microbial Communities of Aral and Southern Aral Sea Region

Since the early 60s of the 20th century, as a result of agricultural development in the irrigated areas of Uzbekistan, the area of the Aral Sea has decreased by 90%, while the water salinity has increased from 1% to 20%. The aim of our work was to investigate the diversity of microbial communities of water and sediments of the Western Aral Sea, as well as of the adjacent soils and reservoirs using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes variable V4 region. It was found that the Aral Sea water with a salinity of 22% was dominated by uncultured Archaea of the family Haloferacaceae (22‒43%), as well as by bacteria of the genera Spiribacter and Psychroflexus. In the Aral Sea sediments the share of archaea was much lower (2‒17%), and among them the uncultured Woesearchaeales predominated. Among bacteria, dominating in Aral sediments, there were sulfate reducers of the phylum ‘Desulfobacterota’, as well as representatives of the genera Fusibacter, Halanaerobium, Guyparkeria, Marinobacter, Idiomarina and Thiomicrospira. In soil samples of the former Aral Sea bed with salinity of 8.2%, a variety of archaea of the phylum Halobacterota were present, as well as uncultured bacteria of the family Nitrosococcaceae. However, in the rhizosphere of Ewresmann’s teresken plant (Kraschennininikovia ewresmanniana) growing there, archaea accounted for only 4% and mainly represented the family Nitrososphearaceae. 33% of all prokaryotes in the rhizosphere microbiome were the uncultured representatives of the phylum Actinomycetota. The microbial community of the teresken rhizosphere turned out to be similar to the microbial communities of the soil of the Ustyurt plateau, located in 3 km from the Aral Sea shore. The fresh water flowing along the former Aral Sea bed from an artificially drilled well also causes significant changes in the microbial communities: cyanobacterial mats and associated organotrophic bacteria develop along the stream bed with the increasing salinity (0.5‒2%). Finally, the greatest diversity of prokaryotes was found in the microbial community of Sudochie Lake sediment with salinity of 1%, which is probably a modern analogue of the Aral Sea microbiome before its shallowing.

The structure of the incidence of acute intestinal infections in children of the Southern Aral Sea region and bioimmune correction of intestinal microbiocenosis in shigellosis

BACKGROUND: The microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract ensures colonization resistance of the intestinal epithelium, produces enzymes, and participates in nutrient metabolism. Changes in its composition lead to pathological conditions of the intestines.AIM: To determine the structure of the incidence of acute intestinal infections in children living in the Southern Aral Sea region and to characterize the effect of bioimmune correction of changes in the intestinal microbiome in children with shigellosis.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 06.07.2020 to 05.10.2020, 179 children with intestinal infections aged 2 to 7 years living in an environmentally unfavorable zone of Southern Uzbekistan were examined. The children were divided into two groups: the first (32 children) received basic therapy (pathogenetic therapy, antibiotic therapy, diet), the second (11 children) received basic therapy with bioimmune correction with bifidobacteria bifidum (bifidumbacterin PL) and thymus peptides of sheep embryos and newborn lambs (immunomodulin). To characterize the microbiome, the material was screened on differential diagnostic media, identifying obligate, facultative and opportunistic microflora. To assess the statistical significance of differences between data groups, the Student's t test was used, taking p ≤0.05 as a significant level.
 RESULTS: Shigellosis was diagnosed in 43 sick children (24% of those examined), escherichiosis was diagnosed in 34 (19%), salmonellosis was diagnosed in 30 (16.3%), and diarrhea of other bacterial etiology was diagnosed in 23 (13%) patients. In all variants, changes in the intestinal microbiome were detected. Etiotropic therapy led to an improvement in the general condition of patients, but did not affect dysbiotic changes in the intestines and did not contribute to the restoration of the microbiome. Bioimmune correction of dysbiosis in shigellosis in 11 patients using preparations of bifidobacteria bifidum and fetal thymic peptides led to the restoration of intestinal microflora to normal values: the number of lactose-negative E. coli significantly decreased by more than 5 orders of magnitude (p=0.037), fungi of the genus Candida (p=0.030) and enterococci (p=0.019) by 3 orders of magnitude, and staphylococci by 2 orders of magnitude (p=0.048).
 CONCLUSION: The use of preparations of bifidobacteria bifidum and fetal thymus peptides as bioimmunocorrectors is a promising therapeutic strategy for shigellosis in children.

Hormonal profile changes under the influence of environmental factors in children residing in the Aral environmental disaster region

BACKGROUND: Since the mid 20th century, the Southern Aral Sea Region is notorious as a region of ecological disaster, where anthropogenic influence led to the desiccation of the Aral Sea. Aridization of these territories is the cause of accumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals — pesticides and toxic metals in soil and water.
 AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in hormonal profile under the influence of environmental factors in prepubertal children living at different distances from the epicenter of the Aral ecological disaster.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 58 male children aged 11–13 years. All children from birth lived in two regions of the Aral Sea Region and were divided into two groups depending on their place of residence. The group “North” (unfavorable conditions) consisted of 27 children from Muynak, Kungrad, Karauzyak, Takhtakupyr districts. The “Nukus” group (relatively favorable conditions) included 31 volunteers from Nukus city. All children were determined the concentration of IGF-1 — Insulin-like growth factor 1, GH — growth gormone, TT — total testosterone, E2 — estradiol, FSH — follicle-stimulating hormone, LH — luteinizing hormone, TSH — thyroid-stimulating hormone, TT3 — total triiodothyronine in blood sample. The statistical significance of the differences of the mentioned hormones in children from the “North” and “Nukus” groups was checked using the Mann–Whitney test.
 RESULTS: This analysis revealed statistically significantly higher values of TT, FSH and LH in children from the “Nukus” group compared to their peers from the “North” group. The concentrations of IGF-1, GH, E2, TTG and T3 in blood plasma in volunteers from both groups were not statistically significantly different.
 CONCLUSIONS: The environment of the Aral ecological disaster region with increased content of organochlorine compounds, pesticides and heavy metals changes the endocrine status in local prepubertal children. This is expressed in a moderate decrease in the activity of androgens (but not estrogens) and gonadotropic hormones. This research work can be considered as a pilot study, which determines the need for further monitoring of endocrine disorders in children and adults living in negative environmental conditions.

At the Shores of a Vanishing Sea: Microbial Communities of Aral and Southern Aral Sea Region

At the Shores of a Vanishing Sea: Microbial Communities of Aral and Southern Aral Sea Region

Ecological features and resource status of carp fish in the lower Amu Darya River

This study presents the results of multi-year comprehensive scientific research conducted in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River. The primary material for the study consisted of our own collections of ichthyological material of fish populations to determine their current status in fisheries. The research focused on various groups and statuses of carp fish. As a result of the study, the current composition of carp fish fauna in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River, their ecological characteristics, and their commercial status in connection with the anthropogenic transformation of the river's hydrological regime were identified. Under these conditions, research is being conducted to create sustainable fish resources and their effective utilization, including the study of alternative water sources in the Southern Aral Sea region.

Ecological assessment of soil salinization in the southern Aral Sea Region

Ecological assessment of soil salinization in the southern Aral Sea Region

Technology cultivating of Amaranth at different rates of organic fertilizers in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region

Technology cultivating of Amaranth at different rates of organic fertilizers in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region

Analysis of The Dynamics of The Number of Mammalian Populations in The Conditions of The Southern Aral Sea

The article presents the results of research analysis of the dynamics of the number of mammalian populations in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea Small mammals serve as bio indicators in the study of environmental conditions. Bio topic distribution, nutrition, age and sex structures were studied on the example of Microtus Ileus populations. The long-term joint dynamics of the populations of the most typical predator-prey system for this region in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region is investigated. It is shown that the specifics of the dynamics of natural processes in the conditions of the crisis of the Aral Sea region require the development of special simulation models taking into account the control parameters and order parameters of the destabilized ecosystem.

Клиническое течение и оптимизация лечения хронического конъюнктивита в регионе Южного Приаралья

Purpose. Optimization of treatment of chronic conjunctivitis in the Southern Aral Sea region. Material and Methods. The research included 62 patients (120 eyes) with chronic conjunctivitis, aged 35–62 years, who had been observed in a polyclinic for the last 3 years, with signs of DES. All studied patients were divided into 2 groups by random sampling after preliminary adequate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy; The control group (20 patients, 40 eyes) was instilled with an antiseptic - Tsinosol (composition: zinc sulphate, boric acid, Aseptic), 2 drops 3 times a day, for 30 days. In the main group (40 patients, 80 eyes), patients were instilled with an antiseptic - Tsinosol (2 drops 3 times a day) and an artificial tear (AT) medicine - Keratrop (composition: sodium carmellose, glycerin, levocarnitine, erythrolfirma Aseptica), 2 drops 3 times a day for a month. All patients underwent standard ophthalmological tests, and special studies were carried out to verify DES, including tests by Schirmer, Norn, Jones, the height of the lower lacrimal meniscus and the severity of the conjunctival fold were determined. Results. Studies have shown that in the main group, both subjective and objective signs of the disease significantly decreased compared with the baseline and with the data of the control group, and a significant improvement in the stability of the tear film was noted. Conclusion. To optimize the therapy of secondary DES, it is necessary to include in the treatment regimen AT medicines in general and the domestic medicine Keratrop in particular, as the medicine of choice in this region. Keywords: Southern Aral Sea region, environment, chronic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome (DES), DES treatment, tear substitutes

Керамические материалы на выставке археологического наследия Южного Приаралья из фондов Государственного музея искусств Республики Каракалпакстан им. И.В. Савицкого

Analysis of the archaeological exhibition organised by I.V. Savitsky State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, sheds light on the chronological framework of the archaeological heritage of the Southern Aral Sea Region. For the first time, the thematic exposition reveals the degree of available information on Ancient Khorezm monuments in terms of the ceramic production development and its relevance for studying the history of material culture. The exhibition acquires special significance in the context of the popularisation of historical science as a way to preserve the historical and cultural heritage in modern society. The display of the collections is a natural result of the work of several generations of the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition archaeologists, as well as the actual Karakalpak school of archeology. The exhibition of archaeological collections stirs interest in further research, promotes the popularisation of science, and stimulates the tourism industry development. It is a token of appreciation of sorts to the academic community, discoverers of the history of ancient and medieval culture, the creators of the Karakalpak school of archeology.

Assessment of salinization of soils and groundwater of the Khojaly district (Southern Aral sea region)

The article considers the solution of the problem of climate mitigation, improvement of the ecological situation of the Khojaly district and protection from salt dust, which is carried out by the wind from the drained bottom of the Aral Sea and salt marshes on the example of the city of Khojaly and its environs. To assess the salinization of the studied territory, the data of engineering and geological surveys necessary for the design of buildings and structures in the studied territory and the results of the analyses of the authors of the article were used. Based on the results of research and the use of GIS technologies, maps-schemes of salinization of groundwater and groundwater of the Khojaly district have been compiled. These maps can be used for more effective landscaping of the territory and the creation of forest protection strips around the city of Khojaly. Maps can be used to select the type of trees depending on the salinity of soils and groundwater, i.e. in the most saline areas it is proposed to create forest strips of salt-resistant trees.

Monitoring of the current state of tugai ecosystems in the conditions of the southern Aral Sea region

This article presents the results of monitoring the current state of the tugai in the South Aral Sea region. Over the past decades, as a result of a sharp increase in anthropogenic pressure on tugai forest ecosystems, there has been a catastrophic reduction in their areas, a violation of the ecological stability of ecosystems. The main area of distribution of tugai vegetation in the territory of Karakalpakstan is the lower reaches of the Amu Darya. Considering that tugai forests are a complex biological system with a long reproduction period, it is important to comprehensively know the influence of climatic and soil conditions on their formation and development. Tugai massifs are a unique type of ecosystems. They should be considered as a natural reserve of unique flora and fauna. During the formation and development of tugai communities, the ecological conditions of habitats change, which, in turn, affect communities. This mutual influence occurs during the entire period of their existence, being reflected in the accumulation of biological mass. In this connection, it is extremely interesting to consider the dynamics of changes in the productivity of tugai communities in the Amudarya delta. It is shown that as a result of a sharp increase in anthropogenic pressure on tugai forest ecosystems, their areas have sharply decreased, and the ecological stability of tugai ecosystems has been violated. Currently, in the tugai massifs of the lower reaches of the Amudarya, there are 55 species of tugai plants belonging to 21 families and 47 genera.

МОРФОМЕТРИЧЕСКИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ОЗЕР ЮЖНОГО ПРИАРАЛЬЯ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ШЕГЕКУЛЬ)

The article is devoted to the study of morphometric features of lakes located on the territory of Karakalpakstan. At the same time, the standard Google Earth platform and SAS Planet software were used. Fluctuations in the levels and areas of lake mirrors depending on the water content of the Amu Darya River are revealed. At the next stage of the research, the water balance of the lake was studied. The study of the elements of the water balance of the lakes of the Southern Aral Sea region makes it possible to determine trends towards a decrease or increase in their water volume over a calculated time interval.

The roots of weaving craft in the southern aral sea region

Among the crafts weaving is an ancient type which humanity has ever created. From the researches of scientists it was proved that this type of craft was discovered 8 thousand years ago for sure in neolit era.

Ecological assessment of coherent relationships of the trophic system “plants-rodents-pravator” in the conditions of the aral region

The article involves the long-term joint dynamics in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region of the population size of the most typical for this region system “predator-rodents-plants”. It is shown that the specifics of the dynamics of natural processes in a crisis (in this case, the Aral crisis) require the development of special simulation models taking into account the control parameters and order parameters of the destabilized ecosystem. The classical models of the Lotka-Volter “predator-prey” type, built for a normally, steadily functioning ecosystem, turn out to be inadequate for crisis conditions.

Ancient Khorezm in the era of the Early Iron age. (Models of the formation of the socio-economic structure of ancient societies on the territory of the Southern Aral Sea region according to the archeological data)

This article examines the early period of the formation of agricultural civilization on the territory of the ancient delta of the Amu Darya river in the southern Aral Sea region - Ancient Khorezm. The basic problem, that has remained debatable for many years, is the time of the initial stage of the ancient agricultural culture formation and urbanization on the territory of Khoresm. Besides until the recent time the role of autochtonous polulation on the lower reaches of the Amu Darya in these processes is not so clear, as well as the degree of the influence of agricultural cultures of the south of the Middle Asia on them. Based on archaeological sources in the era of the early Iron Age of Khorezm – VII-V centuries BC, two stages are singled out. The early - Sako-Kuyusai stage, VII- early VI BC was the beginning of the permanent flooding of the Near-Kamysh delta on the territory of the Left Bank of the Amu Darya, as a result of the interaction of two groups of pastoralists, different in origin and in the way of farming; a fairly stable paleoeconomical system is being formed, the basis of which was mainly pasture cattle breeding and primitive hoe farming. Community handicraft production functioned in stationary settlements of settled cattle breeders (Kuyusai culture). The second stage is the archaic period of the history of Khorezm (VI-V centuries BC) is characterized by the introduction of advanced technologies (irrigation, construction, pottery) that appeared on the territory of the southern Aral Sea region as a result of a powerful cultural impulse from the southern ancient agricultural regions of Central Asia. During this period, the paleoeconomical system of the historical and cultural region is radically changing; agriculture there, based on artificial irrigation, becomes dominant. At the same time, it should be emphasized that these changes are not related to the change of population. The Khorezm agricultural culture in the period of the RSVC-II was born as a result of the interaction of the autochthonous, mainly pastoral, Sako- Kuyusai population of the Near-Kama region and groups of farmers and artisans, natives of the ancient agricultural regions of the south of Central Asia.

Cultural and Literary Ties of Khorezm and the Volga Region in the 19th – Beginning of the 20th cс. (on the Example of the Manuscript Collections of the Southern Aral Sea Region)

The paper is dedicated to the collection of manuscripts, lithographs and early printed books of the Karakalpak Institute of Humanities (Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan) that combines receipts from various sources (these are individual entries from individuals, and the receipts of whole collections associated with the name of a particular collector –for example the so-called “Chimbay collection”). The work on the description of the entire fund, its systematization and compilation of a general catalog of manuscripts was started by the staff of the Karakalpak Scientific Research Institute of Humanities, and subsequently the author of this paper. Many manuscripts and early printed books represent the area of reading of a Muslim of that epoch (19–first half of the 20th century) and are one of the illustrations of the close literary and cultural ties between the Aral Sea region and the Volga region. Among them are such works as “Fiqh” al-Kaydani, “Bakirgan kitabi” and many others that were printed or copied in the Volga region (Kazan) and came to the libraries of Karakum-ishans in Khorezm and used in the educational programs of mektebs and madrasahs. The print and manuscript copies of dastan epic texts (such as “Garip Aşik”, “Köroğlu”, local versions of the “Idige” epic cycle and many others) indicates that the oral tradition of performing dastans connected with the other Turkic folklore (including the Volga region), as well as their written existence, was preserved in Karakalpakstan the 20th century for quite a long time.

Cultivation of quinoa to improve food security in arid climate and salinization of the Southern Aral Sea region

Cultivation of quinoa to improve food security in arid climate and salinization of the Southern Aral Sea region

Features of the Clinical Course and Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome in the Setting of Chronic Conjunctivitis in the South Aral Sea Region

Background. Currently, the health status of the population in the Aral Sea region should be considered with reference to long-term effects of environmental pollution – air, soil and drinking water containing toxic salts. As per results of the analysis of primary eye diseases in the Southern Aral Sea region, it was revealed that the main cause of conjunctivitis were chemical and physical exogenous irritation factors, such as dust, smoke and exposure to salt and sand storms that create a favorable environment for infection and development of secondary Dry Eye Syndrome. Purpose. To optimize treatment of secondary Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) in patients with chronic conjunctivitis in the South Aral Sea region. Materials and Methods. The research included 62 patients (120 eyes) with chronic conjunctivitis, aged 35–62 years, who had been observed in an outpatient clinic for the last 3 years, with signs of DES. All studied patients were divided into 2 groups by random sampling after preliminary adequate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. The control group (20 patients, 40 eyes) was instilled with Tsinosol antiseptic (composition: zinc sulphate, boric acid, Aseptic) – 2 drops 3 times a day, during 30 days. Patients of the main group (42 patients, 80 eyes) were instilled with Tsinosol antiseptic (2 drops 3 times a day) and Keratrop artificial tear (AT) eye drops (composition: sodium carmellose, glycerin, levocarnitine, erythrol, firma Aseptica) – 2 drops 3 times a day, during a month. All patients underwent standard ophthalmological tests, and special tests were carried out to verify DES, including Schirmer, Norn and Jones tests. Lower lacrimal meniscus height and the severity of the conjunctival fold were also determined. Results. Studies have shown that in the main group, both subjective and objective signs of the disease significantly decreased compared with the baseline and with the respective parameters of the control group, and a significant improvement in the stability of the tear film was noted. Conclusion. To optimize the therapy of secondary DES, it is necessary to include artificial tear eye drops in the treatment regimen in general, and consider using Keratrop eye drops in particular.

STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF ROAD COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SOUTH ARAL SEA REGION

This scientific article focuses on the role of caravan and waterways in the development of transport communications in the South Aral Sea region in the XIX century and the history of the study of road networks by scientists. The study of the history of road communications in the Southern Aral Sea region in the XIX - XX centuries is based on the works of European and local scientists, including the documents of scientific expeditions that conducted research at that time.