The ecological state of Boyuk Shor lake of Azerbaijan

The article is devoted to the pollution problems and the identification of the main sources of pollution of Boyuk Shor lake of the Absheron Peninsula under the ever-increasing rate of industrial development and urbanization. The purpose of the research was to determine the current ecological state of Boyuk Shor lake and adjacent territories. For this purpose, in June–August 2018, 36 samples were taken for analysis from water, bottom sediments of the lake, and soils of adjacent territories. The laboratory analysis revealed a high content of total hydrocarbons, toxic metals (Cd, Co, Hg, Cu), suspended solids, and other pollutants in the lake water samples. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of the lake are presented. The number of suspended particles in water samples was found to be more than 27–250 times higher than the maximum permissible concentration, and the amount of Hg is 180–286 times, Cd is 1–3.3 times, Cu is 1.7–4.8 times, and Co is 1.5–2.4 times higher than MPC. The heavy metal pollution of the soil and the taxonomic composition of the mesofauna of the surrounding area of Boyuk Shor lake were also studied. It was found that the composition of the group of soil invertebrates is very scarce, consisting only of insects (Arthropoda) (85.7%) and mollusks (Mollusca) (14.3%). The research results showed that the long-term negative impact has led to a violation of the ecological balance of the lake; it has lost its natural qualities, has become unsuitable for the flora and fauna of the lake and the surrounding area, and needs thorough cleaning and restoration.