The international project of radiation and hydrochemical investigation and monitoring of general Caspian rivers

Full text: The scientific community of six countries (USA, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan) has developed the ecological project 'Joint International Researches and Creation of the General System of Radiation and Hydro-chemical Monitoring of Rivers of the Caspian Sea Basin.' The purpose of this project is to investigate and characterized contamination by radionuclides and toxic and chemically hazardous elements and create a valid system of radiation and hydro-chemical monitoring of the main river basins of the Caspian region: the Volga, Ural, Emba and Kura. The basins of these rivers cover large parts of Europe and Asia, including parts of Russia, West Kazakhstan and the South Caucasus and including territories of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The total area of the basins of these rivers exceeds combined area of such large European states as France, Spain and Germany, and comprises 1631 sq. km. All these rivers are the main life-supporting water arteries for the region's inhabitants, a population that comprises tens of millions of people Also, the outlets of these rivers determine the condition of the aquatic environment of the Caspian Sea. The ecological condition of the aquatic environment of all the rivers of the Caspian Sea is to a great extent due to contamination, the main components of which are anthropogenic radioactive elements, heavy metals and oil products. At present, information about contamination levels of these rivers is not known and is occasionally contradictory. In this connection there is an obvious need of qualified investigation of contamination levels and its character in the basins of these rivers and in creating a common monitoring system to assess the quality of the aquatic environment. The present project is devoted to this matter. 1. The project provides for the following main tasks: 1. Wide-ranging investigation of the level and character of contamination by radionuclides and toxic elements of the river basins flowing into the Caspian Sea. 2. General contamination characterization of the basins of the Caspian rivers and creation of the final system of radiation and hydro-chemical monitoring on its basis. 3. Creation of a database containing information on the quality ana quantity of water as well as on the level and character of contamination of the most radioactive and ecologically hazardous areas and objects in the basins of the Caspian rivers. For carrying out the planned research on the basis of retrospective review and critical analysis of all types of activity and natural phenomena influencing the ecological and radio-ecological situation of the region areas and objects will be selected for investigation. Sample selection of river water, bottom sediments, coastal soil and vegetation will be carried out between March and November, covering the period of high levels of water in the rivers (from snow melting) and normal levels of water due mostly to inflow of soil waters. During a sampling period, radiometric measurements and measurements determining primary water quality and quantity parameters at a location will be carried out, as well as determining point coordinates for carrying out measurements and sampling. In addition to radionuclide analysis including α-, β-spectrometry with preliminary radiochemical extraction, and instrumental γ-spectrometry, there will be applied methods of chemical, neutron-activation analysis (NAA), X-ray fluorescent analysis (XRF), atomic emission spectrometry with inductive coupled plasma (AES with ICP) and mass-spectroscopy (MS). As a result of investigations in the framework of the project there will be obtained new data on contamination with radionuclides and toxic elements of the basins of the Caspian rivers. There will be revealed and characterized in the view of potential and real hazard of the most contaminated areas and objects. Database will include all information on ecological and radioecological situation of basins. The project will produce well-founded, scientific recommendations and offer of control methods for limiting entry of pollutants to water environment. The results from the project will aid decision-making about transboundary management and water resources and improve the radioecology situation in the region of the river basins of the Caspian Sea