Project Leader: A. Amirgaliyev
Objective: Comprehensive assessment of the quality of transboundary flow and tributary waters of the Ili River, identification of the main patterns of their anthropogenic transformation.
Expected Outcomes:
2023: 1. Data on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of a wide range of chemical and toxic substances entering the Republic of Kazakhstan through the transboundary flow of the Ili River. 2. Results of water quality assessment based on a list of pollutants using international index-based evaluation methods for comparison. 3. Assessment of the current pollution levels in the Kapshagay Reservoir for a broad range of monitored toxicants.
2024: 1. Data on the degree of anthropogenic pollution in small rivers (SR) flowing through cities and large settlements. 2. Assessment of the influence of potential pollution sources in small rivers (SR) and the reservoir on water quality transformation processes. 3. Data on the impact of anthropogenic factors on water quality at specific sections of the river from the border gauging station to Lake Balkhash.
2025: 1. Assessment of the level of anthropogenic load on hydrochemistry and river water quality at initial and control gauging points. 2. Water quality modeling. Map-diagrams visually illustrating water pollution levels and chemical pollutant fluxes in different parts of the Ili River basin, including the reservoir. 3. Key patterns of river water quality transformation and recommendations to ensure an ecologically balanced state of the river and reservoir..
Main Results Obtained: In accordance with the Project's Terms of Reference, the following tasks were completed:
2023: Field studies of water bodies in the Ili River basin were conducted:
- Quantitative assessment of the inflow of a wide range of chemical and toxic compounds (mineralization, nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum products, etc.) via the Ili River.
- Comprehensive water quality assessment of the Ili River covering a broad range of monitored pollutants (major ions, nutrients, metals, organic substances, pesticides, PCBs).
- Study of hydrochemical indicators and pollution levels in the Kapshagay Reservoir, taking into account their spatial and temporal dynamics.
2024: Assessment of the spatial-temporal dynamics of hydrochemical and toxic indicators of water and the degree of influence from anthropogenic and natural factors:
- Investigation of small rivers flowing into the Kapshagay Reservoir to assess pollution levels based on controlled ingredients.
- Study of the role of small rivers, the reservoir, and local pollution sources in shaping the regime of hydrochemical and toxic parameters and water quality transformation.
- Systematic monitoring of hydrochemical and toxic indicators, calculation of the Water Pollution Index (WPI) at control gauging points to account for pollution sources and river self-purification processes.
2025: Ongoing work to establish patterns in water quality transformation and develop recommendations for maintaining ecological balance in the Ili River water environment:
- Study of several hydroecological indicators necessary to assess anthropogenic pressure on river systems and water quality transformation: anthropogenic components, permissible and actual levels of chemical and toxic substance discharge, as well as discharge indicators (tons/km² per year) and the dependence of pollutant concentration on river flow.
- Preparation of river water quality modeling. Development of spatial distribution maps of pollutant concentrations and discharge indicator values.
- Identification of major anthropogenic and natural factors influencing river water quality transformation and development of recommendations to maintain eco-toxicological balance in the Ili River basin, considering the expected decrease in transboundary flow volume.
Scientific Novelty. For the first time, data were obtained on the level and impact of transboundary and local pollutants on the aquatic environment of the Ili River and the Kapshagay Reservoir (KR), as well as patterns of transformation and modeling of water quality under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors
Practical Significance of Research Results.
The obtained data provide an objective assessment of anthropogenic transformation of hydrochemical and water quality indicators, as well as an evaluation of the overall ecological status of river systems.
Publication: Based on the research results, one (1) article was published in a peer-reviewed national journal recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in the Field of Science and Higher Education (KOKNVO):
- Amirgaliyev N.A., Musakulkyzy A., Madibekov A.S., Ismukhanova L.T., Sultanbekova B.M. “Long-term Dynamics of Transboundary Inflow of Nutrients in the Ili River and Their Transformation Along the River Course” // Hydrometeorology and Ecology. – Astana, 2024. – No. 2. P. 57–66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54668/2789-6323-2024-113-2-57-66 (in Russian)
Certificates of Authorship:
1. Certificate No. 54000 dated January 29, 2025 – Medeu Akhmetqal, Amirgaliyev Nariman Amirgaliyevich, Madibekov Azamat Sanyzbayevich, Musakulkyzy Ainur, Zhadi Askhat Omirzakhuly – "Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Water Area of the Kapshagay Reservoir".
2. Certificate No. 54015 dated January 29, 2025 – Medeu Akhmetqal, Amirgaliyev Nariman Amirgaliyevich, Madibekov Azamat Sanyzbayevich, Musakulkyzy Ainur, Zhadi Askhat Omirzakhuly – "Distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Water Area of the Kapshagay Reservoir".
Justification for Fieldwork: Field studies include measurements and analysis of a range of hydro-physical and hydrochemical parameters, as well as water sampling for the determination of chemical composition (temperature, pH, organic matter content via permanganate oxidizability, suspended solids, ionic-salt composition, mineralization, content of heavy metals – Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni – and PCBs). These analyses provide a comprehensive environmental and analytical assessment of pollution levels in natural water bodies based on the presence of toxic compounds in the Ili River basin.
Types of Work Conducted:
According to the Project Calendar Plan and due to the specific nature of the research, the following tasks were performed:
- Collection of field materials (water sampling)
- Chemical analysis of collected samples in a field laboratory
- Preparation of samples for toxicological analysis
- Extraction of collected samples for PCB determination
- Toxicological analysis at the Institute’s laboratory
Field studies in the Ile River basin
Since 28 August 2023 system monitoring in the Ile River basin (mouth sections of the main tributaries, Kapshagai reservoir and along the course of the Ile River itself) is carried out.
For chemical analyses in the laboratory of the Institute were taken water samples in 5 points along the Ile River, 6 points on the tributaries and 10 on the reservoir water area to determine the salt composition, the content of heavy metals and for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls.
