Field expedition to assess the ecological condition of water resources in West Kazakhstan Region

Between April and May 2025, field studies of the ecological condition of water resources in the Western Kazakhstan region were conducted by the research team of Subprogram 5 under the targeted program financing project BR21882122 titled “Sustainable Development of Natural, Economic, and Socio-Economic Systems of the Western Kazakhstan Region in the Context of Green Growth: Comprehensive Analysis, Concept, Forecast Assessments, and Scenarios.”

The research team carried out multispectral surveys of surface water bodies and, at each sampling site, assessed organoleptic, general sanitary, and toxicological indicators of water quality. Analyses were performed using test kits applying both quantitative and semi-quantitative standardized methods, as well as a portable spectrophotometer.

The fieldwork covered 69 water bodies across the Western Kazakhstan region. According to the pre-defined route, the following observation points were examined:

• 27 in Aktobe Region,
• 11 in Atyrau Region,
• 23 in West Kazakhstan Region,
• 8 in Mangystau Region.

For each sample, the geographic coordinates of the sampling locations were accurately recorded using a high-precision GNSS receiver. Water quality analysis was conducted using portable laboratory equipment and included more than 30 parameters.

The data obtained will be used to assess the current status of regional water resources, identify ecological risk zones, and develop recommendations for the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems under changing climatic and anthropogenic conditions.