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  • Schone T.

    Water resources and water security in Central Asia

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Policy Briefs

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Gafurov A., Latinovic M., Schone T. Kogutenko Larissa,

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

    Source:

    Adaptation to expected water shortage and increasing water demand has to be undertaken to achieve water security in the future. In-depth studies on the quantification of climate change impact on water resources should be considered. Optimization of water management practices should consider the best economic value between Central Asian countries. Decision making process on water management should be supported with more scientific knowledge. Capacity building measures on the assessment of water availability in times of climate change should be improved.



  • Sergei Fokin

    Assessment of lake Markakol’s physical and chemical condition with consideration of eutrofication

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Azamat Madibekov, Laura Ismukhanova, Askhat Zhadi, Botakoz Sultanbekova, Serik Zhumatayev, Alibek Karimov, Sergei Fokin

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: https://water-ca.org

    The study was conducted in 2023 and comprised a comparative assessment of the state of Lake Markakol’s aquatic ecosystems in surface and bottom water strata. The analysis of bottom water temperatures showed correlation between this parameter and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicating that pollution caused by organic impurities leads to lake eutrophication, in turn, pro-pelling the extinction of aquatic life. Although the main water physicochemical parameters of Markakol Lake correspond to the oligotrophic type, the shifts in dissolved oxygen and phos-phate content, as well as growth of aquatic vegetation indicate its transition to the mesotrophic type. Higher phosphate content in water is a consequence of pollution disturbing the biological balance, as well as stimulating the reservoir’s eutrophication and increased biological productivity, i.e. algal bloom. In addition, phosphate ions serve an informative indicator of Hazard Class 3 (organoleptically hazardous) anthropogenic pollution. Based on the correlation factor (r), two statistical models were considered for the target lake: 1) Water Pollution: nutri-ent concentrations depending on surface and bottom water temperatures (Model 1); and 2) changes in Water Pollution Indices (biogenic, heavy metals, mean) because of air temperature growth due to global warming of 0.25°C/decade (Model 2).



  • Sergeyeva A.


  • Sergey Vassilyev

    Coal mine methane in Kazakhstan: economic and environmental case study

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Climate, Energy

    Authors: Sergey Vassilyev, Galym Iskakov

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: Central Asian Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research

    The study aimed to evaluate the economic and financial viability of a coal mine methane (CMM) utilization project in Central Kazakhstan, demonstrating a methodology for similar initiatives. The analysis was based on the 2013 project proposed by the US Environmen-tal Protection Agency (EPA) that intended to capture methane emissions from six coal mines for electricity generation, yet was never implemented. The study’s relevance stems from Kazakhstan's 2030 methane pledge, recent progress in the country's climate change-related policy, mineworker mortality in 2023, and the shift of mines ownership. Building upon the technical specifications of the 2013 US EPA project, this research em-ployed standard financial and economic cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The financial model utilized a traditional discounted free cash flow approach, while the economic model in-corporated additional factors like the value of statistical life (VSL), shadow pricing, as well as benefits associated with mitigating ozone health impacts, crop damage, mine ex-plosion risks, and CO2 emissions. The economic model has indicated a positive net pre-sent value of $243 mln and 42% internal rate of return. The financial analysis also sug-gests potential profitability under fair electricity and carbon pricing market conditions. To assess project robustness under varying economic and financial assumptions, the study included a sensitivity analysis. The research has likewise leveraged prior CMM-related studies in Kazakhstan and provides valuable guidance for analyzing similar projects. In addition, it also highlights the need for certain adjustments in the current legislation to incentivize such projects, as well as to promote environmental sustainability and social development by mitigating methane emissions, which aligns with Kazakhstan's climate goals.



  • Serikbay N.

    HBV-modeling of the Ile Alatau mountain river flow

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Tillakarim T., Serikbay N., Satmurzayev A., Sairov S.

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: water-ca.org

    The research aimed to evaluate the possibility of applying the HBV model for assessing the flow of the Ile Alatau Mountain Range rivers. The main part of the corresponding water resources forms on the northern slopes of the Ile Alatau making them a significant water balance and water supply factor for the major cities of Almaty, Kaskelen, Talgar, and Yesik.



  • Serik Zhumatayev

    Assessment of lake Markakol’s physical and chemical condition with consideration of eutrofication

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Azamat Madibekov, Laura Ismukhanova, Askhat Zhadi, Botakoz Sultanbekova, Serik Zhumatayev, Alibek Karimov, Sergei Fokin

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: https://water-ca.org

    The study was conducted in 2023 and comprised a comparative assessment of the state of Lake Markakol’s aquatic ecosystems in surface and bottom water strata. The analysis of bottom water temperatures showed correlation between this parameter and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicating that pollution caused by organic impurities leads to lake eutrophication, in turn, pro-pelling the extinction of aquatic life. Although the main water physicochemical parameters of Markakol Lake correspond to the oligotrophic type, the shifts in dissolved oxygen and phos-phate content, as well as growth of aquatic vegetation indicate its transition to the mesotrophic type. Higher phosphate content in water is a consequence of pollution disturbing the biological balance, as well as stimulating the reservoir’s eutrophication and increased biological productivity, i.e. algal bloom. In addition, phosphate ions serve an informative indicator of Hazard Class 3 (organoleptically hazardous) anthropogenic pollution. Based on the correlation factor (r), two statistical models were considered for the target lake: 1) Water Pollution: nutri-ent concentrations depending on surface and bottom water temperatures (Model 1); and 2) changes in Water Pollution Indices (biogenic, heavy metals, mean) because of air temperature growth due to global warming of 0.25°C/decade (Model 2).



  • Shadurdyyev G.


  • Shafiqul Islam

    The Multi-track Water Diplomacy Framework A Legal and Political Economy Analysis for Advancing Cooperation over Shared Waters

    Year: 2016

    Collections: Scientific Publications, Research Paper, Review article, Concept paper

    Topics: Water, Sustainable Development, IWRM, Water law, Water diplomacy, Water governance

    Authors: Patrick Huntjens, Yumiko Yasuda, Ashok Swain, Rens de Man, Bjørn-Oliver Magsig, Shafiqul Islam

    Countries: N/A

    Source: The Hague Institute for Global Justice

    This publication is part of the project Water Diplomacy: Making Water Cooperation Work, led by The Hague Institute for Global Justice, in collaboration with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), UNESCO Category II Centre for International Water Cooperation (ICWC), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Uppsala University, University of Otago, University College Cork and Tufts University Water Diplomacy Program.


    Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy

    Year: 2025

    Collections: Books

    Topics: Water, Climate, Sustainable Development, Management, Water diplomacy, Water governance Gender, IWRM, Agriculture, Irrigation,

    Authors: Shafiqul Islam, Kevin Smith, Martina Klimes, Aaron Salzberg

    Countries: N/A

    Source: Routledge

    The Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy is a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing water diplomacy – a framework for building relationships, negotiating shared interests, and managing complex water challenges across physical, political, and societal boundaries.



  • Shafiqul Islam

    Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy

    Year: 2025

    Collections: Books

    Topics: Water, IWRM, Water governance, Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation

    Authors: Shafiqul Islam, Kevin Smith, Martina Klimes, Aaron Salzberg

    Countries:

    Source: Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy

    Full book available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V8lHqDiaqrMtHnU6JP9p9SBC2rsXY8gX/view?usp=sharing

    The Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy is a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing water diplomacy – a framework for building relationships, negotiating shared interests, and managing complex water challenges across physical, political, and societal boundaries.

    In an era marked by rising scarcity, deepening uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tension, this timely volume offers actionable insights for negotiated problem-solving grounded in both scientific understanding and diplomatic skill. Moving beyond abstract theory and technical fixes, the Handbook introduces a dual-pathway structure designed to meet the diverse needs of its users. The “Working Together” pathway invites readers to engage with water diplomacy through the lens of their roles, whether as professionals, decision-makers, funders, researchers, or affected communities. The “What Matters and Why” pathway highlights key thematic dimensions, including process design, adaptive learning, trust-building, divergent worldviews, and the management of uncertainty.



  • Sharakhmatov S.Е.

    Morphological variability of Cyprinus Carpio Linnaeus, 1758 in water bodies of the Balkash-Alakol basin

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Barakov R.Т., Sharakhmatov S.Е., Isbekov К.B., Nurtazin S.Т.

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: https://water-ca.org/

    The article presents the results of investigating the morphological variability of carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) in three large reservoirs of the Balkash-Alakol Basin – Lake Balkash, Lake Alakol, and Kapshagay Reservoir. Morphological differences in several features (counting and plasticity) were found in three carp samples. The study included the examination of 24 plastic and 14 counting features. The method of digital image processing (Morpho J) was applied to analyze the differences of the target fish species specimens by body shape. The application of the principal component analysis (PCA) method allowed determining the main loadings on the studied morphological traits of carp. The statistically reliable differences revealed allow to confirm the formation of morphological changes in carp caused by
    the duration of adaptive radiation, environmental factors of water bodies and annual artificial stocking of young fish.



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