INTAS projects tackle water supply problems in Aral Sea region
Funded by the EU through INTAS (the international association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union), two research projects are bringing together scientists from several disciplinary backgrounds in an effort to better understand, forecast and combat the Aral Sea region desertification process. The Aral Sea was once the fourth biggest inland sea in the world. In the 1960s, the flow of water into the Sea began to drop alarmingly. Upstream irrigation schemes, for the growing of rice and cotton, used up more than 90 per cent of the natural flow of water from the nearby mountains. As a result, the sea's surface area has declined and around 27,000 square kilometres of former sea bottom has become dry surface. Today, the Aral Sea is estimated as being the eighth largest inland sea in the world. Not only has increased irrigation led to the shrinking of the Aral Sea, it has also led to the contamination and shortage of water resources, particularly groundwater supplies. As many populated areas in the desert zones depend on groundwater as their main and almost only drinking water supply, the two projects have decided to pay particular attention to the contribution of groundwater to the region's water supply and water quality, as well as its impact on the ecological system. Using in situ data and numerical modelling, the project consortia aim to develop an integrated environmental methodology for managing the groundwater resources of the Aral Sea region and to prevent further desertification. As part of their approach, scientists have already begun work on a centrally located database containing hydrological, meteorological, geological, hydrogeological, as well as other environmental control criteria and a numerical modelling tool. It is expected that the recommendations made in the database will assist politicians, water resource managers and decision makers to make more informative choices when tackling issues related to the water supply and quality of the region. In addition, thanks to this integrated conceptual approach, the numerical modelling tool can be used to help other regions with similar problems in water supply and water quality.