Pollution and Salinization: Compounding the Aral Sea Disaster

Abstract

Central Asia today is the focus of intense international attention because of its geopolitical and economic importance, its natural and human resources, its transit potential for transcontinental trade and transport, and its unsettled political situation. The last years of the Soviet period introduced increasing natural resource degradation. The deficit of water resources and contamination of the waters are two of the most severe problems within the region. Overuse of agrochemicals continues to result in the intensive pollution of agricultural lands and water resources. Many of the environmental challenges in Central Asia are closely linked to agricultural and industrial production. The most visible result of pollution is the increasing salinity of water, especially in downstream areas. The lack of domestic resources to address environmental issues requires regional solutions built upon environmental cooperation and goodwill reinforced with international assistance.

Citation

Ahrorov, F., Murtazaev, O. and Abdullaev, B. (2012), "Pollution and Salinization: Compounding the Aral Sea Disaster", Edelstein, M.R., Cerny, A. and Gadaev, A. (Ed.) Disaster by Design: The Aral Sea and its Lessons for Sustainability (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0196-1152(2012)0000020011