Papers by Rashid Kulmatov
Journal of ecology & natural resources, 2024
This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the chemical composition, structura... more This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the chemical composition, structural characteristics, and porous structure of soil and sand in the dried-out part of the Aral Sea. Chemical analysis of soil samples revealed a high content of basic elements, such as oxides of silicon, aluminium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, which affect chemical activity and interaction with the environment. The structural characteristics of the samples taken in the dried part of the Aral Sea made it possible to evaluate their ability to adsorb and interact with water and other substances. The study of soil's adsorption and porosity characteristics has revealed its ability to retain moisture and other important components in the porous structure. The results obtained allow us to better understand the mechanisms of interaction of soil and sand with water. Data can serve as a basis for developing effective and sustainable water management practices and optimizing the use of soil materials.
Bio web of conferences/BIO web of conferences, 2024
Irrigated areas in the Aral Sea Basin are becoming highly saline due to the ascendant groundwater... more Irrigated areas in the Aral Sea Basin are becoming highly saline due to the ascendant groundwater table and groundwater mineralization. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in soil fertility in agriculture and negatively affects the food security of basin countries. In the research work, seasonal changes in the groundwater table and mineralization during the periods of 2015 and 2023 were evaluated on the irrigated lands of the Xojeli district in the Republic of Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan). Field monitoring was carried out on 142 observation wells using traditional methods of measuring the groundwater table and mineralization. Then, the obtained data was statistically analyzed, and maps based on the geoinformation system (GIS) were created by the inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation method for the study period. Furthermore, a correlation coefficient analysis was applied to find a relationship between climatic patterns, and groundwater table, and mineralization. Results based on statistical analysis present steady fluctuations in the groundwater table and wild fluctuations in mineralization over a period of nine years. The average water table below surface and mineralization in April was determined by 1.55 m and 2.94 g/l, in July by 1.78 m and 2.96 g/l, and in October by 2.18 m and 2.56 g/l. The visual maps created in accordance with the GIS-based method show that average values for the groundwater table in the irrigated areas were 1.5-2 m and 2-3 m (57.9% and 27.8%), and mineralization was 1-3 g/l and 3-5 g/l (62.4% and 36.5%). A correlation coefficient (r) shows a low relationship between the chosen variables.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
With the desiccation of the Aral Sea, salt–alkali dust storms have increased in frequency and the... more With the desiccation of the Aral Sea, salt–alkali dust storms have increased in frequency and the surrounding environment has deteriorated. In order to increase our understanding of the characteristics and potential impact zone of atmospheric aerosols in the Aral Sea region, we evaluated seasonal and diurnal variation of aerosols and identified the zone most frequently impacted by aerosols from the Aral Sea region using CALIPSO data and the HYSPLIT model. The results showed that polluted dust and dust were the two most commonly observed aerosol subtypes in the Aral Sea region with the two accounting for over 75% of observed aerosols. Occurrence frequencies of polluted dust, clean continental, polluted continental/smoke, and elevated smoke showed obvious seasonal and diurnal variations, while occurrence frequency of dust only showed obvious seasonal variation. Vertically, the occurrence frequencies of all aerosol subtypes except dust showed significant diurnal variation at all levels...
Water, Jul 24, 2020
Groundwater is critical for supporting socioeconomic development but has experienced gradual decr... more Groundwater is critical for supporting socioeconomic development but has experienced gradual decreases in recent decades due to rapid population growth and economic development throughout the world. In recent years, the utilization of transboundary groundwater resources has received extensive attention globally. Because transboundary aquifers do not follow borders and are concealed, neighboring countries are prone to experiencing conflicts over the use of these transboundary groundwater resources. Therefore, an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the development potential of groundwater resources in these transboundary aquifers is necessary for the rational and fair use of those groundwater resources. Transboundary groundwater resources are an important water source for life, production, and ecological water use in Central Asia, which has a distinctive continental arid and semi-arid climate, and surface water resources in this region are relatively scarce. Considering the existing problems related to the utilization of groundwater resources in the transboundary aquifers in this region, we propose developing strategies for on-demand water abstraction, enhancing the ecological protection of transboundary aquifers, and strengthening international cooperation. This paper summarizes the distribution of 34 transboundary aquifers in Central Asia and analyzes the status and potential of groundwater resource uses in these transboundary aquifers.
Quaternary International, 2018
Soil salinization is a major problem in many arid and agriculturally used regions and Central Asi... more Soil salinization is a major problem in many arid and agriculturally used regions and Central Asia is a prime example for this. Intensive irrigation, saline water resources, shallow groundwater tables and high evapotranspiration rates lead to the enrichment of salts in the top soils and a reduced soil productivity in the Central Asian lowlands. This is aggravated by a strong socioeconomic growth which results in an increase in the water consumption and the intensification of the farming practices (e.g. fertilizer application). This article analyses these problems for the Navoi province in Uzbekistan, a region located in the lower reaches of the Zarafshan River in the Kyzyl Kum desert. Between 2000 and 2015 detailed data on the groundwater table, groundwater salinity and the soil salinity were collected, complemented by meteorological data, soil characteristics, water use, and fertilizer statistics. Based on these datasets the ameliorate soil conditions in the Navoi irrigation zone and their temporal dynamic were assessed. The results show that both the groundwater and soil salinity have improved slightly during the last 15 years. Especially the percentages of samples with a high salinity have been reduced significantly. In 2015 only 0.7% of the irrigated soils have been categorized as highly saline while 71.3% were only slightly saline and 18.3% non-saline, while those values for the year 2000 were 6.1%, 51.5%, and 13.2%. The ameliorate soil conditions, on the other hand, have not improved accordingly, but showed a slight deterioration, even if they are overall satisfactory in 79.6% of the area. The percentage of irrigated soils with an unsatisfactory condition has increased from 3 to 13.9% between 2000 and 2014. This development is not related to any climatological, soil or groundwater parameters, so that the impacts of an increased water usage for urban and industrial purposes (and the related effects on the water quality), as well as the increased fertilizer application, seem to be a possible explanation for the observed trend. The results show the impact of the low efficiency of the irrigation and drainage system, which is outdated, not well maintained and thus often failing, on the groundwater level and the soil salinization, but also how the attempts to update the system during the recent years has led to a slight improvement of the soil and groundwater salinity.
In irrigated lands of the Aral Sea Basin, salt-affected areas are increasingly rising and this ne... more In irrigated lands of the Aral Sea Basin, salt-affected areas are increasingly rising and this negatively impacts agricultural development and food security in such countries located in the basin. Drivers, increasing salt-affected areas, are assumed to be climate change, unregulated high groundwater levels and its increased mineralization, poor functioning of the collector-drainage system, and insufficient compliance with agro-technical requirements. These drivers, in turn, lead to the withdrawal of arable land from agricultural purposes and a significant drop in crop yields. This is especially the case in the irrigated areas of the lower reaches of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, including Uzbekistan, southern Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. In regard to Uzbekistan, the research on soil salinity assessment was conducted in the irrigated areas of the Syrdarya province by analyzing raw data derived from traditional methods from 2000 to 2015, as well as from 2016 to 2019 using the integrated traditional and GIS-based methods. Based on the results of field and laboratory studies on spatio-temporal soil salinization changing dynamics in the province, such maps were created to investigate similar spatial patterns on soil salinity over time by using the GIS-based interpolation method. The results of the research work revealed that soil salinity highly depends on soil conditions and its relief, and climatic factors of the province. Regarding the main findings of the research, agricultural specialists and farms are distinctly encouraged to take the following measures to address the actual soil salinity condition in the irrigated areas of the province: targeted and wisely use of irrigation water; exist drainage networks are in perfect working condition and monitoring their full effective operation; and, lastly, accelerating the integration of innovative GIS technologies into traditional methods.
The Aral Sea catastrophe adversely affects the environmental and socio-economic situation, as wel... more The Aral Sea catastrophe adversely affects the environmental and socio-economic situation, as well as regional climate in the Aral Sea Basin (ASB) countries. Two largest trans- boundary rivers: the Amudarya and the Syrdarya originate in the high mountains of the Pamir and the Tien Shan. The present research provides a detailed quantitative and qualitative overview of the Amudarya and Syrdarya Rivers, as well as collector drainage and ground water resources. Due to the aridity the agriculture in the Bukhara region depends heavily on irrigation. However, the flat topography of the region does not provide sufficient natural drainage. As a result water logging and raising groundwater tables are serious problems for the agricultural productivity. In combination with the high salinization of the irrigation water, this leads to a widespread soil salinization. Intensive irrigation, saline water resources, shallow groundwater tables and high evaporation rates lead to the enrichment of salts in the top soils and reduced soil productivity. The system “groundwater-soil-meteorology-irrigation” is highly complex, so that not a single parameter is controlling the salinization process.
IOP conference series, Jul 1, 2022
Determining and assessing the water balance of the Aydar Arnasay Lakes System (AALS) is important... more Determining and assessing the water balance of the Aydar Arnasay Lakes System (AALS) is important for the development of fisheries, ecotourism and efficient use of water resources in the region. The amount of water included in the water balance of the AALS is the addition of Syrdarya water, collector drainage water, snow-rain and groundwater, which are poured into the lake system through the Chordara reservoir. The amount of water released from the lake system includes water released from the water basin by evaporation into the atmosphere, used for infiltration and irrigation. The article identifies and evaluates changes in the amount of AALS water balance for 2004-2018.
Springer eBooks, Apr 1, 2009
Problems of using, monitoring, managing, and protecting water resources of the Aral Sea basin are... more Problems of using, monitoring, managing, and protecting water resources of the Aral Sea basin are pressing because of the extremely limited nature of these resources, increasing pollution levels, and the threat of a shrinking — and gradually disappearing — Aral Sea. Results from the author's long-term research on monitoring and protection of water of the main rivers — the Amu
E3S web of conferences, 2023
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
A shift in the temperature of the canopy may signify stress in the plants. In laboratory and gree... more A shift in the temperature of the canopy may signify stress in the plants. In laboratory and greenhouse trials, using canopy temperature for the measurement salt stress in certain agricultural crops was thoroughly examined; however, its potential application in landscape-level investigations employing remote sensing methods has not yet been investigated at different time series. A satellite thermography for measuring the soil salinity of agricultural areas at the provincial level was the subject of our investigation. The research area was the irrigated, semi-arid, and salt-affected agricultural land appertain to Syrdarya province in Uzbekistan, which was mostly planted with wheat and cotton. The provincial soil salinity map was considered as a ground truth data and the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer satellite (MODIS) data were perceived as an indication for canopy temperature in this study. We investigated the relationships between the soil salinity, the normalized di...
XXI century. Technosphere Safety
The exposure dose rates, the equivalent equilibrium volume activity of radon, and the activity of... more The exposure dose rates, the equivalent equilibrium volume activity of radon, and the activity of long-lived alpha-nuclides in the air of the uranium protoxide-oxide calcination shop were determined. Annual effective doses for workers were calculated. Through the use of nuclear-based polietilentereftalata and chemical filters, the disperse composition of particles in the air was studied. The effectiveness of filters in sampling was evaluated for the uranium content. The kinetics of distribution of uranium in various fractions was studied. The quality coefficients of filters that accumulate uranium relative to its norm in various working places of the shop were estimated.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 23, 2021
Орол денгизи ҳавзаси мамлакатлари суғориладиган майдонларида сизот сувлари сатҳи кўтарилиши ва ми... more Орол денгизи ҳавзаси мамлакатлари суғориладиган майдонларида сизот сувлари сатҳи кўтарилиши ва минерализациясининг ошиши натижасида шўрланиш жараёнлари кетмоқда. Бу ўз навбатида экин майдонларининг фойдаланишдан чиқишига ва экинлар ҳосилдорлигининг камайишига сабаб бўлмокда. Ушбу ҳолат айниқса, Амударё ва Сирдарё дарёларининг қуйи оқимида жойлашган мамлакатлар: Ўзбекистон, жанубий Қозоғистон ва Туркманистоннинг суғориладиган майдонларида кузатилмоқда. Тадқиқот ишлари Ўзбекистоннинг Сирдарё вилояти суғориладиган майдонларида 2000-2015 йиллар давомида анъанавий усуллар, 2016 ва 2019 йиллар оралиғида анъанавий ва ГАТ усулларини қўллаб олиб борилган. Илк бор вилоятнинг туманлар кесимида сизот сувларининг сатҳи ва минераллашуви ўрганилган ва баҳоланган. Олинган натижалар ушбу кўрсаткичлар туманлар тупроқ шароитига, рельефига ва иқлим омилларига боғлиқлиги баҳоланган. Тадқиқот натижалари асосида вилоятнинг қишлоқ хўжалиги мутахассисларига, фермер хўжаликларига туманларнинг суғориладиган майдонларида сизот сувлари сатҳининг жойлашуви ва минераллашувини ўрганиш натижаларидан келиб чиқиб, юзага келган ҳолатни бартараф этиш учун қуйидаги ишларни бажариш тавсия қилинган: суғориш сувларидан мақсадли ва тежамкорлик билан фойдаланиш; мавжуд дренаж тармоқларини ишчи ҳолатда бўлишини таъминлаш ва тўлиқ самарали ишлашини назорат қилиш. Таянч сўзлар: сизот сувларининг сатҳи, сизот сувларининг минерализацияси, иқлим ўзгариши, ГАТ, статистик таҳлил, Сирдарё вилояти. Аннотация На орошаемых землях бассейна Аральского моря происходят процессы засоления в результате повышения уровня грунтовых вод и увеличения их минерализации. Это, в свою очередь, приводит к изъятию пашни и снижению урожайности сельскохозяйственных культур. Особенно это касается орошаемых территорий нижнего течения рек Амударья и Сырдарья, расположенных в Узбекистане, Южном Казахстане и Туркменистане. Исследования велись на орошаемых территориях Сырдарьинской области Узбекистана с 2000 по 2015 год с использованием традиционных методов и методов ГИС за период с 2016 по 2019 год. Впервые изучены и оценены уровни и минерализация грунтовых вод в административных районах области. В результате эти показатели были оценены в зависимости от районов, почвенных условий, рельефа и климатических факторов. По результатам исследовании специалистам сельского хозяйства и фермерским хозяйствам области в результате изучения расположения и минерализации грунтовых вод на орошаемых площадях региона рекомендовано принять следующие меры по улучшению ситуации: целевое и экономичное использование оросительной воды; обеспечить в рабочем состоянии существующие дренажные сети находятся и эффективную их работу. Ключевые слова: уровень грунтовых вод, минерализация грунтовых вод, климатические изменения, ГИС, статистический анализ, Сырдарьинская область. IRRIGATION AND MELIORATION К ириш ва муаммонинг ҳозирги ҳолатининг таҳ- лили. Орол денгизи ҳавзасида 1950 йилдан бошлаб суғориладиган ерлар майдони 3,5 млн/га. дан 8,0-8,5 млн/га. га кўпайди ва шу билан бирга минтақанинг икки асосий дарёлари бўлган Сирдарё ва Амударёдан илгари ишлатилмаган янги ерларни ўзлаштириш ва кенгайтириш ҳамда суғориш мақсадларида дарё сув ресурсларини ишлатишнинг кескин ортиши Орол денгизининг қуриши билан бирга, денгиз ҳавзасида мавжуд чучук сув ресурсларининг миқдор ва сифат кўрсаткичларининг пасайишига ва минтақанинг экогидрологик баланси бузилишига олиб келди . Ўзбекистонда суғориладиган ерлар 4312,2 минг гектарни ёки умумий ер майдонининг 9,7 фоизини ташкил этиб минтақа сув ресурсларининг қарийб 50 фоизи асосан қишлоқ хўжалигида (85-90%) ва бошқа турли мақсадларда ишлатилади. Минтақада суғориладиган ер майдонларидан экстенсив фойдаланиш, агротехника талабларига риоя қилмаслик оқибатида cизот сувлари сатҳи (ССС) нинг кўтарилиши, минераллашуви ошишига ҳамда ерларнинг шўрланишига олиб келган. Бу ҳолатга суғориш мақсадларида керагидан ортиқ сув ресурсларидан фойдаланиш, мавжуд дренаж тизимларини ишлатишда етарли даражада техник хизмат кўрсатилмаганлиги ва тозалаш ишлари олиб борилмаганлиги сабаб бўлган . Марказий Осиё давлатларида сизот сувлари (СС) нинг шаклланиши ер усти ва ер ости сув ресурсларининг миқдор ва сифатига узвий боғлиқдир . Лекин кўп ҳолларда арид ва ярим-арид минтақаларда жойлашган мамлакатларда ССни ўрганишда унинг минераллашув жараёнлари етарлича инобатга олинмаган. Шу сабабли ҳам жуда юқори даражада минераллашган СССнинг кўтарилиши ва уларнинг минераллашувининг ошиши суғориладиган қишлоқ хўжалиги ерларининг фойдаланишдан чиқиб кетишига ҳамда уларнинг хосилдорлиги пасайишига олиб келмокда ва бу ҳолат кўп ҳолларда мутахассислар эътиборидан четда қолмоқда .
Mining informational and analytical bulletin, 2021
Agricultural Water Management, 2022
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021
The Aydar-Arnasay Lake System (AALS) is located in the middle of the Syrdarya River, to the south... more The Aydar-Arnasay Lake System (AALS) is located in the middle of the Syrdarya River, to the south of the Chardara Reservoir, and in Jizakh and Navoi provinces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adjacent to the low plain of South Mirzachul. Currently, the AALS has a significant impact on the regional ecosystem and socio-economic conditions of the region. Studying and evaluating the AALS hydrology, the water volume, surface area, and variability of water levels altogether play an important role in the development of fisheries and ecotourism in the region. However, in the past studies, the dynamic changes in the volume, area, and water levels of the AALS have not been investigated through up-to-the-date geo-information systems (GIS), requiring additional research to formulate a proper methodology considering the potential aspects of GIS. Therefore, this paper aims at analyzing the dynamics of changes in the water level, surface area, and water volume of the AALS by using GIS technologies within 1993–2017 years. During the period from 1993 to 2006, the water level and the surface area of the AALS steeply increased and remained stable with negligible positive and negative fluctuations in the rest of the experimental years. These findings were successfully tested and validated by ANOVA, indicating an exceptionally low F-significance of 0.0008. According to the AALS’s water volume dynamics, we investigated here the role of two factors: anthropogenic—the outflow water discharge from the reservoir located in the neighboring country; and natural—the amount of perennial precipitation. Consequently, we ascertained that the role of precipitation as a natural driving factor in expansion is majorly less than the outflow water from the reservoir, despite having a gradual increase in the perennial precipitation trend. As we assume that the hydrological characteristics of the AALS are strongly dependent on air temperature and the amount of precipitation due to the extreme restriction of outflow water discharge from the reservoir, thus the establishment of proper GIS-tracking and monitoring methodology is recommended to early warn the potential minor changes which could become severe in the near future.
XXI Century. Technosphere Safety, 2021
The purpose of the article is to describe monitoring studies on the radiation state of air in pop... more The purpose of the article is to describe monitoring studies on the radiation state of air in populated and working areas near the uranium processing enterprise in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Ac-cording to the analytical measurement, the exposure dose of gamma radiation is equivalent to the equilibrium volume activity of radon, specific activity of long-lived alpha-emitting nuclides in the zone of influence of the enterprise, the working area, premises for storing uranium materials and manufacturing dumps, tailings dams and areas of underground uranium leaching. It was shown that the measurement results do not exceed the regional background and regulatory levels of radioactive radiation by all indicators. The dependence of the volume activity of radon at production facilities on the density of the radon flux from the soil was studied. The most intensive radioactive objects – uranium dumps – were identified. It was found out that there is no excess radioactive impact of the uranium e...
Central Asia encompasses five republics that were part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in ... more Central Asia encompasses five republics that were part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. They exist in an arid and isolated region with a harsh, unforgiving climate. Water and other natural resources must be intensively managed if this region is to sustain its water-energy-food system into the future. Water and energy – and thus the ability to produce food – are unevenly distributed among the Central Asia republics such that the upstream republics have much more water and the downstream republics have much more fossil energy. These disparities were balanced by Moscow during the Soviet period but became accentuated when centralized control was relaxed in the early 1990s. The region now faces multiple water-energy-food system challenges. Water budgets will likely decline in the future as climate change begins to bite. Transboundary conflicts over water are being exacerbated as the region develops economica...
The Aral Sea catastrophe adversely affects the environmental and socio-economic situation, as wel... more The Aral Sea catastrophe adversely affects the environmental and socio-economic situation, as well as regional climate in the Aral Sea Basin (ASB) countries. Two largest trans- boundary rivers: the Amudarya and the Syrdarya originate in the high mountains of the Pamir and the Tien Shan. The present research provides a detailed quantitative and qualitative overview of the Amudarya and Syrdarya Rivers, as well as collector drainage and ground water resources. Due to the aridity the agriculture in the Bukhara region depends heavily on irrigation. However, the flat topography of the region does not provide sufficient natural drainage. As a result water logging and raising groundwater tables are serious problems for the agricultural productivity. In combination with the high salinization of the irrigation water, this leads to a widespread soil salinization. Intensive irrigation, saline water resources, shallow groundwater tables and high evaporation rates lead to the enrichment of salts ...
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Papers by Rashid Kulmatov