Caspian Sea: State of the Environment 2019

Table 5.7: Trends in the main characteristics of the macrozoobenthos in the Kazakhstan part of the Caspian Sea

Year of study

Number of species

Number

Biomass

2011

27

3,719

7.31

2012

41

7,810

19.22

2013

August September

46 25

5,030 4,877

8.25 9.83

2014

July–August September

42 28

5,906 5,936

11.17 16.46

2015

July September

32 25

6,123 4,543

13.35 9.64

2016

July–August September

59 31

6,313 4,764

17.64 9.10

2017

May July September

24 53 31

7,800 9,232 6,993

8.36 16.39 12.23

Source: National Contribution.

Hydrometeorological monitoring of the Caspian Sea is carried out by the National Hydrometeo- rology Department’s Marine Hydrometeorology Centre. The centre operates a monitoring net- work consisting of 14 observation posts located on the sea shore, islands and platforms. In ad- dition, ship expeditions supply the centre with hydrometeorological data collected at sea. The centre conducts hydrometeorological data mon- itoring, collection, analysis, and collation, and compiles annual maritime reports. In recent years, the marine monitoring network has been upgraded with modern equipment, including data automation tools. Daily, monthly and annu- al data is collated in the annual maritime reports (National Hydrometeorology Department). As noted above, 25 large and small rivers flow into the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan. Many of them receive communal, agricultural and in- dustrial wastewater. The increase in domestic wastewater discharge from developing coastal cities and settlements is a significant cause be- hind the decline in seawater quality.

The qualitative and quantitative indicators of the macrozoobenthos in recent study years are therefore within the limits of fluctuations in long-term values. 5.2. Quality of seawater and incoming fresh water Systematic monitoring of the state of the envi- ronment in the Caspian Sea basin, including monitoring of the quality of seawater and bot- tom sediment, is carried out by the national hy- drometeorology services. In addition, compa- nies and enterprises whose work may negatively impact the environment, such as those engaged in oil production, oil refining, the chemical in- dustry, etc., are regularly monitored in the Cas- pian littoral states. The National Hydrometeorology Department of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Nation- al Resources is responsible for monitoring and forecasting hydrometeorological processes in the western section of the Caspian Sea.

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