Ecological Disasters and Pollution in Kazakstan and Efforts to Counteract Them

5 Areas of Importance The Aral Sea is dying up Problems with the Caspian Sea Nuclear radiation and waste in the Semey area and Semipalatensk range Other current problems Steps towards resolving problems

The Aral Sea

Direct consequence of the Soviets’ desire for productivity at any cost The government rerouted rivers that fed the Aral Sea to irrigate cotton fields Changing weather patterns –Very cold harsh winters –Unbearably hot summers

The Aral Sea Environmental degradation –Deforestation and soil erosion –Large scale landslides –Increased salt & pollutant content of the air & soil High Cancer rates People in the region plagued by epidemic and respiratory diseases

Problems With the Caspian Sea

Fluctuation in water levels Water pollution –Hazardous wastewater stored in stabilization ponds close to water’s edge –Negative impact on local fisheries

Nuclear Radiation and Waste in the Semey Area and Semipalatensk Range

Nuclear Radiation (Semey Area) Soviets exploded over 100 atomic bombs above ground Government never told inhabitants of the bombs High radiation is causing cancer and birth defects in the region

Nuclear Radiation & Waste in Semipalatensk Range 1.8 million hectares of radioactive waste Presence of numerous Uranium mines 470 nuclear devices detonated between 1949 and 1989 Radiation exposure levels 100 times above permissible levels Studies show high rates of cancer and mental illness in the region

Other Current Problems 800 million tons of hazardous waste is generated each year 17 billion of such waste is held in landfills –Landfills are typically unlined and poorly managed –No lining leads to contamination of surrounding soil and surface and ground water due to overflow and seepage

Other Current Problems Little systematic waste recycling Of 1200 major industries in Kazakstan, less than half have functioning pre-treatment facilities

Steps Towards Resolving Problems Realization that many valuable metals are lost in waste and need to be recovered –Copper –Vanadium –Gold –Platinum

Steps Towards Resolving Problems Ready to establish the National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC) –Will act as a nexus for research and dissemination of cleaner production processes for major industrial sectors

Steps Towards Resolving Problems Ready to establish the National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC) –Covers 4 areas: In-plant demonstration Training Information dissemination Policy assessment

Conclusions Many problems Many ideas available Little actually done so far, due to a lack of financial and human resources On the right track, but will take a long time before pollution is reduced to an acceptable level in most areas of the country