Analysis of the Water Quality of the Ishim River within the Akmola Region (Kazakhstan) Using Hydrochemical Indicators

Abstract

For the first time in scientific literature, this work addresses the current situation of the Ishim River water quality in the Akmola Region (Northern Kazakhstan). This work uses environmental monitoring techniques to analyze the current state of surface waters in the river. The content of main ions, biogenic and inorganic ions, heavy metals, organic impurities in seasonal and annual dynamics have been studied. Results show that, despite the tightening of requirements for wastewater discharge into the Ishim River basin, a number of water quality indicators did not fulfill the regulatory requirements for surface water bodies during 2013–2019. It has been identified that the greatest pollution in the Ishim River is brought by enterprises of the Karaganda-Temirtau technogenic region, located in the upper reaches of the river. Future water quality monitoring is needed and should include increasing the number of sampling locations and the sampling frequency in order to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of hydrochemical parameters and allow a comprehensive monitoring of legally fixed water quality parameters/indicators.