A state-of-the-art and future perspectives of transboundary rivers in the cold climate – a systematic review of Irtysh River


Radelyuk I. Zhang L. Assanov D. Maratova G. Tussupova K.
August 2022Elsevier B.V.

Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
2022#42

Study region: Irtysh River Basin, a transboundary river laying in the North hemisphere and serving as a home for around 15 million people in China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Study focus: Considering existing pressures of climate change and anthropogenic activities on water resources, this research aims to evaluate recent (2010–2022) trends in research about a state-of-the-art of the river in a matter of relationships between hydrological budget, water quality, biodiversity, and policy issues. A literature review was carried out in English, Chinese, and Russian languages for defining key issues in the river management. New hydrological insights for the region: Melting of permafrost, glaciers, and snow in the upstream mountains of the River should be considered as one of the key processes in the hydrological budget. However, the high impact of evapotranspiration rate could offset the effect of the increased melting rate along the basin. Efficient operating of existing large dams and reservoirs and the planning of future installations deserves special attention in assurance of the respective water level for restoration of the ecological diversity of the basin. Implementation of water-saving techniques and restoration of tributaries of Irtysh also play a significant role in keeping the resilience of the river. Handling historical and existing contamination will also guarantee restoration of the river health. The basin management still lacks tripartite agreement, however the principles of hydrosolidarity and no-harm effect are followed by involved countries.

Biodiversity , Hydrological budget , Irtysh River Basin , Literature review , Policy , Water quality

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Department of Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, SE-22100, Sweden
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Toraighyrov University, Pavlodar, 140000, Kazakhstan
Excellence Center Veritas, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070010, Kazakhstan
School of Metallurgy and Enrichment, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070010, Kazakhstan

Department of Water Resources Engineering
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies
Excellence Center Veritas
School of Metallurgy and Enrichment

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