Physical–Chemical Properties of the Kyzyl-Suu River and Its Tributaries, Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The article presents the results of studies of the Kyzyl-Suu River and its two tributaries, the Daara River (Daroot-Korgon village) and the Aryk-Suu River (Sary-Tash village). The study was carried out as part of the PEER NAS USAID project: “Integrated Water Resources Management of the Amu Darya and Kabul Rivers”. Physical parameters of water, such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, resistance, etc., obtained in the field using the CyberScan Eutech PCD 650 instrument recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Anions were measured in the chemical laboratory of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). Bioindication of hydrobionts was carried out in the laboratory of ichthyology and hydrobiology of the Biological and Soil Institute of the NAS of the Kyrgyz Republic. The measurement was carried out at two points in the Kyzyl-Suu River (near the villages of Sary-Tash and Daroot-Korgon) and at two points on the Daara River (before and after the village of Daroot-Korgon), respectively, two points on the Aryk-Suu River (before and after village of Sary-Tash). Water samples were also taken. The results of the analysis for anions show that the content of chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, bicarbonates and phosphates, according to SanPin 2.1.4.559-96, GN 2.1.2.689-98, does not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) at any of the water sampling points. According to the results of bioindication, we can conclude that the water from the rivers is “clean”. Abnormal values of pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, resistance, total dissolved salts, NaCl, and dissolved oxygen were not observed at the measurement points. However, it should be noted that all the measurement results have a tendency to increase after each settlement, albeit slightly, i.e., there is a certain anthropogenic impact on these rivers.