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The AALS water quality: experts’ conclusions

Based on the microbiological tests of the water quality, experts obtained the following conclusions:

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  In the context of contamination by coliform bacillus, the AALS water is classified as clean;
  
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  CEU eTD Collection
  In context of total bacteria amount, the AALS water is classified as moderately polluted;
  
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  Water pollution index⁵ ranges from 30 to 50 which is indication of poor water quality in the AALS;
  

⁴ periphyton - is a complex mixture of algae, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic microbes, and detritus that is attached to submerged surfaces in most aquatic ecosystems. It serves as an important food source for invertebrates, tadpoles, and some fish. It can also absorb contaminants; removing them from the water column and limiting their movement through the environment. The periphyton is also an important indicator of water quality; responses of this community to pollutants can be measured at a variety of scales representing physiological to community-level changes. (source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/periphyton)

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  The hydrochemical analysis conducted demonstrated that in recent years about 7-8 compounds of various hazard classes exceeded maximum allowable concentration; experts state that the AALS hydroecological condition should be taken as visibly disrupted (Shamsiev and Chembarisov 2007);
  
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  Assessment of the water quality for irrigation showed that water cannot be used for cotton and gourds irrigation due to high mineralization (8-10 g/l). Watering using this highly-mineralized water can cause soil salinization and sodium and magnesium soil alkalization; during low water years an insignificant amount of water can be used on small patches situated in the zone of Chardara water inflow for irrigation of salt resistant crops (Nurbaev and Gorelkin 2004).
  

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