ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF FLOODS: ECOSYSTEM TRANSFORMATION
Abstract
Annotation.The article is devoted to assessing the ecological footprint of the spring flood of 2024 and analyzing the transformation of ecosystems in the West Kazakhstan Region under the influence of an extreme hydrological event. The study examines changes in the quality of atmospheric air, soils, and surface water bodies that were subjected to both direct and indirect impacts of the flood.
The information base includes monthly data on atmospheric air pollution in the cities of Uralsk and Aksai, quarterly indicators of soil pollution in the city of Uralsk, as well as data on the state of bottom sediments and monitoring of surface water quality in the Zhaiyk, Chagan, and Derkul rivers for the period 2023–2025. A comparative analysis of environmental indicators was conducted for the pre-flood, flood, and post-flood periods.
The most pronounced changes were identified in surface waters, where a transition to higher pollution classes and an increase in the concentrations of biogenic substances were recorded during the flood period.
The obtained results make it possible to identify the nature of spatial and temporal changes in environmental components and to assess the scale of the ecological consequences of the 2024 flood. The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive analysis of the environmental effects of floods when assessing the resilience of regional ecosystems and planning environmental protection measures.
