2024 Volume 34 Issue S Pages 93-96
The Amu Darya River and the surrounding groundwater aquifers are important resources for drinking water and agricultural use in Karakalpakstan, western Uzbekistan. However, access to these water resources has been limited because of the region’s arid climate. Considerable concerns for water quality are the contents of minerals and uranium. In Karakalpakstan, soil salinization has been caused by years of inappropriate and excessive irrigation with highly mineralized water. High uranium concentrations in drinking water can increase the risk of health issues such as kidney disorders. In this study, the concentrations of uranium were measured by ICP-MS to evaluate the quality of groundwater and the Amu Darya River. The uranium concentration of the river water was more than two-fold greater than in 2004. The uranium concentrations exceeded the WHO guidance value at some groundwater sampling locations. A correlation analysis between the mineral and uranium contents in groundwater showed a strong correlation when the uranium concentration was less than 100 µg/L. Conversely, there was no obvious correlation at uranium concentrations greater than 100 µg/L. While low uranium levels can accumulate naturally with salts, extremely high uranium levels are likely the result of intensive human-caused pollution.
