Transboundary Irtysh River Basin: UNESCO-IHP to enhance research and data sharing

Abstract:

Transboundary Irtysh River Basin, which is shared by China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia, is under intensive anthropogenic stress. We are working on the comprehensive study using multiple approaches that integrate observations extracted from remote sensing with traditional approaches (surficial geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, GIS, and hydrologic modeling) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the response of a large-scale Irtysh River Basin hydrologic system to a variety of climatic and anthropic forcing parameters. Global warming over the study area could cause higher temperatures, increased evaporation, decreased precipitation, and droughts. On the other hand, the impacts could be just the opposite, increased precipitation rates and floods. Anthropic forcing influences over the Irtysh River Basin could result from impoundment of surface water by dams or decreased flow due to water diversion projects and excessive groundwater extraction from the surrounding aquifers. The ultimate objective of these investigations will be a predictive capability that can relate forcing by climate change and anthropic activities to anticipated hydrologic system responses. UNESCO-IHP network and cooperation support can very helpful for this complex research work. The current research findings will be shared during the meeting.