Table 10: Atmospheric emissions for the period 1990-2012 (1000 ton/year)
1990
2000
2005
2006
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total
quantity of
emissions
2846,1
908,1
1.054,3
875,1
969,9 922,7 997,1 956,8
1003
1076
From
stationary
sources
2108,5
515,4
557,9
344,2
385,9 280,7
300
214,8
224
227
%
74
57
53
39
40
30
30
22,4
22,3
21
From mobile
Sources
737,6
392,7
496,4
530,9
584
642
697,1
742
779
849
%
26
43
47
61
60
70
70
77,6
77,7
79
Total quantity of emissions from stationary sources decreased 3-14 times between 1990-2000
due to suspension of a number of industrial facilities in the “post-soviet” period. 2 or 3 fold
decrease of harmful substances from stationary sources is related to employment of new
machinery and technology in 2000-2012. Emissions originating from the transport sector
increased 2-16 times in the period between 2000 and 2012. In 2010 emissions from vehicles
reached the level of 1990 and it continues growing.
Total volume of the emissions from stationary sources for 2010-2012 is 46,8 % in the
extractive industry, 18,8 % in refining industry, 16,6% in distribution and transportation, 15,8%
in warehouse economy and telecommunication, 0,8 % in the construction, and 1,2% in other
fields. The main reason of pollution of Baku-Absheron Peninsula and Caspian Sea is related to
the oil industry. At present, the share of wastes is as follows: 90% in the oil industry, power
generation and transport. The share of oil sector on chemical ingredients is 70 % (42-43 % N
2
O
35-38 % SO
2
, 30-32% CO and 95-98 % hydrocarbons). While in 1990, vehicle emissions were
26% of total environmental pollution, in 2012 this figure reached 78,9 %.
Table 11: Emissions from stationary sources, greenhouse gasses (1000 ton)
Years
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Carbon-dioxide (CO2)
176,6
148,3
160,1
153,0
144,0
138
124.7
Nitrogen-oxide (N2O)
0,8
1,7
6,4
10,4
11,8
25,9
15,8
Methane (CH4)
16,6
24,3
49,5
24,2
18,3
29,8
38,5
Hydrofluocarbons
0,6
0,5
0,2
7,0
6,8
2,0
6,4
Sulphide 6-fluoride (SF6)
0,1
0,1
0,2
0,6
0,3
0,7
0,6
Perfluorocarbons
0,9
0,6
0,3
6,4
5,6
1,0
5,6
The volume of emissions from vehicles exceeds emissions from stationary sources is for 3, 74
times and it will continue to rise in the future.
In previous years, Caspian petroleum and petrochemical industries have contributed
significantly to oil pollution problems in Azerbaijan. It is estimated that 10,000ha of land in
Absheron peninsula, 5,500ha in Gobustan and 12,500ha in South-East Shirvan is however still
contaminated by oil. While considerably better managed today, oil pollution from active wells,
platforms and pipelines is still an occasional problem.
The Caspian Sea not only suffers from oil pollution, but also from a massive inflow of other
pollutants originating from the industries in the river basins of its tributaries, mainly the Volga
and Kura-Araz basin. Even today, untreated municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes from
some neighbouring countries still adds to the flow of the Kura river (which is an important
source of water for Azerbaijan) - via the Mingechevir Reservoir (which fortunately acts as a
settlement area for some of the pollutants) - through Azerbaijan to the Caspian Sea.
Pollution case study – Kura and Araz rivers
Nearly 75% of the territory of Azerbaijan is located in the lower parts of the Kura River basin,
which is the biggest water artery of the South Caucasus. The pollution of rivers flowing into the
basin from the territories of neighbouring countries and occupied territories causes some
ecological tension. At present, all of the rivers running through Azerbaijan are already heavily
polluted by the time they enter the country.
Kura river
Five-year observation results indicate that the pollution level of the Kura river is several times
higher than the norm (according to the Water Pollution Index, WPI). The amount of phenols in
the water are 7-9 times more than the norm, copper compounds 5-7 times higher, oil products
1,2-2,8 times higher, and the amount of biogenic substances are 1,4-3,7 times higher.
Araz River
Five-year observation results indicate that the pollution level of the Arazriver is several times
higher than the norm (according to the Water Pollution Index, WPI). Copper compounds in the
water are higher by a factor of 8-11, phenols by a factor of 5-7, oil products by a factor of up to
1,4, and sulphides by a factor of 1,4-1,8.
1.3.5 Invasive species
There are several species that are considered to be invasive in Azerbaijan. One of the most
notable is the comb jelly
Mnemiopsis leidyi - an introduced species that invaded the Caspian
Sea through the Volga Don channel. Its population has now multiplied to the extent that the
biomass of the population has exceeded the general productive biomass of the sea. It has no
natural predators, and climatic conditions favour its growth and reproduction. It feeds on
animal plankton, including the planktonic larvae of fish, and as such, is capable of seriously
undermining economically and biologically important fish (e.g. sturgeon) and mammal (e.g.
Caspian Seal) populations.
Invasive plant species include the widely distributed common ragweed (Ambrosia
artemisiifolia)
, buffalo bur nightshade
(Solanum rostratum) and the Russian knapweed
(Acroptilion repens).
The introduced American racoon (Procyon lotor) has now successfully spread into most of the
forests of Azerbaijan. The invasive fall webworm (
Hyphantria cunea) is also known to cause
substantial damage to commercially grown ornamental trees and shrubs and to several
agricultural crops.
1.3.6 Climate change
The biodiversity of the marine and coastal environment in Azerbaijan may be particularly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change. At present, most scientists seem to agree that
climate change plays a significant role in sea level fluctuations in the Caspian Sea, since
temperature increases and changes in precipitation directly impact the overall water balance. It
is forecast that mean annual temperatures in the Caspian Sea will increase by between 3.7 and
4.9
0
C by the middle of next century, while annual precipitation will increase by an average of
52mm (GFDL, CCC and UKMO models) or decrease by between 4-8mm (GISS model). There
is however still a lack of reliable data, information and analysis of climate change on water
level fluctuations and the concomitant social, environmental and economic impacts
2
.
2
Various studies carried out by the Caspian Sea littoral states vary greatly in their analysis of the impacts of climate change.