Importance of studying of inland water resources in sustainable development of
the country and protection of ecosystems
M.A.Teymurov
Institute
of Geography of ANAS, movlud_teymurov@yahoo.com
Keywords: inland water resources, Land-use, synthesis of methods
Introduction
One of global world problems is the water supply of population and various sectors
of economy. At present, there is no such branch of economy, the
development of which is
possible without the availability of sufficient water resources. Therefore, from the point of view of
sustainable economic development and protection of ecosystem the assessment of inland water
resources should be under the constant attention of business executives and scientific
researchers. This is especially important for countries located in arid regions and suffering from
water shortage. The Republic of Azerbaijan refers to these categories areas. Total river water
resources of Azerbaijan is estimated at 30.9 km
3
. Most of these resources flow through to
republic in transit way (20.6 km
3
). 10.3 km
3
consist of inland river water resources, and in a
natural way they don’t satisfy all demands of republic economy (12-14 km
3
). Another problem
related to water is the change in climatic conditions and intensification of changes in other
natural-anthropogenic factors. Spatio-temporal changes occurring
in water resources and
proportion of individual components in water balance require their continuous study and put on
forefront the exploration and application of more modern and sensitive to changes in methods.
Effectiveness of these methods is that in spite of many flow-forming factors have been taken into
estimating in the context of methods, but calculations are carried out in the presence of one or
some factors. The late changing factors were not known within the
estimation content in fact, but
their roles are considered. On the other hand, studies are fulfilled quickly and more sensitive to
changes. In recent years, by the support of UNESCO and FAO organizations the inland water
resources of several countries have been determined specifically by these methods. We have
proposed innovative, high reliable and simple methodology to calculate water resources and
water balance components by the way synthesis of advantages of some
hydrologic methods using
GIS-technology.
Materials and methods
New methodology was developed based on well-known methods in the world and innovations
proposed in our studies. Some these methods are useful to calculate surface runoff, but other
methods to assessment infiltration or evaporation rates of territory. Modified rational method for
calculating surface runoff, USDA methods for estimating
infiltration and soil moisture; Lvovich
method for studying their theoretical foundations are more effectively (Lvovich M.I., 1969;
Thompson. D.B., 1986; USDA…, 1986; Application of…, 2010). Although major runoff-forming
factors are covering in context this methodology, but calculations are fulfilled only LULC (Land-use
& Land-cover) and precipitation data.
The rivers and lakes are main natural sources of inland water resources of Azerbaijan.
The
estimations of Lenkoran river water resources and Hocasan lake water balance components based
on new synthesis methods are shown in presented article (figure 1). It is not accidental that
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selection of these water bodies as a research object. Both of them reflect most important issues of
inland water bodies of Azerbaijan. The most serious problem of rivers is their water resources
decrease. It should be noted with regret that, the Lenkoran river is also beyond the
frame of this
process. Simultaneously, Lankaran is largest river (1096.1 km
2
) among directly flow into Caspian
Sea rivers that are formed inland of Azerbaijan. Lake Hochasan is distinguished by a combination
of common spesific features of republican lakes (salinization, sewage pollution and treatment
needs, drying, etc.). Area of lake basin is 32.2 km
2
, but its water surface area is about 1.85 km
2
.
Figure 1. View of location of studies areas over Azerbaijan Republic
Hydro-meteorological data are taken from Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources manuals.
Data of ungauged areas were obtained with GIS-technology taking into account DEM features and
interpolating of climate data.
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LULC data were determined by satellite images (2017) of studies areas.
Figure 2. Land-use data of Lake Hocahasan(1) and Lankaran river(2) basins
Studies were carried out in following sequence:
1) Using GIS-Hydrology program, flow directions and accumulations have been
identified, basins of water bodies are divided.
2) Were determined main indicators at assessment of rational (surface) runoff
coefficient-LULC, HSG (hydrological soil groups) and DEM (elevation & slope) data.
3) Was defined correctional rational coefficient. Rational coefficients (c) characterize the level of
surface runoff in event of rainfall. For estimation coefficient “c” in multi-annual period is necessary
to correct its. Correctional coefficients depend on humidity condition of territory.
4) Were calculated USDA methods water balance elements (hydrologic losses, initial
abstraction, maximum and actual soil moisture) (Ponce V.M., et al., 2016).
5) For estimation of infiltration a semi-empirical formula was offered by
us based on USDA water
balance components (Teymurov M.A., et al., 2018).
6) Total runoff is found summing surface runoff and base-flow.
7) Evapotranspiration is obtained with difference subtract total surface runoff from precipitation.
8) Surface runoff and its underground feeding fraction together represent the yield of the water
balance from fallen precipitation, but other elements as water losses. Therefore, the water
resources are considered as the sum of surface runoff and base-flow.
Results
Multy-annual water balance components of Lake Hocahasan were estimated in following
quantities: precipitation-287.6 mm, potential evaporation-1141.4 mm, actual evaporation-165.7
mm, humidity coefficient-0.2519, rational coefficient-0.7267, correctional coefficient-0.3257,
infiltration coefficient-0.2331, initial abstraction-123.8 mm, hydrological losses-219.6 mm, soil
moisture-95.7 mm. The natural multy-annual income part of lake water balance (3.959 mln.m
3
) is
1.403 mln.m
3
more than losses share (2.556 mln.m
3
) (table 1). However, it does not have enough
to fill total volume of lake (3.50 mln.m
3
) and is less than 2.5 times.
As can be seen from table,
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