GROUNDWATER EXPLOITATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

In Azerbaijan economic growth has been driven by many industries including oil and gas, chemicals, mining, machine-building and electronics. It is also associated with agriculture. Intensive use of groundwater has played a pivotal role in much of theindustries’ development. Unfortunately, economic success in Azerbaijan has been accompanied by serious environmental degradation and a considerable loss of ecological function. The production and utilization of the groundwater caused
negative consequences that affected on natural conditions of different regions. Particularly evident has been the impact of technological development on the groundwater system. Problems include the depletion and contamination of aquifers, flooding, triggering of landslides, land subsidence, and increased seismic hazard. These problems frequently have social implications that can lead to serious economic damage. The problems have been further accentuated by the breakup of the USSR and the occupation, by Armenia, of about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory. Given the immediacy of the issue, there is an urgent need to identify the courses of action required if continued country's economic growth is to be sustained. Therefore, the analysis and comparison of existing problems allowed determination of the primary goals which should be the management and sustainable development of groundwater systems and environment protection. In addition, analysis of the situation associated with the use and protection of groundwater resources of Azerbaijan Republic can be of great interest for determination areas of the seismic risk evolution due to destabilisation of the natural groundwater regime as well.