CBD Fourth National Report - Azerbaijan (English version)

Country Study on Biodiversity and Fourth National Report
The Republic of Azerbaijan
Main reason for unefficient use of countrywide water resources and occurrence of water
basins pollution is characterized in insufficient provision of republic city and region centres
and other dwelling places with sewerage system as well as enterprises with water treatment
facilities and unsuitability of operated units and facilities. Untreated industrial and household
waste waters of large cities in the country play a major role in pollution of water basins.
22 mechanical and biological treatment facilities are functioning for purification of sanitarywaste
waters in territory of the republic. It should be noted that nonoperation of the existing
facilities in compliance with the regulations causes to pollution of water basins.
Diversion of industrial and household sewages without complete purification to water
sources, including to the Caspian sea causes to generation of other ecological problems.
Encountering of biological resources in the sea is related to enhancement of adverse effects of
anthropogenous factors.
There exist more than 200 lakes with total area of 3325 ha in Absheron peninsula. Long-term
use of old and obsolete technologies in oil mines caused to pollution of soil with oil and
produced waters. These areas play a major role in pollution of the Caspian sea. The lakes lead
to degradation and salinization of soil by impacting upon the environment and to
underflooding of additional lands resulted from ground water rise and to emission of
hydrocarbons and other repugnant substances resulted from evaporation and to underflooding
of habitats, roads and communication lines.
Fluctuation of level, pollution of sea waters and aggravation of ecological situation hereof, are
main ecological problems of the Caspian sea.
Key pollution sources of the Caspian sea consist of sewage waters of cities and industrial
facilities located on its coasts and various pollutants coming from sea transport and oil mines.
Sewage waters diverted to the Caspian sea which coming from coastal cities are considered to
be major pollutants. Moreover operation of offshore oil fields and delivery of petroleum
derivatives as well as sea transport pollute the Caspian waters more and more.
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2009