Forecast of Potential Changes in Exploitable Groundwater Reserves Under the Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Processes at Deposits Explored for Irrigation

This study analyzes the patterns of anthropogenic changes in hydrogeological conditions. The results indicate that groundwater resources in Kazakhstan are not currently threatened by depletion during exploitation. No evidence of groundwater contamination was found at deposits explored for irrigation in the southern and eastern Kazakhstan. However, changes in the hydrodynamic regime have been observed at deposits associated with river valleys, alluvial fans, and foothill plains. The degree of reliability of exploitable groundwater reserves was assessed based on the contribution of their recharge sources, in order to evaluate the sustainability of exploitation under the combined influence of natural and anthropogenic processes. A groundwater reserve reliability coefficient was calculated for each deposit.