Analysis of the Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Biochemical Parameters of Water and Hydrobiont Diversity in the Heydar Aliyev Reservoir in Nakhchivan
Narmin Mammadova
Abstract. In this study, the hydroecological state of the Heydar Aliyev reservoir, located in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, was comprehensively assessed with consideration of ongoing anthropogenic impacts. Water samples were collected and analyzed to determine key biochemical indicators, including nutrient levels, dissolved oxygen, and pH, as well as hydrobiological components such as phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. The study revealed that agricultural activities in the surrounding areas, particularly the use of mineral fertilizers, significantly influenced the reservoir’s water quality. Surface runoff from cultivated lands carried excess nutrients into the reservoir, resulting in increased concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. These nutrient enrichments triggered alterations in the planktonic structure, including shifts in species composition and abundance, which may have further implications for the overall aquatic ecosystem. Seasonal variations were also observed, indicating periods of higher vulnerability to eutrophication. The findings highlight the strong link between land use practices and the ecological health of freshwater systems. Effective management strategies, including controlled fertilizer application and the implementation of buffer zones, are recommended to mitigate these anthropogenic pressures and preserve the reservoir’s ecological balance.
Keywords: reservoir, anthropogenic impact, hydrobiology, ecosystem, biochemical