DETERMINATION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHANGING DYNAMICS IN THE GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND MINERALIZATION IN IRRIGATED AREAS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE (AS AN EXAMPLE OF SYRDARYA PROVINCE)
Abstract
In the irrigated lands of the Aral Sea Basin, salinization processes are taking place as a result of rising groundwater levels and increasing its mineralization due to the unsustainable use of water and land resources. This, in turn, leads to the withdrawing of arable land and a decrease in crop yields. This is especially the case in the irrigated areas of the lower reaches of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, located in Uzbekistan, southern Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. This research was aimed to learn and evaluate the long-term changing behavior of groundwater level and mineralization in the irrigated areas of the Syrdarya province of Uzbekistan from 2000 to 2015 by using traditional methods, and GIS-based methods for from 2016 to 2019. For the first time, the level and mineralization of groundwater in the administrative districts of the province were studied and assessed. As a result, the intra-dependence of the groundwater level and mineralization on soil conditions, relief, and climatic factors were estimated. Based on the results of the study, agricultural specialists and farmers of the province were highly recommended to take the following mitigation measures considering the actual condition of groundwater mineralization in the irrigated areas of the Syrdarya province: targeted and economical use of irrigation water; ensuring that existing drainage networks are in an adequate working condition and can operate with full-efficiency.