COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTENT OF NON-METALLIC INORGANIC INDICATORS OF THE WATERS OF THE KARATOMAR RESERVOIR

Abstract

The article presents the results of studies of the water quality of the Verkhnetobol and Karatomar reservoirs in Kazakhstan on inorganic non-metallic indicators.

Samples collected in February-March 2024 revealed an exceedance of regulatory limits for total hardness. Other parameters met safety standards for domestic, drinking, and cultural and general water use. Evaluation based on the Unified Classification System showed the following: chlorides in the Verkhnetobol Reservoir correspond to the second purity class (300-350 mg/l), suitable for all categories of water use except drinking water supply; sulfates in both reservoirs fall under the fourth class (350-600 mg/l), suitable only for irrigation and industrial use; suspended solids (14.9-19.0 mg/l) correspond to the fifth and lowest quality class, suitable only for hydropower industry and mineral extraction.

For most parameters, RMS deviation and variation coefficients were small, indicating homogeneity in water composition. Ammonium nitrogen and phosphates showed high variability, possibly due to ion mobility at the interfaces between water and solid phases.

The results of this study can serve as reference data and methodological recommendations for organizing and conducting comprehensive assessments of the qualitative and toxicological indicators of freshwater flow reservoirs in temperate climatic zones.