A view of dead fish lying in the polluted Okhchuchay River.
Baku, Azerbaijan: The total length of the Okhchuchay River is up to 83km and it is the left tributary of the Araz River. The river is originating from Gapijiq Mountain (3285M) of the Zangazur range and its bigger part is located within the Syunik region of Armenia. The lower course of the river flows through Zangilan region of Azerbaijan – the recently liberated territory from the occupation and flows to the Araz River. Its flow is formed by snow, rain and groundwater.
In the Republic of Azerbaijan, about 70% of the water resources of the country surface are heavily dependent on the external inflow of waters from neighbouring countries. Okhchuchay River water resources are widely used for irrigation purposes. Being a transboundary river the Okhchuchay has always been severely polluted with industrial disposals in the territory of Armenia, since it was used as a collector for industrial facilities along the river, which made its water resources unusable in the territory of Azerbaijan.
Pollution of Okhchuchay River has a direct impact on the quality of water resources of the Araz River which is the second largest river in the South Caucasus. The Araz River is also a shared trans-boundary river with Armenia which is the largest right tributary of the Kura River. It plays a crucial role for irrigation in Azerbaijan. However, given the quality of the water in the river, its use for domestic and agricultural needs can lead to extremely negative consequences.
It is a common fact that large amount of salts of the heavy metals enter the environment as a result of the activities of mining and processing enterprises.
Excessive release of heavy metals into the river by Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and Kapan Mining and Processing Plant in Armenia at the upper part of the Okhchuchay River, destroys not only the fluvial fauna, but is also extremely dangerous for the human health. Usage of the contaminated water can lead to detrimental diseases, such as gastrointestinal tracts disease, destruction of kidneys and bone tissue, as well as disorders of cardiovascular, nervous and hematopoietic systems. This gives a reason to believe that two companies do not comply with environmental standards by dumping their production wastes directly into the river, without any preliminary treatment. The acknowledgement of the fact of ignoring the world eco-standards by these two enterprises has been highlighted in the reports by the government agencies of Armenia, as well as the Armenian environmental activists.
Laboratory analysis of water samples taken during January – March 2021 period have revealed a high content of heavy metals, specifically, copper, molybdenum, manganese, iron, zinc and chromium.
According to the report by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MENR), the content of copper-molybdenum compound - 2 times, iron - 4 times and nickel - even 7 times was higher than the norm. Periodically, the color of the Okhchuchay River changes either to a white or to an acid-yellow one. A mass trout mortality in the river was recorded in March 2021.
During visual monitoring on 07 March 2021 in the part of Shayifli and Jahangirbeyli villages of the Zangilan district alongside Okhchuchay river, 227 Small Trout (Salmon species) and 330 Perch massive die-off was observed, the species that were included in the “Red Book of the Republic of Azerbaijan”. The reason for the death of fish was the excess of iron, copper, nickel, molybdenum and other heavy metals in the river water (see the photos).
Latest river water and sedimentation sample analysis were conducted at internationally accredited and certified SGS laboratory in Germany based on the order by the MENR. The results of tests of water samples taken from the Okhchuchay River revealed a high content of heavy metals, specifically, iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, chromium, nickel and others in surface waters of the river, while the excessive concentration of hazardous substances in sediment sampling shows that contamination level of the river is critical.
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan has appealed to the international organizations on the environmental hazards and critical situation of Okhchuchay River raising public awareness on environmental risks for the river and its ecosystem due to continuous pollution.
Along with international organizations, MENR also appealed to the German Bundestag, its Green Fraction to draw their attention to this matter highlighting the serious threat for the environment and human health.
