ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT STATE OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN EAST KAZAKHSTAN EXPLORED FOR IRRIGATION

The purpose of this study is to provide scientific justification and geoinformation support for management decisions regarding the development and protection of groundwater deposits in the East Kazakhstan explored for irrigation. Field hydrogeochemical investigations, laboratory analyses of samples, and GIS-based mapping were carried out. A geoinformation-analytical subsystem was developed, maps of groundwater use were compiled, and the resource potential of groundwater was evaluated. The water was found to be suitable for irrigation (mineralization < 1 g/L), with potential application over an area of up to 54.74 thousand hectares. The study identified a high potential for sustainable water use under current low exploitation levels. The findings were validated by interlaboratory testing and a re-evaluation of archival data under modern conditions. The natural origin of the water without anthropogenic contamination was confirmed, which highlights its potential for irrigation purposes.