Azerbaijan's Pollution Crisis: A Comprehensive Overview

Azerbaijan's air quality has been described as unhealthy for sensitive groups. The country's air quality index (AQI) is currently rated as good, but the concentration of PM2.5 is 3.8 times the World Health Organisation's (WHO) annual guideline value. The main sources of air pollution in Azerbaijan are transport, industrial plants, and the burning of fossil fuels. The Absheron Peninsula, where the capital city of Baku is located, is one of the most ecologically devastated areas in the world due to oil spills and the use of toxic agrochemicals.

Azerbaijan's air pollution

Azerbaijan's air quality has been described as "moderately polluted", exceeding the maximum limit established for one year by the World Health Organization (WHO). The country's 2023 average PM2.5 concentration was 3.8 times the WHO's annual air quality guideline value.

The main cause of air pollution in Azerbaijan is transport, which accounts for 51% of total air pollution. Within this, 10-30% comes from motor vehicles. The main air pollutants from the operation of vehicles include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. According to statistics, an average-sized car that has travelled 20,000 km emits 0.775 kg of lead, 40.75 kg of nitrogen oxides, 234 kg of hydrocarbons, and 765 kg of carbon monoxide. These waste products undergo chemical changes under the influence of sunlight, and low-level tropospheric ozone and various toxins of photochemical origin are added to the list of harmful substances.

The most serious form of air pollution is smog, which is a mixture of gas, smoke, fog, and dust. This is particularly prevalent in areas with heavy traffic and large industrial cities. Photochemical smog, formed by the effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays on the classic smog produced by carbon monoxide from vehicles, takes on a more harmful form. It creates a yellow haze in the air, which obscures visibility, creates an unpleasant pungent odour, and worsens people's health.

To address the problem of air pollution, Azerbaijan has implemented various measures. The country has transitioned to the use of European-compliant technologies, with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources permitting the operation of enterprises that use minimum emission technologies. Discussions are also underway to transition to the production of Euro-5 fuel, and a ban on the import of old cars has been proposed. In addition, the country has initiated tree-planting campaigns and distributed seedlings to the population, and measures are being taken to reduce the use of plastic and polyethylene products.

Water pollution

The Absheron Peninsula, where 50% of Azerbaijan's population resides, is considered by many scientists to be the most ecologically devastated area in the world due to severe air, water, and soil pollution. The poor water quality in the region has raised concerns about the transmission of bacterial diseases such as cholera and hepatitis, as well as the presence of heavy metals leading to health complications such as cancer.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. The government has expanded the centralised water supply system in Baku, the capital, increasing access for nearly one million more people. Additionally, modular sewage treatment plants have been installed in over 200 villages along rivers. There is also potential for future drinking water sources from the Caspian Sea. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to improving water quality in Azerbaijan.

Soil degradation

Azerbaijan faces issues with air pollution, particularly in the capital city of Baku, which is situated on the Caspian Sea. The primary source of this air pollution is vehicular emissions, with 51% of total air pollution coming from transport, 10-30% of which is from motor vehicles. This has led to a focus on improving air quality by transitioning to the production of Euro-5 fuel and reducing the number of cars on the roads.

Irrigation-induced erosion is influenced by several factors, including soil type, the inclination of irrigation furrows, the salinity of irrigation water, and water discharge. The impact of irrigation on soil erosion is particularly pronounced in sierozems, meadow sierozems, and gray-cinnamonic soils.

Natural water and wind erosion can be intense, with strong rainstorms affecting large areas of land. The impact of wind erosion is evident in the changes in soil texture observed in the region.

Salinization, or the accumulation of salt in the soil, is another critical factor in soil degradation. This process further contributes to changes in soil bulk density and porosity and the loss of nutrients, affecting the fertility and productivity of agricultural lands.

Measures to control soil erosion and salinization are essential to rehabilitate and conserve the soils in the Kura-Aras Lowland and other affected regions of Azerbaijan. These measures may include implementing erosion control techniques, such as crop residue management and improved irrigation practices, as well as adopting strategies to reduce the impact of natural water and wind erosion.

Deforestation

Azerbaijan's air quality has been a pressing issue, with the country facing both indoor and outdoor air pollution. In 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in the country was 3.8 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual air quality guideline value. The problem is particularly acute in large cities such as Baku, where vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution.

Now, let's focus on deforestation in Azerbaijan:

Azerbaijan has experienced varying rates of deforestation over the years, with some fluctuations in the loss of tree cover. According to data from 2000, the country had approximately 1,268,615 hectares of tree cover, which constituted around 15.3% of its land area. Between 2001 and 2020, Azerbaijan lost 7,469 hectares of tree cover, which equated to 0.6% of its tree cover from 2000.

The statistics show that the rate of deforestation varied annually. For instance, in 2001, the country lost 553 hectares of tree cover, while in 2003, the loss was 1,039 hectares, and in 2011, it was 147 hectares. The data suggests that there is no clear trend in the rate of deforestation, with some years experiencing higher losses than others.

Azerbaijan's forests play a crucial role in the country's biodiversity and carbon storage capacity. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 11.3% of Azerbaijan, or approximately 936,000 hectares, is forested. Of this, 42.7% (400,000 hectares) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense type. Azerbaijan's forests are estimated to contain 54 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.

The country is also home to a diverse range of species, including amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, there are about 517 known species, with 0.6% being endemic to Azerbaijan and 5.2% considered threatened. Additionally, Azerbaijan boasts at least 4,300 species of vascular plants, of which 5.6% are endemic.

To protect its forests and biodiversity, Azerbaijan has designated 4.6% of its land as protected areas under IUCN categories I-V. The country has also taken initiatives to increase its greenery, such as the First Vice-President's initiative to plant 650,000 trees daily throughout the country to commemorate a poet. This initiative has been praised for its potential positive impact on carbon dioxide absorption and the fight against global climate change.

Impact on human health

Azerbaijan's pollution problem is having a significant impact on human health. The country's air pollution is largely due to transport emissions, with vehicles emitting over 200 toxic substances into the air. The main air pollutants from the operation of vehicles include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants have been linked to various health issues, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. In addition, air pollution has been found to negatively affect labour productivity and cognitive performance in children.

The most serious form of air pollution is smog, which is a mixture of gas, smoke, fog, and dust. Smog can cause eye and respiratory irritation and damage vegetation. In some cases, exposure to smog can even lead to death.

Water pollution is also a significant issue in Azerbaijan, with oil spills and the discharge of sewage contaminating water resources. Groundwater is affected by oil spills, leading to an increased risk of cancers and bacterial diseases such as cholera and hepatitis.

Furthermore, deforestation and the improper regulation of industry and housing contribute to air and soil pollution, with the burning of trees affecting the climate cycle.

The Azerbaijani government has implemented various initiatives to improve the country's environmental situation, such as increasing green areas and reducing the use of plastic and polyethylene products. However, more stringent measures are needed to effectively reduce pollution and mitigate its impact on human health.

Frequently asked questions