Transboundary pollution and ecological degradation in the Kura–Araz river system and their implications for water security and green economic resilience

Abstract

The Kura–Araz river system is central to Azerbaijan’s water security, irrigated agriculture, settlements, biodiversity and regional economic resilience. This study integrates two educational research projects that examined river pollution, declining water availability, biodiversity pressure and practical responses from complementary perspectives. The source materials were synthesized with peer-reviewed and institutional evidence and interpreted through water-security and green-economy frameworks. The combined evidence identifies a pressure chain that begins with transboundary and domestic wastewater, industrial and mining emissions, agricultural runoff, solid waste, flow regulation and climate-related water scarcity. Published studies confirm that the Kura–Araz system is exposed to spatially uneven metal pollution and that Azerbaijan depends heavily on transboundary inflows, while recent national water-sector assessments emphasize increasing scarcity and the need for more efficient institutions, monitoring and investment. The original student works also highlight biodiversity loss, degradation of riparian habitats, risks to fisheries and agriculture, and the importance of public awareness, riverbank protection and modern treatment systems. Economically, deteriorating water quality and quantity can increase treatment and monitoring needs, constrain irrigation, reduce ecosystem-service value and weaken rural and urban resilience. The study concludes that basin-scale monitoring, wastewater treatment, efficient irrigation, transboundary cooperation and environmental education should be treated as mutually reinforcing investments in natural capital and Azerbaijan’s green economic transition.