The impact of past and present metal mining on river systems in southern Kazakhstan, Central Asia

Kazakhstan has one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world based on its major oil, gas and condensate fields, and particularly its huge mineral wealth. Kazakhstan is about to become the world’s largest producer of uranium. It has the world’s second largest chromium, lead and zinc reserves, the third largest manganese reserves, the fifth largest copper reserves, and ranks in the top ten for coal, iron and gold. Metal extraction and processing is concentrated in Tien Shan piedmont in southern Kazakhstan that forms the headwater for many of the country’s major rivers, including the Syr Darya, Arys, Chu and Talas. Poorly regulated mining activities in the Soviet period, together with rapid development since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, has resulted in widespread contamination of the river channels and floodplains in the region. Unfortunately, agricultural production in Kazakhstan is also concentrated along many mining-affected rivers and with ~70% of the population living on floodplains contamination of crops and dairy products poses a significant and growing risk to human health.

To address these problems the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University have been awarded a major research grant under the British Council Newton – Al-Farabi scheme to conduct a multi-disciplinary assessment of the impacts of climate change and pollution on water resources in southern Kazakhstan. This studentship will focus on the environmental impacts of metal mining on river systems in the region and we are offering initially a 12 month MPhil studentship that could be extended to a 3 year PhD for a successful candidate. The studentship stipend is £14,052 and tuition fees (£4,052) for UK/EU nationals will be paid by the project. Costs associated with fieldwork, travel and laboratory analysis are also fully covered. The candidate will: (i) carry out a desk study to identify and the location of metal mines, tailings dams impoundments and metal processing sites in southern Kazakhstan; (ii) undertake fieldwork in collaboration with Kazakh colleagues to sample river systems affected by mining activities; (iii) conduct laboratory analysis of water, soil and sediment samples; (iv) publish findings in appropriate scientific journals; and (v) act as a host for a small group of young Kazakh trainees who will visit Aberystwyth during the first semester of the academic year (October-December). This studentship is available immediately.

Applicants (holding a 1st or upper second class degree – or equivalent – in any field of geoscience) should have expertise in environmental geochemistry and/or geomorphology with basic GIS and/or remote sensing skills. Fieldwork will be supported by local Kazakh universities and Aberystwyth University staff but we are looking for a candidate who has the ability to work independently and has good interpersonal skills.

Applications, including a short CV and contact information, should be sent to Prof. Mark Macklin (mvm@aber.ac.uk) and Dr. Willem Toonen (wht1@aber.ac.uk).