The Caspian Sea is the world's largest endorheic lake. Studying the causes of fluctuations in its water level, identifying the relationships between various natural factors and water levels, and forecasting future changes are of significant scientific and practical importance.

Hasan Nabiyev, a senior researcher in the Climate Department of the Institute of Geography under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, stated in an interview with AZERTAC that the water level of the Caspian Sea depends primarily on the volume of river inflow, atmospheric precipitation, and evaporation from the water surface. These components of the water balance, in turn, vary under the influence of climate and weather conditions.

The Volga, Terek, Samur, Ural, Kura, Atrek, Sefidrud and numerous other large and small rivers flow into the Caspian Sea. Their combined average annual flow reaches 300 cubic kilometres. The Volga River accounts for 80% of the river water entering the sea and 70% of the total inflow component of its water balance. Hundreds of rivers form part of the Volga's drainage basin, with the Oka and Kama being its largest tributaries.

“Since the Caspian Sea is an integrated geosystem, various processes and factors within it are closely interconnected. Changes in one process also affect others. Fluctuations in sea level, pollution of the water body, and the depletion of biological resources are among its major environmental problems,” the scientist noted.

Hasan Nabiyev added that the Caspian Sea is of great importance to Azerbaijan in terms of its fuel and energy and chemical industries, fisheries, the resort and recreational potential of coastal areas, and maritime transport. The sea's rich oil and gas deposits, fish resources, and role in foreign economic relations make continuous research into its level fluctuations essential. In this regard, studying the causes of water-level fluctuations, identifying the relationships between natural factors and water levels, and forecasting future changes remain pressing issues.

azertag.az