YSU researcher identifies biodiversity loss in several Armenian rivers and proposes solutions for ecosystem restoration

The research project titled "The Study and Quantitative Evaluation of the Self-Purification Water-Chemical Capacity of Armenian Rivers and the Impact of Anthropogenic Pressures," authored by Liana Margaryan, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Senior Researcher in the Chemistry Research Center at YSU Faculty of Chemistry, has received funding under the "Scientific Effectiveness Promotion Grant Program-2025" competition, announced by the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

In the interview with us, Liana Margaryan discussed the existing issues and highlighted the expected outcomes from the research. 

Continuous Pollution, Climate Change, and Mismanagement of Water Resources as Causes of River Degradation

Natural aquatic ecosystems, much like the immune system of the human body, have the capacity to self-purify and regenerate. Thanks to this unique natural capacity, pollutants entering rivers begin to decompose through various water-chemical processes, and their impact on the river’s aquatic ecosystem is naturally reduced. However, continuous high pollution, mismanagement of water resources, climate change, and other factors can completely disrupt the rivers' self-purification capacity, leading to their degradation. The aim of this project is to study and determine the self-purification water-chemical capacity of rivers in Armenia and assess the impact of anthropogenic pressures on this capacity.

Development of Scientific Methods for the Effective Use and Preservation of Freshwater Resources

The findings of this research will have significant importance not only for modern hydrochemistry and water resource management but also for international scientific communities. A key innovation of the project is that, for the first time in Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region, a method for evaluating the dependence of self-purification capacities and the eutrophic impact will be developed based on practical data and analysis. This will contribute to the effective use and preservation of precious freshwater resources for future generations.

Thus, the findings of this study will allow us to propose scientifically grounded solutions for the restoration of damaged river ecosystems that have resulted from the impact of anthropogenic pressures.

Assessing the Self-Purification Capacity of Rivers to Prevent Ecosystem Degradation

For the past 13 years, as part of a research team, I have been involved in the water-chemical research, assessment, modeling, and forecasting of surface waters in Armenia. 

We have studied the water-chemical regimes and ecological conditions of more than 30 rivers in the republic, which are impacted by various types of pollution. As a result of these studies, we have discovered that, due to the mountainous terrain, fast-flowing rivers, and the region’s geo-chemical characteristics, Armenian rivers have a high self-purification capacity, which naturally reduces anthropogenic influence and decreases pollution. Despite this high self-purification capacity, the lack of mining industry regulation, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, and other factors have caused the rivers to be intensively polluted with various contaminants. As a result, the aquatic ecosystem of these rivers is gradually starting to degrade, with changes in their water-chemical composition and regime, and the loss of aquatic biodiversity. Unfortunately, such rivers already exist in Armenia, including the Akhtala, Kavart, Karchavan, and Getar rivers, where, due to the effects of mining activities or domestic wastewater and mismanagement, the aquatic biodiversity has completely disappeared, turning these rivers into "wastewater channels." 

We aim to continue our research and conduct a detailed study of the self-purification processes in rivers, revealing their connection with pollution and eutrophication processes. We will develop a method to assess the self-purification capacity of rivers, which will help prevent ecosystem degradation and guide scientifically grounded decisions for the efficient use and preservation of water resources.

Developing a Comprehensive Method for Assessing Self-Purification Capacity of Rivers Worldwide through International Collaboration

The research team consists of four researchers and one foreign advisor, including young scientists taking their first steps in the scientific field, as well as those with more experience in the domain. The team members include Vladimir Vardapetyan, Junior Researcher in the Environmental Security Laboratory at YSU Chemistry Research Center, Anna Soloyan, Senior Laboratory Assistant at the Chair of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, and David Martiryan, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

My long years of scientific and practical experience in the field of ecological research will continue to be shared with the younger members of the team within this project framework.

To ensure the effective implementation of the project and the use of modern methodological approaches, a foreign advisor, Dr. Lucy Semerjyan, has been included in the team. Dr. Semerjyan is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah (UAE) and the Head of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Under her leadership, the Department of Environmental Health Sciences has a wealth of experience in environmental studies and research. Cooperation with the University of Sharjah and the exchange of expertise will allow the team to assess the self-purification capacity of Armenian rivers, identify the correct approach for evaluating eutrophic factors, and develop a comprehensive method for assessing self-purification capacity applicable to rivers worldwide.

The findings of the research will be published in international and local journals, presented at scientific conferences, and the final findings and conclusions will be shared with the relevant departments of Armenian Ministry of Environment to be applied in the conservation and effective use of Armenia's water resources.