In Dagestan, the composition of all drinking water sources in the republic was checked

– Such systematic research has not yet been conducted in the North Caucasus. There were episodic studies in the 1960s, mainly in southern Dagestan. Our monograph "Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water in Dagestan" will serve as a basis for solving environmental problems; this data is very useful not only for geologists and scientists. Now any resident can find out the chemical composition of the water in his area, – says Malik Gafurov, head of the analytical center for collective use of the Dagestan Federal Research Center (DFRC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

He noted that only chemical analysis was carried out; scientists did not perform bacteriological analysis.

When coming to the mountains, many people run to drink spring water, supposedly it is clean and healthy. Although it may contain an increased content of harmful substances

– It should be done regularly. Today the water may be bacteriologically clean, but tomorrow contaminated wastewater or a dead animal will get into it and the situation will change, – explained Malik Gafurov.

Water sampling took place in 32 districts of Dagestan over several years. The expedition first headed to highland areas, then to foothills, and ended in the lowland northern part of the republic.

– We conducted a chemical analysis of drinking water from almost all active sources used by people. Then we systematized all the data we received and published a monograph. It turned out to be interesting material for geologists, doctors, and municipal authorities. An electronic version is available on the DFRC RAS website, and anyone can read it, – says Gafurov.

The analysis was carried out in laboratories using modern equipment. Generally speaking, in the highland part, the springs are supplied mainly with melted glacial water, it is weakly mineralized (for example, it contains practically no fluorine), and people living in these areas have a deficiency of this substance. And in the lowlands, in the northern part of the republic, there are many highly mineralized springs and artesian wells that have been in operation for decades. And in them, the concentrations of some elements, in particular arsenic, exceed the norm. It is better not to use such water for drinking.

– In parallel, we are developing carbon sorbents to create filters that can be used, among other things, to purify drinking water. Their distinctive feature is the ability to absorb certain chemical elements. Using sorbents will help rid water of harmful substances while preserving useful ones, – the scientist said.

– So where in Dagestan is the cleanest and best water? – I ask Gafurov.

– Of course, you can't say right away. Some like hard water, others like spring water, but tasteless. When they come to the mountains, many run to drink it, supposedly it is clean and healthy. Although it can be polluted or have an increased content of some substances harmful to the body. The taste of the water was not the goal of our research. We collected data on the chemical composition, such information is useful and important for everyone, – added Malik Gafurov.

Meanwhile

As the chief researcher of the Institute of Geology of the Far Eastern Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Biological Sciences Zalibek Zalibek previously told a correspondent of "RG", surface sources in the central zone of the republic – up to Kizlyar – are best suited for irrigating fields. Those that are closer to the Caspian Sea are unsuitable due to the content of arsenic and chlorine compounds.

– There is a hydrogeological map compiled by employees of the Institute of Geology of the Far Eastern Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It shows areas where the maximum permissible concentrations of substances in the water are exceeded, and where it meets the standards. Based on this data, it is possible to select areas for development, – the scientist said. He added that in the flat zone of Dagestan there are about one and a half thousand self-flowing unused wells, almost all of them are drinking water.