The use of hydraulic models for carrying out flood simulations is a common practice globally. The current study used HEC-RAS (2D) in order to simulate different flood scenarios on the River Yesil (Ishim). Comparison of different mesh sizes (25, 50 and 75 m) indicated no significant difference in model performance. However, a significant difference was observed in simulation time. In addition, the inclusion of breaklines showed that there was a slight improvement in model performance and a shortening of the simulation time. Sensitivity analysis and the consequent manual calibration of sensitive parameters resulted in a slight improvement (an increase in the model accuracy from 58.4% for uncalibrated to 59.7% for calibrated). Following the simulations inundation maps for 10-, 20- and 100-year flood events were obtained. Hazard classification of the flood extents generated indicated that the settlements of Zhibek Zholy and Arnasay were flooded in all the simulated events. Volgodonovka village experienced flooding when a 100-year flood event was simulated. On the other hand, settlement No. 42 did not experience any flooding in any of the scenarios. The model results also demonstrate that the Counter-Regulator was not overtopped in the event of the 100-year hydrograph.

Development of tuberculosis (TB) is determined by various risk factors and the interactions of temporal and spatial distributions. The aim of this study was to identify the most salient risk factors for TB disease as well as multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) at the oblast (provincial) level in Kazakhstan.

Flooding events have been negatively affecting the Republic of Kazakhstan, with higher occurrence in flat parts of the country during spring snowmelt in snow-fed rivers. The current project aims to assess the flood hazard reduction capacity of Alva irrigation system, which is located in the interfluve area of Yesil and Nura Rivers. The assessment is performed by simulating spring floods using HEC-RAS 2D and controlling the gates of the existing system. A digital elevation model of the study domain was generated by integration of Sentinel-1 radar images with the data obtained from bathymetrical survey and aerial photography. Comparison of the simulated inundation area with a remote sensing image of spring flood in April 2019 indicated that the main reason for differences was due to local snowmelt in the study domain. Exclusion of areas flooded by local snowmelt, which were identified using the updated DEM, from comparison increased the model similarity to 70%. Further simulations of different exceedance probability hydrographs enabled classification of the study area according to maximum flood depth and flood duration. Theoretical changes on the dam crest as well as additional gates were proposed to improve the system capacity by flooding agriculturally important areas, which were not flooded during the simulation of the current system. The developed model could be used by local authorities for further development of flood mitigation measures and assessment of different development plans of the irrigation system.

Over the last few decades, increasing water levels of Lake Alakol have led to the activation of processes of modern relief formation of the coastal territory. This study will make it possible to assess the vulnerability of the lake shore to modern relief-forming processes, which pose a threat to the economic and infrastructural development of the coast. Through a combination of field research methods, analysis of the archival materials and satellite images, GIS mapping, as well as the application of the Coastal Vulnerability Index, developed by Gornitz, a map of the modern relief of the coast of Lake Alakol was created, where 13 geomorphological types of relief were identified, and a map of relief-forming processes and leading exogenous processes were identified. The values of the assessment of the degree of vulnerability of the coast to dangerous processes by the Gornitz method were obtained, where a high vulnerability covers 67.4% of the coast, an average vulnerability covers 2.9%, a weak vulnerability covers 13.3%, and low vulnerability occupies 16.4% of the coast. The degree of vulnerability of types of relief in the study area, the coast of Lake Alakol, was determined. High degree occupies 42.8% of the study area, medium—30.7%, weak—25.4%, and low 1.1%. A map of the complex assessment of the degree of vulnerability of the coast of Lake Alakol was created. It was revealed that low accumulative types of relief of the northwest and northeast coasts and alluvial-proluvial types of relief are highly vulnerable due to waterlogging and the intensity of abrasion processes. Identified natural features of the relief formation of the coast of Lake Alakol are recommended as a basis for making decisions on the planning and implementation of any economic activities on the coast, including infrastructure development of the coast and strengthening of the shores.

Marin ILIEȘ, Nicolae HAR, Nicolaie HODOR, Dorina Camelia ILIEȘ, Tudor CACIORA, Ștefan BAIAS, Farida AKIYANOVA & Zharas BERDENOV - DEGRADATION AND GEOMYCOLOGICAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE NATURAL STONE FROM BUILT OUTDOOR, Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, August 2021, Vol. 16, No. 2, p. 391 – 402; DOI:10.26471/cjees/2021/016/184