DHI has won the second phase of the Caspian Environment Programme financed by the European Union under the TACIS programme.
The Joint Venture of the two German consultants ERM-Lahmeyer International (lead) and GOPA together with DHI is continuing the co-operation. The same group has during the last two years executed the first phase. DHI is responsible for the Caspian Centre for Pollution Control (CCPC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the Caspian Centre for Water Level Fluctuations (CCWLF) in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The CCPC has in the first phase estimated the total pollution load from the five riparian countries to the Caspian Sea and identified the major pollutant sources. In the second phase focus will be introduction to the industry of western pollution control management such as best available technology and industrial audit. An assessment of the laboratories in the region will be undertaken with suggestions for establishment of a reference laboratory system. Further, the CCPC will identify projects to be financed by international donors.
The CCWLF aims at developing a better understanding of the long-term fluctuations of the Caspian Sea water level, and its dependency on mesoscale climate variations.
Lack of clean-up and serious oil pollution is typical scenery from the old oil producing fields in Azerbaijan. In addition, many oil derricks are flooded without effective closure of the well. Flooded oil wells are also a big problem in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The 2.5 m increase in the sea level of the Caspian Sea from 1978 to 1995 has caused significant effects and damages to coastal infrastructure such as harbours and oil loading facilities. The picture shows a flooded train wagon recently used as restaurant at a beach in Azerbaijan. It further illustrates the overall tendency with lack of demolition.
Further information is available from http://www.dhi.dk/News/news20000908ref.htm