Programme aim: Environmental monitoring of the East Kazakhstan region for sustainable development of agriculture and stabilization of environmental quality.

Objective 1. As a result of the research carried out in the East Kazakhstan region, a thorough selection of soil samples was carried out via division of the territory into a square grid and systematic random sampling. Soil samples were taken at different depths, which made it possible to obtain comprehensive information on the state of the soil and its pollution. Of special note is the selection of sampling points taking into account sanitary protection zones and wind roses, which increases the accuracy of the obtained data. The combined usage of land use and man-made impact data allows for a more accurate assessment of the level of pollution in the zone of influence of enterprises. Thus, work has begun to determine the level of pollution of dominant agricultural crops by technogenic factors in the zone of influence of hazardous pollution sources.
Training of 2 Kazakh specialists in the use of remote sensing tools is being conducted at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Germany under the first year of the training program. As a result of the first training module, the specialists of the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology will acquire the necessary skills in working with geospatial data in QGIS. Participants will be able to master methods of classifying raster and vector data, train to use spatial analysis and data integration tools, which will significantly expand their capabilities in solving ecological and biological problems.

Objective 2. The basis of the structure of the soil database for areas (133 points, 487 samples) with technogenic pollution in Excel Spreadsheet format with georeferencing to maps - 19 fields, which were converted in the MapInfoPro GIS application, was compiled. The database includes the main chemical and physicochemical properties of soils and data on the content of heavy metals (HM). In the future, the database will allow for a comparative assessment of the ecological state of the soils of the study area, taking into account the use of remediation techniques, to assess the degree of degradation and/or restoration of the soil cover. Unpolluted (control) dark chestnut soil, typical for the region, has favorable agrochemical and physicochemical properties. However, the level of zinc and cadmium content exceeds background values ​​​​and is close to critical. For copper and lead, the content levels are within the norm and considered non-toxic, with possible influence of anthropogenic factors.
The analysis data of unpolluted dark chestnut soil show that even with favorable agrochemical parameters for plant growth and development, which provide them with the necessary nutrition, the content level of heavy metals is sufficiently high. This indicates the need for continuous agro-ecological monitoring and determination of the effect of heavy metals on phytotoxicity.
Assessment of environmental conditions of the soil by granulometric composition shows that soils with a high content of clay particles contribute to a decrease in the mobility of heavy metals, which mainly accumulate in the upper soil layers and rarely migrate below 20 cm. In sandy soils, heavy metals have a high migration capacity, penetrating into deeper horizons, where their concentrations can be either increased or decreased as a result of leaching.

Objective 3. The inventory of vegetation was taken along the edge of industrial sites and adjacent territories to the objects of study. At the time of the study, 162 species of woody and herbaceous plants from 117 genera and 40 families were recorded. Long-term impact of pollution sources formed industrial flora consisting of a number of local species (Populus laurifolia Ledeb., Betula pubescens Ehrh., Salix viminalis L., Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth., Achillea millefolium L., Dactylis glomerata L., Artemisia vulgaris L., etc.), with an non-significant number of non-regional species (Acer negundo L., Populus balsamifera L., Malus baccata (L.) Borkh., Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., Mey., Urtica dioica L., Cannabis ruderalis Janisch., etc.). The disturbed areas gradually became overgrown with weed species with a total projective cover of 25-95% in various areas of industrial enterprises.

Objective 1. The conducted study provided a comprehensive assessment of changes in land cover, urbanization, and ecosystem conditions in the East Kazakhstan Region. Based on Landsat and Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data, a detailed land-use map was developed, reflecting the distribution of agricultural, natural, and built-up areas. The analysis revealed that approximately 39% of the territory is occupied by pastures and meadows, while the most fertile chernozem soils are concentrated in the north-western and central parts of the region. Since 2000, a steady expansion of urbanized areas has been observed, particularly in Ust-Kamenogorsk, where industrial development and residential construction are actively progressing. Spatial analysis made it possible to identify a relationship between the growth of built-up areas and increasing environmental pressure.
An important outcome of the project was the training of two Kazakhstani specialists at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where they acquired GIS tools and remote sensing methods, contributing to the enhancement of scientific capacity and the effective application of modern technologies in environmental monitoring of the region.

Objective 2. Comprehensive studies have shown that the agroecosystems of the East Kazakhstan Region are subject to significant technogenic impacts from mining, metallurgical, and processing enterprises. The region’s soils are characterized by pronounced spatial and vertical heterogeneity in heavy metal concentrations, resulting from a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. The greatest variability was observed for zinc and copper, particularly in the upper soil horizons, indicating the presence of local pollution sources in the areas of Ridder and Ust-Kamenogorsk, as well as in the vicinity of the KazZinc and Titanium–Magnesium enterprises.
The average concentrations of most elements (Zn, Cu, Pb) do not exceed the maximum permissible levels; however, their substantial variability indicates uneven contamination. Cadmium poses a particular environmental concern, as its concentrations are close to threshold values and its hazard coefficient is significantly higher than that of other metals, necessitating continuous monitoring.
In industrial areas, exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations for lead and cadmium were recorded at 2–4 times and 1.5–3 times, respectively, whereas agricultural soils remain within regulatory limits. Metagenomic analysis identified approximately 2,350 microbial species in a single sample, reflecting high biological diversity and the soils’ capacity for self-purification. The results confirm the need for regular monitoring and the implementation of nature-based and environmentally protective measures to restore degraded areas of the region.

Objective 3. The inventory of vegetation near industrial sites in the East Kazakhstan Region revealed a high floristic diversity, despite prolonged technogenic impact. In the reporting year, a total of 254 species of woody and herbaceous plants belonging to 181 genera and 51 families were recorded, which is 92 taxa more than in the autumn period of 2024. The most represented families are Asteraceae (50 species), Poaceae (25), Rosaceae (21), Fabaceae (17), Lamiaceae (15), and Salicaceae (14). The ten leading families include 174 taxa, accounting for 68.5% of the total species composition.
The flora of industrial areas is predominantly formed by local species that are resistant to pollution and anthropogenic impacts, such as Populus laurifolia, Betula pubescens, Salix viminalis, Calamagrostis epigeios, Achillea millefolium, and others. The presence of non-native and adventive species, such as Acer negundo, Echinocystis lobata, and Cannabis ruderalis, indicates a gradual change in the structure of the plant cover under the influence of human economic activity. In areas where industrial production has ceased (Irtysh Rare Earth Plant, Irtysh Copper Smelting Plant), signs of demutational succession aimed at restoring natural phytocenoses have been observed. These processes indicate the gradual self-recovery of ecosystems and the potential for their natural restoration when technogenic pressure decreases.

Objective 4. The conducted studies aimed at investigating the impact of technogenic pollution on Triticum aestivum, Avena sativa, and Helianthus annuus plants revealed significant differences in gene expression profiles between samples from contaminated and control sites. RNA sequencing identified the activation of genes involved in antioxidant defense, heavy metal detoxification, and stress response, as well as a decrease in the activity of genes associated with photosynthesis and primary metabolism. The results indicate the development of complex molecular mechanisms of adaptation and resistance to technogenic stressors in plants, which is important for assessing the ecological condition and for bioindication of contaminated areas.

Supervisor of the STP: Shamekova Malika, PhD, professor, h-index 7. (https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55617198500; https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/98695)

Objectives of the STP:
Objective 1: Conduct environmental monitoring of the East Kazakhstan region using modern GIS and remote sensing methods and technologies to support short-term and long-term planning and measures to adapt to natural and anthropogenic changes and consequences, to conduct research and planning.
Objective 2: Study the impact of technogenic zones of the East Kazakhstan region on the environment using ground monitoring methods.
Objective 3: Study the species composition and determine the dominant species of wild flora in the zones of influence of every identified source of hazardous pollution.
Objective 4: Identify the molecular genetic mechanisms of plant resistance to technogenic pollution.