Center for Glacier Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan received from the IAEA a new device for conducting glacier researches in the field conditions

Thanks to the initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on declaring 2025 “International Year of Glacier Preservation” the development of international cooperation allows to expand the boundaries of research work on glaciers and reach the international level to meet international standards.

2023 is a memorable year for the work of the Tajik scientists of the State Scientific Institution “Center for Glacier Studies of NAST”, especially for the laboratory “Water Quality, Isotopes and Sanitation”.

Within the framework of the implementation of the IAEA national project TAD7004 – “Building national capacity for assessing the state of glaciers and snow cover under changing climate conditions”, the National Coordinator of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Republic of Tajikistan – Director of the Agency for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Ilhom Mirsaidzoda and Assistant National Coordinator, Head of the International Relations and Public Relations Department of this Agency – Olimjon Azizov in the ceremonial atmosphere handed over two sets of MultiLine Multi 3630 multiparameter digital instruments to professor Kayumov Abdulhamid, Director of the State Scientific Institution “Center for Glacier Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan”. 

It should be noted that before this, the Center for Glacier Research at NAST received equipment from the IAEA for large-scale and fundamental research as part of the development of the school of glaciology and the advancement of science. The PICARRO laser analyzer determines the stable isotope composition of glaciers, snow cover and melt water. The Center also received a modern ion chromatograph to conduct qualitative analysis of glacier, snow cover and meltwater samples. The ion chromatograph allows studying glaciers and water resources of Tajikistan at a qualitatively new level.

With the support of the IAEA, the Water Quality, Isotopes and Sanitation Laboratory, equipped with modern equipment, makes it possible to determine and identify hydrological processes occurring in glaciers and snow cover, as well as to determine the mechanisms of glacier degradation for the subsequent development of adaptation measures for glacier conservation.

The study of glaciers requires expeditionary work in hard-to-reach high-mountainous areas and field instruments are useful assistants in this work.

Two sets of MultiLine Multi 3630 multiparameter digital instruments were also purchased as part of the project, where it is possible to measure several parameters with one device.

In the field, the universal measuring device is designed for simultaneous measurement of such parameters as:

• pH;

• redox potential;

• dissolved oxygen;

• conductivity;

The work of this laboratory is carried out by three groups of employees.

Each of these groups has clearly defined goals and objectives:

1. a network group collecting samples from major river basins and precipitation;

2. an expedition group to collect samples from glaciers, snow cover, glacial lakes and meltwater;

3. a stationary (laboratory) that ensures continuous work, analysis and study of samples.