Read the international words and give their Russian equivalents:
scale, negative, human, massive, planner, engineer, radical, result, experience, hydrological, period, process, correct, complex, management, collapse.
The Aral Sea and surrounding region has suffered large scale negative environmental change accompanied by major economic losses and human suffering over the past 4 decades owing to development of massive irrigation works. Soviet planners and engineers in 1950s, 1960s and 1970s underestimated both the range and severity of these consequences. They were confident that the socio-economic benefits of irrigation development outweigh any harm that might result.
What lesson can be learnt from the Aral Sea experience?
1) Once a large hydrological system such as the Aral Sea basin is in the throes of radical change, it is very difficult, costly and requires a lengthy period to reverse the process (i. e. it is much easier to create such problems than to rectify them).
2) Simplistic and, at first glance, appealing proposals to correct complex water management problems in the Aral Sea basin quickly (e. g. through rapid and massive cuts in irrigation to free water for the Aral Sea) should be approached with caution as they may so disrupt the economy as to cause its collapse.
EXERCISES:
1. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations:
большие экономические потери, за последние 4 десятилетия, переоценить, быть уверенным, социально-экономическая выгода, перевесить, с осторожностью.
2. Form verbs from the following nouns and translate them into
Russian:
change, loss, suffering, development, irrigation, work, planner, weight, result, creation, appeal, proposal, correction, management, cut, freedom, approach, cause.
3. Translate this text in written form.
4. Make up 10 questions connected with the Aral Sea problem.
5. Use the following suggested topics for discussion:
1. Environmental consequences of the Aral Sea recession.
2. Economic consequences of the Aral Sea recession.
3. Future of the Aral Sea.
4. My specialty – applied ecology.
6. Read the texts again and make a report about the Aral Sea problem.
UNIT VIII
New words and expressions:
effect – следствие, действие, эффект
blast – взрывная волна, струя
leak – утечка, течь, просачиваться
allowable – допустимый
facility – оборудование, приспособление
topsoil – верхний слой почвы
scrap – остатки
strew (strewed, strewn) – разбрасывать
disintegrate – разлагаться
deformity – уродство
rim – край
disability – неспособность, бессилие
Read the international words and give their Russian equivalents:
nuclear, test, resident, radioactive, radiation, radionuclides, atmosphere, cubic, region, portion, territory, toxic, specialist, dose, material, nitrates, identify, locate, local, substance, atomic, import, crater, airplane, infection, national, incident, psychiatric, chemical, medical, medicines, socially, global, civilian, military, active, control, utilize, operate, official, period, polygon, metal.
Many global environmentalists have heard of the effects on the civilian population of the nuclear testing that took place over several decades in Semipalatinsk. Few, however, are aware of the other five military testing sites in Kazakhstan. The conditions in the Kapustin Jar region are described here.
The environment of Western Kazakhstan has been devastated by the Azgir polygon (nuclear testing range), which was active from 1966 to 1979. Two other military testing programs remain active on this territory. Previously under the control of the Soviet Union, they are now utilized for weapons testing by Russia and have been operating for more than 45 years.
According to official data, 29 explosions occurred over this time period. 24000 missiles and 180 battlefield weapons have been tested, hundreds of long and medium-range missiles have been destroyed and the CC-20 missile has been fired 619 times, releasing over 30 tons of highly toxic chemicals into the atmosphere with each blast. Consequently, a significant part of the territory of the polygons and adjacent territories are polluted with radionuclides, highly toxic missile fuel and heavy metals.
The first underground nuclear test on Azgir was conducted 160 meters underground, only 1,5 km from residents who live in the village of Azgir. For over 20 days following the explosion radioactive gas from the underground cavities leaked into the atmosphere. During the subsequent blasts the release of poisonous gases continued for two to eleven months discharging 10 million curies of radiation into the atmosphere. Additionally, radioactivity in the underground cavities of the Azgir nuclear polygon which total 1,2 million cubic meters in volume is extremely high. Radionuclides from these cavities can be observed throughout the region's food chain.
Moreover, a significant portion of the territory has been contaminated with highly toxic missile fuel. Specialists have concluded that even extremely small doses of geptil, a compound found in missile fuel, are toxic to human beings. Levels of geptil on a significant portion of the Atyrau oblast exceed 10 to15 times allowable levels. Highly toxic materials such as thallium, strontium, cadmium, bromium, nitrates and others have also been identified on a significant portion of the territory.
Khaki Sor, a large salt lake, is located in Western Kazakhstan oblast. It was used as a storage facility for a variety of poisonous substances. Initial studies by local scientists have shown massive lake contamination. The district's ground water has been contaminated, tens of wells tested for water quality are polluted. Nevertheless, local residents drink from these wells while the atomic scientists working at Azgir import their water from Russia.
Rates of decease, mortality and children born with disabilities are increasing. At the polygon craters have taken the place of forests and topsoil, and scrap from tanks, missiles and airplanes as well as other equipment is strewn across a large area. The scrap disintegrates and dissolves in the water supply increasing the degree of contamination.
Specialists have determined that the health of Azgir residents is significantly worse than average in Atyrau oblast and far worse than that of many Chernobyl victims. Children's infection is 6 times higher than national levels. Cancers of the blood and bone tissue are particularly prevalent. Scientists have proposed that Azgir residents relocate to safer places.
Disease and mortality rates are particularly high in the Kapustin Jar region. Mortality rates have doubled and the incidents of cancer, anemia, psychiatric illnesses and children born with disabilities have risen to 3,8 times. Children are born without limbs or eyes, and many suffer from other deformities. On the southern rim of the polygon a new, incurable "yellow children's disease" is increasing.
The steppes of Naryn are also home to ranchers who suffer from the impact of nuclear blasts and chemical pollutants, yet rarely receive the medical care or medicines required. They are neither socially nor morally protected.