This article is devoted to the study of geoheritage objects and the scientific justification for the creation of a geopark in the Ulytau region of Central Kazakhstan. This region is the largest copper-bearing province in the world and has a unique natural and cultural heritage. The purpose of this article is to show the scientific and tourist significance of geoheritage objects of the potential Ulytau Geopark. The geological history of this area tells about no less than 500 million years of the planet’s development. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this area extremely interesting for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as a basis for the sustainable development of the area. The research methods included a bibliographic method, which made it possible to collect information on the geoheritage of the territory; field survey techniques; and methods based on the evaluation of the criteria for eligibility for UNESCO Geoparks. The methodology included five main blocks of assessment (geology and landscape, structure and management model, interpretation and environmental education, geotourism and sustainable development at the regional level) and represents an integrated interdisciplinary approach to present regional features in the context of the geological heritage of the world. Despite the length of time geology has been studied and the resources actively used, geoheritage sites have not been previously studied and characterised. Geoparks in Kazakhstan are at an early stage of development and this article aims to show the potential for establishing geoparks in the Ulytau region. © 2024 by the authors.

This study explores the use of microbial fuel cell (MFC) for wastewater treatment and energy production, focusing on enhancing electron generation. To encourage bacterial activity in removing metal ions from the inoculation source, coconut sugar and organic contaminants were used as dual substrates. With phenol degradation at 82.18% and removal efficiencies for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cr³⁺ at 92.10%, 89.85%, and 90.60%, respectively, the study’s energy efficiency was 72.7 mW/m² within 21 days. Compared to the external resistance of 1000 Ω, the internal resistance was 514.39 Ω. On day 30, CV studies revealed maximum oxidation currents of 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ mA and peak reduction currents of -1.6 × 10⁻⁵ mA, suggesting increasing metal and phenol treatment. Lysinibacillus, Lysobacter, and Pseudoxanthomonas were found to be the dominating bacterial species at the anode biofilm, confirming the efficacy of this strategy via electrochemical and biological testing. The potential of coconut sugar in MFC applications was highlighted by its greater voltage generation when compared to other substrates. The research highlighted pH 7 and room temperature as optimal conditions while discussing processes and parameter optimization. The challenges of electron transportation are crucial for advancing MFC to a practical stage: hence, using waste materials for electrode production is a novel approach to address this challenge. However, there has been a thorough discussion of promising key challenges and potential future perspectives.

The article discusses the interpretation of remote sensing data at the study of the thermic field in the southeastern part of the South Mangyshlak-Ustyurt trough system in order to determine the possibility of involving thermic parameters to exploration hydrocarbon (HC) fields. The products derived from Remote Thermal Infrared Survey Data (RTISD) are analyzed in detail, providing a complementary analysis for the geological and geophysical approach generally used at the exploration oil and gas fields. Thermal properties of different horizontal and vertical sections of the area were estimated from regional and local components of ground infrared survey data, which provided the detection of geothermic anomalies. We interpreted that the Shakhpakhty tectonic step is characterized by relatively large positive thermal anomalies, which indicates the predominance of shallow set of rocks (< 2 km deep) with high values of thermophysical properties. Moreover, the intensity of the thermal infrared anomalies increases with depth in blocks, which apparently characterizes the position of geological and structural elements that differ of thermal and physical properties. The Central Ustyurt dislocation system and the Assakeudan depression, are characterized by low intensity thermal anomalies, indicating that they include rocks or sediment with low thermophysical properties. The Assakeudan depression is characterized by large thickness of sedimentary rocks, which mostly form the oil-source suites. Faults that disrupt the lateral continuity of these geological formations are considered as conduits for migration of hydrocarbons, deep fluids, heat and mass transfer. The results show that satellite infrared data can be used as exploration criterion for mapping potential hydrocarbon accumulations in the southern part of the Ustyurt region. The results of integrated analysis of geothermal, gravity, magnetic and radiometric anomalies allowed us to interpret on geological heterogeneity of large regional structures, about the depth of occurrence of gravity-disturbing masses and magnetically disturbed objects is revealed, about the characteristic of faults and the local structures in the geophysical fields. According to the analyze highlighted local structures Utezhan, Kozhantai, North Kozhantai, Otynshy with sufficiently high hydrocarbon potential, and recommended for further study by seismic and deep drilling methods. © 2023, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

To increase the level of management efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy, it is necessary to ensure the implementation of the sustainable environmental management principles, taking into account the spatial patterns of climate change and bioclimatic potential of the territory. The assessment of natural moisture availability of the natural areas of the Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 1941-2020 (by providing a comparative analysis of indicators for 1941-1960 and 2001-2020) was conducted based on the use of the natural moisture coefficient and hydrothermal index or "dryness index"predicated on energy resources (total of biologically active air temperatures above 10°C, photosynthetically active radiation, evaporating capacity and water consumption of agricultural land). The conducted survey has used the proven domestic, international and proprietary methods according to estimates of natural water availability in the natural areas. The results of a comparative analysis of climatic indices changes in the natural areas of the Turkestan region (by sixteen weather bureau stations) for 1941 to 2020 have shown that there is an increase in average annual air temperatures in all natural areas, and the annual precipitation tends downward which affects the formation of energy resources and natural water supply. The identified features of changes in the natural moisture coefficient and hydrothermal index or "dryness index"in natural area of Turkestan region, make it possible to adjust the spread of its boundaries and consider these changes in the territorial organization of agricultural nature management. ©2023 by the authors.

Modern industrial sectors, including mining, geological exploration, and mechanical engineering, play a key role in the economic development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Their efficient operation depends on the quality of manufacturing and restoration of technological equipment components. However, the production and repair of such components require significant costs, and their restoration in remote areas is complicated by the lack of specialized machinery, leading to additional expenses and downtime. To address these challenges, this study proposes the concept of a mobile 3D printer with an integrated mechanical processing system. The primary focus is on developing a manipulator that ensures precise positioning of the welding nozzle and spindle, which perform key functions in the printing process and subsequent mechanical processing. The manipulator must operate within a workspace range of X ±250 mm, Y ±250 mm, Z ±200 mm. Its selection is justified based on criteria such as structural rigidity and positioning speed. Direct and inverse kinematics problems were solved to determine the working area and dimensions of the manipulator. Homogeneous Denavit–Hartenberg transformation matrices were constructed, and Jacobian matrices were obtained to establish the relationship between input and output velocities and accelerations. The proposed concept has significant potential for the rapid production and restoration of technological equipment components in remote areas. Implementing this technology will reduce production costs, minimize equipment downtime, and enhance the technological independence of industrial enterprises. © 2025, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

This study evaluates Alum sludge from drinking water treatment plants for the efficient and cost-effective removal of phosphates from aqueous solutions. Extensive characterization and batch experiments have established that optimal phosphate removal was achieved with a sludge dosage of 20 g L−1 (at an initial phosphate concentration of 100 mg L−1), a pH of 5, a temperature of 23 °C, and a stirring speed of 200 rpm. These conditions significantly reduced phosphate levels, ensuring compliance with legal discharge limits. The Langmuir isotherm, pseudo-second-order kinetic and intraparticle diffusion models best described the adsorption process, highlighting the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the phenomenon. The sludge effectively reduced phosphate concentrations to acceptable levels when applied to dairy effluents. This study underscores the potential of Alum sludge as a viable solution for phosphate management in environmental cleanup efforts. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.

The thermal power industry, as a major consumer of hard coal, significantly contributes to harmful emissions, affecting both air quality and soil health during the operation and transportation of ash and slag waste. This study presents the modeling of aerated concrete using local raw materials and ash-and-slag waste in seismic areas through machine learning techniques. A comprehensive literature review and comparative analysis of normative documentation underscore the relevance and feasibility of employing non-autoclaved aerated concrete blocks in such regions. Machine learning methods are particularly effective for disjointed datasets, with neural networks demonstrating superior performance in modeling complex relationships for predicting concrete strength and density. The results reveal that neural networks, especially those with Bayesian Regularisation, consistently outperformed decision trees, achieving higher regression values (Rstrength = 0.9587 and Rdensity = 0.91997) and lower error metrics (MSE, RMSE, RIE, MAE). This indicates their advanced capability to capture intricate non-linear patterns. The study concludes that artificial neural networks are a robust tool for predicting concrete properties, crucial for producing non-autoclaved curing wall blocks suitable for earthquake-resistant construction. Future research should focus on optimizing the balance between density and strength of blocks by enhancing the properties of aerated concrete and utilizing reliable models. Copyright © 2024 Rudenko, Galkina, Sadenova, Beisekenov, Kulisz and Begentayev.

In settings where environmentally friendly practices and policies are prioritized, sustainability and technological progress thrive, making it essential to study and evaluate innovative approaches. Emerging research in materials science is driving innovative solutions for environmental and aerospace engineering by developing materials that are lighter, stronger, and more sustainable. These advancements not only support greener technologies but also enhance performance, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace and environmental applications. Innovative Materials for Environmental and Aerospace Applications serves as an inclusive compilation of cutting-edge studies that address important challenges in two connected fields. It explores unique materials and methods that not only strengthen performance but also promote environmental stewardship. Covering topics such as aerospace engineering, hydrogen production, and water purification, this book is an excellent resource for environmental scientists, aerospace professionals, materials scientists, sustainability professionals, academicians, researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, and more. © 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.

The key objective of this study is to determine the effect of interphase boundaries, the formation of which is caused by the variation of Li2ZrO3/MgLi2ZrO4 phases in lithium-containing ceramics based on lithium metazirconate, on the resistance to near-surface layer destruction processes associated with irradiation with He2+ ions. During the observation of the deformation effects that have an adverse impact on the volumetric swelling of the near-surface layers of ceramics, the thermal expansion factor caused by high-temperature irradiation was considered, simulating conditions as close as possible to the operating conditions of these materials as blankets for tritium propagation. During the studies conducted, it was established that an elevation in the contribution of MgLi2ZrO4 in the composition of ceramics leads to a rise in resistance to deformation swelling caused by structural distortions of the crystal lattice, due to a decrease in the effect of thermal expansion, alongside the presence of interphase boundaries. The established dependencies of the change in the hardness of the near-surface layer of the studied ceramics made it possible to establish the kinetics of softening caused by the deformation distortion of the crystalline structure, as well as to determine the relationship between volumetric swelling and softening (change in hardness) and a decrease in crack resistance (change in the value of resistance to single compression).

Glacier retreat has caused the emergence of numerous moraine-dammed glacial lakes (MGL) over the last century which have become research foci in many mountain regions of the world. Outbursts of MGLs have caused destructive floods and debris flows, leading to numerous human casualties and significant material damage. The mountains of South-Eastern Kazakhstan have also become prone to lake outburst floods and related debris flows, specifically in the second half of the 20th century. This paper presents and reviews existing surveys and knowledge along with results of own investigations on the formation of MGLs and the characteristics of lake outburst floods and debris flows in the Kazakh part of Tien Shan. We suggest a workflow to identify the most dangerous types of lakes and provide information about their morphogenetic features and hazard criteria. The number of MGLs increased since the 1970s with more than 160 existing in 2018. Forty were identified as being dangerous. Forty-eight lake outbursts occurred since 1950 with all the documented events happened between end of June and end of August. The most dangerous outbursts were caused by ruptures in ice-cored moraine dams. Outbursts of nine MGLs caused disastrous debris flows, with some occurring repeatedly. The number of outbursts decreased since the year 2000 compared to 1970–2000. However, due to ongoing glacier retreat new lakes are forming at higher altitudes. Their greater potential energy makes possible future outbursts more dangerous. Re-evaluation of existing methods to calculate the water volume and peak discharge based on bathymetric measurements and observed outbursts revealed that the applied equations provide suitable approximations and allow supporting mitigation and prevention measures. Finally, the presentation of implemented measures to lower the water level using siphons or artificial flow channels shows that they can reduce the lake outburst hazards. However, they are associated with risks and financial costs and it needs to be carefully considered whether protection measures of the endangered areas are more cost effective. © 2022 The Authors