GIS Use in the Aral Sea Area: Water Quality and Population's Health.

This research represents the integrated study of ecological and sanitary status of water in selected areas of the Zeravshan River Basin, and interrelations between the level of their contamination and the population's health status. For the first time in this region, the rate and structure of morbidity were used as an indicator of the environment status. The main results of this research are: identification of the most vulnerable population groups; recommendations on assessment and control of the environmental conditions necessary for the stable management of water resources; and introduction of a Geographic Information System to monitor, control and forecast the water sources and population's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]