Water Consumption on the Catchments of the Arctic Rivers and into the Arctic Zone of Russia: Parameters, Structure, and Many-year Dynamics

Water consumption into the Arctic zone of Russia and at the catchments of the Arctic seas of Russia is relatively small. In 2006-2017 on the watershed of the Arctic seas an average of 21.3 km3 of natural waters were being taken annually, and within the Arctic zone of Russia was 2.6 km3 /year, or, respectively, of 28.8 and 3.5% of the national volume. Whereas these regions occupy about 71% and 18% of the country's area. This is an objective consequence of the very small population and economic development of these territories. The volume of discharge of salvaged waters on the catchments of the Arctic seas is comparable to the volume of water intake and is equal to 15.2 km3 /year, or 71%. The difference between water withdrawal and discharges of salvaged water within the Arctic zone of Russia is even less. Therefore, there is no statistically significant impact of water consumption on the water resources of the Arctic rivers, as well as shortage of water resources in the region. In addition, current water consumption is characterized, firstly, by its absence in many territories. Secondly, it is 30-50% less than it was in the 1980s. Thirdly, the water consumption value, on the contrary, has increased in the districts of development of oil and gas production. Fourthly, the water supply of industrial enterprises, heat power and public utilities exclusively dominates in the sectoral structure of water consumption. Fifthly, river waters make up main part of the water use. The study also had several important additional results. The first result is the creation of a unique map illustrating the values and features of spatial changes in water management characteristics in the Arctic zone of Russia. The second is conclusions regarding the reliability and completeness of data of various origin, including from alternative sources of information. The third is the successful implementation of the water management review approach with a transition from a macro-scale level to specific areas, localities and water consumers.