Utilizing Citizen-Driven Scientific Endeavors for Freshwater Pollution Surveillance: A case report of Lake Sevan, Armenia

The escalating demand for freshwater is intricately influenced by climatic fluctuations, ongoing economic development, and a growing population. Exploring innovative approaches, such as citizen science (CSc) integration, becomes imperative in preserving our vital water resources. This article delves into a comprehensive monitoring strategy and success factors within a CSc initiative, centered on evaluating water quality in Lake Sevan, a crucial contributor to the broader South Caucasus region's environmental and political landscape. The deteriorating water quality in Lake Sevan can be attributed to a combination of external factors, including the discharge of domestic, agricultural, and industrial effluents, the expansion of waterlogged forested areas, and rising temperatures. According to a rigorous five-tier grading system, Lake Sevan's water quality is currently graded at the 4th tier, indicating severe impairment in its ability to recover. Visible algal blooms on the water's surface exacerbate an already precarious situation, aggravated further by insufficient data due to the lack of human resources and inadequate investments from governmental and international entities like Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This study aims to address vital research questions, primarily concerning the dynamics of water quality changes and the development of a tailored CSc monitoring plan. The research methodology involves analyzing water quality datasets from both government sources and publicly accessible records over the past three years. Additionally, a comprehensive review of international CSc projects serves as a reference for this case study. The findings unmistakably indicate that Lake Sevan's water quality is critically rated at the 4th tier. To comprehensively understand and monitor the lake's dynamics, the implementation of a well-designed water quality monitoring framework with critical success factors is imperative. The active involvement of well-trained and knowledgeable citizens in collecting water quality data through a meticulously structured CSc initiative is crucial.