... regions which have even worsened the appalling state environmentally. Petrochemical and refining complexes are the major sources of land-based pollution on the Absheron peninsula in Azerbaijan. Discharges and spills from oil have serious impacts on the environment and untreated waste from the Volga River into which half the pollution of Russia caused by industries empties directly into the Caspian Sea, while pesticides and chemicals from agricultural run-off are the main threats to the sea's flora and fauna. Thousands of seals have died since 2000 that lived in the sea due to pollution that weakened their immune system. However in addition to the existing problems the main aspect of pollution is the oil and gas production. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 showed the world the regime's poor environmental record in the Caspian Sea. Rusty derricks have poisoned water and soil. Pools of oil scum and well fires ...

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