FORMATION OF HYDROCHEMICAL INDICATORS OF SURFACE WATERS OF SMALL STEPPE ANTHROPOGENICALLY LOADED RIVERS
The influence of a settlement located in the catchment area of the Tsaritsa river on the hydrochemical composition and contamination of surface waters and bottom sediments has been established. Sources of pollution have been identified, rehabilitation measures have been recommended. Introduction. Pollution of a natural and man-made nature, which is increasing significantly at the present time, most sensitively affects the ecological state of small steppe rivers passing through settlements. To study their possible use for recreational purposes, irrigation purposes and to determine the impact on the quality of the Volga River waters, it is necessary to monitor the sources of diffuse and concentrated runoff, the dynamics of surface water pollutants and bottom sediments. Object. The object of the study is the quality of the emerging surface runoff and bottom sediments, the volume and structure of spontaneous landfills of solid household and construction waste located in the floodplain of the Tsaritsa River. To identify the updated ecological state of the water protection and protective coastal territories of the Tsaritsa River in the zone of anthropogenic impact in Volgograd with the determination of hydrochemical indicators of water and bottom sediments, the volumes of landfills of construction debris and solid household waste, as well as to recommend rehabilitation measures. Materials and methods. The work used a general scientific methodology with methods of empirical (observation, description, comparison, measurement) and theoretical (analysis and synthesis) levels based on the results of field surveys and direct field measurements. Results and conclusions. Sources of pollution in the form of storm sewers, surface runoff from industrial enterprises, landfills of production and consumption waste have been identified in the catchment area, the chemistry of water and bottom sediments has been determined. During the route survey, various culvert hydraulic structures, dams, transitional bridges (including spontaneous ones), sewer collectors were noted and their operability was studied. The need for the organization of sanitary and environmental monitoring to assess the spatial and temporal variability of the amount of pollutants, the concentration of chemicals in the runoff and water body and to make a decision on the need for technical and biological reclamation of the Tsaritsa river has been determined. Recommendations on the use of bottom sediments depending on the chemical composition are given and measures for ecological reclamation of a water body are proposed.