CURRENT TRENDS IN WATER POLLUTION OF THE PRIPYAT RIVER WITHIN THE VOLYN REGION
Authors: 18.	Khainatska Anna , Fesiuk Vasyl 
Published: December 2024

The article is devoted to the analysis of water pollution in the Pripyat River. The current trends in water composition during 2021-23 are assessed. The seasonal dynamics of water levels at the Lyubyaz and Richytsia hydrological stations is analyzed. A certain analogy in the course of hydrological processes between these stations has been established. In the intra-annual distribution of the Pripyat basin river flow, characteristic seasonal fluctuations in water levels were observed, which are typical for a temperate continental climate. At both stations, the maximum levels are observed at the beginning of the spring period, which is associated with the beginning of snowmelt and a change in seasonal precipitation from snow to rain. At the Rychytsia gauging station, the maximum level was 338 cm in 2021, 320 cm in 2022, and 352 cm in 2023; at the Lyubyaz gauging station, the maximum levels were 341 cm in 2021, 298 cm in 2022, and 353 cm in 2023. This is due to an increase in evaporation due to rising temperatures and a decrease in precipitation during the summer months. During the study period, there was a tendency for water levels to increase overall. In 2021, the average water level at the Richytsia station was 290 cm, and at the Lyubyaz station - 252 cm. In 2023, the levels increased to 298.5 and 260 cm, respectively.
The study pays considerable attention to the impact of anthropogenic activities on aquatic ecosystems. This includes eutrophication, which is caused by an excessive supply of nutrients, in particular phosphates. Agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and household pollutants contribute to an excess of nutrients in water bodies. Excessive enrichment of water with nutrients promotes the rapid growth of phytoplankton, which leads to water blooms, oxygen deficiency, and significant loss of biodiversity. During the study period, the acidity in the Pripyat River basin fluctuated slightly from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline values. This is an indicator of the river's natural buffering capacity against the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. There were short-term changes in pH that can be explained by anthropogenic impact (fertilizer use in the water intake area). But they did not have a long-term effect on the overall dynamics of the indicators.  At both observation posts, seasonal changes in phosphate concentrations are clearly visible, with an increase in the spring and summer season. The phosphate content is higher at the Richytsia hydrological station. There are noticeable differences in organic pollution between the upper and lower parts of the basin. At the Lyubyaz gauging station, the chemical oxygen demand is lower than at the Richytsia gauging station. This is due to the natural dilution and self-purification of water in the lower part of the river basin. In the upper part of the basin, at the Rychytsia hydrological station, the BOD5 value is much higher. The study includes a quantitative analysis of oxygen levels. It is demonstrated that the decomposition of a large amount of algae leads to a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen.
The article emphasizes the need to develop a complex to reduce the anthropogenic load on the river ecosystem. The complex includes recommendations for reducing the amount of fertilizers used in agriculture, improving wastewater treatment systems from industrial and domestic consumers. In addition, it is important to prevent eutrophication by reducing the use of phosphate fertilizers and taking measures to prevent bank erosion. Climate change, rising temperatures, and changes in the amount and nature of precipitation increase the likelihood of increased eutrophication. Therefore, an active environmental policy and the implementation of a system of rational water management are important for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of the river ecosystem.
Keywords: river, river basin, hydroecological state of the river, pollution of the river, measures to improve the hydroecological state of the river.