ECOLOGICAL STATE AND DIRECTIONS OF PROTECTION OF SPRINGS IN THE STOKHID RIVER BASIN

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive assessment of the ecological condition of springs in the Stokhid River catchment basin. It has been established that, despite the relative water availability in Volyn Region, the problem of protecting and rationally using natural springs is gradually intensifying due to increasing anthropogenic pressure, technogenic pollution, landscape transformation, and the deterioration of surface and groundwater quality. The aim of the study is to assess the ecological condition of natural springs in the Stokhid River basin, identify the main factors contributing to their degradation, and justify priority directions for their protection, restoration, and sustainable use to ensure the ecological and water security of the region. Springs in the Stokhid River basin perform important water protection, hydrological regulation, and ecosystem functions, maintain the stability of the hydrological regime, serve as sensitive indicators of the ecological condition of the territory, and act as potential reserve sources of water supply in emergency situations. Based on field surveys, analysis of hydrochemical parameters (mineralization, hardness, nitrate, ammonium, and iron content), cartographic methods, and geoinformation analysis, the spatial distribution of springs, their recharge conditions, and current ecological status were characterized. The level of anthropogenic impact within the groundwater formation zones was determined, the environmental value of objects and their representation within protected areas were assessed. The compliance of water quality with current sanitary standards and its suitability for domestic and drinking purposes were analyzed. It was found that insufficient sanitary control, lack of systematic monitoring of recharge zones, plowing of adjacent territories, unauthorized arrangement of water intakes, and inadequate technical condition of spring structures reduce the ecological safety of spring water use and increase the risk of degradation. The need to establish local protection zones, implement regular hydrochemical monitoring, and conduct environmental certification of springs was substantiated.Methods of analysis and generalization, ecological monitoring, cartography, mathematical modeling, and expert assessment were applied in the study