ECOLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATE OF THE KHRYNNYKIVSK RESERVOIR AND WAYS TO IMPROVE IT

Abstract

As a result of the consistent use of water resources, significant changes occur in the hydroecosphere. The created reservoir changes river ecosystems, giving them the characteristics of lakes. Excessive regulation of the water flow due to the construction of HPP cascades causes significant ecological transformations. As a result, the hydrological regime of the water flow is disturbed, the integrity of the river is lost, environmental risks of the basin arise, water quality changes, etc. These issues are becoming increasingly acute and require scientific justification, and research is becoming highly relevant. The purpose of the study was to improve the quality of surface waters and reduce the impact of anthropogenic load on the Styr River basin, which will allow stabilizing the hydrological regime and its ecological state. The study used methods of analysis and synthesis, hydrological analogy, mathematical statistics, cartography, GIS technologies and comparative assessment of landscape and ecological characteristics. The ecological situation of the Khrinnyky Reservoir ecosystem was studied, including a general analysis of its characteristics, erosion activity of the reservoir banks, environmental risks in the basin and hazards associated with hydrological parameters. It was established that over the past decades the reservoir has undergone significant ecological changes. The creation of the reservoir has disrupted the geomorphological balance and activated a number of geomorphological risks. Excessive regulation of water flow due to the construction of cascades of hydroelectric power plants has caused significant ecological changes in water quality. As a result, the hydrological regime of the flow is disrupted, the integrity of the Styr River is lost, and its division into separate ecosystems is formed. In the modern environment, water quality depends not on natural processes, but on human intervention in ecosystems. Pollution by wastewater from municipal and agricultural enterprises remains especially dangerous. In addition to water pollution, an urgent problem that needs to be solved is the modern land use structure in the reservoir basin, since excessive agricultural development has significantly reduced the area of natural lands. Based on the analysis of the environmental problems of the Khrinnyky Reservoir basin, it is necessary to establish water protection zones and protective strips along all banks of the reservoir and carry out engineering and biotechnical measures in these territories.