THE RIVER VALLEY OF THE PRIPYAT IN THE VOLYN POLISSIA: CURRENT STATE AND ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES

Abstract

The condition of river systems requires constant attention, as they are sources of life. The relevance lies in minimizing ecosystem degradation and halting the loss of biodiversity. In the current contextof ecological concerns, the need to preserve the main waterway of the Volyn Polissia is an important factor for the development of the economy, not only of this region but also of the entire area. Unique natural complexes form the basis of the recreational industry as a whole. Objective. The aim is to assess the ecological situation of the river valley based on the analysis of economic activities and their impact on the current state, the analysis of water quality factors, identification of key hydroecological problems in the river valley, and the development of measures to improve the situation. Methods based on both direct instrumental measurements and the creation of various digital models, such as mathematical statistics, analysis and synthesis, cartographic methods, GIS technologies, and system generalization, were used. Scientific novelty. The novelty lies in the proposed system of zoning according to water quality in the river itself and its main tributaries. The study determined the current ecological situation of the Pripyat River valley in the Volyn Polissia region within isolated formations, as well as identified transformation factors. The anthropogenic load on the river valley was calculated, and measures for solving hydroecological problems were developed. It was found that drainage reclamation conductedin the last century changed the hydroecological state of the Pripyat floodplain, and economic activities on poor soils, with the use of fertilizers, continue to cause significant pollution of the hydrosystem components. In the modern environment, water quality depends not on natural processes but onthe intervention of anthropogenic factors. Particularly hazardous are the pollutants from the wastewater of municipal and agricultural enterprises. In addition to the pollution of water resources, an urgent problem that requires resolution is the existing land structure in the Pripyat River basin. This is dueto the fact that, as a result of intensive agricultural development, the areas of natural lands have significantly decreased. Based on the analysis of the ecological state in the Pripyat River basin, itwas determined that the first step in overcoming the crisis situation is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the river ecosystem transformation and developing appropriate environmental protection measures. The presented set of research and calculations creates a modern scientific basis forthe development of rational natural resource management schemes considering current changes.