Complex monitoring as a base of environmental policy formation at urban territories

Abstract

Rivers and their floodplains within urban territories are considered as principal objects ofcomplex monitoring for cities with quite developed industry and transport as the city ofKharkiv. Flowing across both industrial and residential areas, rivers take, transport andaccumulate all contaminants from surface runoff, leachate of solid wastes disposals, industrialwater discharge.In 1991 Kharkiv National Academy of Municipal Economy (NAMEK) together with KharkivGeological Survey carried out landscape survey and geochemical analysis of floodplains andriver bed areas of main rivers within the city - Udy, Lopan and Kharkiv. Soils, bottomsediments and plants were sampled and analysed. Next stages of monitoring carried out bystaff and students of NAMEK have shown considerable changes in spatial allocation ofpollution sources at surveyed landscapes and quality changes of contaminants. Uncontrolleddisposal of solid wastes at river banks has increased considerably during last years and thefact gives principle concern to residential and agricultural areas.Obtained data allow making reasonable choice of runoff and wastewater treatmenttechnologies especially phytotechnologies as innovative, low-cost and environmentallyfriendly treatment methods. Monitoring results should be a basement for effective industrialand municipal waste management and as a whole for forming of environmental policy aturbanized areas.