Monitoring of Phosphorus Compounds in the Influence Zone Affected by Nuclear Power Plant Water Discharge in the Styr River (Western Ukraine): Case Study

Abstract

The main causes of surface water pollution with phosphate ions are various human activities. Monitoring the content of phosphorus compounds in surface waters is important for the management of water bodies. Phosphorus is an essential element for the life of flora and fauna, but in excessive amounts it can have a harmful effect on the environment. The inflow of phosphorus compounds into the Styr River (Western Ukraine) occurs as a result of the discharge of cooling water from the Rivne NPP’s cooling water system. This article has three purposes: (1) The inflow of phosphorus compounds to the Styr River occurs with the discharge of cooling water using 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP); (2) phosphorus compounds (phosphate ions, HEDP, and total phosphorus in surface waters of the Styr River) are monitored and analyzed, and the analysis of the quality of river water is carried out in accordance with environmental standards for the content of phosphorus compounds in the zone of influence of the Rivne NPP; (3) in terms of phosphorus content, the quality of the water of the Styr River, after the discharge of the Rivne NPP’s cooling water, is characterized as “satisfactory” and belongs to Class III. A seasonal trend of changes in the content of phosphate ions and total phosphorus was found, and the concentration of HEDP in the water of the Styr River depends on the technological dosage mode during the corrective treatment of the Rivne NPP.