Pollution of surface waters with phosphates and heavy metals

Abstract

It is substantiated that the current ecological state of the surface waters of Ukraine is characterized by very dirty. The research results indicate that insufficiently treated wastewater enters surface sources. The main pollutants include phosphates as a constituent of detergents, washout of phosphate fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural communities, and industrial effluents containing heavy metals. The analysis of modern data on the sources and intensity of entry, content, transformation and influence of phosphates and heavy metals on aquatic organisms and surface water bodies was carried out. It is emphasized that an excess of phosphorus compounds leads to the development of eutrophication in water bodies. It is shown that heavy metals belong to the group of the most dangerous toxic substances entering aquatic ecosystems, mainly as a result of technogenic action. In terms of toxicity, they are second only to pesticides. Unlike organic pollution, heavy metals are elements that do not undergo destruction in the aquatic ecosystem, but are only distributed among its components. A scheme of the intensity of pollution of individual components of the biosphere is given. Modern methods of water treatment both from phosphates and from heavy metal ions, which have their own advantages and disadvantages, are considered. A scheme for reducing the level of pollution of surface waters with phosphates and heavy metals is given.