Some peculiarities of hydroecological features of the Seversky Donets River (Rostov region)

Abstract

Climate change leads to the transformation of the water regime of rivers. This paper examines the changes that occur with the Seversky Donets River in the Rostov region. To assess the influence of meteorological factors, studies of temperature changes (1974 - 2020) and precipitation (2001 - 2020) were conducted. An increase in the average annual (from 8 °C to 9.7 °C) and winter (-5.3 °C to -3.6 °C), spring (8.6 °C to 9.9 °C), summer (20.6 °C to 23.1 °C) and autumn (8.1 °C to 9.3 °C) were revealed. Precipitation data showed multidirectional processes; 2001-2010 were drier (294 mm) than the average (419 m), and 2011-2020 wetter (436 mm). Water flow changes analyse in the River Seversky Donets from 1982 to 2020. The assessment of the influence of hydrometeorological factors on the transformation of river flow is an important aspect. There is a tendency to decrease the average annual expenditure. The highest and lowest annual flow of the river was recorded in the 2000s. The minimum water flow in the river was recorded in 2020 (33.95 m3/s), and the maximum in 2006 (211.2 m3/s). The territory is experiencing high anthropogenic pressure in an arid climate. Significant seasonal changes are characteristic of the water flow in the River Seversky Donets. The maximum impact on changes in water levels in the river is provided by snow nutrition, which is associated with uneven water consumption throughout the year.