The Anthropogenic Factors Influence on the Water Balance of the Udy Catchments (The Siverskyi Donets Sub-Basin)

Abstract

Summary Taking into account both global climate change and the level of anthropogenic load, the annual dynamics of the water balance elements of the Udy River Basin (Siverskyi Donets River Basin) were evaluated. Using Konstantinov’s method, the amount of evapotranspiration for two defined periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020) was calculated for the two invedtigated catchments of the Udy River, which are closed by two hydrological gauges – Peresichne and Bezliudivka. According to this, the water balance closure errors were calculated and it was established that the calculations are representative. The average annual temperature of the Udy River Basin increased by 1,2° C between the periods. The annual precipitation increased insignificantly, but there was a redistribution of it during the year. The amount of evapotranspiration has increased in the present period. Global climate change led to the fact that the average annual river runoff decreased and the most significant decrease in the annual distribution was the spring flood. Differences in the distribution of hydrometeorological characteristics for the catchments with different degrees of anthropogenic load were revealed. Using the water balance method, the impact of economic activity on the river basin runoff and water balance elements redistribution was assessed. The impact of anthropogenic factors on the Udy River catchments water balance was analyzed.