Southern Bug River Research Articles

Southern Bug River: water security and climate changes perspectives for post-war city of Mykolaiv, Ukraine

This article focuses on water security in Mykolaiv, a city of 0.5 million inhabitants in southern Ukraine, in the situation of scarcity of usable water resources caused by climate change and military operations. This problem arose after the Dnipro-Mykolaiv water pipeline was destroyed in April 2022 as a result of military operations and the supply of drinking water to the city was cut off. To ensure that the city’s population has constant access to sufficient water of acceptable quality, a search for alternative water sources and a climate risk assessment were carried out for the new municipal water supply system from the Southern Bug River. The possible change in flow and its intra-annual distribution under the influence of climate change was modeled using the WaterGAP2 hydrological model and climate projections under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-P8.5 scenarios. It was found that under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the reduction in river flow will be insignificant (up to a maximum of 14% in the far future) and there will be no restrictions on the city’s water supply from this section of the river in the near (2021-2050) and far (2051-2080) period. The maximum water withdrawal for municipal water supply and the minimum environmental flow will reach their maximum value only in August (56% of the projected flow), which is not critical. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, in the long-term perspective of 2051-2080, the largest decrease in runoff will occur from May to October, and the water withdrawal will increase to 40-79% of the projected flow. The use of the research results not only in water management, but also in municipal administration, and their dissemination in territorial communities will contribute to the successful adaptation of socio-economic and environmental processes in the region and can bring successful benefits not only to the economy, but also to communities.

TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE GROUNDWATER OF THE NEMYRIV DEPOSIT (UKRAINE)

The data obtained and published to date by experts in various fields indicate that there are no absolutely harmful or absolutely beneficial trace elements, the only question is their concentration and form in natural waters (including groundwater). The forms of occurrence in natural waters are particularly important for elements that may have different degrees of oxidation (e.g., arsenic, manganese) or a high ability to form complexes with water anions (e.g., nickel). In addition, the possible positive and negative effects of biological exposure to drinking water that meets the quality criteria but has slightly elevated levels of trace elements (the so-called “chronic” effect) are currently being actively discussed. The aim of this study is to determine the speciation of biologically active trace elements in the waters of the Nemyriv drinking water deposit in the Southern Bug River basin by geochemical modelling. The modelling was performed using the PHREEQC software. Trace elements found in water in concentrations measured by analytical methods are considered in this paper. The data on the content of 7 elements (As, Mn, Sr, Ni, P, Si and F) in the water of 6 wells in the Skifska area (3 wells in the ravine and 3 wells along the Ustia River) were analysed. The concentrations of Sr, Ni, P and F in the water of the wells considered in the Nemyriv drinking water deposit do not exceed the MPC. The concentration of As exceeds the MPC. Mn concentrations in the wells located in the ravine do not exceed the MPC, but significant excesses are observed in the wells located along the Ustia River. Based on the mineral composition of the rocks, the results of geochemical modelling, and the different supply mechanisms of the wells located in the ravine and along the river, it can be concluded that the manganese is of anthropogenic origin. None of the water in the Skifska area under consideration meet the water quality requirements in terms of the total specific content of pollutants of the first and second hazard classes. The main reason for this discrepancy is the increased concentration of arsenic in the water. However, this is in the relatively safe form of As(V). Phosphorus and arsenic concentrations are largely determined by co-precipitation with iron minerals. Fluorine behaves like a classical halogen in the well water of the Skifska area and is in oxidation state-1, and the main source of fluorine is biotite and fluorite. Strontium and manganese in the well waters of the Skifska area of the Nemyriv deposit are in oxidation degree +2, mainly in the form of Me2+ cations. The manganese occurrence in such a oxidation degree indicates its potential bioavailability, so it is necessary to carry out additional analytical studies to determine the concentrations of Mn and organic compounds, perform repeated geochemical modelling, assess the hazard of these waters to humans and develop additional water treatment measures.

Notes on the distribution, food plants and morphology of Chlorophanus C. R. Sahlberg, 1823 species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Turkey

Chlorophanus vittatus Schoenherr, 1832, known from the Caucasus and northern Iran, is here newly reported from eastern Turkey. Salix L., Populus L., Tamarix L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are revealed as host plants of adults in Turkey. Feeding and mating behavior of adults were observed on leaves of G. glabra during the summer period in the Aras River valley. The lectotype of Ch. vittatus is designated, description and digital photographs of the genitalia are presented based on newly collected material. Distributional data for Ch. vittatus, Ch. excisus (Fabricius, 1801) and Ch. pollinosus (Fabricius, 1792) in Turkey are reported, the latter species is also recorded from Turkey for the first time. Chlorophanus flavescens (Fabricius, 1787) is deleted from the list of the Iranian fauna, and Ch. excisus, from the list of the Russian fauna. Characteristic ecological and distributional features of the genus Chlorophanus C. R. Sahlberg, 1823 are discussed, and notes on the riparian habitats in Turkey are given to attract attention to the necessity of their preservation. As a fragile member of the riparian insect species complex, a weevil, Corimalia aliena (Faust, 1890), formerly known only from Central Palaearctic, is reported for the first time from Turkey where it was found on Myricaria sp. in Erzurum Province. Chlorophanus excisus co-occurs with Ch. vittatus in eastern Turkey and western Iran, or at least their ranges overlap there. These two species contribute to the maximum local Chlorophanus diversity in Erzincan and Erzurum provinces. Chlorophanus micans is recorded in Crimean Mountains and Southern Bug River valley indicating a potential current contact between Ch. micans and Ch. pollinosus in Podolian Upland.

EXPERIMENTAL CUT MARK REPLICATION AS A MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING LINEAR MARKS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONES FROM THE MEDZHIBOZH LOWER PALAEOLITHIC SITES

The paper presents the first results of experimental modelling of a series of cut marks on bones in different states of preservation. We used experimental (quartz, flint) and technogenic (granite) flakes with sharp and blunt unretouched working edges and trimmed edges produced by the bipolar on-anvil technique. V-, П-, and U-shaped cut marks and surface damage were obtained. The data gained are useful for the reconstruction of conditions of occurrence of cut marks on bones found in the uppermost culture-bearing horizons of the Lower Palaeolithic sites near Medzhibozh, located in the upper reaches of the Southern Bug River and dated to MIS 11. The data can also be used for differentiating between anthropogenic and natural damage and as a significant statistical point of reference.

Reynolds phytoplankton functional classification approach helps evaluate the historical ecological status of the large European Southern Bug River (Ukraine)

AbstractThe phytoplankton functional group (FG) classification system sensu Reynolds enables evaluating the ecological status of rivers using the Q(r) compositional index. Here, we apply the Q(r) index to analyze the ecological conditions of the Southern Bug River, at the entire river length, in the early 20th century, testing it first on historic river phytoplankton data. Moreover, we combined the FG approach with the saprobic index and taxonomic richness to assess the ecological status of the river more reliably. The Bray–Curtis Similarity index highlighted the spatial clustering of river sites that corresponded well to the bioregions of the Eastern Lowlands and the Pontian Province. The Q(r) index revealed a higher variation in ecological status among sites than the saprobic index. Therefore, we argue that the FG approach provides a sensitive ecological status indication approach for river phytoplankton, including historical human impacts. The method may improve understanding of reference conditions and assessing the ecological status of Ukrainian rivers, as requested by the European Water Framework Directive.

A Machine Learning-Based Framework for Water Quality Index Estimation in the Southern Bug River

River water quality is of utmost importance because the river is not only one of the key water resources but also a natural habitat serving its surrounding environment. In a bid to address whether it has a qualified quality, various analytics are required to be considered, but it is challenging to measure all of them frequently along a river reach. Therefore, estimating water quality index (WQI) incorporating several weighted analytics is a useful approach to assess water quality in rivers. This study explored applications of ten machine learning (ML) models to estimate WQI for the Southern Bug River, which is the second-longest river in Ukraine. The ML methods considered in this study include artificial neural networks (ANNs), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), Extreme Learning Machine, Decision Tree Regressor, random forest, AdaBoost (AB), Gradient Boosting Regressor, XGBoost Regressor (XGBR), Gaussian process (GP), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). Each data measurement consists of nine analytics (NH4, BOD5, suspended solids, DO, NO3, NO2, SO4, PO4, Cl), while the quantity of data is more than 2700 data points. The results indicated that all ML models demonstrate satisfactory performance in predicting WQI. However, GP outperformed the other models, followed by XGBR, SVR, and KNN. Furthermore, ANN and AB demonstrated relatively weaker performance. Moreover, a reliability assessment conducted on both training and testing datasets also confirmed the results of the comparative analysis. Overall, the results enhance the assertion that ML models can sufficiently predict WQI, thereby enhancing water quality management.

The current state of the Southern Bug River mouth ecosystem

The article considers the pre-war conditions main components of the Southern Bug mouth ecosystem. The results of sediments samples study have shown transformation of lagoonal accumulation, appearance of reducing condition spots in sediments, presence of exceeding MAP for lead. An estuarine water analysis given an idea about hydrochemical features mouth section of river, namely: high concentration of suspended solids – on an average 11,4 mg/dm3; increasable concentration BOD5 – an indicator of easily oxidized organic substances content; periodic significant exceeding MAC of ammonium and nitrite nitrogen. Hydrobiological changes primarily concern a decrease in primary productivity due to a decline in phytoplankton biodiversity; there was also a reduction of zooplankton. The current state of the Southern Bug River mouth ecosystem is formed predominantly under the periodic dredging of shipping channels followed by the formation silt dumps. The post-war revitalization of the Southern Bug estuary ecosystem should include measures to mitigate the negative effects of anthropogenic activity especially the consequences of hydraulic engineering works.

FINDINGS OF THE PRE-DNIPRO FOSSIL MOLLUSCAN FAUNA IN WESTERN UKRAINE

Over the past two decades, we have been studying a wide range of Quaternary sediments in western Ukraine in close cooperation with Ukrainian and Polish scientists. The sediments often contain paleofaunal remains such as bones of large and small mammals, mollusk shells and ostracods. During the period of research, we have discovered and studied more than 30 locations of molluscan fauna. Most of them date back to the Upper Pleistocene. Contrarily, there are few sites that would represent the fauna that inhabited the study area before the Dnipro glaciation. The same can be noted by analyzing the results of research by predecessors, in particular M. Kunytsia and I. Melnychuk, authors of the Geological Atlas of Galicia. We found molluscan fauna in six points. Two of the identified locations, namely Kalynivka and Liuboml, are located within the Volyn Polissia and are confined to the sediments between the Tiligulian moraine and Dnipro glacial and water-glacial deposits. Three more sections are located in Podillia. These include the Medzhybizh section (located on the left bank of the Southern Bug River to the west of the village of the same name), the Skala Podilska (discovered within the Burdiakivskyi special quarry on the northern outskirts of the Mezhyhirtsi (an outcrop on the left bank of the Dniester downstream near the confluence of the Hnyla Lypa River). The last one is found the Halych section, which reveals the structure of the ancient (fifth) Dniester terrace near the confluence of the Lukva River. The issue of detailed stratification and correlation of the studied sections remains challenging. This is due to the long-time influence of denudation factors such as glacial exhumation, slope processes, etc., as well as the different history of development of the territory under study. Molluscan fauna represents both warm (interglacial) and cold (glacial) conditions. The oldest fauna was found in the sediments of the Shyrokyne climatolith (Skala Podilska section) and represents warm interglacial conditions. It was also possible to identify fauna from loess formations, which indicates the dominance of cold arctic-boreal-alpine conditions in the accumulation of loess material in the early Pleistocene (MIS 20). Keywords: malacofauna; Pleistocene; climatolith; loess; alluvium.

Promising ways to solve the problem of ichthyofauna alien species in the Southern Bug River on the territory of the National Natural Park “Buzkyy Gard”

Promising ways to solve the problem of ichthyofauna alien species in the Southern Bug River on the territory of the National Natural Park “Buzkyy Gard”

Prospects for the preservation of hydrophilic zoocenosis under the conditions of the urbanized landscape of Vinnytsia

The formation of a network of protected objects under the conditions of the urbanized landscape is one of the effective measures for implementing the concept of sustainable urban development. The transformation of natural ecosystems within settlements causes significant changes in the structure of zoocenoses: some species disappear from the territory; others are forced to adapt to new conditions. Reducing the level of anthropogenic pressure in the created protected objects due to the limitation of certain types of economic activity will allow preserving the species wealth of fauna even under the conditions of the urban landscape. Work was carried out on the study of the taxonomic wealth of the vertebrate fauna of one of the tracts of the city of Vinnytsia for the further preparation of the scientific justification for the creation of a protected object within its boundaries. To study the seasonal structure of zoocenoses of chordate animals, the tract 'Brigantyna' was chosen, which is located on the left bank of the Sabariv reservoir (Southern Bug river), the mouth of the Tyazhilivka river and the surrounding area. The total area of the studied territory is about 5.1 hectares. Generally accepted methods were used to study the species composition of the chordate animals of the tract. During all seasonal periods of 2020-2022, the seasonal structure and nature of topical connections of representatives of 5 classes of Chordata were studied within the facility: class Actinopterygii, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia. For the first time, the taxonomic and ecological structure of the zoocenoses of the tract were analyzed, in its species structure representatives were identified, which are subject to protection at the local or global level. Within the studied territory, as a result of the records, the presence of representatives of 99 species of animals of the Chordata type was found: class Actinopterygii (16 species), Amphibia (4 species), Reptilia (4 species), Aves (66 species), Mammalia (9 species). Taxonomically, they are united in 79 genera, 42 families and 21 orders. The vast majority of discovered chordates are typical representatives of the fauna of Eastern Podillia. The creation of a protected object within the surveyed tract will contribute to the preservation of the biological diversity of the urban zoocenosis.

Impact of anthropogenic sources of pollution on the quality of the Southern Bug river

Impact of anthropogenic sources of pollution on the quality of the Southern Bug river

Ecological state of the Southern Bug river in the Mykolaiv city aquarium under the influence of rain sewage wastewater

Ecological state of the Southern Bug river in the Mykolaiv city aquarium under the influence of rain sewage wastewater

Paleogeographic and historical aspects of the ancient polis functioning on the example of the study of the «Orient» section of the Olbian necropolis

Paleogeographic and historical aspects of the ancient polis functioning on the example of the study of the «Orient» section of the Olbian necropolis

Cyclicities in the Regime of Groundwater and of Meteorological Factors in the Basin of the Southern Bug River

The data of observations since 1951 in the upper part of the Southern Bug River basin in the west of Ukraine are analyzed. The results indicate that the climate change occurring on Earth disrupts the regular cyclicity of groundwater flow indicators. The identified 7–8-year groundwater level and flow to the river cyclicity correlates well with the air temperature, precipitation and river runoff cyclicity. The noted groundwater cyclicity appears with some delay after the establishment of the 8-year air temperature cyclicity observed since 1969. The manifestation of a 7–8-year cycle depends on the groundwater table (GWT) depth. For shallow groundwater (1.0–2.5 m), such rhythms have been observed since 1975, and for deeper levels, since 1989, which is recognized as the year of the beginning of the climate changes. Moreover, 7–8-year rhythms in the fluctuation of groundwater parameters are characteristic of mainly high-water periods of their multiyear regime, and during the low-flow phase is significantly weakened. During 2011–2014, the groundwater levels abnormally decreased and the 8-year cycles were replaced with 5-year ones. The influence of air temperature on the groundwater regime exceeds the role of other factors. Wavelet analysis was used as the main method of periodicity observation. Gaussian and Morlet wavelets provide the visualization of pronounced periodicities of data. Using multiple correlation analysis, it was confirmed that temperature has become the dominant impact factor on the groundwater (GWT 1.5–4.0 m) regime in recent decades.

Remote sensing and in-situ approach for investigation of pelagic communities in the reservoirs of the electrical power complex.

Two closely located reservoirs on the Southern Bug River and its tributary in the southern region of Ukraine were compared to study the impact of temperature on hydrobionts and pelagic communities, a major ecologic issue in the climate warming context, using in-situ and satellite remote sensing data. These reservoirs are parts of the South-Ukraine electric power-producing complex. The Tashlyk reservoir is a cooling reservoir for the nuclear power plant, and Oleksandrivske reservoir is used for production of hydroelectricity and irrigation. The cooling reservoir is replenished by pumping water from the upper part of the Oleksandrivske reservoir. The relationships of temperature, transparency, and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were established based on satellite remote sensing data and in-situ during 2013-2021. The main variables of phytoplankton and zooplankton were compared, and for improved understanding features, spatial distribution maps were created. It was found that the distribution of coenotic groups of phytoplankton and zoonplankton in the cooling reservoir (Tashlyk) corresponds to thermal conditions. Three communities of phytoplankton and two communities of zooplankton were identified in the Tashlyk reservoir. However, in the Oleksandrivske reservoir, separate communities of phytoplankton and zooplankton were reported along its length. It was shown that both on land and in the Oleksandrivske reservoir, there is an increase in temperature in summer, an increasing trend in the global warming context, but that was not observed in the cooling reservoir of the nuclear power plant (NPP). It let us assume that the factors such as temperature or nutrients impact can be assessed as external significant factors related to the catchment area for the reservoirs with different types of using.

ON THE ISSUE OF ANNALISTIC BELOBEREZHYE OF THE 14th CENTURY

In the paper the attempt to identify the geographical toponyms and hydronyms of the 14th century is made. It contains an analysis of the hypotheses about the Beloberezhye site of the 14th century in the written sources. Based on the examination of the written, cartographic, archeological and numismatics sources the conception about connection of Beloberezhye with the bank of Southern Bug River is considered.
 Also, the information about origin of the river name since antiquity till nowadays — Bug (Boh, Bug, Boug, Bohus, Bohem and other), Hypanis, Kouβoũ (Kuvu), Vagosola, Bagossla, Aksu (White Waters) — is discussed. The conception, according to which the Turkik geographical names of the river (Ak Su — White Water) and its banks (Belobereshye — White Banks) were the territory of the traditional summer and winter nomads roamings has been substantiated. Also, the certain aspects of activity of the Tartars emirs Kutlu-Buha, Khadjibej, and Dmytro, and the landscapes of these regions are examined. Important stimulus for development of the trade routes in these regions were the saline in the lower reaches of the Southern Bug and in Black Sea region. Based on the analysis of numismatics sources the author concludes that in the first part — mid-14th century the trade route in Southern Bug basin was one of the main transit trade routes in the West territory of Golden Horde. The finds of the silver and copper coins of the mid-14th century marked the most important centers in the Bug River region. After the victories of Lithuanian Prince Olgerdas over the Hordes in 1362 at the Syny Vody (Gek-su) and Bili Vody (Ak-su) Rivers the economic resources of the Western Hordes were considerably reduced. According to archaeological and numismatic data, Torhovytsia on the Siniukha River was an important center in the mid-14th century but was destroyed in the beginning of the 1360s.
 The issues of historical geography, many of which can be solved by assistance of systematic archaeology research of the Golden Horde centers in the Southern Bug River basins are discussed in the paper.

Гістологічна характеристика печінки плітки (Rutilus rutilus Linnaeus, 1758) як біоіндикатора якості водного середовища

Purpose. To assess the variability of the histological parameters of the medial zone of roach (Rutilus rutilus) liver. To establish the level of effect of the transformed conditions of existence on fish physiological status. To determine the prospect of using histological monitoring data in ichthyological practice to assess the morphofunctional state of fish. Methodology. Primary materials were obtained in different parts of the Southern Bug River, which differ in their degrees of pollution. Lab processing of ichthyological samples was performed in accordance with generally recognized methods and manuals. Histological studies were carried out using proprietary equipment and original techniques specifically designed for diagnosing fish tissues. The obtained results were processed by the methods of variation statistics using MS Excel with an emphasis on the errors of the average values. Findings. Microanatomical studies of roach hepatic parenchyma allowed establishing that the most significant changes occured in the transformed conditions of existence and were contrastingly recorded in the medial zone of the organ, which could conditionally be considered a bioindicative zone. With the potential effect of toxicants dissolved in water, a shift in cell function was observed in the liver. Visually, this was manifested as a change in the structuring of cytoplasmic inclusions and in the intensity of nucleus staining, which simultaneously occured with a direct shift in cytological characteristics. An 1.20-fold increase in cell area adequately leads to an 1.18-fold increase in the cytoplasm area, as well as the Hertwig constant or nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (0,25-0,28), which was statistically significant. The obtained data indicate a change in the nature of intracellular metabolism. An increase in the number of intracellular cavities is a direct evidence of the attenuation of the glycogen-accumulative function of hepatocytes. An increase in the nucleolus/nucleus diameter ratio (0.28) indicates a change in cellular function, which occurs through the activation of lipid synthesis. No typical necrosis foci were found in the parenchyma of the liver of fish from the places of concentration of commercial effluents, which are an evidence of a moderate accumulation of fat-soluble pollutants in the liver. The absence of pronounced pathologies in most individuals indicates significant reserve-compensatory potencies of the organ. The presence of individual hepatocytes with two nucleoli in the nuclei in the liver parenchyma allows judging the borderline, i.e. the prepathological state of the organ. In some cases, an increase in the proportion of dystrophic hepatocytes with large vacuoles filled with an optically transparent liquid was established, which allowed identifying an irreversible pathology - liver balloon dystrophy, resulting from a severe impairment of cellular metabolism. Histological analysis of roach liver parenchyma from conditionally clean and polluted waters allowed, in parallel, establishing relatively low levels of intraspecific and individual variability of cell populations. The revealed fact testifies to the plasticity of the liver as an organ with significant reserve potencies, which are contrastingly manifested under conditions of technogenic pressure in waters of various origins and intended purposes. This perspective provides evidence for the evolutionary definition of the liver as the body’s universal detoxification system. Originality. New data are presented, as well as existing data on the normal and altered histological structure of the medial zone of the liver of roach, which live under transformed conditions of existence, were significantly updated. For the first time, a comparative histological and cytological analysis of the structure of the medial zone of the liver of age-1+ roach was carried out. Based on a comparative analysis, the information on the taxonomic features of compensatory changes in liver tissue components in polluted water areas was renewed and updated. Practical walue. The information obtained is of value in morphophysiological studies, as well as in ichthyological practice in connection with the modern problem of lowering the vital status of fish populations, which exists in conditions of degraded aquatic ecosystems. The use of the obtained data allows qualitative assessment of the physiological status of fish in order to predict environmental hazards in water areas of different origin and purpose. Key words: roach, parenchyma, liver, hepatocyte, bioindication, cellular function, water area.

GEOECOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF THE SOUTH BUG POOL IN THE VINNITSA REGION

The Southern Bug basin occupies most of the Vinnytsia region and flows near both industrial facilities and agricultural land. Therefore, the author based on geoecological research has developed a spatial model - a map that identifies the results and displays them within this area. Since Vinnytsia region is a region of old agricultural development, due to the significant impact of this area and due to significant intensification (using various agrochemicals) of agriculture, the quality of surface waters is deteriorating.
 The article presents the continuation of the results of the author's research and further directions of his scientific activity on the state of the Southern Bug basin and adjacent territories. According to the results of research, the author determined that the formation of sulfate ions, along with natural factors, is to some extent influenced by anthropogenic factors, especially the discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater. In the summer-autumn and winter lows the content of sulfate ions in the water of the Southern Bug increases relatively. For Cl ions, the distribution by seasons of the year is somewhat different. Thus, in the spring floods the highest values ​​are characteristic of the Udych River - 51.3 mg / dm3, their content in the water of the left-bank tributaries increases even more - from 30.7 mg / dm3 (Sob River) to 73.5 (Southern River) Bug - the village of Stavki). In general, the content of chloride ions varies less. The growth of mineralization is more noticeable in the rivers Rudka and Pivdennyi Bug (the village of Stavky), but the salt content does not exceed the permissible levels. For all years of observations, the average annual pH value did not exceed regulatory requirements. The highest water color is observed in the Udych River (32-40 °) both in winter and in summer-autumn lowlands and in spring floods, as well as high values ​​were found in the waters of the Southern Bug River - 28 ° (Khmilnyk, c. Betting). Exceedance of the maximum concentration limit BSC5 was observed at all observation points. Therefore, the waters of the Southern Bug according to this indicator can be considered quite polluted. According to this classification, moderately hard (3.0 –6.0 mmol / dm³) include the waters of the rivers: Snivoda, Desna, Sob, Pivdennyi Bug (Stavky village); to hard (6.0-9.0 mmol / dm3) the following rivers: Udych, Ustya, Rudka, Southern Bug (Vinnytsia, Ladyzhyn, Khmilnyk). The content of nitrites in the waters of the rivers of the Southern Bug basin fluctuates. In spring floods the values ​​are slightly higher than the summer-autumn lows, in winter the lows are slightly increased. The content of nitrates is not higher than the MPC, compared to other observation points, the highest values ​​were found in the Southern Bug (Ladyzhyn) - 16 - 18.6 mg / dm3. Exceedances of the maximum concentration limit for phosphorus were not observed. The content of iron (Fezag) is an excess of the MPC and these indicators were found at almost all observation points. Seasonal changes in Cu concentrations were not detected. The content of Mn slightly exceeded the MPC in the spring floods in the waters of the Udych River and the Southern Bug River. The odor of surface waters fluctuated depending on the temperature value, in particular, in the summer-autumn period the average values ​​are the highest - 3-4 points, and in winter - the lowest - 0-1 points. Turbidity at almost all observation points exceeds the MPC, surface waters are turbid.
 Keywords: river basin, anthropogenic transformation, geosystem, surface water quality, spatial model, Vinnytsia region, geoecological research.

Phytoplankton Indicators in the Assessment of the Ecological Status of Two Reservoirs with Different Purposes in Southern Ukraine

A comparison of two closely located reservoirs on the Southern Bug River and its tributary in the southern region of Ukraine is carried out. One of them (Tashlyk reservoir on a small river, tributary of the Southern Bug River) is a cooling reservoir (pond) for the nuclear power plant, the other (Alexandrovskoye reservoir, on the Southern Bug River) is used for agricultural purposes, for the production of electricity at a hydroelectric power plant, and as a lower reservoir for a pumped storage power plant. Comparison of the main indicators of phytoplankton in the reservoirs was carried out together with its spatial distribution. It was found that the distribution of coenotic groups of plankton in the cooling reservoir corresponds to thermal conditions. In the Alexandrovskoye reservoir, separate communities of plankton are formed along its length. The description of indicator species of algae in two reservoirs is given. The important role of the catchment basin was demonstrated with statistical maps. It was shown that a significant increase in temperature in the cooling pond did not lead to the depletion of phytoplankton.

SUBORDINATION OF FLUCTUATIONS OF GROUNDWATER LEVELS IN THE SOUTHERN BUG RIVER BASIN TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Problems Statementand Purpose. Prolonged flooding of territories, as well as modern drought, are only polar consequences of one, so far irreversible process – rising air temperature. And these events do not fit into normal cycles with high and low water levels. The aim of this work is to find evidence that the driving force or the main factorin changing the groundwater regime is the increase in air temperature and related meteorological events that affected the intra-annual redistribution of precipitation, groundwater recharge and surface runoff. Data & Methods. The degree of connection of GWL fluctuations with regime-forming factors was determined by statistical methods: wavelet analysis and multiplecorrelation analysis. Results. It is established that the depth of groundwater level (GWL), which was affected by the temperature in the upper part of the basin of the Southern Bug river, reaches 3.5–4.5 m after 1989. Signs of changes in the groundwater regime are manifested in the results of assessing the degree of violation of the statistical stability of a number of observations of GWL: the transition from random to hyperrandom data occurs in 1982–1983. According to the results of different statistical analysis over the past 40 years, the temperature has become dominant in terms of the impact on the regime of GWL 2.5–4.0 m. This refutes the traditional (based on observations of 1950–1970’s) statement that that the regime of groundwater with GWL 3.0–4.5 m is determined primarily by the regime of precipitation, and the active influence of surface air temperature (evaporation from GWL) in the forest-steppe zone extends only to a depth of 2.0–2.5 m. Extremes on the chronological graphs of the GWL regime and on integral curves are associated with abnormal changes in seasonal and monthly temperatures, which reflect the manifestations of global warming. It is likely that these anomalous events (primarily the transition to positive valuesof winter temperatures) cause changes in rhythm in the GWL mode (from 5–6 years cycles to 7–8 years ones and vice versa), which can be used for forecasting. From 1975 for GWL 0.5–2.0 m and from 1986 for GWL 2.5–4.0 m, due to the increase in the temperature of the cold period and increased GWL supply through infiltration, the GWL was raised. This process was accompanied by a 7–8 year cycle of changing. Deepening of the drought in the Southern Bug River Basin upper waters from 2003–2004, is manifested by the appearance and consolidation of 5–6 year cycle for smaller, and from 2011–2014 – for larger GWL, and by a significant weakening and disappearance of 7–8 year rhythms.