The current state of the Southern Bug River mouth ecosystem

Abstract

Abstract 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.