Assessment of heavy metal contentin water bodies of Zhytomyr Oblast

Abstract

Pollution of water bodies with heavy metals can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms, a decrease in biodiversity and a threat to ecosystems, emphasising the importance of preserving the natural environment; pollution of water bodies can have serious economic consequences, in particular, a decrease in profits from fishing, tourism, and other activities related to water use, which requires the development of water management strategies. The purpose of the study was to determine the general trends in the content of heavy metals in the surface waters of the Teteriv River and fattening pond No. 1 of the LLC “SHF INTERRYBHOSP”. Water samples were taken at the stream of the Teteriv River (Vidsichne Reservoir) and in the fattening pond No. 1 at a depth of 0.2-0.5 m from the surface for further laboratory analysis of the content of heavy metal ions (HM). The atomic absorption method of analysis was used to study water. Laboratory studies of surface waters in the Teteriv River and pond were performed according to the following indicators: hydrogen index (pH), lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, and iron content. The results of the study of the content of heavy metals in the Teteriv River are presented, which showed that the content of such heavy metals as: Pb, Cd, Mn, Zn and Fe, in river water, with the exception of iron, exceed the limits of maximum admissible values of water quality indicators for fishery water bodies. Background HM indicators from fattening pond No. 1 did not show an excess of the MAC (maximum admissible concentration). High concentrations of lead, cadmium, manganese, and iron are explained by powerful anthropogenic pollution, the source of which is agricultural and industrial complexes of Zhytomyr Oblast. The results can be used to establish effective monitoring of water quality in reservoirs and develop strategies to reduce pollution in aquatic ecosystems