Surface water quality of small rivers in the Ukrainian regions of right-bank Polissia

Abstract

The quality of surface waters of small rivers of the Ukrainian regions of right-bank Polissia, belonging to the basin of the river Pripyat, was estimated. The study was conducted via systematic observations based on the ecological classification of surface water quality of land and estuaries of Ukraine, which includes a set of hydrophysical, hydrochemical, hydrobiological and other indicators, which were grouped into three blocks of indicators: salt composition of water; tropho-saprobiological (ecologicalsanitary) block; specific substances of toxic action. The integrated (ecological) index was determined, by which the class and category of surface water quality were established. The results of observations on the quality of surface waters of the rivers of the Ukrainian regions of right-bank Polissia indicate their satisfactory condition. Surface waters, on average, correspond to the II class of water quality, and the worst - to the III class. Water protection measures have been proposed to improve the ecological condition of small river basins in specified region.