Open AccessMETHODOLOGY FOR THE NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES DESIGNATION IN SURFACE AND GROUND WATER
Author(s) -
Nataliia Osadcha,
Volodymyr Osadchyi,
Valeriy Osypov,
Svitlana Biletska,
L.A. Kovalchuk,
V.A. Artemenko
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ukraïnsʹkij geografìčnij žurnal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.197
H-Index - 2
ISSN - 1561-4980
DOI - 10.15407/ugz2020.04.038
Subject(s) - environmental science , eutrophication , groundwater , pollution , nitrate , nutrient pollution , nutrient , leaching (pedology) , surface water , hydrology (agriculture) , water pollution , water quality , agriculture , soil water , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , soil science , ecology , geology , chemistry , geotechnical engineering , biology
The article presents the national methodology for the identification of vulnerable areas to pollution of surface and ground water by nutrients compounds. The designation of nitrate vulnerable zones is an effective tool to reduce the impact of agricultural activities on water pollution by nutrients and is used for managing of diffuse pollution within river basins to achieve “good” ecological status. The analysis of heterogeneity of natural conditions in Ukraine and intensity of agricultural activity allows to determine 3 types of zones which differ in vulnerability: 1. Zones of high risk of water pollution, where nitrogen surplus in soil and washing and periodic washing regime are favorable for the nitrate leaching; 2. Zones of potential water pollution, where a deficient nitrogen balance in soil is observed in conditions of washing and periodic washing regime; 3. Zones of short-term pollution, where positive nitrogen balance in soil is noted by the unwashed water regime. The content of dissolved forms of mineral nitrogen (Nminer) in water and the presence of eutrophication process in the water body were recommended to use as criterias for designation of vulnerable zones. For the small rivers with a Strahler coefficient < 5, the nitrate vulnerable zones designation is recommended using the criterion of the nitrogen mineral forms content with a threshold value of 11,3 mgN/l. For the rivers with a Strahler coefficient ≥ 5, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal waters the designation is carried out on the basis of eutrophication. For the groundwater, it is based on the content of nitrogen mineral forms less than 9,7 mgN/l. This method was developed in Ukraine for the first time.