•Hydrogeological settings, seasonal flow and anthropogenic inputs influence nutrients dynamic.•Level of nitrate contamination in springs was higher than the limit recommended by WHO.•Nitrate fluxes ...revealed disturbance of nitrogen balance in aquatic systems by groundwaters.
Spatial and temporal variation of nitrate concentrations has been studied in 4 rivers and 21 springs of the transboundary (Russia/Ukraine) Seversky Donets watershed in eastern regions of Ukraine – Kharkiv, Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts. Samples have been taken from 13 sites on the Lopan, Udy, Oskol and Seversky Donets rivers together with springs on left and right river banks between August 2013 and May 2014 and analysed on major ions and nitrates. Water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential have been measured on site. The results showed high spatial and temporal variability of nitrate concentration in both surface and groundwater. The hydrogeological settings, seasonal trends and human impact were major factors influencing nitrates mobility and accumulation in contaminated springs, which contributed to surface water pollution. Mean nitrate concentrations were 26.7mgL−1 (C.V.=92%) in springs and 6.9mgL−1 (C.V.=114%) in rivers. The nitrate fluxes from springs to rivers were estimated at ca. 3 t km−2 annually. About 1/5 of spring water samples were characterized with higher nitrate concentrations than limits recommended by WHO and National Drinking Water Standards (Ukraine). Springs have been classified according to nitrate concentration and enrichment as high, moderate and low contaminated.
The twenty-first century is experiencing the emergence of secondary cities (small-to-medium-sized cities) as major growth areas, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Secondary cities ...experience rapid, unplanned, and informal growth patterns, creating water issues that influence human insecurity. The Department of State’s Secondary Cities Initiative generates geospatial data through field-based participatory mapping to assist secondary cities to prepare for sustainability issues such as water scarcity. This paper focuses on urban springs in Kharkiv, Ukraine, as an alternative water source during emergencies. These results show the spatial location and discharge of spring water aligns with the population distribution. Twenty-eight percent of people can meet minimum drinking-water requirements from spring water. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating alternative water sources during times of emergency by using existing data, generating new data through field collection, and using remotely sensed data.
Our study focused on the incorporation of stable isotope ratios in water in climatic and hydrological observations to understand local hydroclimatic processes and determine basic hydrological ...sensitivity to climate change in East Ukraine. Long-term meteorological data from two stations at Kharkiv and Izyum showed that air temperature was significantly increased only for the cold period (November-April), while precipitation amount increased during all seasons. Applying two-component mixing model with stable isotope ratios in water, we determined that surface water in both regions was dominantly recharged by the cold precipitation. The highest share of cold precipitation contribution (∼79 %) was found in the river with the shortest water transit time. The isotopic signature of groundwater also indicated that water resources were mainly recharged during the cold period. Our findings reveal that basic hydrological sensitivity of the transboundary (Ukraine/Russian Federation) Seversky Donets River basin relates to hydroclimate changes mainly observed in November-April. We suggest that climate changes can influence surface water and groundwater but also the overall regional water availability that is highly dependent on the cold precipitation in these regions.
•Different patterns were found on trace metals accumulation in vine cultivars.•The data provide the first overview on trace metals in the viticulture regions and wine of Ukraine.•The information will ...be used for the development of the system of wine authentication and origin control in Ukraine.
The study was focused on measuring the concentration levels of trace metals in the environment, vines and wine within the wine-growing region of Ukraine and comparing the findings to the data from well known wine-growing areas. Analysis was carried out of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in irrigation water, grape juice and wine, Cu, Pb and Zn in soil (pseudo-total and acid-soluble fractions) and Vitis vinifera L. in leaves and grapes. The accumulation levels of Cu and Zn from soil to leaves were significantly higher than from soil to grapes. Pb had lower potential to accumulate in aerial parts than Cu and Zn. Higher contents of Cu and Zn were observed in Muscat white grape juice compared to Chardonnay. The concentration levels of Zn and Cu were higher in wine than in juice. Trace metals were regulated by the soil composition and biological specificity of cultivars. The data obtained from the study area did not exceed the international limits.
The occurrence and fluxes of 18 priority substances and emerging pollutants listed in the European Union Water Framework Directive and a Watch List (trace metals (Cd, Pb and Ni), nonylphenols, ...octylphenols, 8 polyaromatic hydrocarbons, 4 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and diclofenac) were investigated in a Ukrainian city and the mass discharge loads of these compounds into EU-transboundary watersheds were estimated. Fluxes of chemicals were calculated per capita and per area of the Ukrainian urban territory and used to estimate mass loading of priority and emerging concern compounds from Lviv, Uzhorod and Chernivtsi (West Ukraine) to neighbouring EU-transboundary rivers. The highest loading was found for trace metals (1.15 t a−1), diclofenac (0.7 t a−1) and nonylphenols (0.4 t a−1). Transboundary water contamination must be considered in order to successfully manage water resources in a manner that fulfils the requirements of EU environmental quality standards.
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•Priority substances and emerging pollutants in urban waters in Ukraine exceed EU standards.•Loading of priority substances from Ukrainian cities into EU rivers can be over 2 t a−1.•Chemicals banned in the EU can reach EU water resources from this transboundary country.•Transboundary water management is needed to fulfil EU water quality standards.
Hydrochemical investigations were carried out at 39 locations, including surface water, springs and wells from August to October 2013 to assess water quality in the transboundary Russia/Ukraine water ...basin of the Seversky Donets River (98,900 km²). The studied area comprised three large industrial regions of Northeastern Ukraine—Kharkiv, Donets and Lugansk, what plays an important socioeconomic role as a major source of industrial and drinking water supply to about 5 M inhabitants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of trace elements in the watershed and to assess water quality according to the national environmental and health limits. River water sampling was done on the Udy, Lopan, Oskol and Seversky Donets Rivers. Groundwater was sampled on left and right river banks nearby selected river sampling sites. Results showed that the interaction of water with geological formations, mainly Cretaceous carbonate rocks, loams and evaporation, was the predominant natural factor that influenced surface and groundwater chemistry. Evaporation, together with the additional anthropogenic inputs, was the reason for high mineralization of groundwater in the Kharkiv city region. Nutrient pollution (nitrates) was detected in groundwater in the territory of smaller settlements, where the population use groundwater for household needs and drinking supply. Among trace elements (Cr, As, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb), only Pb and Zn were found at over 1.2–1.5 times of drinking water limits in the Udy River in the region of Kharkiv city.
Stable isotopes of hydrogen (
2
H) and oxygen (
18
O) of the water molecule were used to assess the relationship between precipitation, surface water and groundwater in a large Russia/Ukraine ...trans-boundary river basin. Precipitation was sampled from November 2013 to February 2015, and surface water and groundwater were sampled during high and low flow in 2014. A local meteoric water line was defined for the Ukrainian part of the basin. The isotopic seasonality in precipitation was evident with depletion in heavy isotopes in November-March and an enrichment in April-October, indicating continental and temperature effects. Surface water was enriched in stable water isotopes from upstream to downstream sites due to progressive evaporation. Stable water isotopes in groundwater indicated that recharge occurs mainly during winter and spring. A one-year data set is probably not sufficient to report the seasonality of groundwater recharge, but this survey can be used to identify the stable water isotopes framework in a weakly gauged basin for further hydrological and geochemical studies.
The twenty-first century is experiencing the emergence of secondary cities (small-to-medium-sized cities) as major growth areas, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Secondary cities ...experience rapid, unplanned, and informal growth patterns, creating water issues that influence human insecurity. The Department of State's Secondary Cities Initiative generates geospatial data through field-based participatory mapping to assist secondary cities to prepare for sustainability issues such as water scarcity. This paper focuses on urban springs in Kharkiv, Ukraine, as an alternative water source during emergencies. These results show the spatial location and discharge of spring water aligns with the population distribution. Twenty-eight percent of people can meet minimum drinking-water requirements from spring water. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating alternative water sources during times of emergency by using existing data, generating new data through field collection, and using remotely sensed data.
This article explores advances in non-destructive testing (NDT) through the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for remote inspection of large structures. Focusing on the damaged Kyiv TV ...tower, the study employs high-resolution UAV to detect defects, ranging from fragment penetrations to cracks and dents. Determining defects using a UAV allows assessing them by size and type. Utilizing photogrammetry, a 3D model of the tower is constructed, aiding in the identification of defective areas. The results inform repair and restoration recommendations. The integration of traditional NDT methods with innovative technologies, like UAVs and photogrammetry, proves to significantly expedite safety assessments for large constructions.
