Ecological consequences of the catastrophic destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir dam
Abstract
Formulation of the problem. The relevance is due to the need detail physical and mathematical modeling to the ecological consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir dam (Kherson region, Ukraine) on June 6, 2023.
Purpose. Determination of the ecological consequences by numerical modeling of the parameters of unregulated release of super-strong water flow that occurred as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir dam.
Methods. Multi-factor analysis, mathematical simulation, analytical and numerical calculations.
Results. For the first time, mathematical 1D, 2D and 3D models dynamics of water flow from the Kakhovka Reservoir have been developed, which make it possible to assess the ecological consequences of flooding large territorials of the country. Relationships were obtained to estimate the potential energy of the water mass in the reservoir, the kinetic energy of the water flow, the height of the level and mass of water in the reservoir, flow speed, and water outflow rate. These relationships were used to assess the consequences of the disaster. The developed methodology can be used to predict the consequences of dam damage on other rivers and reservoirs. Numerical modeling of the dynamics of the main parameters of the water flow from the destroyed Kakhovka Reservoir was carried out. It was established that in about ten days the height of the water column in the reservoir decreased by more than an order of magnitude, the flow speed by about 4 times, the volume by 45 times, water flow by almost two orders of magnitude, the flow power and potential energy of water in the reservoir by almost three orders of magnitude. The reservoir lost approximately 18 Gt of water. A territory of 650 km2 was flooded. The height of the water column in the vicinity of the dam reached 10 m, and at a distance of ~80 km it reached 5 m. The initial speed of water flow below the dam was close to 10 m/s. This speed remained at a distance of ~80 km from the dam, which contributed to the rapid onset and inevitability of the disaster, which took place late at night (about 03 h). The environmental consequences of the world's largest man-made disaster in decades were very significant. Some consequences will be observed for ~10 years or more. It can be argued that the ecosystems of Ukraine have suffered irreparable damage that qualifies as ecocide.
Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam were catastrophic for the ecological situation of the region, hydropower, water supply, fisheries and agriculture, etc.
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References
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