Ecological state of the main water bodies of the Kharkiv region in the conditions of active combat operations

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the dynamics of climatic, hydrological and ecological indicators within the Kharkiv region during the period 1961-2020, assess the impact of hostilities on the general ecological state of aquatic ecosystems and compare current trends with predicted scenarios created before the start of the full-scale invasion.

Main material. This study is a continuation of the study of changes in the ecological state of the Seversky Donets basin, which was initiated before the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. Forecast trends were calculated regarding the role of the climatic factor in changes in the characteristics of the water regime of the main watercourses of the Kharkiv region, and therefore the current task is to reassess and compare the studied dynamics with the actual processes taking place after 2022. The problem of providing the population and the economic complex with usable water resources at the regional level is significant for determining the sustainability of the development of the studied territory. In conditions of active hostilities, this issue has acquired special importance, since it is directly related to the forecasting of post-war restoration strategies for the territory. Due to limited access to modern data in the Kharkiv region, an important task is to find alternative ways to study these indicators. Modern technologies of remote sensing of the Earth allow a generalized assessment of the processes occurring with water bodies of the Kharkiv region.

The strategically important importance of such studies is due to the fact that the issue of water supply of the second most populous city of Ukraine is a significant indicator that can demonstrate the problems that a significant part of Ukraine has encountered both in conditions of modern climate change and active military operations. In addition, it clearly fits into the recommendations introduced within the framework of the European Water Directive of 2003, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, where access to clean drinking water is one of the key tasks for the next decade.

Conclusions and further research. As a result of the research, a series of cartographic works was obtained, illustrating the current ecological state of water bodies of the Kharkiv region, the influence of modern climatic trends. The article considers a comparison of the pre-war forecast trends of changes in the state of water ecosystems with modern processes caused by active hostilities.