Anthropogenic influence on chemical composition of waters in small rivers of Khabarovsk composition during the winter low-water period
I.S. SINKOVA, V.P. SHESTERKIN, N.M. SHESTERKINA, K.S. MAKAREVICH, O.I. KAMINSKY
Institute of Water and Environmental Problems, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Khabarovsk, Russia
Keywords: small rivers, hydrochemical analysis, cluster analysis, anthropogenic load, anthropogenic pollutants
Abstract
The anthropogenic load on urbanized areas and their surroundings by monitoring the chemical parameters of waters of small rivers was assessed. Seventeen such watercourses draining the territory of Khabarovsk and its suburbs were considered. Sampling and measurements were carried out during the winter low-water period. The data obtained for 2017-2021 were used in this study. By means of cluster analysis, four groups of water bodies were identified, which differed in the degree of change in hydrochemical indicators and the presence of anthropogenic pollutants. Areas experiencing the greatest anthropogenic impact were identified as well as possible sources of pollutants. The first cluster includes rivers flowing in the southern and northeastern parts of Khabarovsk (Gnilaya Pad, Chernaya, Bezymyannaya and Matrenikha Rives). The second cluster mainly includes rivers in the central part of Khabarovsk (Osipovka, Lesopilka, Cherdymovka and Plyusninka Rivers) and less often in the eastern part (Polezhaevka and Gnilaya Pad Rivers). The third cluster, in addition to the rivers of the central part (Kurcha-Murcha and Cherdymovka), included rivers of remote districts of Khabarovsk (Berezovaya, and Krasnaya Rechka). The fourth cluster is represented exclusively by the rivers draining the territory of the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve (Levaya, Pravaya, Osinovaya, Polovinka and Bykova Rivers). The samples in this cluster are characterized by the lowest values of chemical concentrations. This suggests that these rivers do not experience any significant anthropogenic influence. Therefore, they can be taken as background values of the contents of the substances in waters of small rivers draining the territory of the city of Khabarovsk and its populated neighborhood, and also be used to assess anthropogenic pollution.
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