The analysis of spatial distribution of artificial reservoirs as anthropogenic fragmentation elements of rivers in the Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine

The purpose of the research is to summarise quantitative characteristics and to analyse the spatial distribution of artificial water bodies as anthropogenic fragmentation elements of medium and small rivers within the Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine. The paper uses current data pertaining to existing reservoirs and mineralisation of water in rivers. Comparison included quantitative characteristics, water surface area, and the volume water in ponds and reservoirs. It has been established that although the total ratio was 97% for ponds to 3% for reservoirs, whereas their water surface area 48%, and the volume of water stored only 23% of the total resources. The paper shows the inexpediency and low efficiency of using ponds as water reservoirs feeding small rivers. Increasing the number of ponds in the river basin has a negative impact on the quality of water resources, in particular, by increasing water mineralisation - total dissolved solids (TDS). Depending on the river, the following indicator of river basin fragmentation has been determined: 6-20 reservoirs per 100 km2 of the river catchment area, and on average 18-36 ponds and reservoirs are built for every 100 km of the river in relation to the length of the hydrographic network. It has shown the regularity of growing water mineralisation due to the fragmentation of rivers by a large number of artificial reservoirs. A strong correlation between regulation and fragmentation of river basins has been established (coefficient of determination R2 ranges from 0.72 to 0.91). It proves the possibility to estimate the degree of change (increase) of water mineralisation based on the water flow coefficient Kw and the river fragmentation coefficient Ksfr in the Dnipropetrovsk Region. The paper offers ways of further research for planning and implementation of a water management strategy concerning ecologically safe levels of water use in small and medium-sized river basins.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MEiN, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2022-2023).