Miroshnichenko O. «Migration of heavy metals in the system "watershed – aquatic environment - bottom sediments" (on example of rivers of Kharkiv region)»

The thesis deals with the study of heavy metals migration in the system "watershed - water resources - bottom sediments" in the Donets river basin in Kharkiv region. Using correlation analysis of the relationships between the concentration of heavy metals in sediments, soil erosion in each of the administrative districts, in which there are river basins, it was determined that the dominant factor in the formation of sediments are natural features of the catchment basin of the Severskiy Donets river. Analysis of spatial distribution of heavy metals in abiotic and biotic components of the aquatic ecosystem of the Severskiy Donets river (particularly in water, sediments and shellfish) is provided.Depending on anthropogenic factors and natural features of the catchment area there was performed calculation of sediment effect on the quality of streams with regard to the entered factor of heavy metals migration.The conclusion of an imbalance in the system "water - bottom sediments" and the presence of sources of secondary pollution of watercourses in areas of the upper part of Severskiy Donets is drawn.