J. A. Petrova^*, N. A. Milchakova, J. A. Gavrilova

A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, Sevastopol, Russia

^* e-mail: juliacosac@gmail.ru

Abstract

The study aims to assess the quality of the Chernaya River waters by analysing interannual changes and spatial distribution of hydrochemical parameters for 2019–2024, and to develop evidence-based scientific and practical recommendations for improving the condition of the water body. The article analyses the monitoring data of the Chernaya River for 36 standardised and non-standardised hydrochemical parameters, including nutrients, organic and inorganic substances, heavy metals and pesticides, at five observation points in its upper, middle and lower reaches. The material was collected during state monitoring under the Ecology and Environmental Protection of the City of Sevastopol program. Sampling was carried out once per season. A hydrochemical analysis was performed on 120 samples using standard methods. We found significant spatial differences in the content of standardised and non-standardised indicators. It was shown that the concentration of certain nutrients, chlorides, sulfates and metals (Fe, Cu) in the lower reaches exceeded the standard values for water bodies by more than four times. The content of Ca, Mn, and Mg varied sharply throughout the observation period, exceeding the maximum permissible levels by a factor of two or more. In 2024, an increase was observed in the content of suspended solids and nutrients (NH₄⁺, Si), and in chemical oxygen demand, while at all monitoring sites, by 2024, the content of phenols (since 2021) and petroleum products (since 2023) had decreased, whereas the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, nickel, hexavalent chromium, and nitrates were below the maximum permissible concentrations and varied little across years and regions. In the estuarine part of the Chernaya River, a slight improvement in water quality was recorded in terms of phenol content. Despite the improvement in organic indicators, the exceedance of the maximum permissible concentrations for heavy metals and nutrients requires continued monitoring and the implementation of measures: inventory of sources, introduction of reed filter strips and strengthening of bioindication monitoring.

Keywords

monitoring of water bodies, hydrochemical indicators, pollutants, spatial dynamics, water quality, Chernaya River, Sevastopol city

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out under the IBSS state research assignment “Biodiversity as the basis for the sustainable functioning of marine ecosystems, criteria and scientific principles for its conservation” (no. 124022400148-4).

About the authors

Julia A. Petrova, Postgraduate, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2 Nakhimov Ave., Sevastopol, 299011, Russia), ORCID: 0009-0008-4317-5931, juliacosac@gmail.ru

Natalia A. Milchakova, Leading Researcher, Head of the Laboratory of Phytoresources, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2 Nakhimov Ave., Sevastopol, 299011, Russia), PhD (Biol.), ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5407-7706, Researcher ID: I-1280-2016, nmilchakova@ibss-ras.ru

Julia A. Gavrilova, Postgraduate, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (2 Nakhimov Ave., Sevastopol, 299011, Russia), ORCID: 0009-0004-1243-8912, u.gavrilova@gs.sev.gov.ru

For citation

Petrova, J.A., Milchakova, N.A. and Gavrilova, J.A., 2026. Interannual Changes in the Hydrochemical Parameters of the Chernaya River from 2019 to 2024 (Sevastopol, Southwestern Crimea). Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones of Sea, (3), pp. 93–109.

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