Assessment of the ecosystem state of the Bile lake (Rivne region) based on a set of ecological indicators

Abstract

At the present stage, there is no water body in Ukraine that has not been altered by human activity or its consequences. In most cases, such interventions lead to the “aging” of lakes. Along with the disturbance of aquatic ecosystem stability, the condition of adjacent terrestrial biocenoses such as wetlands, forests, and meadows also deteriorates, resulting in not only local but also regional impoverishment of the gene pool of flora and fauna. Moreover, the impact of hydraulic engineering and land reclamation activities on lake ecosystems has not yet been quantitatively assessed, although the external manifestations are evident – disruption of water exchange, alteration of the water surface area and feeding conditions, as well as deterioration in fish productivity and overall water quality. The article is devoted to the assessment of the ecosystem state of the Bile Lake based on a set of ecologically formed indicators. During recent years, the environmental situation in both natural and artificial aquatic ecosystems has been deteriorating due to increasing anthropogenic pressure, which has resulted in significant qualitative and quantitative changes in their ecological state. According to scientific research, many inland water bodies have become so heavily polluted that their ecosystems are undergoing complete degradation, leading to the loss of their economic and landscape value. Of particular concern is the process of anthropogenic eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs, caused by the excessive inflow of biogenic elements. This process disrupts the balance between the formation of primary organic matter and its decomposition. The slowdown of decomposition processes leads to a deterioration of the sanitary condition of water bodies and a decline in water quality. Consequently, this complicates water treatment for both drinking and industrial use, as well as hinders the development of recreation, aquaculture, and fisheries. The factors influencing the water quality of a Bile Lake were investigated, an integral assessment of the ecological state of the water body was carried out, the concentrations of heavy metals within the aquatic ecosystem were determined, and the levels of radionuclides present in the ecosystem were analyzed.