Prospects for the Use of Bivalve Mollusks in Bioindication of Water Quality in the Area of the Ingulets Irrigation System Water Intake

Abstract

The article substantiates the use of bivalve mollusks for real-time bioindication-based water quality monitoring at the intake facility of the Ingulets Irrigation System. The variable hydrochemical regime of the Ingulets River and the influence of highly mineralized mine and industrial waters create risks for irrigation, soil conditions, and agricultural production. Conventional hydrochemical monitoring based on periodic sampling does not always provide timely detection of sudden water quality deterioration. A structural and functional monitoring scheme is proposed, including a bioindication station, an observation chamber with bivalve mollusks, sensors for recording behavioral responses, a signal processing unit, and automatic operator notification. The approach enables early warning of potentially hazardous changes in irrigation water quality. However, bioindication cannot independently identify the causes of deviations and should be combined with physicochemical and laboratory monitoring methods.