ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF RESIDUAL QUARRY WATERS IN THE DNIPRO DISTRICT FOR RECREATIONAL USE

Abstract

The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of water quality in flooded mined-out quarry spaces of the Dnipro District, aimed at assessing their potential for further utilization in industrial or recreational purposes. The research includes a detailed description of the applied methodology, which combines visual-geographical, organoleptic, instrumental-field, and laboratory-analytical methods, thereby ensuring an integrated evaluation of the current state of these technogenic water bodies.

Visual-geographical observations involved recording the spatial coordinates of quarries using GPS navigation and assessing their general morphometric characteristics. Organoleptic surveys were conducted directly on site and allowed the identification of odour, colour, turbidity, and water temperature. Instrumental field measurements provided data on the level of ionizing radiation in adjacent territories. Under laboratory conditions, water mineralization, total hardness, acidity, and other key physicochemical parameters were determined, which are essential for evaluating compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.

Based on the obtained results, a ranking methodology for the studied water bodies was developed, enabling an objective assessment of the suitability of each site. The rating identified the best quarry reservoirs: the Novomykolaivskyi Quarry received 7 points, the Small Quarry in Zoryane Village received 6 points, while the Starokodatskyi Quarry received 3 points.

The study demonstrated that other quarries currently cannot be recommended for recreational use due to exceeding concentrations of certain pollutants relative to the maximum permissible levels. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the first comprehensive comparison of technogenic water bodies in this region using three normative systems, which ensured a more detailed and substantiated evaluation of their environmental safety.

The practical significance of the results is reflected in their potential application by local authorities when making decisions regarding the regulation of recreational activities on technogenic water bodies and determining the permissible anthropogenic load on such sites. The findings may serve as a basis for developing programmes for the improvement and rehabilitation of coastal areas, identifying priority directions for environmental protection measures, and forming local strategies for environmental safety.

Furthermore, the results are valuable for the population and visitors, as they provide access to objective information on water quality and potential health risks associated with recreational use of these water bodies. This supports informed decision-making when choosing recreation sites and helps prevent possible adverse health effects, which is particularly relevant given the growing popularity of recreation on technogenic reservoirs.