Land Reclamation and Water Management

ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE FASTIV RESERVOIR USING GROUND AND SATELLITE DATA

O. V. Vlasova — 2024-12-29

The article presents the results of researches on assessing the ecological state of the Fastiv Reservoir using ground and satellite data according to the developed scientific approach, which provides for the following sequence for a water body with a large area: conducting field observations, involving satellite information, and creating a resulting map of the current ecological state based on a certain set of indicators, which is the goal of the research. The relevance of the research is defined by the significant deterioration of the water condition in the reservoir, which was caused by an increase in air temperature, uneven distribution of precipitation throughout the year, a decrease in the reservoir filling to 92.7% of the design level, intensive increase in water use and discharge of domestic wastewater. In the conducted studies, it was advisable to compensate the lack of spatially concentrated information (from points of field measurements) with spatially distributed information. During field surveys, hydrobiological and physicochemical indicators were determined in 3 sections of the reservoir - points observations, and maps of water depth, temperature, and transparency were created based on the results. Such results of field observations as an increased turbidity and low transparency made it necessary to use satellite data, especially those containing red and infrared ranges, when calculating spectral indices. From the perspective of remote sensing, water bodies have their own spectral characteristics, which depend on the concentration of various substances dissolved and suspended in water - diffuse reflectance. To compensate the lack of information, the Sentinel-2 L2A image was used, which is the closest with no cloud cover to the date of field observations, and spectral indices were calculated in the open software product Land Viewer: NDVI, GCI, NDWI. Only the NDWI map was useful, providing an insight about the transparency within the entire reservoir. The obtained comprehensive information made it possible to create a resulting map of the current ecological state of the Fastiv Reservoir based on the ground and satellite data.

CONVERSION OF AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTIONS USING AN ADAPTIVE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM

A. P. Levchuk — 2024-12-29

Water purification from ammonium nitrogen is currently an urgent task for protecting drinking water sources and ensuring the required water quality for consumers in various sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The technological approaches covered in this article can be used to remove other ammonium-based compounds from water. The obtained results of the adaptive water purification system (AWPS) with a simulated highly concentrated aqueous ammonium solution (1,16 g/dm³) suggest their use in water purification technologies from hydrobionts and side-products of biogas systems (digestat purification). Pulsed electrochemical methods were used in the operation of the AWPS in combination with ultrasonic exposure on oxidation-reduction processes with controlled injection of gas mixtures. A high correlation between all the variables studied was established. The same was confirmed by the regression analysis made in the process of empirical modeling of the relationship between the treatment time and the change in pH and in the concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, nitrates and nitrites. That is, all the indicators of multiple correlation and determination in the constructed significant models indicate a very high correlation with the treatment time. The decrease in pH from 11 to 9.6 can be explained by the fact that acids were formed during the treatment of the model solution, which caused the decrease.

The energy efficiency of the AWPS operation was assessed by analyzing changes in the concentrations of the main component of the simulated solution (ammonium) and its derivatives using the example of nitrites and nitrates and a fixed operating time of 60 min. The use of electrolysis methods allowed the conversion of ammonium in an aqueous solution into derivatives - an aqueous solution of nitrites and nitrates, to record changes in their concentrations, and when using membrane electrolysis to obtain them in an ionic form, which is optimally suitable for plant nutrition and direct synthesis of nitrogen-containing fertilizers with simultaneous application by irrigation or spraying.

ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE TRENDS ON THE BLOOMING OF THE DNIPRO RIVER IN THE DNIPRO-DONBAS CANAL AREA

Y. A. Onanko — 2024-12-29

The hydrodynamic properties of a reservoir can affect the potential for cyanobacterial blooming. Slow-flowing or stagnant waters are more conducive to blooming stability. Therefore, water with a faster flow, more intensive mixing, or higher rotation speed is less likely to develop cyanobacterial blooming. The Kremenchutske and Kamianske reservoirs have an essential impact on the blooming of the Dnieper River in the Dnieper-Donbas Canal area. Their temperature regime in the warm season favors the development of zooplankton and phytoplankton. Aquatic vegetation is most common in shallow water. Water blooming is observed in summer, and this process covers up to 70% of the area of reservoirs, especially in the southern part and bays, deteriorating water quality. Higher frequency and intensity of precipitation, accompanied by longer periods of drought, can create contribute greater nutrient mobility. Longer periods of high temperatures also contribute to this process, at that there is no mixing of water layers. Cyanobacteria can quickly utilize nutrients that enter water bodies due to rainfall. Strong winds can also affect the cyanobacteria population, pushing cyanobacterial cells and colonies towards the banks, where they accumulate.These reservoirs are located in the temperate continental climate zone and belong to water bodies that warm up well. That is due to their width, which makes wind mixing possible in the middle and lower parts of the reservoirs, as a result of which the temperature is distributed evenly and horizontally. To confirm and supplement the results of field studies, statistical processing of water quality indicators of the Dnipro River in the area of the Dnipro-Donbas Canal was carried out. Trends were determined by regression analysis of time series of water quality indicators. The distribution was checked for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Correlation analysis was performed using the Pearson parametric method and the Spearman nonparametric method. The fluctation period was determined using the spectral Fourier transform method. The comprehensive analysis made it possible to establish the factors that are the main cause of water blooming in the studied area, which makes it possible to control the necessary water treatment processes.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION COMPONENTS DYNAMICS IN DIFFERENT AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES OF UKRAINE USING THE PENMAN-MONTEITH-LEUNING MODEL

T. V. Matiash — 2024-12-29

The results of the assessment of evapotranspiration (ET) and its components based on remote sensing data are presented in the paper. To obtain this assessment, a special software was developed, namely the scripts using the JavaScript programming language for remote data processing in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud software environment. This software allows to adjust the Penman-Monteith-Leuning (PML) model for the conditions of Ukraine and visualize the spatial distribution of ET. The usage of the cloud capabilities of the service made it possible to access the collection of images and carry out their remote processing using the Penman-Monteith-Leuning algorithm calibrated according to the data of the global network of eddy covariance monitoring stations. The result of such an assessment was a composite mosaic - a spatially distributed generalized image of evapotranspiration and its three main components: transpiration from vegetation (Ec), evaporation from the soil (Es) and evaporation of precipitation intercepted by vegetation cover (Ei) on the territory of Ukraine for the 2020 growing season. Understanding the dynamics of these components helps to optimize the water resources use and develop effective irrigation schemes, especially in the climate change conditions. As a result of the analysis of the evapotranspiration components’ dynamics during the growing season, the most important component of evapotranspiration for different agro-climatic zones was determined.

However, the models, which are using remote data to estimate evapotranspiration dynamics, require additional validation and comparison with field measurements to improve their accuracy. Quantitative indicators obtained through modeling should be consistent with the data from ground-based greenhouse gas flows monitoring stations, which will contribute to the improvement of the methodology and its adaptation to the conditions of different agricultural regions. In addition, the use of the maps of geospatial distributed evapotranspiration allows to identify regions with increased transpiration and potential shortage of water resources. Such maps become a valuable tool for planning and forecasting water resources, which is critically important for the agricultural sector.

EVALUATION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF FLUSHING OF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS WITH ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVATED LOW-CONCENTRATION SALT SOLUTIONS

M. I. Romashchenko — 2024-12-29

The practice of using drip irrigation systems shows that contamination of drip outlets, including products of organic origin, is a serious threat to their reliable operation. In Ukraine, to combat such contamination, drip irrigation pipelines are flushed with environmentally hazardous 15% sodium hypochlorite AquaDoctor made in China. At the same time, there is evidence in the world practice of the possibility of effective use of environmentally friendly electrochemically activated low-concentrated saline solutions, in particular, anolyte, for such purposes. The analysis of the domestic market of disinfectants, bactericidal agents and antiseptics suggested that the anolyte "Crystal" produced by PE "Personnel Lux" (Kharkiv), which has a high biocidal effect. Kharkiv), which has a high biocidal activity at a mass total concentration of 0.1% of ADR, and electrochemically activated low-concentrated sodium hypochlorite "Secobren" with a hypochlorite content of up to 0.06% produced by "UKRTEK PRODUCT" LLC (Kyiv), which may have similar properties, can be used for flushing drip outlets.

Laboratory and field studies have been conducted to determine the possibility of flushing drip irrigation pipelines with electrochemically activated low-concentrated saline solutions to remove contamination of drip irrigation outlets with products of organic origin. The study was conducted during the flushing of drip irrigation pipelines with integrated drippers from ASSIF (METZER, Israel) with AquaDoctor, Crystal and Secobren disinfectants. Laboratory studies were conducted in the laboratory of the Institute of Plant Industry and Mechanics of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, accredited in the UkrSEPRO system, and field studies were conducted on subsurface drip irrigation systems in Cherkasy and Kyiv regions. For flushing in the field, the "Forced installation of supply and mixing of PUPS" developed by IRRIGATOR UKRAINE LLC was used.

The results of laboratory and field studies have shown that the washing capabilities of environmentally safe products "Kristal" and "Secobren" are comparable to those of environmentally hazardous hypochlorite "AquaDoctor". This makes it expedient to conduct further research to develop the technology of washing drip outlets depending on the nature and intensity of their pollution.

TARIFFS FOR WATER SUPPLY SERVICES FOR IRRIGATION AS A TOOL FOR ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE WATER USE AND AMELIORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

M. I. Romashchenko — 2024-12-29

Conceptual approaches to increasing the investment attractiveness in water resources and land reclamation infrastructure should be adapted to solving the problems facing states and societies, including measures to ensure sustainable economic development and environmental protection. The implementation of investment and infrastructure projects is provided for by the Irrigation and Drainage Development Strategy until 2030 and is becoming relevant in solving the problems of the Ukrainian economy. Implementing a tariff policy will allow for maintaining land reclamation infrastructure in working condition, reducing the energy intensity of water supply for irrigation, establishing technological integrity of water use, etc. Such tasks draw attention to increasing the function of tariffs as one of the sources of covering investments in water infrastructure. A general trend in solving problems can be considered a broad view of problems, lower risk, and higher management reliability.

The article critically analyzes the experience of using irrigated lands based on the introduction of tariffs, given the investment component of tariffs and the use of mobilized funds for investment activities. Productive and inefficient principles of tariff formation are shown, and the importance of land reclamation infrastructure and current directions of financing irrigation infrastructure in EU countries are revealed through compliance with the requirement of targeted funds spending for infrastructure facilities.

Based on the risk classification, the significance and impact of risks in the operation of land reclamation systems in market conditions are given; the main components of tariff formation in irrigation water supply services, which include investments in improving land reclamation infrastructure, are outlined; contents of the investment component in the activities of water user organizations (WUO) is indicated, and the ways for the return on investment in land reclamation infrastructure in Ukraine are outlined. Ukraine's experience in successfully using the irrigation potential through a tariff policy for water supply can serve as an example for other countries.

OPTIMAL PARAMETERS OF SOIL WATER REGIME DURING CROPS CULTIVATION ON DRAINED LANDS

H. V. Voropai — 2024-12-29

The results of the research on determining the optimal parameters of the soil water regime during cultivation of promising agricultural crops on drained lands under modern conditions of farm management and climate changes are presented. It was found that the weather conditions of the vegetation seasons of 2022, 2023, and 2024 on the drained lands of the reclamation system of the Sarny Research Station of IWP&LR of NAAS were very contrasting: periods with excessive precipitation alternated with their prolonged absence, and significant fluctuations in temperature indicators were noted. The assessment of the impact of water regime regulation on the yield of spring wheat, winter rapeseed, grain corn, and soybeans was carried out using an unified fertilization system, applying the same rates of mineral fertilizers, and with an identical plant protection system on the background of 3 options for regulating the groundwater level (GWL) - 75-80 cm, 85-100 cm, and 100-140 cm. On the background of the indicated options for regulating the GWL, the lowest moisture reserves were observed in the summer period, and in areas adjacent to the studied territory, where the GWL was not regulated, moisture reserves in the summer in the soil layer of 0-30 cm dropped to the critical values (8–9 mm). On the experimental plots during this period, thanks to timely sluicing, soil moisture reserves did not fall below 47-50 mm. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of dry mass of growth of spring wheat, winter rapeseed, grain corn, and soybeans according to the options for regulating the soil water regime, the optimal parameters of the soil water regime (GWL, moisture, and moisture reserves) were determined for the phenological phases of the studied crops. It was found that the highest yield increase due to the optimization of moisture supply was observed in spring wheat and soybeans. Spring wheat is the most sensitive to soil water regime and reacts more actively than other crops to a decrease in GWL. The regulation of the GWL contributed to an increase in the yield of spring wheat by 41.6%, winter rapeseed by 18.3%, grain corn by 32.5%, and soybeans by 44,8%.

SOIL DAMAGE AND RECOVERY IN UKRAINE: LESSONS FROM GLOBAL POST-WAR EXPERIENCES

N. O. Didenko — 2024-12-29

The russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in extensive environmental damage, significantly affecting the country’s soil quality and raising concerns about long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental health. The war has resulted in soil degradation through contamination by military operations, destruction of farmland, and disruption of natural ecosystems. The objective of the research is to evaluate the environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine, with a particular emphasis on soil degradation and the development of strategies for post-war restoration. The manuscript will entail a comprehensive review of existing literature on soil degradation and post-war environmental restoration, with a particular focus on case studies from conflict zones such as Vietnam, the Balkans, and post-Second World War Europe. Furthermore, an analysis of data from Ukrainian government agencies, environmental organizations, and international bodies will be conducted to assess the extent and nature of soil damage caused by the war. To achieve effective recovery of its soils and ecosystems, Ukraine can draw on global experiences and implement long-term strategies combining modern decontamination technologies, sustainable agricultural practices and policy reforms that promote ecological resilience. Environmental, social, and economic factors must be integrated into the country’s post-war recovery strategy. It is imperative that international cooperation and investment in environmental restoration, in conjunction with community involvement, are pursued in order to guarantee the success of these endeavours and to provide Ukraine with the support it requires in order to achieve a sustainable and resilient agricultural future. The research provides a foundation for the development of integrated strategies that leverage global lessons, thereby ensuring long-term recovery for Ukraine’s soil and agricultural systems.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCURACY OF METEOROLOGICAL DATA OBTAINED FROM VIRTUAL AND AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS FOR THE CONDITIONS OF UKRAINIAN POLISSYA

O. V. Zhuravlоv — 2024-12-29

The article presents a comprehensive assessment of meteorological data obtained from the virtual Visual Crossing Weather Data (VCWD) and the automatic (iMetos Base) meteorological station for the Polissya region of Ukraine. For this purpose, were selected the meteorological data which are included in the formula for calculating the reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) according to the Penman-Monteith method (FAO56-PM), namely average (Tmean), maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperature, dew point temperature (Tdew), average relative humidity (Rhmean), average water vapor pressure deficit (Damean), total solar radiation (Rs), average wind speed at a height of 2 m (u₂ ) and daily precipitation (P). The results of the regression analysis and the calculation of the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and standard error (SEE) demonstrate that the data on mean and maximum air temperature, as well as dew point temperature, were obtained with a high degree of accuracy from the virtual VCWD weather station. The MAPE errors are 5,6, 2,8, and 8,3%, respectively (MAPE < 10%). For the minimum air temperature and average relative humidity, good accuracy is inherent, with MAPE errors of 20,0 and 13,6%, respectively (MAPE =10-20%). The data on solar radiation and water vapor pressure deficit were obtained with satisfactory accuracy, with MAPE errors of 25,0 and 45,2%, respectively (MAPE =20-50%). The data on wind speed at a height of 2 m, total monthly and daily precipitation were obtained with unsatisfactory accuracy, with MAPE errors of 62,3, 52,6, and 40103% (MAPE >50%), respectively. It has been established that the values of daily precipitation (RMSE=6,0 mm) obtained from VCWD are not accurate. It is possible to use only the total precipitation for the month (RMSE=11,6 mm) or its annual values (RMSE=47,9 mm). The application of a correction factor to the obtained meteorological data increases their accuracy and reduces the errors of MAPE, RMSE and SEE. The use of various errors made it possible to comprehensively verify the obtained meteorological data. For example, the MAPE error calculates the accuracy of the meteorological indicator, while the RMSE and SEE errors indicate how the obtained value differs from the average value. In the future, the obtained meteorological indicators from the Visual Crossing Weather Data virtual meteorological station will be used to calculate the reference and actual evapotranspiration using the Penman-Monteith method (FAO56-PM) in the conditions of Polissya of Ukraine.

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN NUTRITION AND NITRIFICATION INHIBITOR ON THE YIELD OF CEREAL CROPS

S. V. Muntyan — 2024-12-29

The article presents the results of experimental studies to determine the effect of using different rates of nitrogen fertilizers in the form of KAS-32 and the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate on the yield of winter wheat, winter rape and corn. Field studies were conducted during 2018-2021 in the research department of Druzhba Nova LLC in Varvynskyi district of Chernihiv region (a branch of the Kernel agricultural holding). Analytical and mathematical-statistical methods were used to process the experimental data. The scheme of the one-factor field experiment included the use of variants with different norms of nitrogen fertilizers (N₁₀₀, N₁₂₀ and N₁₃₀ ), as well as the use of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate when added to KAS-32. The control variant was conditionally without nitrogen fertilizers N₁₀P₃₀K_40. The results of experimental studies have been proven. Thus, in winter wheat, on average, over the four years of research in 2019-2021, the yield increased from 3,74 t/ha in the control variant N₁₀P₃₀K₄₀ to 6,27 t/ha and to 6,30 t/ha in the variants background + N₁₀₀ + NI and background + N₁₂₀ + NI and then slightly decreased in the experimental variant with the maximum rate of nitrogen fertilizers but without the use of NI (background + N₁₂₀) to 5,85 t/ha. For winter rape, on average over the three years of research in 2018-2021, the yield also increased from 2.48 t/ha in the control variant N₁₀P₃₀K₄₀to 3,06 t/ha and 3,16 t/ha in the variants Background + N₁₂₀ + NI and Background + N₁₃₀ + NI and further slightly decreased to 2,79 t/ha in the variant with the maximum rate of nitrogen fertilizers but without the use of NI (Background + N₁₃₀ ).

For maize, on average, over 4 years of research in 2019-2021, is fixed an increase in yield from 8,14 t/ha in the control variant N₁₀P₃₀K₄₀ to 9,75 t/ha and to 9,52 t/ha in the variants Background + N₁₂₀ + NI and Background + N₁₃₀ + NI and a slight decrease in yield in the experimental variant with the maximum rate of nitrogen fertilizers, but without the use of NI (Background + N₁₃₀ ) to 8,7 t/ha.

ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL MOISTURE CONDITIONS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF KYIV REGION

R. V. Saydak — 2024-12-29

The sustainability of agriculture in Ukraine directly depends on the level of natural soil moisture supply, which is significantly deteriorating under the influence of climate change. The article investigates the impact of these changes on the value of potential evapotranspiration (ETo) in the southwestern part of the Kyiv region (Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine) based on the data from the Bila Tserkva weather station for the period from 1991 to 2020. The research methodology is based on the assumption that the assessment of the impact of climate change on the state of natural moisture supply can be performed provided that climate change itself is assessed according to the long-term dynamics of air temperature and precipitation in the period from 1991 to 2021 with the values of the same indicators in the period from 1961 to 1990 - the climatic norm. The potential evapotranspiration (ETo) was chosen as the criteria for assessing the impact of climate change on the state of soil moisture supply. The assessment results showed that the annual value of potential ETo increased by 9%, which may indirectly indicate a deterioration in the conditions of natural soil moisture supply. This has important implications for agriculture, as an increase in ET can lead to a decrease in available moisture for plants, which will negatively affect crop yields. The study covers changes in average annual and average monthly air temperature, as well as precipitation by season and month. It has been established that over the past thirty years, Ukraine has been experiencing a deterioration in moisture conditions, which requires the adaptation of agricultural practices. Sustainable development of the agricultural sector is possible only if changes in the natural moisture supply are taken into account when developing management models and cultivation technologies. The results obtained indicate the need to introduce innovative agronomic technologies that adapt to current climate change.

THERMODYNAMIC AVAILABILITY OF PLANT NUTRITION FROM SOIL DEPENDING ON CHANGES IN WEATHER FACTORS IN THE DAILY CYCLE

S. S. Kolomiiets — 2024-12-29

The weather is one of the determining factors in crop productivity. The purpose of this publication is to experimentally confirm and highlight the mechanism of the emergence of the dynamics of pore solution’s chemical composition and its thermodynamic accessibility to plants during the interaction of black soil with thermodynamic weather factors in the daily cycle. It has been established that the dynamics of availability should be sought precisely in the daily cycle of soil interaction with the environment. The basis of experimental laboratory research was the thermodynamic hydrophysical method. Samples of typical light loamy black soil of undisturbed structure from the Obukhiv district of the Kyiv region were studied. The studies have found that the emergence of the dynamics of thermodynamic accessibility of the pore solution and its chemical composition is ensured by subordinate processes that occur in the soil under the influence of cyclic environmental factors - temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture saturation. During the laboratory experiments, reproducible dynamics of the chemical composition of the pore solution were obtained in the daily range of changes in the specified factors. It is likely that the formation of such dynamics in three cycles of desorption - sorption is provided by all five categories of soil absorption capacity. The chemical composition of the pore solution is functionally related to the heterogeneity parameter of soil environment, which is determined by the thermodynamic potential of moisture. Among the components of the chemical composition, the dynamics of the content of nitrate ions (NO₃^-), as one of the most important biogenic compounds, deserves an increased attention. The unique dynamics of NO₃^- content consists in its increase as the heterogeneity (desorption) of the soil (soil moisture) increases, approximately to the values of field capacity. This is explained by the specific behavior of these ions, which have a negative adsorption capacity (physical absorption capacity), between the two surfaces: solid particles-liquid and liquid-air, namely their concentration near the surface of separation in contact with the atmosphere. For structured soil with the presence of trapped air in macropores, nitrate ions are protected from leaching by the flow of moisture and are released into the pore solution in a volley when the macropores open, which is important for the conditions of nitrogen nutrition of plants. The conducted research outlines a whole section of thermodynamic research of soils with undisturbed structure, the implementation of which will result in parametric models for ensuring the production process of plants.