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INTENSIVE GROUNDWATER EXPLOITATION IN THE NORTH OF CRIMEA - STUDY OF QUALITY TRENDS

Ekaterina Leonteva

Abstract

This report summarizes initial findings from a case study investigating the response of groundwater resources in the North of Crimea to intensive exploitation over recent years. There is the problem of increasing groundwater salinity. The aim of this study is to examine the response of groundwater in the area of the Isthmus of Perekop to current intensive abstraction, investigate groundwater recharge, and forecast possibility of future quality degradation. This territory was chosen as for the case study: hydrogeological and climatic conditions are typical of the North of Crimea. This area is one of the most developed industrial regions in Crimea and has been experiencing intense groundwater exploitation over the last few years. The results of monitoring observations (groundwater levels and chemistry) during the period from 2014 to 2017, when the groundwater abstraction increased to the current level, were used to study the problem. Results show that there is no obvious relationship between volume of water extraction and water salinity. The main reason for the groundwater quality deterioration is regional hydrogeology. Anthropogenic impact is secondary. The irregular changes of the groundwater composition are controlled by hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic heterogeneity of the aquifers. The hydrogeodynamic heterogeneity is associated with fracturing and karst erosion of water-bearing limestones. The hydrogeochemical heterogeneity is completely explained by zoning of groundwaters. Based on the obtained data the forecast of further change of groundwater quality is made.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018/1.2/s02.051

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