Ecological and Hydrogeological Assessment of Ukrainian Part of the Azov Sea Basin

Abstract

Water resource potential of the Priazovie territory of Ukraine consists of the total water flow of rivers and aquifer reserves that are not hydraulically connected to the surface flow. The problem of the Azov Sea preservation and recovery of its commercial fishing value can be primarily achieved through restoring its natural characteristics such as volume and duration. The ecological state of this water ecosystem is characterized as unsatisfactory since it is subjected to a considerable level of anthropogenic load. Thus, there is an urgent need for immediate management decisions that will help stabilize the state of the ecosystem and neutralize the consequences of the anthropogenic load exerted on the ecosystem.