Formation of surface water quality in the basin of the upper reaches of the ural river under technogenic transformation of the environment

Abstract

The natural conditions and the anthropogenic factors governing the formation of the environmental-hydrochemical situation in the rivers of the upper part of Ural R. basin are analyzed. Pollution transport is partially taking place under the conditions of hampered water exchange, caused by the structure of river channels and runoff regulation. The study confirms the uneven distribution of heavy metal concentrations in river water in different seasons, which is mostly due to differences in river runoff characteristics. The long duration and the high intensity of anthropogenic impact have considerably weakened the stability of river systems.