Seven water samples from ponds in Pushkarivka are abnormal

Dead fish, stench, white sediment and trash floating in the water – these are ponds of neighbourhood Pushkarivka in Poltava. They are in particular polluted by the stream visible on a map given on a slide. Its underground section situated within town’s industrial areas arouses the biggest anxiety. 

We, Ekoltava, have in the end decided to find out what is going on. So we’ve ordered water check in a laboratory in Kyiv. The resolution was sheerly astonishing.

Seven samples at a time have shown abnormality, with three of them containing at least ten times more harmful substances than is considered safe.

Indicator, measurement units	Value	Normal value
General salts, mg/dm3	1883	≤1000
Chlorides, mg/dm3	276.9	≤350
Sulphates, mg/dm3	322	≤500
Oxygen chemical consumption, dichroic, mg O2/dm3	96.5	≤15.0≤(30.0)
Diluted oxygen, mg O2/dm3	0.37	≥4
Polyphosphates P2O5, mg/dm3	39.45	≤3.5
Nitrate nitrogen, mg/dm3	0.556	≤45.0
Nitrite nitrogen, mg/dm3	0.14	≤3.3
Ammonium nitrogen, mg/dm3	29.95	≤2.0
Sodium	377	≤200
Ferrum	0.48	≤0.3

First of all, the amount of salt is almost twice above the norm, thus the water is salty. 

This environment inhibits local flora and fauna. Yet, this is nothing compared to ten-fold exceed of normal content of polyphosphates, ammonium nitrogen, and diluted oxygen. Their presence allows to suggest that the source of pollution is either household sewage and industrial discharge. Continue reading to know the impact of these substances.

Diluted oxygen Poor content of oxygen is generally typical for water abundantly filled with biowaste or excrements. Diluted oxygen supports life of fishes and underwater plants. Its content below 2 mg O2/dm3 causes fish wholesale deaths. Here we have 0.37 mg O2/dm3.

Ammonium nitrogen It is generally brought to rivers with household, and industrial sewage, from food, and chemical enterprises, and with fertilizers from agricultural run-offs.  Ammonium inhibits the ability of fish to fix oxygen.  This causes convulsions, and makes fish throw itself to and fro within the thick of water and jump out on surface.  Here we have fifteen-fold exceeding of the norm.

Polyphosphates P2O5 These compounds look like puffy snow and are often used to dessicate substances.  They are source of orthophosphoric acid widely used to produce mineral fertilizers, protective surfaces, cosmetics, and glass. The aberration is ten-fold.

One may only guess the exact location of polluting emissions. Detailed laboratory resolution is here.

From our own side, we shall complete official appeals to Poltava town council, department of housing and communal services, State ecological inspectorate, Poltavavodokanal. 

Poltava has few aquifers, thus it is necessary to protect every single one, as they are important component of climate change adaptation. Some time later, we’ll share the sequence of actions done to run this campaign in your city or town. Safe environment is evertopical! We appeal to you to support the protection of your local aquifers and green zones.

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