Analysis of interannual spatial-temporal variability of water quality of the Krasnaya river in the Kaliningrad region

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-2-31-221-234

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Yuri A. Spirin

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Science, Laboratory of Hydrology,
37, Vavilova str., Moscow, 117312, Russia,
E-mail: spirin.yuriy@rambler.ru

Sergey I. Zotov

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Institute of Living Systems,
2, Universitetskaya str., Kaliningrad, 236041, Russia,
E-mail: zotov.prof@gmail.com

Veronika S. Taran

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Institute of Living Systems,
2, Universitetskaya str., Kaliningrad, 236041, Russia,
E-mail: ronya.volkova@yandex.ru

Abstract

The aim of the work is to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of pollution of the Krasnaya River for 4 hydrological seasons of 2023–2024 by means of comparative analysis from 2022–2023. The study is based on an integrated approach, including measurement of hydrological parameters and laboratory chemical analyses of water samples for 16 indicators. Monitoring was carried out at four key points reflecting different types of anthropogenic and natural loads: the upper reaches, the boundaries of forest and agricultural lands, intensive farming zones and urbanized areas. Spatial analysis is carried out using GIS technologies and specialized data arrays. The average value of the specific combinatorial water pollution index (SCWPI) for 2023–2024 was 2.88, which corresponds to the “very polluted” category. This is 25 % lower than in 2022–2023. The main pollutants are oil products, iron, and oxygen indicators. River pollution increases as it moves from the source to the mouth, which is probably due to an increase in anthropogenic load, a reduction in the area of forests, and the accumulation of pollutants. Groundwater saturated with iron compounds also plays a significant role, but their influence does not yet have a clear spatio-temporal characteristic. The study of the water pollution index (WPI) showed the presence of seasonal fluctuations in the pollution level, which is probably due to numerous cycles of both natural and anthropogenic impacts. In accordance with our previous studies, special attention is paid to the phases of the water regime. This is due to the fact that in order to accurately assess and predict changes in the chemical composition of water, it is necessary to take into account not only anthropogenic but also hydrological aspects. If we consider the situation in the basin as a whole, it can be called favorable. This is facilitated by the presence of a large number of forests in the territory, some of which are specially protected natural areas, and low anthropogenic activity in most of the catchment area. In the future, the study will be supplemented by the final period of 2024–2025.

Keywords

dynamics of watercourse pollution, anthropogenic impacts, Krasnaya River basin

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For citation: Spirin Yu.A., Zotov S.I., Taran V.S. Analysis of interannual spatial-temporal variability of water quality of the Krasnaya river in the Kaliningrad region. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 2. P. 221–234. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-2-31-221-234 (in Russian)