Bilkey, M. V., & Nikolaichuk, V. I. (2017). The distribution of heavy metals content in the bottom deposits of the trans-border Uzh river system. Biosystems Diversity , 25(2), 145-153.The dynamics and peculiarities of the heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, V, Cr, Ni) migration were established in the system of the river Uzh bottom deposits. An excess in maximum permissible concentration among such elements as Zn, V, As, and Cu was detected in surface waters. We may connect the elevated level of Cu and Zn with natural (metals appearing in ground water run-off, ablation from iron ore, the reaction of interstitial water), anthropogenic (sewage disposals from communal households and manufacturing plants, agricultural run-offs), and hydrochemical (pH of water medium, methylation of non-organic metal compounds, metals release from the organic compounds composition, ingress from bottom deposits) factors. The high concentrations of vanadium in the water as well as in bottom deposits are most probably induced by the leaching of elements from the regional volcanic rocks. The plumbum content did not exceed the higher-than-normal rates; however, significant element accumulation was detected in bottom deposits outside the city of Uzhgorod which may be the result of ecotoxicant ingress along with land runoff from the riverside highways laid parallel to the water course. In comparison with background measures, the highest chromium and nickel concentrations were detected near the streamlet Domoradzh and, therefore, it is assumed that the industrial wastewaters serve here as a source of heavy metals. The reservoir in the lowland is above all enriched by arsenic. Areas under agricultural use are significantly concentrated in lowlands. Runoffs from these areas are the main source of the ore supply. However, the impact of municipal domestic waste water which contains arsenic-containing detergents should not be excluded. Moreover, we found a relationship between the relief heterogeneity of the study area and distribution of heavy metals in the hydro-ecosystem. The accomplished comparative analysis of the territories under study indicates the significant pollution level of the surface waters in technologically transformed areas, whereas the largest accumulation of pollutants is concentrated in bottom deposits of the river, which indicates a constant supply of pollutants to the streamflow. Розподіл вмісту важких металів у системі «водадонні відкладення» транскордонної річки УжМ. В. Білкей, В. І. Ніколайчук Ужгородський національний університет, Ужгород, УкраїнаВстановлено динаміку та особливості міграції важких металів (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, V, Cr, Ni) у системі «водадонні відклади» річки Уж. У поверхневих водах зафіксовано перевищення ГДК для таких елементів, як Zn, V, As та Cu. Підвищений вміст купруму та цинку пов'язуємо з природнbми (вимивання з гірських порід, реакція ґрунтового розчину), антропогенними (стічні води комунально-побутових господарств, промислових підприємств, сільськогосподарські стоки) та гідрохімічними (рН водного середовища...

Ukraine has transformed into one of the most environmentally dangerous countries in the world due to the high concentration of industrial production and agriculture and predatory use of natural resources. The current ecological situation in Ukraine is characterized by a deep ecological crisis, which is caused by the laws of operation of the command economy of the former USSR. The majority of the environmental and social indicators of Ukraine are among the worst in Europe. The Carpathian Mountains are among the most significant and interesting landscapes in Europe from the geological and geomorphological, scenic and biological perspectives. The giant arc of the Carpathians begins in southern Romania and passes through Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary to Austria, crosses all Eastern and Central Europe. A third of the forest reserves of Ukraine are located in the Ukrainian Carpathians, at 53.5% the percentage of forest cover of the area is among the highest in the country. About 50% of the gene pool of Ukraine’s plants, many species of trees and medicinal plants grows there. The geographical location and large area of the rich natural heritage of the Carpathians have multifaceted importance for the conservation of biological, phytocoenotic and landscape diversity and maintaining the ecological balance in the central part of our continent. As with the Alps mountain range, this is an important ecological corridor between Western, Central and Eastern Europe, which promotes the migration of species and their spread into lowland landscapes. In order to preserve biodiversity an inventory of virgin forest ecosystems should be made and strict measures for their protection should be enforced. It is necessary to continue the practice of establishing bilateral areas in cross-border protected areas in order to combine efforts to solve pressing environmental challenges. Conservation of the Carpathians Biodiversity is an urgent problem. Structural changes in the economy of the region are expected to strengthen the recreational value of the Ukrainian Carpathians for the public not only in our country but also in Central and Eastern Europe, reducing the technogenic loading. International cooperation of all countries of the Carpathian region is imperative. The development of tourism in the Carpathians is highly promising, but this should be civilized tourism, taking into account the environmental sustainability of the recreational areas and protected areas.