Evaluation of sedimentation role of DREISSENA molluscs' population in the process of water quality control in Kakhovka Main Channel (Kherson Region)

D. V. Lukashov; L. K. Khokhlova

doi:10.31481/uhmj.27.2021.08

D. V. Lukashov
L. K. Khokhlova

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31481/uhmj.27.2021.08

Keywords: amelioration and irrigation systems, bivalve molluscs, sedimentation, heavy metals

Abstract

Ukraine has a unique natural resources potential and is one of the world's richest agricultural countries in terms of soil composition and land bioproductivity. More than 2/5 of its agricultural land is located within the steppe zone – a zone of unstable and insufficient humidification. The production of agricultural products under arid conditions largely depends on solving the problem of agricultural land artificial irrigation. Due to this, since the 1960s large-scale construction of amelioration facilities took place in Southern Ukraine, including construction of the Kakhovka Reservoir and the Kakhovka Irrigation System, the largest one in Europe. The quality of water intended for irrigation depends on a water source and internal physicochemical/biological processes observed in the amelioration system. The attached bivalve molluscs present an important biotic component of hydrotechnical amelioration systems. They form dense settlements on solid artificial substrates and are usually considered as a source of biological barriers that should be constantly fought against. However, their filtration and sedimentation role can exert influence on the processes of water self-purification. The study aims at evaluating the role of filtering molluscs fouling process when it comes to treatment of irrigation water from suspensions and removal of some heavy metals from the water column. The research is based on the results of field analysis of deposits sedimentation processes in the water column with the help of sedimentation traps at 5 stations along Kakhovka Main Channel. It was found that the total biomass of settlements of attached bivalve molluscs Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis that are present in the channel constitutes about 370 – 463 tons and they contribute to precipitation of 11.6 – 27.5 tons of suspended matter to the bottom sediments during summer months. This process is manifested in a decrease of suspended matter concentration in the water along the channel. Together with suspended matter 1.8 – 3.9 kg of Cr, 0.3 – 0.6 kg of Ni, 0.09 – 0.24 kg of Co, 0.08 – 0.18 kg of Pb, 0.088 – 0,144 kg of Cd also join the bottom sediments every month. Thus, the settlements of molluscs attached to the hydraulic structures can be considered as biological amelioration agents contributing to the improvement of irrigation water quality.

References

Osadcha, N.M. (2012). Balans stoku humusovykh rechovyn u kaskadi Dniprovskykh vodoskhovyshch [Balance of runoff of humic substances in the cascade of Dnieper reservoirs]. Naukovi pratsi Ukrainskoho naukovo-doslidnoho hidrometeorolohichnoho instytutu [Scientific works of the Ukrainian research hydrometeorological institute], 263, рр. 81-99. (in Ukr.)

Khokhlova, L. & Lukashev, D. (2018). [Quality of water in the main channel of the Kakhovka irrigation system]. Visnyk Kyivskoho Natsionalnoho universytetu imeni Tarasa Shevchenka, Seriia Heohrafiia [Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Geography], 73, pp. 24-29. (in Ukr.)

Shevtsova, L.V., Kharchenko, T.A. & Ponurko, Ya.V. (1985). Rasselenie Drejsseny po kanalu Dnepr-Donbass. [Resettlement of Dreissena along the Dnieper-Donbass channel]. Gidrotehnika i melioratsiya [Hydrotechnics and Melioration], 12, pp. 34-35. (in Russ.)

Shevtsova, L.V. & Kharchenko, T.A. (1986). Biologicheskie pomekhi v zakrytoy orositel'noy seti i ikh ustranenie. [Biological obstacles in a closed irrigation network and their elimination]. Dostizheniya nauchnotekhnicheskogo progressa v proekty meliorativnogo stroitel'stva [Achievements of scientific and technical progress in meliorative projects design]. Kiev, рр. 134-135. (in Russ.)

Klerks, P.L., Fraleigh, P.C. & Lawniczak, J.E. (1996). Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on seston levels and sediment deposition in western Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 53, рр. 2284-2291.

Xia, Z., MacIsaac, H.J., Heckyc, R.E. et al. (2021). Multiple factors regulate filtration by invasive mussels: Implications for whole-lake ecosystems. Science of The Total Environment, 765(15), рр. 144435

Marescaux, J., Falisse, E., Lorquet, J. et al. (2016). Assessing filtration rates of exotic bivalves: dependence on algae concentration and seasonal factors. Hydrobiology, 777, рр. 67–78.

Klerks, P.L., Fraleigh, P.C. & Lawniczak, J.E. (1997). Effects of the exotic zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) on metal cycling in Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 54(7), рр. 1630–1638.

Lukashev, D.V. (2003). Freshwater Bivalvia as sedimentators of radioactive suspended matter in the cooling pond of the Chernobyl NPS. Hydrobiol. J., 39(6), pp. 94-101

Freeman, E. (2013). Effects of Dreissenid Mussel Druses on heavy metals transfer via benthic macroinvertebrates. Ph.D. Thesis. College of Bowling Green State University. Available at: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/ rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=bgsu1372077038&disposition=attachment (accessed 23.05.2021)

Khokhlova, L.K. & Lukashоv, D.V. (2020). Peculiarities of the structure of Dreissena settlements in the main canal of the Kakhovka irrigative system. Hydrobiol. J., 56(4), pp. 33-42.

Collas, F.P.L., Koopman, K.R., van der Velde, G. et. al. (2020). Quantifying the loss of filtration services following mass mortality of invasive Dreissenid mussels. Ecological Engineering, 149, рр. 105781.

Daunys, D., Zemlys, P., Olenin, S. et. al. (2006). Impact of the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha invasion on the budget of suspended material in a shallow lagoon ecosystem. Helgoland Marine Research, 60, pp. 113.

Reeders, H.H. & Bij de Vaate, A. (1992). Bioprocessing of polluted suspended matter from the water column by the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas). Hydrobiology, 239, pp. 53–63.

Roditi, H.A., Strayer, D.L. & Findlay, S.E.G. (1997). Characteristics of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) biodeposits in a tidal freshwater estuary. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 140, pp. 207–219.

Huang, Z., Liu, C., Zhao, X. et al. (2020). Risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediment at the drinking water source of the Xiangjiang River in South China. Environ Sci. Eur, рр. 32.

Magni, S., Parolini, M., Soave, C. et. al. (2015). Removal of metallic elements from real wastewater using Zebra mussel bio-filtration process. J. Environ. Chem. Eng., 3, pp. 915–921.