Study of the Influence of Geological Factors on the Biological Communities of a Natural Watercourse on the Example of the Mzymta River

Abstract

The purpose is to determine and analyze the influence of the main geological factors, identified for the study area, on the structure and vital functions of river biocenoses on the example of the Mzymta River. The research has a multidisciplinary character. It includes methods of geology - at definition and systematization of dangerous geological processes and factors of a technogenesis on the basis of gathering, generalization and the analysis of archival, stock and public materials of geological, geochemical, geophysical researches and reconnaissance inspection of the Mzymtaa River basin, and also biology - at definition of influence of these factors and their complexes on hydrobiont communities in researched water body by methods of bioindication and biotesting. Results and discussion. Three main groups of geological factors with significant negative impact on watercourse biotopes were identified: exogenic geological processes, local geochemical anomalies and technogenesis. Analysis of physico-chemical indicators of water quality showed that, mainly, the negative impact of geological processes is an increase in concentrations of suspended substances, siltation of bottom substrate and increased content of dissolved pollutants in the river water, which leads to a violation of the structure and degradation of hydrobiocenoses. Conclusions. The use of biological methods revealed the degree of influence of the identified geological factors on hydrobiont communities and the presence of synergistic effects on the functioning of watercourse biological systems.