Geoinformation Monitoring of the Formation of Foci of Environmentally Related Morbidity of the Large Cities’ Population under the Infl uence of Environmental Factors

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop an analytical model for assessing the probability of environmentally related diseases in the population of large urbanised areas under the infl uence of adverse environmental factors. Materials and methods. The urban ecosystems of the cities of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Tula were selected as sites for testing the methodological approaches. The structure of the geographic information system (GIS) was developed and digital maps of the state of the environment were created to identify factors aff ecting the health of the population in the regions. Analytical indicators on ecological-functional diff erentiation are given based on Earth remote sensing (ERS) data using NDVI-analysis. The source - space images from Landsat-8 satellite, and Landsat-7 satellite images were used to analyse dynamic characteristics. Results and discussions. Maps visualising the socio-environmental situation in the cities of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Tula were created. The areas where technogenic objects that pose a threat to the environment are located, as well as areas of landscape degradation and disturbance are marked. The information presented in the GIS is divided into several categories, which makes it possible to assess the contribution of various factors to the formation of the level of environmental safety of residential landscapes. Conclusions. The principles of the system of monitoring and optimisation of urban environment by means of GIS-technologies have been developed. The unfavourable impact of anthropogenic pollution on the population is indirectly confi rmed by higher morbidity of the urban population in comparison with the average regional indicators. The main condition forming the environmental safety is the pollution of the atmosphere by man-made anthropogenic pollutants (formaldehyde, carbon oxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, dust).