GROUNDWATER AND ITS SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONTAMINATION IN KHERSON REGION

Goal. The goal of the research is zoning of Kherson region on the basis of the upper Miocene water-bearing complex sensitivity tocontamination caused by potentially dangerous types of economic activity. Research methods. The methodical approach to determining the sensitivity of groundwater to contamination based on sensitivity index was proposed. For these purpose the index-rating, parametric methods, method of zoning and geoinformational (GIS) approach were used. Research results. This study evaluated the sensitivity of the upper Miocene aquifer complex to contamination in Kherson re- gion. The groundwater sensitive to pollution is mostly in the areas closest to the rivers (Dniper, Ingylets), where natural protec- tion of groundwater is low, and in urban areas with a great number of anthropogenic objects. Originality. For the first time, the quantitative criterion has been developed to assess anthropogenic load on the underground hydrosphere. Based on this criterion, a consistent approach to the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the Kherson region was proposed. Such approach takes into account not only the static factors of groundwater protection, but also its dynamic component ? anthropogenic loads, hydrogeodynamic conditions. Practical application of the research. The potentially dangerous territories were allocated, in terms of pollution of the upper Miocene water-bearing complex ? the main source of potable groundwater. This zoning is an important step in planning the location of monitoring, water supply wells and dangerous anthopogenic objects. The methodological approaches and techniques can be used to study groundwater in other areas.