Environmental safety and natural resources

Hygienic characteristics of welding methods and welding materials

Oleg Levchenko, Yury Polukarov, Olena Zemlyanska — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The purpose of this work is to assess the hygienic characteristics of various arc welding methods and welding materials and to identify the main factors that affect the degree of risk of hazardous effects of welding aerosol on the body of welders. The assessment methodology was based on the study of the levels of welding aerosol release and its chemical composition depending on the content of components in welding materials that intensify the process of aerosol formation, welding modes and specific properties of the welding methods themselves. The study made it possible to identify welding materials, the use of which is accompanied by the highest levels of welding aerosol release during manual arc welding with covered electrodes, submerged arc welding and mechanized welding. The results obtained make it possible to choose safer welding materials in terms of hygiene for the above-mentioned welding methods. Also, based on the obtained research results, it becomes possible to form substantiated recommendations on the choice of measures and means of protecting welders and auxiliary personnel from harmful factors accompanying welding processes. The novelty of the research lies in the first comprehensive analysis of the hygienic characteristics of arc welding methods and welding materials. Prospects for further research include the development of innovative means of collective and individual protection, as well as the study of the long-term impact of harmful factors on the body of workers. The main limitation is the local nature of the experiments, which requires expanding the scale of the study to confirm the correlation of the results obtained for other welding materials of both domestic and foreign production.

Diversification strategies of energy supply risks for multi-story residential buildings in war conditions

Tetiana Kryvomaz, Roman Hamotskyi, Artem Tsyba — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Targeted large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have led to massive outages and increased the risk of power supply. The total damage to facilities that provide electricity generation, transmission, and distribution is estimated at $8 billion. High-rise residential urban buildings have become particularly vulnerable, where prolonged power outages can have catastrophic consequences. Powering high-rise residential buildings in wartime is achieved by combining various risk diversification strategies that take into account periodic power outages, the possibility of using alternative sources, and the installation of energy storage systems. The use of renewable energy sources for local generation ensures power supply during outages and reduces dependence on the centralized power system, but the specific technical requirements and operating parameters of heat pumps, wind turbines, and solar panels significantly limit their use in dense urban areas. Installing solar photovoltaic panels in multi-storey city buildings does not completely solve the problem of energy supply in winter, when their efficiency can drop to 10%, however, during summer power outages, solar energy can provide certain energy needs of residents of residential complexes. To stabilize the power system in extreme war conditions, it is advisable to locally apply maneuverable gas generation by implementing balancing technologies with a large range of regulation of various loads and use pickers for emergency situations. One of the key technical requirements for generating units is their ability to start/stop at least 4 times a day and reach maximum power within 15 minutes from the moment of switching on. Integration of centralized power supply, renewable energy sources, pickers and balancers is possible under the conditions of using energy storage systems that ensure stability and reliability of supply and allow for effective management of energy resources. The use of demand management technologies with intelligent control allows for optimal use of available energy, avoiding peak loads, reducing electricity costs, and increasing energy independence and reliability of energy supply for multi-apartment residential buildings. Decentralization is formed at the generation level with the strengthening of the balancing segment to ensure the agility of the Ukrainian power system, i.e. increasing the ability to produce as much electricity as consumers need at a given moment.

Hydrological features and characteristics of water management activities in the lower reaches of the Sinyukha river

Nataliia Magas, Ruslan Tuz — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The issue of conservation and protection of water resources has always been relevant in Ukraine. The situation is particularly catastrophic in the lower Pobuzhzhia, where the main source of water supply is the Southern Bug River and its tributaries. The most powerful tributary of the Southern Bug, which significantly affects the flow of the main river in the lower reaches, is the Syniukha River. However, like most rivers in the steppe zone, the Sinyukha River is constantly affected not only by anthropogenic activities but also by climate change. A characteristic feature of the river is its significant use in various fields: domestic and industrial water supply, irrigation, and recreation. The geological and landscape features of the basin ensure a significant year-round water content and a stable seasonal hydrochemical state. The river's water content is formed under the influence of a complex of physical and geographical factors and depends on climatic and hydrogeographical processes. In the context of climate instability in recent years, against the background of rising ambient temperatures and a powerful agrogenic transformation of the catchment, there has been a significant, more than twofold decrease in water flow, which has caused a number of negative reactions of the river hydrosystem and related natural objects. Currently, the water content is in a prolonged low-water phase, which began in 2007 and has been going on for 17 years. The current low-water phase observed in the lower reaches of the river is more stable and deeper than the previous ones, which may be related to climate change. Against the backdrop of powerful natural and climatic factors, anthropogenic impact on the river and its hydrological regime is of secondary importance, which is a rare phenomenon for steppe rivers. The current level of river runoff use does not violate the ecological status of the Syniukha River. To date, the Sinyukha River has retained its ecosystem functions, serving as a landscape and biotopic reserve for local biota. In addition, the river is an important source of drinking water supply for the population and a key means of replenishing and regulating groundwater conditions. The results of the study can be used in the development of flood control and water protection measures, as well as water management strategies in the lower Pobuzhzha.

Assessment of the ecological condition of aquatic ecosystems of the West Bug basin

Alla Shybanova, Maria Ruda, Elvira Dzhumelia, Pavlo Panchuk — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In the modern conditions of the development of the economy of Ukraine, research in the field of analysis and forecasting of the quality of surface waters and their evaluation from an ecological point of view is necessary. The qualitative state of surface water and its assessment must be taken into account in water supply, land reclamation, in communal, agricultural and fisheries, production of industrial products, recreation, sanatorium-resort development, etc.
The purpose of the study is to assess the ecological state of the surface water bodies of the Western Bug basin in the territory of the Chervonohrad Territorial Community.
In order to assess the degree of exceeding the MPC of the indicators of the quality of water bodies of the surface waters of the Chervonohrad TC in 2018-2022, the values of the average annual concentrations of pollutants were compared with their MPC. The water pollution index was calculated, which made it possible to compare the water quality of various water bodies with each other, regardless of the presence of various pollutants, and to identify the trend of changes in water quality over time.
According to some indicators of the quality of surface water (content of ammonium salts, nitrites, dissolved oxygen, BOD₅ indicator), the waters of the Western Bug and Rata rivers in 2018-2022 do not meet the standards. Most of the considered indicators during 2018-2022 in the control body of the Western Bug River have a general upward trend, which indicates the instability of the ecological situation of the basin. For the Rata River, this trend is not so pronounced. In the Western Bug River in 2018-2019, the state of water is assessed as III quality class and the water is assessed as moderately polluted, but in 2020, a sharp deterioration of water quality to IV class – polluted water is recorded. By 2021, a slight decrease in the water pollution index is recorded, but everything remains at the same IV water quality class as in 2022. In the Rata River in 2018-2019, the water quality is rated as II quality class, the water is clean, but in 2020-2022, the water pollution index increases to III quality class, the water is moderately polluted. The obtained results indicate the need to apply nature protection measures to preserve and improve the ecological condition of the river network.

Express monitoring of environmental safety in Ukrainian municipal wastewater systems during war

Tetiana Tkachenko, Viktoriia Sakhnovska — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article is devoted to the study of the environmental safety of wastewater systems in Ukraine, which is characterized by a critical state due to global environmental changes, aging infrastructure, and military aggression. National and international legislation, including the Geneva Conventions regulating the protection of wastewater facilities, has been analyzed. It has been found that military actions have led to large-scale infrastructure destruction, water resource pollution, and a humanitarian crisis.
A categorization of wastewater systems based on the impact of military actions is proposed, which allows for the adaptation of response measures to the specific conditions of each region, from express monitoring and prevention in relatively safe zones to the restoration of destruction and preliminary forecasting in active combat zones. An express monitoring method for the environmental safety of wastewater systems has been developed, based on a limited list of key indicators, ensuring efficiency and reliability. Each indicator reflects critical aspects of environmental safety, from the depletion of water resources and soil pollution to energy efficiency and risks to public health. The quantitative assessment of indicators in points, according to the level of environmental hazard, allows for the systematization of data and the identification of the most vulnerable areas of the system. This approach provides a scientifically sound basis for the development of effective measures to minimize the negative impact on the environment and ensure the sustainable functioning of wastewater systems in emergency situations.
A retrospective express monitoring of the environmental safety of wastewater systems in Ukraine has been conducted. It has been determined that during the ten-year period of armed conflict in Ukraine, there has been a statistically significant increase in the level of environmental risk in nine regions, while in five regions the indicator remains relatively stable. In the remaining regions, a trend towards risk reduction has been observed. However, the overall environmental situation is characterized as critical, as the vast majority of regions show environmental hazard indicators that exceed permissible norms. The functioning of wastewater systems in these regions poses a threat to the environment and public health, potentially leading to a large-scale environmental catastrophe.

Environmental problems of Donbas: agricultural pollutants and the quality of groundwater in Donetsk region

Nina Osokina — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Considered environmental problems Donbas region: flooded mines, hand subsidence, radiation, pollution of water resources, shortage of drinking water, etc. Ecocide is taking place as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014-2024.
The problem of the impact of agriculture on the quality of natural waters of the Donbas region was considered. The presence of pesticides derived from chlorine, organophosphorus, fluorine-containing compounds and pyrethroids was established in all studied environmental objects: drinking and mineral waters, surface waters of lakes Ripne and Slipne, medicinal muds of the resort of the city of Slavyansk. An analysis was conducted and the average values of groundwater quality indicators, sampled in 2023-2024 in the Donetsk region, were determined. Exceedance of the normative values of some indicators according to DSanPIN 2.2.4-171-10 was established. Solving the environmental problems of Donbas requires the liberation of the territories of Ukraine from occupation.

Study of spatial and temporal features of municipal solid waste generation in the regions of Ukraine

Veronika Prykhodko, Tamerlan Safranov — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article is devoted to the topical issue of municipal solid waste generation in the regions of Ukraine as an important prerequisite for the formation of an effective waste management system. The purpose of the study is to identify the spatial and temporal features of municipal solid waste generation in the regions of Ukraine (as of 2021) based on certain indicators. The methods of statistical analysis of data on municipal solid waste collection, standards for the provision of solid waste removal services and other databases by regions of Ukraine for different years of the period 2010-2023 were used in the research. The main results of the study are to substantiate the indicator role of specific waste generation and to determine the spatial and temporal features of the quantitative indicators distribution of municipal solid waste generation. In particular, it is determined that there is a certain relationship between GDP and the amount of waste generation, as well as of the area and number of landfills. Waste generation is gradually increasing: over the period 2011-2021, the weight of collected solid waste increased by 9.8% and the volume – by 5.6%. In addition, the standards for the provision of solid waste collection services in the regional centers of Ukraine increased by 12% in average. It was determined that the waste has become somewhat denser, as evidenced by a decrease in the volume but an increase in the weight of collected solid waste during 2018-2021. The collection of solid waste was 1,244 m³/person or 254 kg/person per year (or 0,696 kg/person per day). Taking into account the level of coverage of the population with centralized waste collection services, the actual waste generation is at least by 20% higher. Under martial law, the amount of municipal solid waste was expected to decrease: the volume of collected waste fell by 13.7% and the weight – by 10.7% (2023). It is promising to further analyze the municipal solid waste generation by averaging and interpretation of data. The scientific and practical significance of the results lies in the substantiated analysis of data and synthesis of information on the main features of municipal solid waste generation in Ukraine.

Assessment of the current component of underflooding within the territory of the Chornobyl exclusion zone by the methods of remote sensing technologies

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

According to the results of the thematic interpretation of the satellite imaging data for the recent years in the territory of the Prypiat Left-Bank Drainage System of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, the probable onset of the multi-aqueous phase of water content in the frame of the full hydrological cycle is predicted at the end of 2022. The attribute of multi-water phase emerging is emphasized by statistical data relatively an increase of the total amount of atmospheric precipitation in the cold period during September-October-November-December 2022 and 2023 within the entire catchment basin for the left-bank part of the Prypiat River. These data are fully consistent with the established trend of increasing extents of ⁹⁰Sr activity, which is carried away with runoff from the left-bank polder area. According to the calculated estimates of ⁹⁰Sr activity levels, 0.02 and 0.034 TBq could be removed in 2022 and 2023, respectively. This radioactive carryover increased by 6.4 times, if 2021 is compared with 2023 and by 34 times, if 2020 compared with 2023. Thus, a direct relationship is observed between the ⁹⁰Sr activity levels removed from the territory of the left-bank polder to the Prypiat River with the values ⁹⁰Sr of the areas of the open water surface mapped by means of remote sensing technologies within its boundaries, and the values ⁹⁰Sr of the total amount of atmospheric precipitation in the cold period of the year on the adjacent left-bank part of the water catchment basin of the Pripyat River. Hence, the prediction as to the growing ⁹⁰Sr activity levels due to its removal with the runoff from the area of the left-bank polder to the Prypiat River in 2024-2026, is substantiated.

Improvement of the method of semiotic analysis of materials for detection of informational-psychological impact

Oleksandr Trofymchuk, Serhyi Zabolotnyi, Vitaliy Katsalap — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The improvement of the method of semiotic analysis is carried out in the interests of identifying the informational and psychological impact on target audiences. This is due to the fact that there is a discrepancy in the way of determining the dominant messages in the information space. The main narratives used to justify armed aggression, in particular the theorization of the “SVO”, are characterized, demonization of Ukraine and the West, as well as the creation of the image of Russia as a victim of an international conspiracy. The essence of the integration of textual and visual elements in propaganda materials to form an emotional informational and psychological impact on young people, who are the main target audience, is explained.
The purpose of the article is to improve the method of semiotic analysis to identify informational and psychological impact by taking into account the hypothesis of information management, which will allow to increase the capabilities of the Ukrainian defense forces in countering information threats in the deoccupied territories of Ukraine.
The conducted research allowed us to outline the main areas of work in the information space in the deoccupied territories of Ukraine and develop information technology to effectively counter Russian propaganda. During a comprehensive analysis of methods of informational and psychological influence on specific target audiences, the content of narrative elements that determine their behavior was obtained. New approaches to the use of informational and psychological operations tools were analyzed, which allows for a deeper understanding of their role in manipulating public consciousness and ensuring ideological influence in the long term. The result of the study is a description and decomposition of the method of semiotic analysis for identifying informational and psychological influence on specific target audiences with a step-by-step analysis of specific manipulations. This expands the theoretical understanding of the use of materials as tools of informational and psychological influence, contributing to a deeper analysis of Russia's propaganda strategies in the education system.

Method for restoring missing data based on a combined exponential smoothing model

Oleksandr Terentiev, Volodymyr Duda — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Data processing and analysis are often accompanied by the problem of missing values, which can significantly affect the accuracy of predictive models and decision-making. One of the main causes of missing data in energy consumption is the periodic shutdown of systems responsible for data collection and transmission. Such disruptions can lead to data loss, complicating further processing and analysis. Therefore, an approach has been developed for filling in missing values based on exponential smoothing with adaptive coefficients determined by Fibonacci numbers. This method effectively accounts for both short-term and long-term patterns in the data, contributing to a more accurate reconstruction of lost values. This article examines a method for recovering missing data based on a combined exponential smoothing model, applied to hourly energy consumption data for the period 2016–2018. The proposed approach utilizes a regression model in which the regressors are the values of the exponential moving average, determined using smoothing coefficients and window sizes based on Fibonacci numbers. This approach effectively accounts for both new and older information by adapting weight coefficients for more accurate recovery of missing values. It has been found that when small Fibonacci numbers are used to determine the size of the sliding window and weight coefficients, the formation of exponentially smoothed values is primarily influenced by the most "recent data" (the latest, most recently obtained values). The use of Fibonacci numbers to determine smoothing parameters in the exponential smoothing method allows for the adaptive consideration of both short-term and long-term trends in time series. The proposed data reconstruction model is based on combined forecasting using six exponential smoothing models, whose parameters correspond to specific Fibonacci numbers. The combined model is built through regression analysis, enabling the adaptive evaluation of weight coefficients at each forecasting step.

Mathematical model of the distribution of radio monitoring resources for observation of satellite communication channels using neural networks

Vasyl Trysnyuk, Volodymyr Ehorov — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The work is devoted to solving a scientific and practical problem, which consists in developing a mathematical model for distributing radio monitoring equipment for observing satellite communication channels using neural networks. To increase the efficiency of resource allocation, it is proposed to use advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, in particular deep neural networks (DNN), reinforcement learning (RL) and graph neural networks (GNN). The use of such methods allows to significantly increase the adaptability of the system, increase the accuracy of analysis and ensure optimization of resource allocation. Mathematical models and innovative methods for controlling radio monitoring equipment that take into account variable parameters of satellite channels have been improved, adaptive resource allocation algorithms are used. To determine the time characteristics, most of which are for processing by a convolutional neural network, not only static node parameters, such as signal power or frequency, but also dynamic indicators that change in time are taken into account. To analyze and optimize resource allocation in satellite communication channels and radio monitoring facilities, we use a convolutional neural network (CNN) in combination with graph neural networks (GNN), the following structure of which can be effectively represented in the form of a graph. This allows obtaining spatial-temporal dependencies and increasing the accuracy of modeling.
It has been proven that to determine the time characteristics processed by a convolutional neural network (CNN), not only static node parameters, such as signal power or frequency, but also dynamic changes in these parameters over time are taken into account. This allows for adaptive analysis of changing operating conditions of satellite communication channels and radio monitoring facilities, which ensures the accuracy of modeling and forecasting of signals. The use of neural networks improves the analysis of satellite communication channels, increasing the level of informativeness and speed of data processing during radio monitoring.

Implementation of neural network based 2D seismic images super resolution approach

Oleksii Noskov, Mykyta Myrontsov — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In the modern geological exploration process, involvement of seismic interpretation data has long become an everyday norm. The quality of field data and the migration procedure plays a key role in determining the geological structure of the area and the distribution of reservoirs. As an example of seismic survey materials post-processing, a mathematical model of machine learning based on a neural network based on U-net architecture was developed and programmatically implemented to increase the resolution and decrease noise value for 2D images based on a synthetic set of training data. The structure of the model was described, and an algorithm was built for preparing migrated seismic data in the standard SEGY format for processing with the help of the model and reverse conversion into the input format.

Information systems for observation of marine aquatories and adjacent areas using aerospace technologies

Taras Volynets, Dmytro Mosiichuk — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The work is devoted to solving the scientific and practical problem of developing information systems for monitoring marine waters and adjacent areas using remotely piloted aircraft. The purpose of the study is to improve the level of the information system for monitoring the state of marine waters and coastal zones by improving the technological process and on-board equipment of remotely piloted aircraft. Basic studies show that more than 60% of pollutants entering the Black Sea come from river runoff, covering the territory of almost 20 countries, including the most industrialized regions of Europe. The main source of anthropogenic impact on the northwestern waters of the Black Sea within Ukraine is the runoff of the main European rivers – the Dnieper, Danube, Dniester and Southern Bug, which transport more than 296 km³ of water annually. In addition, the quality of coastal waters depends on pollution resulting from military actions of Russian aggression, local sources of pollution, in particular the activities of large coastal cities, industrial enterprises, municipal wastewater, stormwater flows, as well as the activity of port infrastructure. Despite the stabilization of the level of oil pollution in the waters of Ukrainian ports at the maximum permissible values (0.05 mg/l), bottom sediments continue to accumulate harmful elements, which requires constant monitoring and improvement of control methods.
Information support for the management of environmental safety of the territorial waters of Ukraine in the Black Sea can be effectively provided through an integrated infrastructure of satellite geoinformation resources. The topographic basis of this system is vector maps of the Black Sea regions and the Black Sea water area at a scale of 1:200.
Within the framework of this GIS, methodological and software-algorithmic support has been created for the synthesis of thematic geomodels that reflect the man-made loads on the Azov-Black Sea basin, as well as the spatial distribution of indicators of the impact of marine water areas and their ecological state.
During the study, scientific and methodological approaches were developed that improve the procedure for environmental monitoring using UAV elements, ensuring the operational functioning of pollutants in a specific area.
The results of the study will contribute to increasing the efficiency of environmental monitoring of the Black Sea, ensuring prompt detection of pollution and developing measures to minimize it, which is important for preserving the ecosystem of the region.

The problem of prediction of the transmission coefficient using neural networks with a limited quantity of data

Pavlo Krysenko — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article discusses available approaches to predicting the transmission coefficient of metamaterials. In the paper was proposed different approaches that create the possibility of using data from various open sources, as well as the possibility of encoding complete structural information about the composition of metamaterials. A neural network with two inputs was designed, which is based on a three-dimensional convolution operation. Using these approaches, the training of an artificial neural network was carried out, and the results of transmission coefficient prediction were presented. The nature of metamaterial use can be determined by the predicted coefficient, but the resulting root mean square error still does not allow using such a neural network as a substitute for existing approaches. The paper presents an analysis of the obtained results, in which possible approaches to solving the problem of the amount of data are proposed, as well as solving the problem of different intervals of electromagnetic radiation in the dataset using the architecture of a three-dimensional transformer.

Information technologies for environmental monitoring of landfills using remotely piloted aircraft

Oleksandr Shevchuk — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The paper proposes an analytical model for assessing the quality of performance of tasks of environmental monitoring of landfills by means of remotely piloted aircraft, the feature of which is taking into account the nature of anthropogenic impact on the state of the environment by improving the environmental monitoring equipment by optimizing the structure and parameters of the aircraft's onboard equipment.
An algorithm for controlling an environmental monitoring UAV has been developed, which, unlike existing ones, provides stabilization of the object on the research trajectory and provides increased accuracy in assessing the environmental safety of observation objects by using a communication channel with a remotely piloted aircraft. The purpose of this study is to increase the level of environmental safety of territories affected by landfills by improving technological processes and modernizing the onboard equipment of remotely piloted aircraft.
The object of the study is the process of using remotely piloted aircraft in systems for environmental monitoring of landfills. The object of the study is the process of using remotely piloted aircraft in systems for environmental monitoring of landfills.
The practical significance of the results obtained is that on the basis of the improved scientific and methodological apparatus of using remotely piloted aircraft in the system of environmental monitoring of landfills, it is possible to build ecological maps of a technogenic nature.
This will increase the reliability of the obtained data, determine the nature and properties of anthropogenic zones of influence. The use of remotely piloted aircraft for environmental monitoring allows you to quickly obtain data on the state of the environment, which is critically important for timely detection and response to environmental threats.