Ecological and hydrochemical analysis of water and soil resources of the Sarpinskaya irrigation and watering system

Abstract.The article presents a comprehensive assessment of the ecological and meliorative condition of the Sarpinskaya Irrigation and Watering System (SIWS) during the period 2022-2024. The relevance of the study is determined by the problems of soil salinization, canal degradation, and water pollution in a zone of insufficient precipitation (300–320 mm per year). The dynamics of changes in water and soil quality were identified, and measures for optimizing the operation of the system were proposed. The research was carried out within the territory of the Sarpinskaya Irrigation and Watering System with sampling of surface water (according to GOST R 59024-2020), soils (according to GOST 17.4.4.02-2017), and groundwater (according to GOST 59539-2021). Chemical analyses were conducted in the laboratory of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The assessment of the meliorative condition was based on the methodology developed by L. V. Kireicheva and I.F. Yurchenko. Data on water supply, mineralization, and ionic composition (Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, Na⁺, etc.) were analyzed. The results showed an increase in the mineralization of drainage water from 2.2 to 7.2 g/L (autumn 2023). Exceedances of permissible concentrations in soils were recorded for Cl⁻ (by 27 times), SO₄²⁻ (by 1.5 times), and Na⁺ (by 9-11 times). A decrease in water supply efficiency was ob-served due to canal siltation and the deterioration of hydraulic equipment. A transformation of water composition from the sulfate-hydrocarbonate-calcium type to the chloride-sulfate-sodium type was also identified. It was established that the key problems of the SIWS are soil salinization, pollution of drainage water, and technical limitations of the infrastructure. Recommendations for improving the system condition include short-term measures such as soil leaching and gypsum application, as well as long-term measures including canal reconstruction. Implementation of these recommendations will reduce environmental risks, increase land productivity, and ensure the sustainable functioning of the irrigation system under arid climate conditions.

Keywords: Irrigation system; chemical analysis; mineralization; water management measures; operational condi-tion of hydraulic engineering structures; soil salinization; drainage runoff.

Funding.The research was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences No. 125020401361-1.

For citation. Fomenko Yu. P. Ecological and hydrochemical analysis of water and soil resources of the Sarpinskaya irrigation and watering system // Scientific Agronomy Journal. 2026; 1(132):21-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34736/FNC.2026.132.1.003.21-27. 

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