Geoecological analysis and assessment of the Chernihiv region territory

The main purpose of the geoecological research of Chernihiv region is a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the ecological state of geosystems in terms of human needs. Based on the analysis of natural features of geosystems of Chernihiv region and their geochemical properties, differences in self-cleaning ability of landscapes were revealed. The relatively high potential for removal of hazardous substances is peculiar to the elevated dissected landscapes of the southeastern and northeastern parts of the region. The landscapes of the Dnieper and Desna Polissya and the Northern region of the Dnieper terrace plain account for the greatest share of areas with low potential for pollutants removal. Anthropogenic impact on the environment of Chernihiv region is quite significant and diverse in type, intensity, and territorial distribution. The consequences of this impact are radioactive contamination of the western and northeastern parts of the region, high level of air pollution in cities, unsatisfactory ecological state of groundwater, especially in Chernihiv Polissya, degradation of land resources. Based on the analysis of the ecological state of individual natural components, the integrated indicator of pollution of geosystems of the administrative districts (as of the year 2019) of Chernihiv region was determined and its western and northeastern territories are defined to have the most severe ecological situation in the region. As a result of a correlation analysis between the indicators of environmental pollution of Chernihiv region and the state of public health, it was found that the radioactive contamination of the territory by 137Cs has the greatest influence on the morbidity of the region’s population. It causes high incidence rates of the endocrine system, blood and hematopoietic organs diseases. This feature should be considered when developing environmental policy of the region.