Assessment of a Metallurgical Plant Impact on the Sea of Azov

Abstract

Ferrous metallurgy enterprises have a negative impact on the air, soil, and water environment. The activities of metallurgy enterprises include a wide range of production processes (from the extraction of metals from ores to obtaining finished products) and is associated with the formation of a large amount of waste. Industrial wastewater discharge is the main source of aquatic area pollution. An assessment of the impact of wastewater discharged from the Azovstal Iron & Steel Works metallurgical plant on the state of the coastal waters of the Sea of Azov near Mariupol (Ukraine) is presented in the article. The assessment was carried out in accordance with the current Ukrainian legislation and the adopted methodology for water state assessment. The assessment was based on the available monitoring data of sea water in the area of wastewater discharges in the period 2016–2020. The assessment was carried out using the aggregated numerical indices, as well as taking into account the “limiting criterion principle”. Such a methodological approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the sea water quality class as well as its sanitary and ecological condition. The results of the assessment allowed us to ascertain the negative impact of industrial wastewater from the metallurgical plant on the coastal zone of the Azov Sea, which made it unsuitable for communal and recreational purposes.