The Moroccan energy system is highly dependent on external energy markets. The use of solar energy is one of the most promising ways in the development of renewable energy sources. At the moment, there are several scenarios for the development of renewable energy in Morocco diverging only in quantitative assessments. All of them are aimed at increasing the generation of green energy, from the complete satisfaction of all needs of Moroccan consumers to the opportunity of exporting some of its environmentally friendly electricity to Europe. Estimation of energy efficiency of solar installations is usually carried out on the basis of calculations of solar radiation arrival in the presence of cloudless sky. Clouds significantly reduce amount of solar radiation and sunshine duration.
This study is aimed at determination of possible quantitative parameters of the total cloud cover and the areas in which the cloud cover would have the least impact on the amount of incoming solar radiation in Morocco in 2020-2050. The article presents the results of simulation of total cloud fraction using 11 regional climate models of CORDEX project for the period of 2020-2050 in Morocco. For the period of 2020-2050 the average values of total cloud fraction on the territory of Morocco will have the smallest values within the plains located near the border with Algeria on the territory of the prefecture of Sous-Massa lying at the foot of the southern slopes of the Anti-Atlas. The analysis of the annual regime of total cloud fraction showed that in the future it will be of a different nature in different parts of the country due to various factors affecting its formation. The area with the smallest volumes of monthly total cloud fraction will lie within the territory the southern part of prefecture Draa-Tafilalet and prefectures Sous-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab excluding their coastal parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
In the future most of the territory of Morocco will be characterized by a low amount of total cloud fraction, which, in its turn, will have an insignificant effect on the amount of solar radiation entering to the underlying surface of these areas. In terms of solar power, the best conditions will exist at the southern parts of Morocco, excluding the coast where the total cloud fraction will have the least impact on the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface and on sunshine duration.
The paper reviews and assesses heat provision conditions of Armenia’s main wine-producing region (Ararat Valley and foothill area), analyzes the patterns of temporal distribution of heat provision and determines how they are affected by the global climate change.
It demonstrates increase of active temperatures observed in the main wine-producing region.
Climate change is a change of climatic conditions in the global atmosphere and on the Earth in general (or within its individual zones or territories) caused directly or indirectly due by the human activity on the planet, which are overlaid on the natural climatic variations (fluctuations) and observed during comparable periods of time.
Both the climate of Ukraine and the global climate are changing, but warming within our territory progresses even faster than in other regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Ukraine in general and southern regions in particular are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change – droughts, extremely high temperatures, inefficient precipitation, reduced irrigated area cause of precipitation amount and regime, severer and more long-lasting droughts, reduced water availability.
The majority of arable land in Ukraine are located in zones of unstable and insufficient humidity, it is quite possible that for plant growing, especially for growing winter crops and early spring crops, climate change will rather have a positive effect than negative one.
Among the main types of cereals millet is the most common one. It is valuable for its groats, which is known by its high eating quality.
Millet as a fast-growing crop having a certain agrotechnical importance: it is used as a backup crop for re-sowing dead winter crops and is suitable for stubble and post-harvest sowing, it also can be used as a cover culture for perennial grass.
Millet is one of the most drought-resistant and heat-resistant crops. It is able to withstand heat injuries which is very important in arid areas and during dry years, when other grain crops have reduced yield. Millet suffers less from pests and diseases than other crops.
The task was to evaluate the agro-climatic conditions of millet crops formation in the central part of Ukraine under conditions of climate change. The study of the impact of climate change on the formation of millet productivity for different time intervals was performed by comparing the data of the RCP scenario and the average long-term climatic and agro-climatic parameters. The influence of agroclimatic conditions on the dynamics of increase of agroecological yield of different levels is also assessed.
The article assesses the characteristics of the annual runoff of the Baraboy River (the Odessa Region), which remains unexplored from the hydrological point of view, under natural conditions and those affected water-related activities, on the basis of the «climate-runoff» model.
The main factors of anthropogenic impact on the hydrological regime of the Baraboy River include a large number of artificial reservoirs and intensive irrigation of agricultural areas using the water resources of the Dniester River. The paper presents estimations of changes of the natural runoff of the Baraboy River in the presence of artificial reservoirs and irrigation using the resources of the donor river (the Dniester). It is shown that, under natural conditions of runoff formation, the river would have to dry out during dry and extremely dry years. Additional evaporation from the surface of artificial reservoirs contributes to a decrease of the annual runoff. Following the use of the «climate-runoff» model it was established that waste waters entering the river-bed from agricultural lands irrigated using the water resources of the donor river (the Dniester) can substantially increase the actual runoff of the Baraboy River at its mouth (by 10-30% for a several years’ period, depending on the scale of water management alterations). It is substantiated that the flow of return water, if different real areas of irrigation are taken into account, exceeds the loss of the runoff resulting from additional evaporation from the surface of artificial reservoirs. Donor irrigation provides stable parameters of river runoff during dry and extremely dry years. The disadvantage of donor irrigation is that it causes the effect of land flooding. The «climate-runoff» model allows optimization of the water management alterations ensuring the most efficient use of agricultural land, depending on the extent of its irrigation, its location within the basin, selection of main crops that need irrigation. Therefore, the next stage of research is evaluation of the quality of groundwater within the basin of the Baraboy river under conditions of donor irrigation.
The paper presents the results of surveys of artificial reservoirs of the Great Kuyalnik River and its tributaries which, due to their considerable number and filling volumes, significantly reduce the runoff of the river and thus cause shallowing of the Kuyalnik Liman and deterioration of its hydroecological state. Preparation of a list of artificial reservoirs within the catchment area of the Great Kuyalnik River took place using the data of the Odessa Regional Water Resources Administration and satellite images taken from Google Earth and Google Maps applications. Water surface areas and volume of unexplored water bodies were determined via generalization of existing data for other reservoirs using the invariance postulates considering the morphology of the arid zone. It was established that, as of 2016, the total number of artificial reservoirs is 121 with a total filling volume constituting 15.98 million m3. Using the climate-runoff model the characteristics of the natural runoff (not disturbed by economic activity) were estimated for periods before warming and for 2021-2050 (scenario A1B). To assess a degree of influence of artificial reservoirs on the state of the ecosystem the accumulation coefficient is calculated. It is shown that the coefficient of water accumulation in artificial reservoirs increased from 0.76 in past century to 1.23 after warming (scenario A1B). This circumstance indicates a tendency towards lack of free (unregulated) runoff in the river and formation of its deficit. The loss of runoff because of filling of artificial reservoirs exceeds the runoff of certain tributaries and ultimately the river’s runoff itself. This leads to reduction and complete cessation of fresh water entering into the Kuyalnik Liman which gradually dries up. In order to regulate the impact of artificial reservoirs on the river’s runoff it is necessary to determine permissible (limiting) volumes of their filling. These volumes were defined as 10 and 25 percent of the natural annual runoff. The natural (not disturbed by economic activity) annual runoff of the river was calculated on the basis of the climate-runoff model using meteorological data. Under conditions of warming the natural runoff of the river and the associated permissible (limiting) volumes would decrease which would require reduction of an even greater number of ponds.
The article presents the results of in-situ studies of the chemical composition and quality of underground (subsoil and artesian) water within the basin of the Baraboy River where irrigation of agricultural areas using the water resources of the Dniester River has been carried out since 1967. These water resources are fed into the network of reservoirs and channels of the Lower Dniester Irrigation System. Filtration losses of water from
irrigation areas and water supply and sewage systems of settlements replenish the reserves of underground (subsoil) waters increasing the ingress therein of dissolved substances from the sedimentary rocks which leads to increase in the concentrations of certain ingredients included in chemical composition of surface and underground waters within the basin of the Baraboy River. It is shown that groundwater is enriched with nitrogen compounds containing high concentrations of chlorides, sulfates, calcium and magnesium. Mineralization, toxicity and degree of contamination of underground water increase along the length of the Baraboy River. The chemical composition of the groundwater coming to the riverbed of the Baraboy River does not meet the fishing requirements and worsen the water quality of fish farming water bodies. The results of assessment of groundwater quality at the stations under study give reason to consider these sources of groundwater as an important factor affecting the hydro-chemical regime and the quality of the water of the Baraboy River and its reservoirs which should be taken into account when developing the recommendations for optimization of the current hydroecological state of the Baraboy River as a whole. If high mineralization and significant content of principle ions in groundwater can be explained by natural factors, the high level of contamination by biogenic substances is resulted from entering of industrial, domestic and return waters from irrigated areas into aquifers. Such contamination is not a temporary but a permanent phenomenon. In terms of magnesium content artesian waters used for utility and drinking water supply are recognized as «mediocre, suitable with limitations and having undesirable quality». In addition, after 50 years of operation compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus were found in artesian water, and this was not a case in 1960s of the last century. A conclusion on the negative effect of long-term donor irrigation on the quality of underground water and on the need for additional treatment of water of artesian aquifers of the Sarmatian Stage used for centralized water supply was made.
The paper outlines the mathematical structure of the numerical mathematical model of water eutrophication. The model is based on the numerical non-stationary hydrothermodynamic model MECCA (Model for Estuarine and Coastal Circulation Assessment) supplemented with a chemical-biological modular unit designed in accordance with the principles of preparation of the water quality model RCA-HydroQual with some modifications introduced by the author. The chemical-biological unit of the model includes a description of the dynamics of the following hydroecological variables at a local point of space: biomass of phytoplankton, mineralization-resistant organic phosphorus in suspended (detrital) and dissolved fractions, labile organic phosphorus in suspended and dissolved fractions, dissolved mineral phosphorus, stable organic nitrogen in suspended and dissolved fractions, labile organic nitrogen in suspended and dissolved fractions, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, suspended and dissolved fractions of organic carbon resistant to biochemical oxidation, suspended and dissolved fractions of labile organic carbon and water-dissolved oxygen. The paper presents results of calibration and verification of 1D version of the model for the case of the Tyligulskiy Liman (Estuary) in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. A conclusion is drawn that the model makes it possible to display the main features of the annual dynamics of hydroecological characteristics of the liman during phytoplankton vegetation season, in particular, the conditions determining the processes of primary production and biochemical oxidation of organic substance, regeneration of mineral forms of biogenic elements. Application of the model in order to assess the impact of deepening the ‘liman-sea’ connecting canal on the hydroecological characteristics of the Tyligulskiy Liman proved that intensification of water exchange with the sea through the canal will help to reduce phytoplankton production, concentration of organic substance in the water of the liman and, ultimately, will lead to improvement of its trophic status.
The model is expected to be further used to assess the effectiveness of various scenarios of managing the hydroecological regime of the limans of the north-western Black Sea region considering the changes of climatic conditions.
Introduction. The regularities of the formation and dynamics of the oxygen regime in inland seas – the Black Sea and Caspian, under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors are estimated.
Purpose. One of the features of the Black Sea is the absence of dissolved oxygen in the water below 200 meters depth. A comparison is made between the hydrological conditions of the Black Sea and the Caspian, where the depths are also quite large, but the intensity of vertical exchange is different. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish the reasons for the formation of oxygen deficient in the seas. They can be natural and human-made origin as well. The paper presents an analysis of the cause-and-effect patterns of the development of pelagial hypoxia as the examples of the Caspian and the Black Sea.
Methods. The work is the review of the problem literature that allows an assessment of the current state of gas exchange of pelagic and abyssal marine basins.
Results. Three main formation factors of the features of the hydrological structure and processes responsible for the intensity of gas exchange in the pelagic zone are identified. So, in the Black Sea, saline waters come with the Lower Bosporus Current and flow down the slope, filling the deep layers of the Black Sea basin, forming a stable vertical stratification density, that limiting vertical gas exchange. The second factor is contributing to oxygen saturation of the lower layers during the process of winter vertical circulation that is mainly expressed in the northwestern part.
The third factor is the regime shift of 1976-1978 in the Black Sea as a decrease of the winter temperature and salinity in the surface layer that led to increasing of static stability. According to actively developed convection processes, covering the entire body of the Caspian Sea, in contrast to the Black Sea, there is an intensive exchange between the upper and the deep layers and the intensity of convection depends on the temperature regime of the year. In the Caspian Sea, the regime shift of 1976-1978 led to a twofold increase in the static stability of water below 100 m, the almost complete cessation of the ventilation of the deep waters of the (the process the slope cascading) and the extreme decrease in the concentrations of dissolved oxygen.
Conclusion. In the Black Sea, the formation of a stable of the density vertical stratification is due to the intrusion of saline dense waters of the Lower Bosporus Current, and the winter vertical circulation is expressed only in the northwestern part of the sea, which generally limits vertical gas exchange with the deep water. In the Caspian Sea, convective mixing plays a main role in the formation of the hydrological structure of water and the ventilation of the bottom layers. In cold winters in the northern Caspian, strong cooling, as well as salinity during ice formation, creates the conditions for the formation of waters with a density that allows them to flow down the slopes of the bottom along isopycnic surfaces and aerating the deep layers of the sea.
The substantiation of selection of places for possible placement of modern interdistrict landfills of solid household waste (SHW) in the territory of the Odessa Region is an urgent task of ensuring ecological safety and sustainable development of the region. The purpose of the work is to assess natural and socio-economic conditions across the administrative districts of the Odessa Region in connection with substantiation of selection of places for possible placement of modern SHW landfills. The scope of the study includes solid waste landfills. Subject of the study covers substantiation of selection of places for possible placement of SHW landfills in Odesa Region. A critical analysis of the regulations containing the requirements to modern SHW landfills and their locations formed the methodological basis of the work. When carrying out the study published data and materials of own research were used. Schematic maps were built using one of the tools of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – the Quantum GIS package. To estimate the degree of favourableness of the territory of the Odesa Region for placement of SHW landfills the following indicators were used: estimated volumes of SHW formation , thousand tons per year; relative area of dumps and landfills (%); module of total technogenic load; relative area of land damaged by erosion processes (%); relative area of impounded and potentially impounded lands (%); relative area of development of karst occurrence (%); number of landslides within the area; relative area of development of technogenic exogenous geological processes (%). The above indicators are expressed in points: 3 points – favorable conditions; 2 points – relatively favorable conditions; 1 point – unfavorable conditions. At this stage of research it is impossible to establish which of these indicators is a priority. According to the analyzed physical and geographical, engineering and geological, hydrogeological, technogenic and socio-economic indicators the possibilities of placement of modern interdistrict SHW landfills within the territory of the districts of the Odesa Region are nonequivalent. Theoretical and practical importance: an effective system of greening recreational and tourism activities will help to improve the environment within the territory of the National Nature Park in the Lower Dniester Basin.
Persistent organic pollutants represent a serious global threat to human health and the environment. They have certain properties: resistance to decomposition, bioaccumulation, extreme toxicity, even at ultra-low concentrations, ability to transboundary transfer and deposition. Unfortunately, there is no separate normative and legislative base regulating production of persistent organic pollutants in Ukraine. All norms and rules regulating such pollutants formation are included in a large number of various legislative acts and this does not allow systematization and specification of the actions associated with treatment of POPs. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the main sources of unintentional formation of persistent organic pollutants (using Odessa as an example). As part of the study it was established that the main sources of unintentional formation of POPs in Odessa are: combustion of organic fuels by stationary and mobile sources; production of building materials; open landfills of solid household waste; smoking of meat and fish products; functioning of crematoria; tobacco smoking; functioning of the city sewage system. The analysis of the legislative base of Ukraine is carried out which resulted in making a conclusion that there is no separate normative and legislative base regulating production of persistent organic pollutants in Ukraine. For the first time the list of the main sources of unintentional formation of these pollutants was established for Odesa with estimation, using the most advanced European methods, of the mass of persistent organic pollutants formed from each type of above-stated production facilities, and estimation of the total mass of their generation over the territory of Odessa. Since different techniques give results in different units of measurement, a transition to one unit of measurement was performed. Based on the concept of maximum permissible concentration (MPC), the permissible number of molecules of POPs equivalent to 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) which can enter the body of one person through respiratory organs was caclculated. A comparison with the number of molecules of 2,3,7,8-TCDD entering the atmosphere in a permissible quantity per 1 citizen of was carried out and corresponding conclusions based on calculations of unintentional formation of POPs in Odessa during one year were made. Also, based on the obtained results, priority sources of unintentional production of persistent organic pollutants were established which allows correct and timely implementation of appropriate measures to reduce formation of these polluting substances.