St Petersburg University academics: Anapa needs a reassessment of its groundwater reserves

The Sukko River, located in the Anapsky District, has its rise in the Navagirsky Ridge and belongs to the Black Sea basin. Specialists from Anapa Vodokanal JSC and experts from St Petersburg University visited water wells in the region, conducted a reconnaissance survey of the area (water bodies and terrain), and compared the data obtained on site with satellite monitoring information and archival data. The scientists came to the conclusion that the Sukko River valley has a catchment area bounded by foothills and mountain systems, and that groundwater reserves are formed by precipitation that falls within this area. From a hydrogeological point of view, the river is fed only by precipitation.

In the valley itself, the alluvial (fluvial) aquifer is widespread and exploited. It lies directly on the bedrock (Upper Cretaceous) deposits distributed throughout the valley. Both aquifers are hydraulically connected with each other and with surface water bodies: the river and the lake.

Alexey Tudvachev is Director General of the Water Centre at St Petersburg University, UN expert, and Head of the International Association of Hydrogeologists of the Russian Federation. He pointed out that groundwater reserves in bedrock deposits are unevenly distributed in the area. Thus, many wells equipped in bedrock deposits have low productivity, which is explained by the fact that they were created when the town was much smaller, with the needs being lower.

The main water intakes for the region are therefore located in the river valley, and the wells in this area are equipped for alluvial (fluvial) sediments. The productivity of these wells is formed from water inflows directly taken from the river and river sub-channel sediments, and only to a small extent it is formed from bedrock deposits.

Alexey Tudvachev, Director General of the Water Centre at St Petersburg University, UN expert, and Head of the International Association of Hydrogeologists of the Russian Federation

‘Thus, we can conclude that the groundwater reserves in the Sukko Valley are limited,’ explained Alexey Tudvachev.

The heavy workload of the resort town of Anapa, active construction, population growth and tourism development lead to an increase in water consumption. According to the St Petersburg University expert, in the long term, water demand may exceed the proven groundwater reserves, which will lead to the depletion of underground and surface water bodies and damage to the ecosystem. This is because underground and surface water bodies are hydraulically interconnected. This flow rate leads to the gradual shallowing of Cypress Lake, which is home to Red-Book-listed swamp cypress trees.

St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia, was founded on 28 January (8 February) 1724. This is the day when Peter the Great issued a decree establishing the University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Today, St Petersburg University is an internationally recognised centre for education, research and culture. In 2024, St Petersburg University will celebrate its 300^th anniversary.

The plan of events during the celebration of the anniversary of the University was approved at the meeting of the Organising Committee for the celebration of St Petersburg University’s 300^th anniversary. The meeting was chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Among the events are: the naming of a minor planet in honour of St Petersburg University; the issuance of bank cards with a special design; the creation of postage stamps dedicated to the history of the oldest university in Russia; and the branding of the aircraft of the Rossiya Airlines to name just a few. Additionally, the University has launched a website dedicated to the upcoming holiday. The website contains information about outstanding University staff, students, and alumni; scientific achievements; and details of preparations for the anniversary.

‘To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to have guaranteed sources of water supply. To confirm the possibility of water supply through the use of groundwater, a single comprehensive reassessment of its reserves is required, which will make it possible to come to a reasonable consumption and replenishment of water reserves,’ said Alexey Tudvachev.

The experts from the Water Centre at St Petersburg University have advanced experience in reassessing groundwater reserves: the scientists successfully apply modern technologies of drilling, online monitoring of water bodies, and mathematical three-dimensional geofiltration modelling. This makes it possible to provide quantitative assessments of the water balance of the territory and forecast the situation, including the design of new water intake structures and assessment of their impact on neighbouring water intakes.