Assessing the contamination of water flow in Soldatskaya Cave (Crimea)

The contamination of water flow in Soldatskaya Cave is studied. Groundwater of the cave was found to feature bacterial pollution. The distribution of bacterial cells over the karst system is examined. The contamination is shown to correlate with anthropogenic load. The major hydrodynamic and physicochemical characteristics of groundwater flow are evaluated, and their correlation with self-purification is demonstrated. Components of the karst water self-purification mechanisms are analyzed. The possibility to intensify karst water self-purification is considered.