Zonal features of the dynamics of water use in the Volga basin in the post-Soviet period
The regularities of the dynamics of indicators for water use in natural zones of the Volga basin in the post-Soviet period (1990-2011) were found out. Three groups of such indicators were viewed: 1 - total water intake and water intake from surface and underground sources and the losses during transport; 2 - total water use and its use in various sectors of economy - housing and communal services and irrigation; 3 - wastewater discharge, including regulatory purified, contaminated and relatively clean waters and wastewater discharge on the terrain. In all natural zones and in the entire Volga basin the significant reduction of total intake from all sources took place, by a mean of 35%. The decrease of all other indicators of water resources use was proportionally to the total intake: water intake from surface and underground water sources, water use in various sectors of economy, and wastewater discharge. The reduction in water use is mostly manifested in broad-leaved and mixed forests zone. The account of natural zonality in the use of water resources in river systems is essential for monitoring and designing the socioeconomic development of the territory