Based on the analysis of a number of studies, it was found that to assess the state of the environment (including surface waters and soils) it is advisable to use indicators of microbiological pollution, which in general integrally reflect the state of the ecosystem. To assess the dynamics of changes in the pollution of the studied areas, a comparison of monitoring data with the corresponding level of pollution in protected areas (Vyzhnytsia National Nature Park) was used. Research methods included soil and surface water sampling, inoculation on appropriate nutrient selective media, counting of colony forming units (CFU) and other microbiological indicators. To assess the biological activity of soils, urease activity was determined by a method generally accepted in biochemistry. It is established that within the protected areas, despite some existing annual fluctuations, the relative stability of the studied indicators of the hydrosphere is preserved. Studies have shown that soils of anthropogenically altered landscapes are characterised by a high content of sanitary-indicative bacteria. As our research shows, according to the colony forming units (CFU), total microbial count, and titer of Escherichia coli, the soils selected in the protected area of the Vyzhnytsia National Nature Park correspond to the “pure” level. The soils of the territories out of the National Nature Park are characterised by high biological capacity, as evidenced by the level of activity of the enzyme urease and the ratio of the main forms of nitrogen compounds.

The results of the study of the macrophytes of the rivers Turia, Vyzhivka and Tsyr, the right-bank tributaries of the upper reaches of the Pripet River, are presented. The species composition of aquatic and coastal aquatic vascular plants was investigated during the vegetation seasons of 2018 and 2019 at 9 observation points located along the rivers from the source to the mouth. The most numerous species composition, 57 species, was found in the Turia River, 36 in the Vyzhivka River, and 28 species were identified in the Tsyr River. The macrophyte index for rivers (Pol.: makrofitowy indeks rzeczny – MIR) was determined from the results, and the ecological state of the rivers was assessed according to the methodology of the macrophyte assessment of rivers (Pol.: makrofitowa metoda oceny rzek – MMOR). The investigation showed that water quality in the Turia River on sites No. 1, 3 and 4 belongs to class III, satisfactory category. The surface water quality on site No. 2 of the Turia River belongs to class II, a good category. The water quality in the Vyzhivka River on all test sites belongs to class II, a good category, which testifies to favourable ecological conditions for the development of higher aquatic plants along the whole course. The water quality in the Tsyr River on test site No. 8 (Kamin-Kashyrskyi, upper course) corresponds to class II, good category. On test site No. 9 (middle course), the quality of surface waters of the Tsyr River worsens to the class III, satisfactory category.