Contamination of water resources, soils and infrastructure objects in the area of Elbrus mountain by helminth infestation elements

The increase in the number of farm and domestic animals living with humans leads to uncontrolled pollution of the environment with faeces. In the Russian Federation, helminth infestations of animals and humans have become widespread and cause serious problems. In the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District, including the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, there is a deterioration in the sanitary and hygienic condition of soil and water bodies due to parasitic infestations The research was conducted in the period from 2020 to 2023. Indices of sanitary contamination of water with eggs of trematodes, cestodes and nematodes in 9 tributaries of the Baksan River, as well as soil contamination with helminth eggs in the territories of 9 objects of the resort-recreational complex were determined using standard methods according to MU ¹1440–76. 1000 water samples and 700 soil samples were analyzed. The analysis showed the level of sanitary contamination of the Baksan River water and soil with parasite eggs, posing a threat to humans and animals. Soil samples of the Baksan River tributaries were contaminated by 45–100 %, and water samples by 59.4–100 %, which indicates the potential danger of infestations. On the territories of the resort and recreational complex, sanitary contamination of soil with parasite eggs was minimal. For the first time ecologically grounded researches were carried out and indices of sanitary pollution of water by eggs of trematodes, cestodes and nematodes in 9 tributaries of the Baksan river, and also pollution of soil by eggs of helminths on territories of 9 objects of resort-recreational complex were determined. It has been established that the level of sanitary pollution of soil and water samples is characterized by annual growth of the index of contamination of these objects with helminth eggs in all tributaries (Adyl-Su, Irik; Kyrtyk, Adyr-Su, Tyutyu-Su, Kamyk-Su, Gerkhozhan-Su, Gizhgit, Kestanty). Within the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, the infestation of soil with trematode eggs is 45–100 %; with cestode eggs 68–100 %; with nematode eggs 100 % and water samples, respectively, 59.4–100, 68.0–100 and 100 %.