<i>Natural water pollution by heavy metals</i>

This study investigates heavy metal pollution in the Styr River, focusing on assessing pollution levels before and after water discharge from the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Consequently, within the context of this study, the aim is to calculate and compare heavy metal pollution indices for the Styr River at locations upstream and downstream of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant's water discharge (Fig. 1). The general data acquisition specifications are shown in Table 1. The research leverages three heavy metal pollution indices (HPI, HEI, and DC) to evaluate the extent of contamination, offering a nuanced understanding of pollution dynamics within the river system. Previous studies have highlighted the persistent nature of heavy metals in aquatic environments, which pose significant risks to both human health and ecological systems. Industrial activities, particularly from nuclear power plants, can contribute to water pollution through the discharge of treated water, which may contain harmful substances.