Basics of the molecular-ecological mechanism of water quality formation and water self-purification

The paper formulates some basics of the modern ecological theory of the polyfunctional role of biota in the molecular-ecological mechanism of water quality formation and self-purification of aquatic ecosystems. The theory covers the following items: (1) sources of energy for self-purification mechanisms, (2) the main structural and functional units of the self-purification system, (3) the main processes involved in the system, (4) contributions of major taxa to self-purification, (5) system reliability and supporting mechanisms, (6) the response of the system as a whole to external factors, (7) particulars of the operation of water purification mechanisms, and (8) conclusions and recommendations for biodiversity preservation practice.