Assessment of the sensitivity of sandy coasts of the south–eastern part of the Baltic to oil spills

Organic-rich sediments are exposed at a number of onshore and nearshore sites along the Baltic Sea coast of the Curonian Spit. Radiocarbon dating of relict tree stumps, as well as buried and reworked peat and palaeosols, found along the Russian part of the Curonian Spit (villages of Lesnoy and Rybachy) and in the vicinity of Zelenogradsk indicate the formation of these sediments over a wide time period from 7300 cal BP to 300 cal BP. Organic-rich sediments of different stages of the Holocene sand barrier evolution are of interest in terms of environmental protection, as potential accumulators of oil (or other hydrocarbon) pollution and indicators of intensity of coastal erosion. In terms of geochronology, the data have implications for reconstructing the geological history of the Curonian Spit and Curonian Lagoon during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Holocene biogenic sediments of the Curonian Spit (south-eastern Baltic Sea coast)

Sergeev

Sivkov

Zhamoida

et al. 2015

“…to develop preconditions for more accurate and reliable identification of oil spills and prediction of their drift trajectories in the open sea (Bulycheva et al 2014); to develop solutions for the improvement of accuracy of existing oil drift modelling methods and exploring the potential of their possible application in shallow waters (Kileso et al 2014); to prepare an integrated methodology for the analysis of near shore and beach sensitivity to potential oil spills (Blažauskas, Dorokhov 2014). One of the tasks was strengthening of the scientific potential and technical capabilities of Russian partners.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solutions for effective oil spill management in the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea

Suzdalev¹,

Gulbinskas²,

Sivkov³

et al. 2014

The Baltic Sea is facing exceptionally intensive marine traffic. Oil products in addition to other cargo types are being transported in this marine area. Therefore, the risk of potential oil pollution is very high. Although, the Baltic Sea has not experienced catastrophic oil spills, there have been spills causing serious environmental damage in the region. Construction of oil terminals and planned growth of Russian oil export through Baltic Sea ports along with the operation of large oil enterprises and oil drilling platforms make maritime safety a priority task for the Baltic Sea region. The publications collected in present Baltica Journal Special Issue set sights on the improvement of oil spill management in the South–Eastern Baltic Sea as well as stimulate the appearance of new transnational response agreements in the region.

Marine landscape mapping of the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea (Russian sector)

Dorokhov¹,

Dorokhova²,

Sivkov³

2017

Self Cite

Five different kinds of broad-scale characterizations of the marine environment were used for marine bottom landscape mapping. In addition to three "primary" environmental parameters of the BALANCE project -sediment types, available light and near-bottom water salinity two more were also taken into account: near-bottom temperature and ice cover. Combination of these parameters allows for distinguishing 21 types of marine bottom landscapes. The dominant landscape type is located far beyond the surface photic zone and not influenced by the ice-cover. It is characterized by mud sediment type, salinity of 11-18 psu and deep low variable relatively cold near bottom waters (4-8 о С) with ulterior seasonal variability. The most perspective marine landscape, from the point of view of nature conservation zones, is small area located in the Curonian Spit marine nearshore zone where bottom sediments are represented by the relict lagoon hard clays partly covered by sands. These clays are unique bottom oasis where the numbers of benthic organism species sharply increase in contrast to almost lifeless adjacent extensive sand areas.