Complex ecological studies in Kerch Strait and Taman' bight after oil spill (2007-2010)

Abstract

Three years after an oil spillage in Kerch Strait (November 2007), we undertook a hydrological and hydrochemical survey in the Strait body itself and adjacent waters of the Black Sea and Taman' Bight aimed at assessment of conditions of the Strait ecosystem functioning and productivity formation. The survey showed that this spillage did not affect life conditions of the local biota directly. Already a year later (2008), there was on oil contamination found, except some puddles of fuel oil in the Taman' Bight bottom waters. Later, in 2009 and 2010, we observed usual distribution of oxygen and nutrient concentrations, a fairly intensive development of phytoplankton which biomass indicated a high trophic level almost everywhere.