Contemporary ecological state of waters of the Caspian Sea during development of oil and gas deposits

Abstract

Aim. This study was an attempt by the authors to identify the impact of oil production in the Caspian Sea on the quality of waters surrounding oil and gas-production platforms.Material and Methods. In 2018, by order of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazekoproekt carried out comprehensive marine research to assess the state of biological resources in the eastern part of the Caspian Sea. All studies were carried out according to standard methods accepted in international practice. Samples were collected in summer (July-August) 2018 and autumn (September) 2018.Results. An analysis of the materials of environmental studies carried out in the water area of the eastern part of the Caspian Sea in 2018 established the absence of biogenic concentrations in sea water in excess of the standard indicators. It was found that in the waters surrounding several stations in summer and autumn, concentrations of oil products were exceeded. The concentrations of pesticides in the waters of the northern Caspian Sea recorded in 2018 were not detected.Conclusion. It was found that in the eastern part of the Caspian Sea in 2018 there was no concentration of biogenic elements in sea water above the standard indicators. Of the heavy metals, an excess of maximum permissible concentrations was found only at one station - of copper in the summer over 159 sq. m and in the autumn over 121 sq. m. Of particular concern is the fact that at several stations in summer and autumn excessive concentrations of petroleum products were recorded. The concentrations of pesticides in the waters of the northern Caspian Sea recorded in 2018 were not detected.

Keywords

• caspian sea
• biogenic elements
• heavy metals
• petroleum products
• pesticides