Sources of Coastal Water Pollution near Sevastopol

Abstract

The article presents findings of recent ecological investigations into marine waters in Sevastopol region and overviews the main sources of water pollution in Sevastopol Bay and other parts of the coastal zone between capes Lukull and Foros. The work involved assessment of the position of Sewage Treatment Plant submarine outfalls, the volume of wastewater discharge, and the degree of its treatment. Side-scan sonar served to examine the condition of headwalls of sewage treatment plants in the region. The work considers the spatial distribution patterns of hydrological characteristics and currents and rising of effluent to the sea surface using autonomous buoys and mathematical simulation. Concentrations of nutrients, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and organic matter by biological oxygen demand BOD5 are determined based on historical data and results of recent research expeditions in 2016–2017. Nutrients do not exceed the Maximum Allowable Contamination levels, and no significant differences have been identified between different parts of Crimean coastal waters by the majority of indicators. Nonetheless, Yalta sea waters are recorded to contain larger quantities of silicates, while levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and organic matters exceed the standards on multiple occasions in Sevastopol district and in the Kerch Strait.