POLLUTION OF SEA OF AZOV WITH HEAVY METALS

Abstract

Aim. The aim is to assess the condition of the Azov Sea water pollution by the following heavy metals - Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg.

Materials and methods. We used the data provided by the State Organization "Azovmorinformcentr" for concentrations of heavy metals in the water for the period of 2010-2014 as well as published data during 1986 - 2009. Sampling and analysis was carried out in accordance with approved procedures.

Results. Concentrations of Pb in the water of the sea in the period of 1986-2014 ranges from 0,4 to19,91 ug / l. The maximum value of Pb (19,91 ug / l) was observed in the Kerch Strait in 2011. The highest average concentration of Cd in the period of 1986-2014 was observed in the Kerch Strait and was 2.19 ug / l. In the sea and the Gulf of Taganrog the average concentration of the metal was 0.51 and 0.36 ug / l., respectively. In the period of 1986-2014 the concentration of Cu ranged from 0.7 to 23.6 ug / l., with an average content of 5.56 ug / l. In the past five years, MAC values (maximum allowable concentration) have been constantly increasing. The maximum concentration of Zn over the entire observation period was 80 ug / l., and was registered in the Taganrog Bay in autumn of 2010. The average value was 14.73 ug / l. The average value of Hg in the period of 1986-2010 is 0.26 ug / l. (MAC is 2,6). We have established the seasonal trends for each concentration of heavy metals.

Main conclusions. For the recent years (2010-2014.) we observed an increase in the concentrations of heavy metals due to the growth of economic activity in the Southern region of Russia.