ECOLOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE SOUTH KARA SHELF IN CONNECTION WITH EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF OIL AND GAS FIELDS

Based on a comprehensive analysis of JSC “MAGE” materials obtained during preparation for the publication of sheets GK-1000/3 (the third-generation State Geological Map of the Russian Federation at a scale of 1:1,000,000), the authors have compiled an ecological and geological scheme, have given a detailed description of the landscapes of the South Kara shelf, and have assessed the ecological state of the shelf natural environments and their stability. The assessment, given the sharp increase in the anthropogenic load on the Kara Sea ecological systems, serves a relevant basis for developing recommendations for rational environmental management, including during the development of hydrocarbon fields, as well as for the planning and implementing measures to monitor and protect the geological environment.

1. Antipov S. V., Bilashenko V. P., Kobrinsky M. N., Shvedov P. A. Problems of radiation safety of the Arctic waters in conditions of the presence of sunken nuclear and radiation-hazardous objects on the bottom // Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2025, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 85—97. (In Russian).

2. Badyukov I. D., Zhukov D. V., Batalov A. E. et al. Report “Monitoring the state of the environment at the Leningrad license area in 2016”. Krasnoyarskneftegazprom neftegazproekt LLC. Moscow, 2016. RFGF no. 528034. (In Russian).

3. Badyukov I. D., Zhukov D. V., Batalov A. E. et al. Report “Monitoring the state of the environment at the Beloostrovsky license area in 2016”. Krasnoyarskneftegazprom neftegazproekt LLC. Moscow, 2016. (In Russian).

4. Bogoyavlensky V. I., Bogoyavlensky I. V., Nikonov R. A. Explosive degassing of the Earth in the north of Western Siberia: land and coastal parts of the Kara Sea. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2025, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 162—176. (In Russian).

5. Brekhuntsov A. M., Petrov Yu. V., Prykova O. A. Ecological aspects of the development of the natural resource potential of the Russian Arctic. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2020, no. 3 (39), pp. 34—47. (In Russian).

6. State Geological Map of the Russian Federation, scale 1:1 000 000. Third generation. South Kara Series. Sheets S-41 — Rusanov Bay, S-42 — Bely Island. Explanatory note. Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, Rosnedra, FGBU VSEGEI, MAGE JSÑ. St. Petersburg, VSEGEI Publ. House, 2022, 343 p. (In Russian).

7. State Geological Map of the Russian Federation, scale 1:1 000 000. Third generation. South Kara Series. Sheet S-43 — Oleniy Island. Explanatory note. Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, Rosnedra, A. P. Karpinsky All-Russian Geological Research Institute, MAGE JSC. St. Petersburg, 2023, 229 p. (In Russian).

8. Gurevich V. I. Modern sedimentogenesis and geoecology of the Western Arctic shelf of Eurasia. All-Russian Research Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologiya). Moscow, Scientific World, 2002, 135 p. (In Russian).

9. Kazanin G. S., Ivanov V. L., Matishov G. G., Khain V. E., Shkarubo S. I. Creation of modern mapping technologies as a geological and geophysical basis for the development of mineral resources of the North-West shelf of Russia. Ecology and industry of Russia, 2004, no. 4, pp. 4—9. (In Russian).

10. Markina N. V., Tarasov G. A., Belyaev V. N. Methodology of marine landscape-ecological mapping (using the Kola shelf as an example). Apatity, 1988, 16 p. (In Russian).

11. Matishov D. G., Matishov G. G. Radiation ecological oceanology. Apatity, Publ. Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2001, 417 p. (In Russian).

12. Methodological recommendations for geoecological mapping during geological survey of the shelf. St. Petersburg, VNIIOkeangeologiya, 1998. (In Russian).

13. Methodological guidelines for compiling and preparing for publication sheets of the State Geological Map of the Russian Federation at a scale of 1:1 000 000 (third edition). St. Petersburg, Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, Rosnedra, FSUE VSEGEI, 2010, 196 p. (In Russian).

14. Miroshnikov A. Yu. Regularities of radiocesium distribution in bottom sediments of the Kara Sea. Geoecology, 2012, no. 6, pp. 540—550. (In Russian).

15. Nikolaev V. V. et al. Report on the work done “Conduct geoecological mapping of coastal-shelf zones of the Kara Sea at a scale of 1:1 000 000 and in key areas of the White and Barents Seas at a scale of 1:500 000” in 3 books. St. Petersburg, FGBU VNIIOkeangeologiya, 2003, 373 p. (In Russian).

16. Nikolaev V. V. et al. Report “Creation of a geochemical and hydrogeological basis for information-based rational development of hydrocarbon resources in promising areas of the coastal-shelf zone of the Kara Sea”. St. Petersburg, FGBU VNIIOkeangeologiya, 2007. (In Russian).

17. Modern benthos of the Barents and Kara seas. Apatity, Publ. Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2000, 486 p. (In Russian).

18. Fauna of invertebrates of the Kara, Barents and White Seas (informatics, ecology, biogeography). Apatity, Publ. Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2003, 385 p. (In Russian).

19. Molvær J., Knutzen J., Magnusson J., Rygg B., Skei J., Sørensen J. Classification of environmental quality in fjords and coastal waters. A guide. Report TA-1467/1997 from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT), 36 p.