FEATURES OF THE HYDRODYNAMIC AND HYDROCHEMICAL STATES OF BLAGOPOLUCHIYA BAY (SOLOVETSKY ISLANDS OF THE WHITE SEA) IN AUGUST 2024

Lukina, Yu. N., Zdorovennov, R. E., Tolstikov, A. V., Galakhina, N. E., Bogdanov, S. R., Sabylina, A. V., Zdorovennova, G. E.¹

¹ Northern water problems Institute Karelian Reseacrh Center of RAS (Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation)

The article was received on January 28, 2025

Bibliographic description: Lukina Yu. N., Zdorovennov R. E., Tolstikov A. V., Galakhina N. E., Bogdanov S. R., Sabylina A. V., Zdorovennova G. E. Features of the hydrodynamic and hydrochemical states of Blagopoluchiya Bay (Solovetsky Islands of the White Sea) in August 2024. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2025, vol. 15, no. 2.

Abstract 

Based on the measurement data obtained in August 2024, the researchers have identified the hydrodynamic features and chemical composition of the waters of Blagopoluchiya Bay (Solovetsky Islands of the White Sea), which is experiencing pronounced anthropogenic impact. They have performed a bathymetric survey, and studied the tidal cycle of the water area, which has a semi-diurnal nature. A complete vertical profile of the speeds and directions of currents has been obtained, revealing insignificant current speeds from the surface to the bottom (3-10 cm/s). Based on the results of vertical profiling of temperature, salinity and turbidity, the authors have made a conclusion about weak water exchange in Blagopoluchiya Bay. Water has been analyzed for a set of chemical indicators (nutrients, oil products) in different phases of the tidal cycle. The greatest impact is experienced by the apex part of the bay during the low tide phase, where wastewater from the MO “Solovetsky Settlement” flows. Pollutants are carried across the bay and settle in local deep-water zones. Currently, the waters of the bay are highly eutrophic in terms of total  hosphorus content. A fourfold increase in total phosphorus concentrations in the open part of the bay over 30 years has been revealed.

Keywords: White Sea, Solovetsky Islands, Arctic environment, anthropogenic impact, hydrological state, tidal phenomena, hydrochemistry, environmental problems 

Funding:  The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Northern water problems Institute of the Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences “State of the coastal ecosystem of the White Sea within the Solovetsky Archipelago” (FMEN 2024-0016).

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