Analysis of Space and Time Variations in the Suspended Matter Distribution in Kaliningrad Bay of the Baltic Sea

The distribution of suspension, its composition, and particle size characteristics are studied in Kaliningrad Bay. Zoning of the bay according to the water turbidity is made. The main factors controlling the formation and space and time variations in the suspended matter are determined.     

Distribution and composition of suspended matter in water and snow cover in Kaliningrad Bay

Field data, collected by the authors during winter expedition studies in Kaliningrad Bay, are analyzed. Notwithstanding the presence of ice cover, considerable advective processes are shown to be taking place in the bay. Seawater enters the bay, spreading in the bottom horizon all over the water area. Suspended sediment concentration in under-ice period is on the average three times less than that in the ice-free period. The space and time variations of its quantitative and qualitative composition under ice are mostly governed by two factors—the effect of the sea and river runoff. The values of vertical fluxed of eolian material to the bay surface in winter vary from 0.5 to 2.9 with the average of 1.7 mg m^–2 day^–1.     

Studying the aerosol fluxes by using the floating aerosol trap

In this paper, a functional scheme and basic principles of the floating aerosol trap, which has been developed by the authors, are presented. The first experimental results of the vertical aerosol fluxes coming on the Visla Bay surface (the Baltic Sea) and measured with the trap are demonstrated.     

On field studies of suspended matter that forms in a ship canal under the effect of moving ships

The results of studies of particulate matter in a navigable channel are given. For the first time, field data on suspension concentration were collected immediately after the passage of ships with different drafts. The concentration of suspended matter is shown to depend on the draft of the passing ship and the type of soils on the bed of the canal. Data are given to characterize the actual settling velocities immediately after the passage of ships. These data, along with the described techniques for direct calculations can be used to assess the anthropogenic impact on the environmental conditions in navigable canals, rivers, and reservoirs.     

Inspection of Bottom Sediments near Underwater Sources of Chemical Pollution

The task of targeted sampling of sediments in the immediate vicinity of objects presumed to be sources of chemical pollution of the sea has been solved. A cassette sampler with six grabs was built, which is constantly controlled by cable under video surveillance. The device is operated from a light boat, which can be kept in place over the object and moved in a preset direction. Positioning at the moment of sampling is carried out by fixing the coordinates of the boat by GPS/GLONASS. The efficiency of the developed sampling system is proved by successful use of the device in surveying a number of potentially hazardous underwater objects found in chemical weapons disposal areas in the Baltic Sea.     

The redox profile of the bottom sediments in the Ob River’s mouth area

By the data of cruise 54 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh (September 2007), the results of geochemical studies of the redox processes in the bottom sediments of the Ob River’s near-mouth area as applied to the redox indicator elements such as manganese, iron, and sulfur are presented. The characteristics of the bottom sediments and the distribution of these elements in them testify not only to the significant role of the mixing processes in the formation of the geochemical profile of the bottom sediments in the estuary but also to the role of the postsedimentation (diagenetic) processes.     

Dynamics of the marine coastal zone of the sea near the entrance moles of the Kaliningrad Seaway Channel

The results of multidisciplinary field studies of a segment of the coastal zone (in the area near the Baltiysk Strait South-East Baltic) are presented. The natural regime of the evolution of this zone has changed under the effect of anthropogenic factor. Bed topography, bottom sediments, and shore morphology and dynamics are characterized. The effect of entrance moles has resulted in the formation of various local hydrolithodynamic conditions on both sides of these moles, including the accumulation of sedimentary material and the seaward protrusion of the coastline in the north and the permanent erosion of the shore in the south. To reduce the adverse effect of hydrodynamic processes on the coastal zone south of the moles it is proposed to use the clean material extracted during strait dredging.