Research conducted during the summer expedition on the vessel "Academic Boris Petrov" in the Baltic Sea provided new data on the impact of climate change on the marine environment. This data will be used to create a regional module for monitoring the ecological and climatic state of the Russian sectors of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
Scientists from the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a comprehensive oceanological survey to assess thermodynamic and biogeochemical parameters, greenhouse gas fluxes, and the interaction between the water surface and the atmosphere. One of the key tasks was to study the evolution of marine landscapes, which allows predicting climate changes and reconstructing past sedimentation environments. As a result, detailed maps of the seabed were compiled, which are necessary for spatial planning and sustainable use of water areas subject to anthropogenic influence.
In addition, scientists explored underwater dunes, clarifying their boundaries, composition, and thickness. This data is important for paleogeographic reconstructions and assessment of sand reserves suitable for strengthening artificial beaches in the Kaliningrad region.
Monitoring the state of the ecosystem of the Southeastern Baltic, conducted since 2003, revealed a deficiency of oxygen in deep-sea depressions, which negatively affects biodiversity and fish resources. The increase in such zones threatens the marine ecosystem. These observations help to form strategies for rational nature management in the region.
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