Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Distribution of the Areas of Technogenic Loads in Balaklava Bay: Results of Long-Term Research

K. I. Gurov✉, E. A. Kotelyanets, Yu. S. Gurova

Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS, Sevastopol, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: gurovki@gmail.com

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to define the spatial distribution of heavy metal concentrations in bottom sediments and identify areas of technogenic load in Balaklava Bay in 2005–2019, using different geochemical coefficients and indices.

Methods and Results. The samples of the surface layer of bottom sediments (0–5 cm) were collected using a Peterson bottom grab in 2005, 2015, 2018 and 2019 and analyzed. The bulk content of elements was determined by the method of X-ray fluorescence analysis using a Spectroscan MAKS-G spectrometer. In order to assess the contribution of anthropogenic sources to bottom sediment pollution relative to the background content of metals in the coastal zone of the Crimean Peninsula shelf, the following indicators were applied: element concentration levels in sediments, total pollution indices, enrichment factors and geoaccumulation index. According to estimates of the degree of bottom sediments pollution in Balaklava Bay obtained from 2005 to 2019, the pollution level varied from low for elements such as V, Cr and Ni, to high for Cu, Zn and Pb. The most polluted areas were noted in the northern part of the basin, specifically in its central and apex parts. Bottom sediments in the Balaklava Bay basin southern part remained unpolluted throughout the period under study.

Conclusions. It has been shown that the elevated level of pollution in the bottom sediments of the northern part of the bay is the result of a complex impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. However, the proximity of the polluted areas to municipal and storm water runoffs and yacht marinas suggests that the anthropogenic contribution exceeds the natural one. Furthermore, the increase in the values of the studied indices and parameters indicates that this contribution is growing over time.

Keywords

Balaklava Bay, bottom sediments, heavy metals, contamination factors, enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index

Acknowledgements

The study was conducted under the state assignments of FSBSI FRC MHI FNNN-2024-0016, titled “Fundamental studies of the processes that determine the fluxes of matter and energy in marine environment and at its boundaries, the state and evolution of physical and biogeochemical structure of marine systems in modern conditions” and FNNN-2025-0001, titled “Monitoring of CO2 concentrations in the surface water layer and atmosphere in the inland seas of Russia”.

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © The Authors, 2025, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 41, Iss. 3, pp. 310–330 (2025)

For citation

Gurov, K.I., Kotelyanets, E.A. and Gurova, Yu.S., 2025. Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Distribution of the Areas of Technogenic Loads in Balaklava Bay: Results of Long-Term Research. Physical Oceanography, 32(3), pp. 326-346.

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