Physical Oceanography Physical Oceanography 1573-160X 20250606 Experimental and field research Research Article Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Novorossiysk Port Waters (Black Sea) in 2011 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6595-6172 Matishov G. G.
Russian Federation
ssc-ras@ssc-ras.ru https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4774-4835 Stepanyan O. V.
Russian Federation
step@ssc-ras.ru https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6549-8606 3063-3180 Antsiferova M. A.
Russian Federation
m12antsiferova@mail.ru https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9014-2859 Alyoshina E. G.
Russian Federation
aleshina@ssc-ras.ru Sawyer V. G.
Russian Federation
Federal Research Center the Southern Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences Rostov-on-Don Russian Federation 31 12 2025 32 6 826 840 02 06 2025 27 06 2025 10 09 2025 Copyright ©; 2025, G. G. Matishov, O. V. Stepanyan, M. A. Antsiferova, E. G. Alyoshina, V. G. Sawyer 2025 G. G. Matishov, O. V. Stepanyan, M. A. Antsiferova, E. G. Alyoshina, V. G. Sawyer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://physical-oceanography.ru/repository/issues/2025/06/06/

Purpose. The study is aimed to investigate the hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics of seawater and bottom sediments in the Novorossiysk port area (operated by PJSC “NCSP”) and adjacent waters (the Black Sea) under anthropogenic influence during the warm season of 2011.

Methods and Results. Standard hydrological and hydrochemical methods were employed to analyze seawater samples. During the study period, certain parameters at individual stations exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) for seawater in fishery water bodies. However, the average hydrochemical values across the entire port area remained within the established norms. Notably, at station 13, significantly anomalous values (compared to other stations) were observed for pH, organic carbon, oxygen, methane, and nutrient concentrations, which can be attributed to the influence of the Tsemes River runoff and wastewater discharges. The MPC in seawater were observed for methane (July), synthetic surfactants (July, September), oil products (throughout all seasons), and heavy metals: iron and mercury (throughout the entire observation period), manganese, lead, zinc (June, July) and copper (June, September). At certain stations (particularly 14 and 1), MPC exceedances for oil products and several heavy metals were recorded, while concentrations at adjacent stations were several times lower. This pattern indicates a complex hydrological regime in the port area and suggests localized sources of pollutants (primarily wastewater discharge). Bottom sediments exhibited relatively high contamination with oil products (at stations 13 and 17) and heavy metals (iron at stations 20 and 21, manganese at stations 12 and 13 and copper at station 4).

Conclusions. The distribution of hydrochemical parameters in the Novorossiysk port area is heterogeneous, driven by a complex interplay of hydrodynamic processes, limited water exchange with the open sea, the influence of surface freshwater runoff and biotic factors. The primary sources of pollution are point discharges associated with river runoff and sewage effluents. Although average pollution levels across the port area do not exceed regulatory standards, localized hotspots, especially near discharge points, require constant monitoring.

 hydrochemistry pollution Novorossiysk Bay Novorossiysk port Black Sea heavy metals oil products bottom sediments This study was conducted as part of the state assignment of SSC RAS “Southern seas of Russia and their watersheds in the context of global climatic and industrial challenges" (state registration No. 125012100503-4).

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