Sea Bottom Sediments Pollution of the Crimean Coast (The Black and Azov Seas)

The aim of this research was to determine the content of trace elements and heavy metals (HM), extractable organic matter (EOM), total petroleum hydrocarbon content (TPC) in the sea bottom sediments of the Azov and Black Seas, to evaluate the ecological wellbeing of the region. The EOM amount was determined by gravimetric method, the TPC was determined by the method of infrared spectrometry. The metals and metals oxides were determined using XRF spectrometer «Max Spectroscan-G». The bottom sediments near the coast of Crimea (in 2016) were typical of the marine soils in the area. In the Black Sea, there was a trend to a progressive increase in the EOM content, but the bottom sediments were pure according to content of oil products. The content of HM varied in wide ranges. The vicinity to the pollution source did not always determine the zones of their elevated contents. In the Azov Sea, the resulting concentrations at most stations transcended those in the Black Sea. Values of Zn, V, Cr, Co exceeded their natural content in the shelf sediments throughout the expedition track. Ni content in Azov Sea demonstrated the existence of anthropogenic pollution sources.