Scientists from Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences have completed processing the results of an expedition to the Black Sea, the purpose of which was to study the consequences of the largest environmental disaster in the Black Sea in recent decades, associated with the accident of the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers in December 2024.

During the field studies conducted in early March this year, scientists collected samples of bottom sediments, water and coastal soil in the most affected areas - the Kerch Strait off the Taman coast, including the area where the stern of the Volgoneft-239 tanker washed ashore, and the coastal waters of Anapa. Samples from the Taman Gulf (the Sea of ​​Azov sector of the Kerch Strait) were also examined.

All samples were analyzed for the chemical and alkane composition of hydrocarbon contamination, as well as the composition of benthic biota. In addition, several samples collected earlier in the first days after the accident, including fuel oil samples obtained directly from the tanks of the damaged vessels, were analyzed to assess the temporal dynamics of contamination.

The results of the analysis show that the greatest pollution is observed in the Anapa area, and not directly in the Kerch Strait. The studies also revealed a significant decrease in the concentration of pollutants in the soil of beaches, bottom sediments and bottom waters - on average by 50% since the accident. This decrease is explained by both the natural leaching and weathering of pollutants and the activity of benthic and bacterial biota, which helps cleanse the ecosystem.

Analysis of benthic communities showed that 2.5 months after the accident, there were no significant changes in the natural development of benthos. The biomass of benthos in the affected areas generally remained at the average level for the coast with a slightly reduced species diversity, which indicates an early stage of ecosystem recovery.

The head of the expedition, head of the Laboratory of Land-Ocean Interactions and Anthropogenic Impact of Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Petr Zavyalov believes that the obtained data is important for further forecasts and development of strategies for restoration of the Black Sea ecosystem. "The results of the expedition allow us to speak about the overall successful course of the natural restoration of the ecosystem. It is too early to draw final conclusions; further work is needed to monitor the state of the sea and coastal areas," the scientist concluded.