Vol 59, No 4 (2019)

Investigation of the interaction between oceanic heat fluxes and formation of the geopotential gradient fields in the middle troposphere during meridional and zonal processes has been carried out by applying linear correlation analysis. Analysis of the spatial distribution of the correlation coefficients has demonstrated that the structure of the interaction of heat fluxes in the North Atlantic with the geopotential gradient field in the middle troposphere over the Atlantic-European sector differs in periods with the predominance of meridional and zonal circulation forms, which indicates the significant role of the ocean heat flow in the formation and development of circulation regimes in the atmosphere.

The paper is devoted to the study of the of the maximum mutual energy influence of the irregular surface wave spectrum shape on the bottom sediment suspension. Features of the energy frequency distribution of synchronous fluctuations of the series of water flow velocity and concentration of suspended particles are analyzed. It is shown, that in a wide range of passing waves the maximum mutual energy of the synchronous oscillation velocities spectrum and concentrations may occur at low and at high frequencies. In the narrow spectrum of synchronous fluctuations, the maximum mutual energy dominates in the area of basic energy frequency. It is, also, shown, that the geometric shape of the wave groups has a direct impact on the intensity of the suspension. In groups of waves with a symmetrical profile, suspension is more intense compared to groups with a pronounced spatial asymmetry.

Particulate organic carbon (POC) is one of main component of carbon cycle in the Ocean. In this study an attempt to construct a picture of the distribution and fluxes of POC in the Arctic Ocean adjusting for interchange with the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans has been made. The specificity of this construction is associated with an irregular distribution of POC measurements and complicated structure and hydrodynamics of the waters masses. To overcome these difficulties, Multiple Linear Regression technic (MLR) was performed to test the significant relation between POC, temperature, salinity, as well depth, horizon, latitude and offshore distance. The mapping of POC distribution and its fluxes was carrying out at 38 horizons from 5 to 4150 m (resolution 1°×1°). Data on temperature, salinity, meridional and zonal components of current velocities were obtained from ORA S4 database (Integrated Climate Data Center, http://icdc.cen.uni-hamburg.de/las). The import-export of POC between the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as between Arctic Seas was precomputed by summer fluxes. The import of POC in the Arctic Ocean is estimated to be 38±8Tg Cyr^-1, and the export is -9.5±4.4Tg Cyr^-1.

The article contains the results of the study of surface waters (31 cruise of the R/V “Akademik Nikolai Strakhov”, December 2015–January 2016) and the particle size distribution of aerosols and surface waters (42 cruise of the R/V “Akademik Boris Petrov”, January–April 2017). It was found that aerosol flows increased in arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula and the number of particles 0.3–0.5 µm decreased in the sequence (particles/l, 2017): Bab El-Mandeb Strait (135190)>Gulf of Aden (102854)>Red Sea (91612)>North, Baltic Sea (76468)>Indian Ocean (64113)>Malacca Strait (46491)>Mediterranean Sea (28397)>East Atlantic (14803). The biotic factor between the distribution of suspended matter and organic compounds prevails in the open waters of the Indian Ocean, in the northeastern part of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as in areas with increased water productivity (the Arabian Sea). Circumcontinental zonality led to the dominance of the terrigenous component in the suspension of coastal waters. The transition of the phytoplankton community from the winter (2016) to the spring (2017) led to a decrease in the suspension content, in 8 times on average. The absence of the correlation between the content of the suspension and organic compounds in some areas indicated different sources of their forming. Despite the high concentrations of hydrocarbons in individual samples in 2016 (up to 50–70 µg/l), their average content remained almost unchanged: 10.5 µg/l (2016), 8.7 µg/l (2017). The determination in the composition of hydrocarbons of weathered petroleum alkanes indicated the influence of petroleum pollutants.

The results of current ecological investigations of marine waters in Sevastopol region are presented. The main sources of water pollution described for Sevastopol Bay and other part of coastal line from cup Lukull till cup Foros were described. The position of Waste Water Treatment Plant underwater outlets, the volume of waste-waters discharges and the degree of their purification were estimated. With the help of the side-scan sonar, the state of the heads of the sewage treatment plants in the region was examined. The features of the vertical distribution of hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics are shown. The preliminary estimation of the currents near the sewages outlets were studied using autonomic buoys and mathematical modeling. Based on historical data and results of recent cruises in 2016–2017 the nutrient concentration, and total petroleum hydrocarbons and organic matter by biological oxygen demand BOD₅ content were described. The nutrients content for all studied forms was much lower then Maximum Allowed Concentration and no significant difference between different parts of Crimea coastal waters were marked. Marine waters pollution by TPHs is much higher in Sevastopol region and in Kerch Strait in comparison with Yalta port.

Data on benthic harpacticoid copepods from the Voronin Trench (central part of the Kara Sea) are reported for the first time. Harpacticoids accounted for 1–25% of total meiofauna, their abundance varied from 6 to 102 ind/10 cm² and decreased with depth. Totally, 42 nominal species have been found, 15 species are new for the Kara Sea, and at least eight species are new for science. Several species are first records for the Arctic waters (Cylindronannopus bispinosus, Haloschizopera clotensis, H. bathyalis, Metauntemannia pseudomagniceps, Mesocletdemus duosetosus, M. parabodini, Proameira echinipes, Cletodes tuberculatus). Ameiridae, Argestidae, Pseudotachidiidae, Miraciidae and Ectinosomatidae are the most species-rich families. Joint analysis with data on shallow-water stations (Yenisei Gulf, southern Kara Sea) revealed three assemblages occupying different habitats. The assemblage inhabiting shallow silts (20–62 m in depth) was the poorest one, the shallow sands were more species-rich, while the deepest stations (92–698 m) was the richest one. The latter assemblage had the composition of families typical for the deep-sea areas. The known fauna of the Kara Sea includes 82 harpacticoid species, most of which have been also reported from north Atlantic and/or western Arctic waters.

The data on mineralogical analysis of fine sand fractions in sediments accumulated in the southern part of the Chukchi Plateau during the Quaternary are presented. The associations and downcore distribution of the rock-forming and accessory minerals in relation to other characteristics are considered. The established climatically controlled mineralogical features, i. e. periodicity of warmings and coolings, can be used in solving a number of genetic problems, stratigraphic subdivision of sediments and paleoreconstructions.

At the limit of the East-Canadian continental margin there are three oil and gas regions from north to south: Labrador Sea shelves, margins of the Great Newfoundland Bank and the continental margin of Nova Scotia. In each of these distinguishing regions are a number of sedimentary basins completely plunging under the water. At the shelf of Labrador Sea distinguishing the following large sedimentary basins: Saglek, Hopdale and Havke, at the margin of Newfoundland Bank it is known the basins: Jeanne d’Arc, Flemish Pass and Orphan. At the Nova Scotia shelf there are Nova Scotian and Sable basins. It is remarkable at the lofty latitude like of Labrador Sea region the age of the productive sediments beginning from more ancient rocks (Paleozoic), than in basins situated in law latitude (Mesozoic). In consequence of this the stratigraphy diapason of oil and gas bearing of the north latitude is considerably wide. The prospect of oil and gas bearing in all region is related principally with continental slopes and turbidites sediments in its. Late Jurassic and early Cretaceous reservoirs would be the aim for deep drilling sediments. Wide distribution of late Cretaceous and early Tertiary prospects reservoirs of oil and gas is quite really so far as they are bedded in the shallow horizons. Also the prospect of oil and gas bearing at the margin of the basin is related to late Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments, to deposits of fan and diapirs salt.

The article touches upon the methodological problems of underwater investigation of the bottom fauna, plants, micro and meso-relief of the Russian Arctic in connection with the study of regional ecosystems. The methods and technical means of underwater observations used in the Arctic expeditions of the Institute of Oceanology are considered. Technical solutions that increase the effectiveness of sonar and visual inspection of the bottom surface are proposed. The results of experimental studies are given.

During the 39^th cruise of RV Professor Logachev ecological studies of the Russian exploration area in the Central part of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge were conducted. New data on the composition and structure of benthic communities as well as composition and distribution of ichthyofauna were obtained.

In the 34th and 36th cruises of the r/v Akademik N. Strakhov, performed in the summer and autumn of 2017, the structure of the waters was studied on transects located along the route of inflow of saline North Sea waters into the Baltic Sea. Vertical profiling was performed with intervals between stations no more than 2 miles, in the free-fall mode, from the sea surface to the bottom. Reliable data on a thin structure at all depths, including a thin bottom layer, were obtained. In addition to the sections, new data were obtained on the bottom topography, as well as on the influence of advection of saline aerated waters on the composition, structure and distribution of biological communities in the Baltic Sea.

On 19-th March 2019 M.V. Flint one of the leading Russian biooceanographers celebrated his 70-th birthday. His scientific interests embrace wide range of problems related to understanding of structure and productivity of marine and oceanic ecosystems, mechanisms which determine their variability, role of climatic and anthropogenic factors in formation of contemporary appearance of marine natural complexes.