Hydrophysical state of the Gulf of Feodosia in May 2015

Abstract

Distribution of Sea of Azov water on the Crimean shelf and its penetration into the Gulf of Feodosia result in significant changes in the hydrophysical and hydrochemical structure of the water area. This inflow is also estimated as a major source of anthropogenic pollution in the region. At the same time, the Gulf of Feodosia is one of the least investigated areas of Russian Black Sea coast. The paper focuses on the hydrophysical structure of the Gulf of Feodosia and southeastern part of the Crimean shelf. The results of a field survey in May 2015 made it possible to reveal the presence of Sea of Azov water in the gulf and describe its thermohaline properties, along with the character of distribution. It is shown that contamination of Sea of Azov water in the gulf could mostly be determined by the synoptic dynamic processes in the area rather than by the seasonal variability of discharge in the Kerch Strait. The possible influence of the distribution of Sea of Azov water on the formation of cyclonic gyres in the coastal area of the region is indirectly confirmed by in situ measurements.