Current Ecological State of Kozmino and Wrangel Bays (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan)

The state of coastal marine waters of two eastern bays of Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan—Kozmino and Wrangel bays—has been analyzed. Ports located in the water areas of these bays export oil (LLC Transneft—Port Kozmino) and coal (JSC Vostochny Port) to APAC. A comprehensive analysis of the environment, using chemical-environmental and bioindication methods, revealed the anthropogenic load level on the bays in terms of the content of organic substances, heavy metals, and abundance of microorganisms in the water—indicators of petroleum hydrocarbon pollution. The amount of the last reached 105 CFU/mL in summer and 104 CFU/mL in autumn. The concentrations of such elements as nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in macroalgae of Kozmino bay increased in 2014 versus 2008 (by 1.5, 2, and 2.4 times, respectively). Levels of the technogenic elements Ni and Cd did not reach the values recorded in the 1990s; the increase in Fe and Mn, as well as Cu and Zn, contents compared with the 1990s is associated with pier construction, road construction along the coast of Wrangel Bay, and by dredging works in both bays.