Pollution plume in Kamchatka 100 meters wide - Far Eastern Federal University
VLADIVOSTOK. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Scientists from the Far Eastern Federal University have performed aerial survey of the pollution plume, which stretches out from the northern tip of the Khalaktyrsky Beach to the Listvennichnaya Bay in Kamchatka; the 100-meter-wide plume is slowly migrating southward towards the Kuril Islands, the university press service said.
"It was assumed initially that the pollution plume is limited to the Khalaktyrsky Beach, but the aerial survey shows that it is not shrinking and is being carried southward by currents. Unless the intensity and speed of the substance's migration change, its southward expansion may continue towards the Kuril Islands," the press service quoted head of the Far Eastern Federal University's laboratory for ecology and evolutionary biology of water organisms Kirill Vinnikov as saying.
The size of the pollution plume south of the Avacha Bay was tentatively estimated during the aerial survey. The plume looks different from the normal ocean surface in that area. It is well visible as unusual foam on waves and dark green spots. The plume stretches out along the coastline from the Spaseniya Bay to the Listvennichnaya Bay (about 40 kilometers on a straight line). The plume width ranges from 30 to 100 meters from the coast and has clear fronts, without any dispersion.
"Presumably, this [pollution with an unknown contaminant] might have caused mass deaths of hydrobionts," the press service said.
Scientists took samples of water and biological samples washed up on the shore in the Opasnaya Bay. The samples were sent to a laboratory in Vladivostok on Thursday. Various theories of the ecological calamity are being considered.
A marine expedition will soon begin its voyage along the entire southeastern coast of Kamchatka.
"For the next few days, the specialists will be making a detailed analysis of the oceanic condition with the assistance of divers and specialized gear. They will collect diverse biomaterials for a comprehensive analysis," the press service said.
Surfers said in late September that Pacific water changed color on the Khalaktyrsky Beach. They complained of puffy and reddened eyes and skin irritation after swimming. Local residents posted photos of dead sea animals, such as octopuses, urchins, and stars washed ashore, on the social media.
Specialists who examined coastal waters on the Khalaktyrsky Beach said that the maximal allowable concentrations of phenol were exceeded 2.5 times, and the maximal allowable concentrations of petroleum products were exceeded 3.6 times in that area.
The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on counts of a breach of regulations on handling environmentally dangerous substances and waste and sea pollution over the contamination of the Avacha Gulf in the Kamchatka Territory and deaths of sea animals.