Scholarly record

SYSTEM EFFECT ANALYSIS OF THE PORT OF SABETTA IMPACT ON THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE GULF OF OB: CASE OF AN -ECO-FRIENDLY- MARITIME OBJECT IN THE ARCTIC

George Gogoberidze

Abstract

The study considers the seaports as one of the main objects of coastal infrastructure in frames of the analysis of the system principles of sustainability of coastal systems in view of spatial planning and development of maritime activities in the coastal and marine areas of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. The port of Sabetta launched in 2012 on the east coast of the Yamal Peninsula, the Gulf of Ob is aimed at providing the 24/7 and year-round transport and engineering infrastructure to ensure the supplies of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas condensate (GC) from the South Tambey gas field. This construction project represents a successful example of implementation of пїЅeco-friendlyпїЅ technologies combining the possibility of development of seaport infrastructure and a healthy, safe habitat in the adjacent lands and water areas thus allowing to minimize the negative environmental consequences of seaport construction in the conditions of Far North. After the development of the South Tambey license area this territory was completely closed for reindeer pasturing, other activities were limited (hunting, fishing, etc.), that turned the most part of tundra sites near the field into mini-reserves where rapid recovery of plant communities damaged by reindeers has been observed. The number and diversity of birds have increased ever since. At the same time, extensive hydrotechnical works together with the large-scale capital dredging (deepening of approach channel and waterway) had a negative effect on the local water ecosystem. The total damage to fish fauna is estimated as 8 457 t and is planned to be compensated by the release of stocking material: sturgeon пїЅ 9 million pcs., muksun пїЅ 94 million pcs., peled пїЅ over 950 million pcs. However, the results of monitoring showed no significant changes in abiotic conditions of coastal water biotopes (no penetration of salt sea water through the deep channels, etc.).

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