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The cascade water system of the Azov Sea basin is a set of geochemical barriers. Here, water masses of different mineralization mix, and the hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions change. As a result, there is a sharp change in the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical characteristics of all components of the aquatic ecosystem, including bottom sediments. Bottom sediments are a more conservative component of the aquatic landscape in comparison with the water mass. The content of pollutants in the samples taken ...

The article presents the data obtained by the authors during the expedition research in the largest bay of the Azov Sea - the Taganrog Bay. Its characteristic feature is shallowness, flowing due to water exchange with the Don, small rivers, and the development of surge phenomena. The ecosystem of the bay has been experiencing strong anthropogenic pressure for several decades. The authors analyzed the behavior and distribution of mercury dissolved and suspended forms in the surface and bottom layers of water, depen...

The long-term and high-level anthropogenic load on the aquatic ecosystem increases the probability of its adverse transformations (violations of the natural stability of its state and, as a result, the appearance of negative situations). These include diverse geochemical, biogeochemical, pathogenic biological, and, ultimately, medical and environmental consequences caused by the entry and further redistribution, and accumulation in water of highly toxic chemicals, among which heavy metals such as mercury take prio...

The Azov Sea is one of the shallowest inland reservoirs in Eurasia. The special physical and geographical location of that object determines the temporal variation of its hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics. One of the main features of the sea is the presence of run-off and surging phenomena, determined by water exchange with the Black Sea and the river flow, small area and shallow water body. The currents are considered as significant factors for many processes of matter and energy transport in the Azo...

Among the current areas of modern geochemical research is the study of pollution of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals. Mercury is a heavy metal that is subject to mandatory monitoring. The authors systematized the scattered data. This article presents an analysis of the occurrence of high and extremely high pollution of rivers of the Russian Federation with mercury over a long-term period. Every year, monitoring services record cases of multiple exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations of this metal. It...

Bottom sediments are a specific component of aquatic ecosystems. They are actively involved in the accumulation, redistribution and mass transfer of chemical elements, including heavy metals. They can contribute to the purification of the water column, due to its depositing properties. However, they can also serve as a source of secondary pollution, as a result of the transition of pollutants into the suspended matter. The intensity of accumulation and migration of substances is directly dependent on the lithologi...