Sea ice phenology in the Caspian Sea

To understand the spatial and temporal variations in the extent and timing of sea ice in the Caspian Sea (CS), 15 years of sea ice presence and its phenology (freeze-up, break-up, and duration) were studied in the Northern CS (NCS) for a period from 2004 to 2018. This study indicated that the percentage of sea ice covered area in the CS showed fluctuations ranging from 54.2% in 2004 to more than 89% in 2006 and 2008. This study, furthermore, found regional differences within the NCS in sea ice phonological features during 2004 to 2018. Specifically, earlier sea ice formation, later ice melt, and longer ice periods were observed in the eastern than the western NCS. Noticeable interannual changes were also observed in the timing and duration of the NCS ice (2004-2018). However, most parts of the NCS did not show significant trends (P>0.05) in the formation, decay, and duration of sea ice and their interannual variability. The observed spatial and temporal patterns in the CS ice can have implications for phytoplankton blooms and higher trophic levels, such as fish and endangered Caspian seal populations and merits further investigation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MICROBIOME OF THE MAIN BIOTOPES OF THE CASPIAN SEAL

В статье приведены результаты метабаркодирования ДНК микробиома респираторного, урогенитального и желудочно-кишечного трактов каспийского тюленя. Показан профиль микробиома каспийского тюленя и отмечено отсутствие возбудителей бактериальных зоонозов в их бета-сообществе микробиотов. The article presents the results of metabarcoding of the microbiome DNA of the respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts of the Caspian seal. The microbiome profile of the Caspian seal is shown, and the absence of pathogens of bacterial zoonoses in their beta microbiota community is noted. Key words: Caspian seal, metagenome, microbiome, sequencing.

Assessment of the Current State of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian Seal Habitat Analysis

This article is devoted to the determination of heavy metals and harmful organic compounds in sea water – the habitat of the Caspian seal. The group of the most common heavy metals, according to many authors, includes manganese, nickel, zinc, iron, cadmium, lead, copper and their salts, characterized by long-term preservation and accumulation in water, sediments and hydrobionts. The studies were conducted from February 7–12, 2017 on the route from the Kalamkas (Kazakhstan) field through the islands of Kulaly to the village of Bautino. Water samples were taken 10‒20 cm below the sea ice and surface level, each sample was taken in 2 replicates: one for the Kazakhstan laboratory in Almaty and one for the French independent laboratory. Water samples were analyzed for the content of 13 heavy metals such as – Co, Cu, Ti, Bi, Ag, V, Al, Be, Sb, Sn, Fe, Cr, Mo. It was established that in all water samples the content of vanadium exceeds the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) level by 1.5–7.4 times, beryllium ‒ 140–445 times, antimony 13.2–17.2 times. The maximum concentrations of the V and Be contents were found in water samples taken at sampling points No. 1 and 2, and Sb ‒ at points No. 1.6, 7.8. Cobalt, copper, iron and chromium were not detected in the samples presented. The content of other metals (Ti, Bi, Ag, Al, Sn, Mo) was significantly below the permissible levels or below the detection limits of the method. All samples of sea water are contaminated by several organic chemical pollutants, to various degrees and from different origins. Data on the accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the habitat of Caspian seals characterize the toxicological situation in the study region.