Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 13
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
The staff of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan conducted a study of the coastal zone of the Caspian Sea, Trend reports referring to the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.
Within 2 years, the ecological characteristics of sea water were studied along the entire coastline from Garabogaz to Esenguly.
Hydrochemical analysis data became the basis for the compilation of an ecological map of the coastal zone. The monitoring made it possible to determine the main reasons for the increase in salinity in the middle and southern parts of the marine basin.
Scientists found that the increase in salt concentration is primarily connected to the historical origin of the Caspian Sea, which was part of the World Ocean, as well as the geological structure of the bottom of the southern part of the sea, which represents the red-colored geological stratum, the information says.
“It is here that highly mineralized thermal metal-bearing waters and volcanic foci are found. Dissolving in seawater, they increase the level of salinity,” the newspaper writes.
The latest studies bear important practical significance. It has already been proven that an increase in salinity primarily affects the marine fauna, especially the development of juvenile sturgeon. In addition, the study of the dynamics of saturation with salts of coastal waters can help in planning business activities.
The mapping of the ecological characteristics of the coastal zone will help the specialists of companies mastering the sea shelf to consider the salt concentration factor when selecting tools for the production of marine works.
Turkmen scientists, together with colleagues from other Caspian countries, are planning to take part in the compilation of an environmental encyclopedia of the Caspian Sea, the article says.