Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Geoecological Security Work in a Maritime Environment

2012. №4, pp. 98-106

Serebryakova Oksana A. - Seniorа Lecturer, Astrakhan State University, 20a Tatishchev st., Astrakhan, Russian Federation, 414000, Geologi2007@yandex.ru

The article unveils an instrument intended to monitor whether aquatic bodies, such as the Caspian Sea, suffer from any technogenic (human-related) side-effects. In so doing, the tool would evaluate the ground deposits found in the Caspian’s northern (Russian) sector. The sea-prospecting work would, according to the paper, investigate several potential geo-environmental risk activities, such as the production and transportation of hydrocarbons (oil, gas and condensates) brought to the surface by drilling operations. At the stage, the critique resorts to a mathematical model to suggest a number of methods for minimizing the technogenic impact on the geo-ecosystem surrounding the Sea. These include sonar inspection of the sea bottom, echo sounding, hydro-magnetic trials, depth modeling, acoustic profiling and drilling sample wells. Other methods might encompass identifying objects considered dangerous to the hydrocarbon drilling (such as cool slopes, ledges and sunken material), high-frequency geophysical research, and static and dynamic sounding. Geologically, the Caspian Sea contains ’weak clay’ and numerous organic-mineral-type deposits. The sea bottom has two basic types of lithological surfaces: ’smooth ones,’ corresponding to light gray, small and dusty sand sediments; and ’rough granular ones,’ with deposits enveloped in sand sinks and subject to oxidizing processes. In conclusion, the document states that the optimal emplacement zone for further hydrocarbon prospecting work should be in deeper parts of the water body.

Key words: geo-ecology,security,water area,monitoring,risk

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