Harmfulness mapping for the Pechora Sea

Abstract

Pechora Sea is characterized with many species including birds, fishes, benthic fauna and marine mammals. The food chains in the Pechora Sea ecosystems are simple and vulnerable to contamination even in a small concentration of pollutants. If pollutants harm one type of species, the whole food chain will be affected and can result in reducing a population of the specific species. Arctic climate conditions are characterized with low temperatures that have the influence on dilution, biodegradation and evaporation of contaminants. In this paper, conceptual approach for harmfulness mapping is presented. The main pollution sources in the Pechora Sea were identified associated with possible risk and presented in the risk matrix. Distribution maps of the birds, fishes, benthic fauna and marine mammals were used and embedded to risk maps to determine level of harmfulness for every group. Fuzzy approach was used for qualitative assessment of possible risk events for water, air and soil pollution and its influence on marine environment.