Scientists have identified changes in the Volga ecosystem

Russian scientists have identified a shift in the mixing zone of freshwater and seawater and a shift in the natural breeding cycle of fish in the Volga Delta. This is primarily due to the low flow rates of the river during the spring flood. This was reported to RIA Novosti on June 18 by the press service of the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Alexander Polukhin, head of the Biohydrochemistry Laboratory, said that the mixing zone of river and sea water was discovered for the first time since 2021.

"The results show that the presence of a mixing zone in the immediate vicinity of the delta edge is associated with extremely low Volga runoff during the spring flood of this year," Polukhin said.

According to him, the water analysis showed a high level of dissolved oxygen concentration, which indicates a "high productivity" of aquatic organisms. In addition, low water in the Volga has led to a shift in the natural breeding cycle of many commercial fish species, including the endemic of the Caspian Sea, the roach.

Preliminary conclusions were made based on the results of the expedition in the Volga Delta and the northern waters of the Caspian Sea. A reduction in water inflow and a decrease in sea level were studied, adds "Газета.Ru ".

"In order to understand the long—term effects of low water availability on the biodiversity of the region, additional research will be required," the scientist emphasized.

Water data: scientists said the Caspian shoaling and "dead volume" of Baikal

How to prevent environmental disasters and competently manage the country's water resources

On February 14, Peter Zavyalov, Deputy Director of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported that the Caspian Sea is at its lowest level in the last 400 years. Perhaps this indicator will decrease by another 1-2 m. At the same time, he added that it is difficult to predict further dynamics, since it is difficult to correctly take into account all the determining processes, such as evaporation from the surface, river runoff, and precipitation.