Features of the hydrodynamic and hydrochemical states of Blagopoluchiya Bay (Solovetsky Islands of the White Sea) in August 2024

A fourfold increase in total phosphorus concentrations in Blagopoluchiya Bay, part of the UNESCO-listed Solovetsky Islands, has been documented over 30 years, indicating severe eutrophication. Researchers analyzed hydrodynamic and hydrochemical conditions in August 2024, revealing weak water exchange due to low current speeds (3-10 cm/s) and semi-diurnal tidal cycles. The study identified the bay's apex as a hotspot for anthropogenic pollution, particularly from wastewater discharged by the Solovetsky Settlement, which spreads pollutants to deep-water zones. Vertical profiling of temperature, salinity, and turbidity further supported findings of limited water circulation, exacerbating eutrophic conditions.

Lukina, Y. N., Zdorovennov, R. E., Tolstikov, A. V., Galakhina, N. E., Bogdanov, S. R., Sabylina, A. V., Zdorovennova, G. E.,. (2025). Features of the hydrodynamic and hydrochemical states of Blagopoluchiya Bay (Solovetsky Islands of the White Sea) in August 2024. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 15(2), 287–299. https://doi.org/10.25283/2223-4594-2025-2-287-299