OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2010. According to the annual action plan of SOCAR Ecology Department, Ecological Researches Expedition of the Ecological Monitoring Department twice a year organizes marine expedition on environmental monitoring (in winter-summer and spring-fall periods) at offshore fields in Caspian Sea basin.

The purposes of the seasonal monitoring are to study the population density of marine organisms during the stratification of water columns and determine the amount of food substances in upper, mid and lower water columns. While conducting the research, the main attention is paid to the chemical, as well as biological composition of the water surface and the seabed. On November 9-13th and 23-26th, the regular ecological monitoring was held at “Bulla-daniz” and “Alat-daniz” fields operated by Narimanov OGPD of “Azneft” PU.

During the “MPK-452” vessel-assisted monitoring for identification of the parameters affecting the Caspian Sea, the sea water, zooplankton, and seabed sediment samples were taken from certain areas of the field. Besides, the monitoring included evaluation of physical and chemical features of the seawater, measuring stream velocity and flow, as well as conducting meteorological analysis of the area. Physical and chemical parameters of the water at various depths were analyzed by the “MPK-452” vessel and compared to the results of ecological monitoring held in spring. As a result, a seasonal change in seawater salinity was found out at “Alat-daniz” field. Comprehensive researches will be made as the taken samples are carefully examined at the Laboratory of Comprehensive Analysis.