The goal of the first expedition of Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences this year was to study the consequences of the fuel oil spill resulting from the sinking of two Volgoneft-class tankers on December 15, 2024.

"The expedition proceeded as planned, the necessary samples were collected in Taman and Anapa," said the head of the expedition, head of the laboratory of land-ocean interaction and anthropogenic impact at Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petr Zavyalov.

The measurements were carried out from March 1 to 7 and included both ship (from the sea tug "Utrish" in the Kerch Strait and the Emergencies Ministry boat in the waters of Anapa) and coastal observations. For the initial processing of samples, a "mobile laboratory" of the IO RAS based on a Gazel vehicle was used.

“The analysis of the results obtained and laboratory studies will take about a month, after which it will be possible to draw the first conclusions about the degree of pollution of the sea and its impact on marine organisms,” the scientist concluded.