Assessment of Pollution of the Kerch Strait and Adjacent Black Sea Area Based on Field Measurements of 2019–2020

The paper presents the results of an analysis of the main pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, detergents, hydrocarbons) in water, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments, as well as the hydrophysical fields in the Kerch Strait and adjacent Black Sea water area (2019–2020 ). In all seasons, the concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible values, often significantly, for a number of pollutants, such as hydrocarbons, certain metals, and pesticides. The highest pesticide concentrations were documented in summer, while those of other pollutants peaked in spring. It was observed that the maximum concentrations of most pollutants, as well as dissolved methane and mineral suspended matter, were generally confined to the plume of Sea of Azov waters entering the Black Sea; therefore, their distributions were largely controlled by currents and stratification in the strait.