Impacts of the 2007 Kertch oil spill

The accidental oil spill that occurred in the Strait of Kertch in November 2007 has affected the coasts of the strait as well as the adjacent sectors of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The observation of this pollution and its natural degradation in the environment shows that the processes are rather dynamic while the spilled fuel is relatively fresh. However the favourable conditions of insolation, thermal and biochemical regime in the hot season are also very important for the natural remediation of environment.Original Abstract: La pollution petroliere accidentelle qui affecte le detroit de Kertch en novembre 2007 touche les cotes du detroit, de la mer d'Azov et de la mer Noire. Le suivi de cette pollution et de sa degradation naturelle dans le milieu montre que les processus sont d'autant plus rapides que les hydrocarbures sont < frais >. Les autres elements d'explication sont dus aux conditions thermiques, biogeochimiques et au rayonnement solaire en periode estivale.