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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160060
Title: HYDROLOGIC INPUT, NUTRIENT AND POLLUTANT BUDGETS, AND BIOTIC COMPONENTS OF THE NORTH CASPIAN SEA

Author
item BUTLER, THOMAS - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item Tartowski, Sandy
item BASHKIN, VLADIMIR - MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY
item LYCHAGIN, MICHAIL - MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY
item SISENGALIEVA, G - FISH RES INST, ATYRAU
item YERGALIYEV, TLEPKAZY - ATYRAU OIL & GAS INST

Submitted to: Estuarine Research Federation Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2003
Publication Date: 9/14/2003
Citation: Butler, T.J., Tartowski, S.L., Bashkin, V.N., Lychagin, M.Y., Sisengalieva, G., Yergaliyev, T. 2003. Hydrologic input, nutrient and pollutant budgets, and biotic components of the North Caspian Sea [abstract]. In: Estuaries on the Edge, Estuarine Research Federaltion Conference, September 14-18, 2003. Online: http://erf.org/cgi-bin/conference_abstract.pl?conference=erf2003&id=138.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The North Basin of the Caspian Sea is predominantly a shallow water estuary of the Volga River. The Volga River provides approximately 80% of the total riverine water input to the entire Caspian and represents the largest source of nutrients (N, P, and Si etc.) and pollutants (hydrocarbons, pesticides etc.). The Ural River also contributes inputs but on a much smaller scale, representing less than 5% of the riverine input to the Caspian Sea. In order to understand the ecological functioning and current status of the North Caspian, we will present hydrologic, carbon, organic and inorganic nutrient, and pollutant budgets impacting this rich estuarine system, as well as estimates of biomass and productivity of major components of the food web. These include phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthic communities, invading species such as the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, several species of fish which are important both ecologically and commercially, and the endemic Caspian Seal. Comparing data collected during the Soviet era to more recent analyses, it appears that the North Caspian is less polluted today. However, illegal fishing has endangered some economically important commercial fish stocks such as the Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) and, to a lesser extent, other sturgeon species.