News in Press-centre

Researchers of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) and the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS) have completed field study of the environmental status of the Golden Horn Bay in Vladivostok. The first results showed that there are seven sunken vessels on the bottom of the water area. Also, in the course of the work, the researchers obtained data on the ecological status of the bay, the bottom topography, the nature of the bottom soil, and the amount of sediment.

According to Valery Petukhov, the Project Manager, Deputy Director of the FEFU School of Engineering, the total area of 5.2 square kilometers was surveyed at depths of up to 28 meters. The result of the geomagnetic survey revealed large magnetic anomalies ranging in size from 10 to 50 meters at the bottom of the bay. Diving survey and data obtained by underwater robots showed that these are sunken ships: tugboats, a lighter, and motor boats. The time and circumstances of the marine accidents remain unknown.

The researchers point out that the shipwrecks do not represent an environmental threat now. Nevertheless, experts are studying the world practices of removing shipwrecks and preparing a plan for them to be utilized. At the next stage, FEFU and FEB RAS will also develop proposals for cleaning the bay. The researchers will analyze modern technologies and will make recommendations for their implementation at sites that are now the main sources of pollution of the water area.

“The cleaning of the Golden Horn is a significant project for Vladivostok. We hope that our work will facilitate ecological restoration of the bay in the coming years,” said Valery Petukhov.

The experts of FEFU and FEB RAS carry out research under the state contract Development of a program to eliminate accumulated environmental damage in the Golden Horn Bay. The client is the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Environmental Protection (VNII Ecology). The project is under personal control of Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District.