Nutrient Content and Limitation of the Phytoplankton Primary Production in the Estuary Area of the Vodopadnaya River (South Coast of Crimea)

Abstract

The paper studies eutrophication of the waters of the Yalta water area caused by the Vodopadnaya River runoff and provides assessment of its influence on the characteristics of the phytoplankton primary production limitation by nutrients. The work was performed during 2020.Water samples for hydrochemical analyses were taken in fresh water of the Vodopadnaya River lower reaches and in seawater of its estuarine area. Based on the materials of observations in 2020, the paper characterizes the content of mineral nitrogen compounds (in the form of nitrites, nitrates, ammonium, and total content) and mineral phosphorus in the estuarine area of the Vodopadnaya River, which flows into the Black Sea within the city of Yalta. The influence of atmospheric precipitation on the change in the concentrations of nutrients in the waters of the mouth reach and estuarine front was determined. It was established that nutrient input with the river runoff can shift the nitrogen limitation of the phytoplankton primary production to the phosphorus one. It was shown that river runoff is one of the key factors affecting the degree of eutrophication of sea waters within the recreational zone of Yalta. This should be taken into account when developing strategies for optimizing the urban environment and recreational and tourist infrastructure of the region.