MAPPING OF ECOLOGICALLY VULNERABLE ZONES AND REGIONS OF WATER AREAS AND SHORELINES WITH PRIORITY PROTECTION AGAINST SPILLS OF OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS IN RUSSIA

Map development for ecologically vulnerable zones and regions of water areas and shorelines with priority protection against spills of oil and oil products is important because of (1) the population’s concern about the growing technological load on nature, and (2) the need to comply with the existing state legislation. At present there is no general methodology for development of vulnerability maps in Russian Federation. The integral maps to be used in prevention and control of oil spills should represent data about ecological vulnerability to oil of both coastal and water ecosystems and information about legally protected objects, zones and regions. A set of maps showing absolute and relative integral vulnerability of particular water areas allows analyzing spatial-temporal dynamics of this indicator. The most vulnerable areas (regions) of the water area could be selected, as well as the most dangerous seasons. Recommendations are elaborated in order to organize the most effective protection of the environment against any possible emergency spills of oil and oil products