Sustainability of the Marine Environment Towards the Anthropogenic Impacts in the Ecosystem of the Barents Sea

Abstract:

Among all Arctic seas, the Barents Sea is characterized by its unique environment and high level of the biodiversity. At the same time the Gulf Stream waters transport large amounts of pollutants in the Barents Sea bringing various contaminants and substances from the North Sea. Nowadays, there are in Timan Pechora-Carboniferous basin located in the Barents Sea with 76 oil and gas subsidies, which store a quarter of all Russian oil. The ecological stress on the Barents environment is extremely high. As a result of contamination, the current state of the Arctic environment in the unique area of the Barents Sea may become threatening provided human impact remains at the same level. This article demonstrates the problem of nature resistance towards human impact. It shows negative human impact on the environment. Current geo-ecological situation in the Barents Sea as a unique hydrodynamic system is analyzed. The consideration is given both to the level of negative human impacts on the marine ecosystem as well as to the resistance of nature, i.e. the ability to deal with environmental stress, multiplied by their geographical location in the Arctic climate.

Key Words: marine ecosystems, Barents Sea, marine environment, water pollution, ecological sustainability