The coastal ecosystem of the Black Sea is expected to take several years to recover after a devastating hurricane, according to scientist Anastasia Lantushenko. Lantushenko, the lead scientist at the research laboratory Bioresource potential of the coastal territory of the Sevastopol National Technical University, stated that the recovery process could take 2-3 years. She explained that organisms such as algae and mollusks, which have an attached lifestyle, were particularly affected by the storm. Lantushenko mentioned the loss of young oyster specimens on a farm as an example. However, she reassured that large species of fish were not affected as they do not come close to the shore during such storms.
The storm hit the Russian south on Sunday night, causing significant damage. An experimental oyster spat, part of research conducted by the SPC MoreAgroBioTech company, was completely wiped out. Additionally, the Sevastopol Marine Aquarium suffered damage to its equipment, resulting in the death of over 500 marine animals.
The cyclone, characterized by hurricane winds and massive flooding, impacted several regions including Crimea, Dagestan, Krasnodar, Rostov, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye. Tragically, at least four people lost their lives, and numerous others were injured. The severe weather event caused further disruptions such as power outages, traffic problems, and damage to homes.
The recovery of the Black Sea coastal ecosystem will require time and careful restoration efforts. Lantushenko’s expertise sheds light on the potential impact of this natural disaster, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems.
