Current geological processes affecting the environment of the Caspian region

   Background. In addition to anthropogenic activities affecting the environment, geological hazards pose significant risks to the natural environment, as well as to human population, buildings, and infrastructure. In the Caspian region, geological hazards are primarily associated with geodynamic activity and dissipation of fluid-dynamic stress within the hydro- and lithodynamic flow systems in the subsurface, which manifests in the form of intense upward flows of mobile fluids that significantly impact the surrounding environment.

   Aim. To investigate and assess the current geological processes affecting the environment of the Caspian region.

   Materials and methods. The computer processing and visual interpretation of radar information, as well as the data of marine geological-geophysical and seismic studies, revealed correlation of oil slicks and gas emissions with the sources of fluid generation and discharge within the sedimentary cover of the Caspian region. The correlation between the occurrence of oil slicks and regional seismic activity was evaluated using data from the USGS National Earthquake Information Center concerning earthquakes in the Southern Caspian region.

   Results. The conducted studies evaluated the scale of current geological processes that affect the environment of the Caspian region. In addition to anthropogenic degassing, the role of deep and crustal degassing of the Earth has been found significant in this region. Natural oil and gas showings are spatially and genetically linked primarily with geological processes—vertical and horizontal movements, seismicity, including sedimentary—small-focus seismicity, mud volcanism, the migration and emigration of hydrocarbons, as well as the accumulation of free gas in the upper part of the sedimentary sequence.

   Conclusion. Crustal degassing is associated with the state and functioning of geofluid-dynamic systems, evolving and developing under the influence of geodynamic processes throughout the sedimentary filling at all stages of the basin’s evolution, with the active contributions of the generation and migration of methane, hydrogen, and other gases. Discharges of oil and gas in water exhibit significant variability, including local (concentrated) discharges (such as mud volcanoes, gas seeps, salt springs, slicks, and others), widespread hydrocarbon influx and its fractions from petroleum and gas-bearing structures via faults. Oil pollution in Baku Bay appears to be a consequence of natural fluid dynamic processes occurring in its subsurface. The sources of oil slicks refer to the areas where formation fluids are discharged in the sedimentary cover structures. The discharge is influenced by the seismicity of the Earth’s crust in the South Caspian tectonic basin.

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