Marine Geological Studies Will Begin at Southern Part of Caspian Sea

Joint study using Russia's experts and facilities in Caspian Sea region will be an important project of GSI over the next two years, and this study will be a subset of multifunctional cooperation between GSI and JSC “ROSGEOLOGIA” with support of Joint Economic Commission of Iran and Russian Federation. Preparations of the contract have been done for completion of comprehensive study on the Southern Caspian Sea with many meeting between both sides.

Dr. Khalil Baharfirouzi -Director of Marine Geology Department- referring to recent visit of Dr. Razyeh Lak to Russia and with its finalization, GSI will be employer and owner of the data and ROSGEOLOGIA will be consultant or contractor. Administrative and executive process will continue to attract and fund the funds.

Production of new and highly valuable data for the first time in southern part of Caspian Sea will be the main output of this project. In addition, modern knowledge and equipment will be transferred to GSI. Output of this project include geological, biological, environmental data and the long-term climate of the region.

In geological section, study of structure of the earth to depth of 50 km (the boundary of the mantle and the crust of the earth), the characteristics of thick sedimentary cover in this basin, and the study of sedimentary sea bed is considered and identified by evidence of dynamic faults in bed sediments. Study of conditions with economic view of the features and possibility of contamination of heavy metals and hydrocarbons are other objectives of this project. On the one hand, exact depth, identification of the potential of submarine landslide occurrences in the catchment areas of the basin is also considered.

Core drilling in different depths of the sea and southern section of the Caspian Sea to achieve different levels of quaternary sediments is one of the items defined in this project. By carefully studying the cores, long-standing conditions of the climatic dominant in this part, the Caspian Sea's sea level fluctuations will be evaluated over the past two million years to predict the pattern of climate change and future conditions.

Study of physical and chemical properties of seawater in monitoring of ecosystem of this sea is very important environment point of view, general results of this data will be applicable to various government, public, economic, state and private entities. And as infrastructure information will play a significant role in sustainable and environmental development in the region.

Based on the previous legal regime regarding Caspian Sea, Iran and the Soviet Union had equal rights for shipping and exploitation of the aquatic resources. After the collapse of Soviet Union and foundation of four independent countries, the legal regime of this sea has been discussed for many years.

Considering that the southern part of the sea is located in territory of Islamic Republic of Iran, lacks sufficient technical information to use in legal negotiations. Availability of basic information of geographical, geological and engineering characteristics will play a significant role in diplomatic negotiations.

Five countries which have coastal stripes with Caspian Sea have their own economic-political characteristics, and the Caspian Sea is important for all surrounding countries, and each seeks to know more, which has sources of energy and possible mineral resources. In different parts of this sea, location of special geographical position and its role in climatic conditions of the region as well as its unique geological conditions have caused the importance of this sea.

Southern part of this sea, which is entirely within the boundaries of the Iranian territorial sea, lacks proper geological information, although the Caspian oil company has carried out studies in the area, but this research is conducted only for the purposes of oil exploration up to a certain depth and less accessible for geologists and researchers in biology and fishing sectors. However, very deep geological information, studies of the sedimentology and sedimentary geochemistry of bed sediments, as well as the physicochemical properties of this sea water are very necessary for this area, in relation to the deep-seated building, the boundary of the crust and the mantle. The sediment cover and their properties and geological hazards, environmental and economic conditions of surface sediment and water environment can be reflected.