ABSTRACT
Recently, economic activity in the coastal zone of the Soviet Union has markedly intensified. A major cause of this development is population growth in the areas adjoining the seas. This process is particularly true for the coasts along the south seas of the country, including the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspean Sea. As a result, the coastal zone has begun to experience a powerful anthropogenic pressure which produces negative consequences. Because of this, the Soviet Union is giving special attention to ecological research directed toward conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the coastal environment.
