Mass Die-off of Seals in Azerbaijani Section of Caspian Sea

Experts have identified the cause of the mass die-off of seals in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea: hypoxia (lack of oxygen), reports RIA Novosti. In December 2022, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Ecology reported that 17 dead seals had been discovered in the region.

Numerous specialists have joined the efforts to determine the causes of the seal deaths. “The observations included coastal areas of Baku, Sumgayit, Khizi, Khachmaz, Shabran, Lenkoran, Astara, Neftchala, and Salyan. During the observation, pathological tissue samples were taken from the remains of the seals. The analyses conducted found no pathogens of infectious diseases. It has been established that natural gases, which have a heavier molecular weight than atmospheric air, rise from the seabed to the surface of the water, leading to hypoxia, which causes the seals to die,” stated an APBA report.

According to the agency, this issue has also been discussed with specialists from the Republic of Dagestan, where 2,500 seals had previously died. “Scientists from the Faculty of Geography at Moscow State University have proposed a hypothesis and concluded that the seals were poisoned by methane resulting from seismic activity,” the report added.