SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Chapter 5 Environmental & Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Environmental Description 5 Environmental Description Table of Contents 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5-4 5.2 Data Sources .............................................................................................................................. 5-6 5.3 Physical Setting .......................................................................................................................... 5-8 5.3.1 Geology and Seismicity ........................................................................................................ 5-8 5.3.2 Meteorology and Climate ................................................................................................... 5-10 5.4 Terrestrial Environment ............................................................................................................ 5-10 5.4.1 Setting ................................................................................................................................ 5-10 5.4.2 Ground Conditions, Soils and Contamination .................................................................... 5-13 5.4.3 Groundwater and Surface Water ....................................................................................... 5-15 5.4.4 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................... 5-16 5.4.5 Terrestrial Noise ................................................................................................................. 5-16 5.4.6 Terrestrial Ecology ............................................................................................................. 5-19 5.4.7 Protected Areas and Sites of Ornithological Importance ................................................... 5-28 5.5 Marine Environment ................................................................................................................. 5-32 5.5.1 Bathymetry and Oceanography ......................................................................................... 5-32 5.5.2 Marine Environment Survey Data ...................................................................................... 5-36 5.5.3 Seabed Physical and Chemical Environment .................................................................... 5-39 5.5.4 Seabed Biological Environment ......................................................................................... 5-46 5.5.5 Water Column Physical and Chemical Environment ......................................................... 5-51 5.5.6 Water Column Biological Environment .............................................................................. 5-56 5.6 Cultural Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 5-70 5.6.1 Terrestrial Archaeology and Cultural Heritage ................................................................... 5-70 5.6.2 Marine Cultural Heritage .................................................................................................... 5-73 December 2015 Draft SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Chapter 5 Environmental & Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Environmental Description Table of Figures Figure 5.1: SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area in the Context of the Absheron Region .................... 5-5 Figure 5.2: Seismic Characteristics in the Vicinity of the 3D Seismic Survey Area, including the Locations of Mud Volcanoes and Earthquake Centres 20,, ................................................................... 5-9 Figure 5.3: Setting and Geographic Features within Priority Area 1 ............................................ 5-11 Figure 5.4: Setting and Geographic Features within Priority Areas 2 and 3 ................................ 5-12 Figure 5.5: Photos Showing Hydrocarbon Contamination Observed within Priority Area 3 During 2015 Walkover Survey ....................................................................................................................... 5-14 Figure 5.6: Ground Water and Surface Water Features Within the Onshore 3D Seismic Survey Area 26,,30 .................................................................................................................................... 5-15 Figure 5.7: Noise Monitoring Locations ........................................................................................ 5-17 Figure 5.8: Summary of Bird Sensitivity ....................................................................................... 5-28 Figure.5.9: Protected Areas and Important Ornithological Sites Located on the Southwest Caspian Coast and Bird Migration Routes ....................................................................................................... 5-31 Figure.5.10: Location of the Northern, Central and Southern Basins of the Caspian Sea ............ 5-33 Figure.5.11: Surface Currents Recorded in the SWAP 3D Survey Area in March, April, June, July, September, October and November .......................................................................................... 5-35 Figure 5.12: Location of Sampling Stations Relevant to the 3D Seismic Survey Area .................. 5-38 Figure.5.13: Monthly Average Air Temperature, Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Surface Salinity Within the SWAP 3D Survey Area ..................................................................................................... 5-51 Figure.5.14: Migration Routes for Herring/Shad, Mullet, Sturgeon, Kilka and Beluga ................... 5-62 Figure 5.15: Spring and Autumn Migration of the Caspian Seal .................................................... 5-66 Figure 5.16: Approximate Locations of 2010-2015 Observations of the Caspian Seal and Location of Sensitive Seal Areas During Migration in the Vicinity of the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area ................................................................................................................................ 5-69 Figure 5.17: Archaeological & Cultural Heritage Sites Identified Within Priority Area 1 ................ 5-72 Figure 5.18: Archaeological & Cultural Heritage Sites Identified Within Priority Areas 2 and 3 .... 5-72 Figure 5.19: Known Marine Cultural Heritage Sites ....................................................................... 5-75 Table of Tables Table 5.1: Summary of Noise Levels Recorded During November 2015 Noise Survey ............ 5-18 Table 5.2: Flora Species Recorded During the Ecological Survey1 ............................................ 5-21 Table 5.3: Reptile and Amphibian Species Identified or Potentially Present within the Ecological Survey Area .................................................................................................................................... 5-22 Table 5.4: Mammal Species Potentially Present within the Ecological Survey Area .................. 5-23 Table 5.5: Overwintering Birds of Importance Recorded between 2002 and 2006 in Pirallahi and Shahdili Coastlines ............................................................................................................................. 5-25 Table 5.6: Migrating Birds of Importance Recorded between 2002 and 2006 in Pirallahi and Shahdili Coastlines ............................................................................................................................. 5-26 Table 5.7: Bird Species of Conservation Concern Observed on the Absheron to Gobustan Coastline .................................................................................................................................... 5-28 Table 5.8: Azerbaijani Protected Areas and Sites of Ornithological Importance In the Vicinity of the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area .................................................................................................. 5-29 Table 5.9: Type and Number of Monitoring Stations Relevant to the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area .................................................................................................................................... 5-37 Table 5.10: Physical Sediment Properties Recorded in Sediment Surveys within and in the Vicinity of the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area .............................................................................................. 5-40 Table 5.11: Minimum, Maximum and Mean Total Hydrocarbon Concentrations in the Vicinity of the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area ........................................................................................................ 5-41 Table 5.12: Minimum, Maximum and Mean Heavy Metal Concentrations Recorded in Sediment Surveys within and in the Vicinity of the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area ......................................... 5-44 Table 5.13: Number of Invertebrate Species (S) and Percentage (%) of Total Abundance Recorded in Benthic Surveys within and in the vicinity of the 3D Seismic Survey Area ........................................ 5-48 Table 5.14: Benthic Species Presence in Surveys Conducted within and in the Vicinity of the 3D Seismic Survey Area .......................................................................................................................... 5-49 Table 5.15: Chemical Analysis & Nutrient Levels Recorded in Water Column Surveys Within and in Vicinity the SWAP 3D Seismic Survey Area .....................................................................................