In the region under investigations 30 species of seabirds were observed. In the southern part of Drake Passage Daption capense. and Oceanites oceanicus predominated quantitatively, Macronectes giganteus, M. halli and Pachyptila spp. were subdominant. The vessel was often accompanied by Diomedea exulans. In the Bransfield Strait Fulmarus glacialoides, D. capense and O. oceanicus were predominant. M. giganteus was subdominant. The estimated value of the biomass of seabirds was the highest in the region to the west of Elephant Island, slightly lower in the region of Anvers Island, Smith Island and Livingston Island, and the lowest in the south-eastern part of Bransfield Strait and the middle part of the investigated region of Drake Passage.

Background concentrations of main trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in pristine soils of the Beliy Island situated in the Kara Sea, Yamal autonomous region, North-West Siberia, Russia. Belyi Island is considered as reference landscpae for further investigation of soil polychemical contamination of the Yamal region. Three plots with different functional load (mature ecosystem, occasionally and permanently affected plots) were investigated with aim to evaluate the trend of long term polychemical effect on Stagnic Cryosols - benchmark soil type of the Yamal region. Accumulation of trace elements was not fixed in all soils investigated due to absence of direct sources of heavy metals on the territory of the Beliy Island. At the same time, there were essential alterations of PAHs fractional composition and content due to pronounced accumulation of the petroleum products combustion in the vicinity of the permanent meteorological station and former seasonal field base. The most intensive and statistically significant accumulation was noted for phenanthrene, anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. This indicates accumulation of the PAHs in soils, affected by the anthropogenic activity on the meteorological station. The most pronounced differences were revealed for the superficial layer of 0-5 cm. Deeper horizons of soil did not show accumulation of contaminants. Data obtained can be used for organization of further monitoring of contamination of soils and landscapes in Yamal as developing and industrial region.