Geological conditions, environmental situation and development possibilities of the Paldiski Northern Harbour, north-western Estonia

Abstract

The paper presents information about the history of the Paldiski Northern Harbour, geotechnical characteristics of the bottom sediments, geology of the bedrock and environmental situation. Harbours of Paldiski are virtually ice-free, deep and well protected from the winds blowing from the open sea. Some 300–400 m west of the Paldiski Northern Harbour, the depth of the sea already reaches 20 m. The harbour was founded by Peter I, Czar of Russia, in 1718. During the Soviet occupation it was a closed naval port. After the retreat of Russian troops from Estonia in 1995, the sea floor and land area of the harbour were strongly polluted. For the time being the residual pollution has been liquidated. The extension of the harbour and large-scale construction works in the area are planned. Due to the variable thickness and changeable composition of the bottom deposits the engineering-geological conditions in the harbour area are complicated.