Comparative Characteristics of Microbial Communities in the Surface Waters of Bays in the Coastal Waters of the Sea of Japan Exposed to Anthropogenic Impact

The study of microbial communities is of primary importance in assessing the ecological state of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere as a whole. The communities located near places of human activity, i.e., cities, factories, and seaports, are of greatest interest. Microbial communities in the bays of Primorsky krai has been insufficiently studied at present, as the objects of the study were mainly focused on the bays and gulfs located nearest to Vladivostok, while the water areas located to the north along the seacoast were studied insufficiently or not at all. This study presents new data on the microbiota composition of ten bays and Coves of Primorsky krai. The main dominants, environmental factors affecting microbial populations, as well as their functional features which not only impact the processes of formation of bacterial communities, but also participate in function of ecosystems as a whole were identified. The expeditionary research on the Pilgrim cruise ship is the first implemented activity of the “Road Map” (2024–2028) initiated by the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute” and the V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute. The results obtained are promising for studies in accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation no. 818 dated November 2, 2023, “On the Development of Nature-like Technologies in the Russian Federation.”