Within the framework of the RFBR project No. 15-0510202 “A scientific project for carrying out expeditionary studies of water dynamics and the effect of intense storms on morphodynamic processes in the coastal zone of the Azov Sea”, an expedition of FSBSI MHI staff in the area of the Don River delta and Dolgaya Spit was held on June 8–18, 2015.

The expedition was aimed to study hydrophysical and morphodynamic processes in the shallow north-western sector of the Azov Sea and in the Don River Delta, to obtain primary data on the dynamics of the bottom layer, wind speed and direction, velocity and direction of bottom currents and depths in the coastal zone of the Dolgaya Spit and a number of sections of the Don River delta, including the configuration of the coastline and other morphometric characteristics of the studied objects.

To achieve the aforementioned aims the following tasks were solved:

• experimental data on the vertical distribution of temperature and salinity in the studied areas were obtained;
• current velocities in the coastal zone of the delta with an acoustic Doppler WHM current profile meter produced by RDI were measured;
• meteorological parameters were determined using the Wireless Weather Stations portable weather complex;
• optical characteristics of water were measured by the Condor hydrobiophysical probe;
• photo and video survey of coastal areas was carried out;
• the coastline configuration of the study area was determined by a high-precision Trimble GPS system;
• depth measurements were carried out by Lowrance LMS-520C echo sounder.

The works were carried out in the Don River delta, on the coastal sea section of the delta and in the Dolgaya Spit area.

As a result of the work a large amount of primary data was obtained.

The Condor hydrobiophysical probe data give possibility to estimate the variability of water transparency, which, along with visual observations, permits to determine the suspended organic matter fluxes.

As a result of the field data analysis, the configuration of the coastline in the area of the Dolgaya Spit and the tendencies of its deformation will be described.

The research carried out will allow assessing the effects of storm surges and possible flooding of a part of the delta.