Black Sea Coast Research Articles

Regimes of value: Economic transformations, ecological livelihoods, and salt cooperatives on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

This article investigates changing regimes of value in the salt flats on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast as a way of exploring how diverse economic practices reflect communities’ relations with their environment. Combining a feminist political economy (FPE) lens with postsocialist analysis of social change in Bulgaria, I trace the salt flats’ transformation from cooperatively managed local ecological livelihood to passive property rendered most valuable when sold for development into the now-dominant tourist industry. In contrast, I also outline contemporary diverse economic practices inspired by the salt flats, which seek alternative means of conceiving the economy. Drawing on these experiences, I argue that the postsocialist lens can offer a robust perspective on conceptualizations of the diverse economy.

Neighbours of the Apsaros Fort. Local Tribes on the Black Sea Coast during the Principate

In the second half of the first century ce, the Romans built a fort at the mouth of the river Apsaros on the coast of Colchis. A Roman garrison was stationed there also in the second century and first half of the third. One of the reasons for fortifying the estuary of the river, given by both Pliny the Elder and Arrian, was the immediate vicinity of the kingdom of Iberia. Both Roman authors also described the local tribes living on the coast between Trebizond and Apsaros and further north. One wonders whether they were the indigenous population of the region and what kind of a relationship they had with the Roman Empire. This study searches for answers to these questions in the preserved written sources and in the archaeological record.

Population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters based on mtDNA sequences with implications for the Black Sea subspecies Tursiops truncatus ponticus

The bottlenose dolphin is a widely distributed species found in temperate waters, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Black Sea population is recognized as a distinct subspecies, Tursiops truncatus ponticus, due to genetic and morphological differences. This study analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of 73 bottlenose dolphin samples collected between 1999 and 2016 along the Turkish Black Sea coast, Turkish Straits System (TSS), Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas revealing 14 haplotypes, eight of which are reported here for the first time. The haplotype network shows two main nodes with star-like sub-networks, but no apparent geographic pattern. The lack of geographical groupings of haplotypes indicates the high mobility of the species within the sampled area. The northern Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (NBS) appear to be genetically differentiated from those in the southwestern Black Sea (SBS), Mediterranean, and Atlantic Ocean, but not from the TSS and Aegean Sea populations. Besides, SBS bottlenose dolphins were differentiated only from those in the western Mediterranean (WM) and the Atlantic. Therefore, NBS and SBS bottlenose dolphins should at least be categorized as different populations. However, contrary to some previous studies there was no evidence supporting the classification of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins as a separate subspecies. The TSS differs only from the Atlantic and the Aegean, and functions like a migratory ‘melting pot’ for surrounding populations. Despite the largest sample size, NBS bottlenose dolphins exhibited the lowest haplotype and nucleotide diversity. This low genetic diversity and potential isolation from adjacent populations highlight the need for prioritizing the conservation of NBS bottlenose dolphins.

CREATION OF SPECIALIZED MAPS AND REGISTERS OF OBJECTS UNDER ARTICLE 6, PARAGRAPHS 4 AND 5 OF THE LAW ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BLACK SEA COAST

The specialized maps and registers are made for the purpose of documenting the spatial position and technical characteristics of the sites under Article 6, paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Law on the Organization of the Black Sea Coast. They also provide information for the development of development schemes and general and detailed development plans, protection of the natural landscape and the sea coast from erosion, abrasion and landslide processes, protection of the cultural and historical heritage, development of investment projects, awarding of concession or renting out sea beaches and solving other tasks.

Anthropogenic Factor as a Relief-forming Factor of the Coastal Zone of the Black Sea Coast of the Krasnodar Territory (On the Example of the Tuapse-Adler Coastline)

The ever-increasing technogenic and anthropogenic load on the seacoasts, which significantly affects natural coastal processes, is increasingly beginning to act as a determining relief-forming factor. Hydraulic structures erected in the coastal zone have a dual effect on the natural coastal processes. On the one hand, they themselves are an artificially created relief, and on the other hand, the structures being erected have a significant effect on natural coastal processes. The example of the coastal section between Tuapse and Adler, located within the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory, which experiences enormous technogenic and anthropogenic load on the coast, shows the need to identify anthropogenic coastal dynamic systems as an independent relief-forming factor. At the same time, an assessment should be made of both the processes occurring within the system and its impact on the natural processes occurring in the adjacent coastal areas.

Rethinking the landslide risk assessment for socio-ecological systems using the example of the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Rethinking the landslide risk assessment for socio-ecological systems using the example of the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Potential Role of the Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) in the Spread of the Harmful Fish Parasite, Asian Tapeworm Schyzocotyle (Bothriocephalus) acheilognathi

Biological control of undesirable organisms and pathogens often involves the introduction of alien species into new regions. However, alien species themselves pose a potential threat to local ecosystems and economies. The Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki is recognised as a dangerous invasive species, but despite this, it is still used for biological control of mosquito larvae, a potential vector of malaria plasmodium transmission to humans, on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. We focused on the species composition of helminths in this fish species. We detected adult nematodes Pseudocapillaria (Pseudocapillaria) tomentosa and cestodes Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (formely Bothriocephalus acheilognathi). The above nematode was observed for the first time in fish of the genus Gambusia. Importantly, the cestode S. acheilognathi, which we found in G. holbrooki, is the most successful invasive alien parasite species in freshwaters of the planet and is extremely hazardous to natural ecosystems and aquaculture as it can cause mass mortality of young fish. Thus, the current practice of transferring mosquitofish between water bodies on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus to control mosquito larvae may contribute to the undesirable spread of a harmful quarantine fish parasite.

Holographic method of under-water noise source localization in shallow water

The results of a high-frequency experiment for the detection and direction estimation of underwater sound noisy source are presented. The experiment was conducted in the shallow waters of the Black Sea coast. The noise emission of the source was received by three vector-scalar receivers located on the bottom. By using holographic processing, the detection and direction estimation of a moving underwater source against the background of intense shipping in the experiment region were carried out. Estimates of the input signal-to-noise ratio are presented.

Marine birds’ plastic ingestion: a first study at the Northwestern Black Sea coast

Marine birds’ plastic ingestion: a first study at the Northwestern Black Sea coast

Prey availability and diet composition of the Grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola) during migration on the South-Western Black Sea coast, Bulgaria

Migratory waders use stopover sites to refuel for the next stages of their migration, relying on seasonally abundant prey. Migration success depends on food quality and availability at these key sites. We studied the diet composition and preferences of the Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) at its migration stopover at Pomorie Lake on the South-Western Black Sea coast, Bulgaria through DNA metabarcoding of faeces collected in autumn 2020 and spring 2021. Prey availability samples were also collected from the surf zone and the supralittoral sandy shore habitats in the study area.Grey Plover had a broad diet spectrum, with 332 prey taxa in total identified by metabarcoding. Both terrestrial and marine taxa were found, suggesting that the birds use multiple coastal habitats for foraging. Terrestrial arthropods, particularly insects, predominated in the Grey Plover diet; mytilid bivalves were the most represented marine taxon. The birds had a generalist feeding strategy, with diverse prey items eaten in small quantities. Most Grey Plovers fed on insects (Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera), but some individuals showed specialisation for other taxa (mussels, spiders, polychaetes). The most abundant potential prey in the environment were not the most frequently consumed, but it is possible the prey sampling failed to capture the whole spectrum of available prey due to methodological limitations.We found no significant seasonal variation in Grey Plover diet composition, but the proportions of some prey taxa in the diet changed slightly, probably reflecting seasonal differences in their abundance and activity in coastal habitats.Our results contribute to the knowledge of Grey Plover diet, prey choice and habitat use in a little-studied region, and could help design effective conservation measures to preserve habitat quality at stopover sites for this wader and others with similar ecology.

Updated state of small scale fisheries on the Romanian Black Sea area

Romanian small-scale fisheries are practiced along the Black Sea coast in five fishing ports (Sulina, Cape Midia, Tomis, Constanta and Mangalia) and 18 other small fishing stations, located between Sulina - Vama Veche, at depths ranging between 2 - 20 m and sometimes up to 50 m, when practicing specialized turbot fisheries. Of significant importance is fishing with divers for the Rapana venosa, the species with the greatest impact on the landed catches. In the coastal area, between Vama Veche and Sulina, which also represents an important area for the reproduction, feeding and rearing of some important fish species, the small-scale fishing is practiced with fixed and active gear, throughout the year, mainly using the following types of fishing gears: pound nets, gillnets, longlines, beach seines, cages/traps, handlines and from 2013 with beam trawl. Catch and fishery productivity vary yearly, depending on environmental conditions, fishing effort, status of main commercial species, and human factors. During the analyzed period (2019 - 2023), catches in shallow waters were between 7149 and 3127 tons, which has an increasing trend compared to the previous period (2012 – 2017).

Morphological characteristics of the species Gaidropsarus Mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758) population from the Romanian Black Sea coast in the year 2023

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the Gaidropsarus mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758) species growth pattern from the Romanian Black Sea Coast, in the year 2023. This has been accomplished by studying the length-weight relationship, an important parameter, which helps to know the growth pattern of fish populations, Fulton’s condition factor (kc) (useful index for monitoring feeding intensity) from 180 shore rockling individuals caught by pots. Average lengths and weights were 24.4 ± 2.6 cm and 101.46 ± 38.11 g, respectively, the minimum and maximum values were 18.3 and 33.8 cm, 36 and 319 g in weight. The value of exponent b in the equation is 3.197, indicating that the increasing weight is allometrically positive and mean value of the Fulton was 0.68 ± 0.08, with the minimum and maximum values of 0.47 to 0.90. The obtained results can have useful effects on the stock management of this fish species.

Ulva species from the Romanian Black Sea Coast – between green blooms and nature’s contribution to people

Ulva species have a worldwide distribution and remarkable ability to develop under various conditions, being considered an important natural resource that is under-exploited along the Romanian Black Sea coast. These green algae, involved in green tides observed worldwide, have also a remarkable potential as prolific sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits and a wide range of applications in food, feed, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, or biofuel industries. The study aims to analyze the quantitative variability of Ulva spp. during 2019 - 2023, in order to highlight the areas with algal agglomerations. These are also areas where potential algal deposits can develop during summer season. This fresh biomass can be selectively collected and valorized, thus supporting the circular economy. The sampling method was the classic one (square method/20x20 cm) from 14 stations along Pescarie towards Vama Veche, at depths between 0 to 3 m deep. Among all Ulva spp., Ulva rigida and Ulva intestinalis quantitatively distinguished during the study period, being also the main components of algal deposits. The highest mean wet biomasses were recorded in the southern part, as follows: U. rigida – a maximum value of 2200 g/m2 at 2 Mai; U. intestinalis – max. value of 700 g/m2 at Eforie South. Furthermore, a review of species’ main bioactive compounds, emphasizing their potential health benefits, will also be provided.

Current status of zoobenthic fauna associated with macroalgae fields from the southern Romanian Black Sea coast

The European environmental policies related to marine water management require a periodic environmental status assessment. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC clearly specifies that assessment must take into consideration benthic habitat types, including their associated biological communities. The aim of this study is to present the results of the ecological analysis of the zoobenthic communities associated with benthic habitats with macrophytic substrate and to provide new data regarding the qualitative and quantitative structure of macroinvertebrates that populate these habitats type. The broad habitats type Infralittoral rock and biogenic reef and Infralittoral sands were investigated. The analyzed data covers the summer season, 2023 based on the processing of 13 samples collected from Navodari to 2 Mai – Vama Veche, on depths ranging between 1m to 3 m. A total of 80 macrozoobenthic species were found in all macrophytic assemblages, the Polychaeta, Crustacean and Gastropod were the dominant groups, especially Perinereis cultrifera, Platynereis dumerilii, Ampithoe ramondi, Stenothoe monoculoides, Rissoa splendida, Tricolia pullus registering a large number of individuals. For data interpretation a synecological analysis was performed allowing the identification of the species with the most significant contribution in the ecosystem in terms of function, energy exchanges with the environment, the characteristic species of a biotope or those that have an accidental presence in the studied area.

Severe Convection at Burgas Airport: Case Study 17 September 2022

Convection monitoring and forecasting are crucial for air traffic management as they can lead to the development of intense thunderstorms and hazards such as severe turbulence and icing, lightning activity, microbursts and hail that affect aviation safety. The airport of Burgas is located in southeast Bulgaria on the Black Sea coast and occurrences of intense thunderstorms are mainly observed in the warm season between May and September. This work presents an analysis of severe convection over southeast Bulgaria on 17 September 2022. In the late afternoon, a gust front was formed that reached the Burgas airport with a wind speed exceeding 45 m/s, the record for the past 50 years, damaging the instrument landing system of the airport. To analyse the severe weather conditions, we combine state-of-the-art observations from satellite and radar with the upper-air sounding and surface. The studied period was dominated by the presence of a very unstable air mass over southeast Bulgaria ahead of the atmospheric front. As convection developed and moved east towards Burgas, it had four characteristics of severe deep convection, including gravitational waves at the overshooting cloud top, a cold U-shape, a flanking line and a cloud top temperature below −70 °C. The positive integrated water vapour (IWV) rate of change preceded the lightning activity peak by 30 min. Analysis of integrated vapour transport (IVT) gives higher values by a factor of two compared to climatology associated with the atmospheric river covering the eastern Mediterranean sea.

Emerging Vibrio vulnificus-Associated Infections After Seawater Exposure—Cases from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

Emerging Vibrio vulnificus-Associated Infections After Seawater Exposure—Cases from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

Население Черноморского округа 70-х гг. XIX в.: состояние и структура, влияние Русско-турецкой войны 1877–1878 гг.

In this article, the author examines the society of the Black Sea District during the 1870s of the XIX century. Within the context of colonization processes and the impact of military actions during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, issues pertaining to the formation of administrative and territorial boundaries, as well as the state and structure of the population in both the pre-war and post-war periods, are discussed. The author presents data regarding the ethnic and religious composition of the population, highlighting its growth from the end of 1872 to the beginning of 1883, and comes to the conclusion that the war had a detrimental effect on demographic processes. The main sources of this study include published official statistical data, normative legal acts, and newspaper publications from “Kavkaz” and “Moscow Vedomosti”, alongside personal materials such as memoirs and analytical works by Arseniy Vasilyevich Vereshchagin, an active participant in the development of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus during the 1870s.

Дополнение к лихенофлоре России IV. Bactrospora patellarioides и заметки по российским видам рода Bactrospora (Arthoniales, Ascomycota)

During the study of the lichen flora of the Utrish Nature Reserve (Abrau Peninsula, Krasnodar Territory), a Mediterranean-Atlantic lichen species Bactrospora patellarioides was identified for the first time for Russia and the Caucasus based on morphological and anatomical characteristics. This species grows on the trunk of Juniperus excelsa in the sub-Mediterranean xerothermic undisturbed pistacia-juniper community on the Black Sea coast. The species was previously known from the Mediterranean regions of Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, and is also known from Macaronesia and Western North America. Detailed description, habitat characteristics, ecology, and general distribution of species are presented. Notes on the genus Bactrospora are given, and a key to the Russian species (B. brodoi, B. dryina and B. patellarioides) is provided.

Structure and Dynamics of Phytoplankton Populations in the Black Sea from 2014 to 2017

This study investigated the seasonal variations in phytoplankton communities along the Turkish Black Sea coast (2014-2017). Analyzing data from 20 stations revealed high biodiversity (175 species across 14 classes). Phytoplankton abundance showed distinct seasonality, with a peak in summer (2017, 96.6%) and lows in winter, characterized by dinoflagellate dominance. In terms of biomass, diatoms dominated in half of the sampling seasons, while dinoflagellates dominated in the other half at the surface during the study period. The dominance of dinoflagellates corresponded to the winters and summers of 2015 and 2016. The winter conditions of 2015 were harsh. The surface water community composition sometimes varied from that of the water column. Importantly, 44 potentially toxic species were identified, comprising 25% of the community and significantly contributing to both abundance (73.2-98.6%) and biomass (64-90.2%) throughout the year. These results highlight the unique structure of the Black Sea phytoplankton community, characterized by seasonal dominance of diatoms and a significant presence of potentially toxic species. Season, year, and water depth significantly influenced the phytoplankton assemblages. Water temperature was negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-based nutrients.

Influence of lithodynamics of coastal area on the safety of railway operation on the Tuapse-Adler section of the North Caucasus Railway

The present paper considers the railroad bed on the Tuapse-Adler section of the North Caucasus Railway (Black Sea coast) in terms of its protection from wave scouring. Aim. To evaluate the influence of coastal lithodynamics on the safety of the railway operation on the section under consideration. The paper describes lithodynamic processes in the sea coastal zone and demonstrates the influence of coastal protection structures produced on lithodynamics in general and on adjacent sections, as exemplified by a specific section of the coast (1907–1910 km). The study involves a retrospective analysis of the step-by-step construction of trapping structures, and sea groins without full-fledged dumping of beach-forming material into the inter-groin compartments. The investigation and analysis of satellite images of 1907–1910 km coast within the Vodopadny-Lazarevskoye section indicate that lithodynamic processes remained unconsidered during the intensive construction of bank protection structures, which led to the beach erosion and the emergency condition of the seawalls along 1909–1910 km section. The paper provides recommendations for considering lithodynamic processes in the construction of railway protection structures, thereby increasing the safety of the railway operation.