Black Sea Research Articles

Archaeogenetic Data Mining Supports a Uralic–Minoan Homeland in the Danube Basin

Four types of archaeogenetic data mining are used to investigate the origin of the Minoans and the Uralic peoples: (1) six SNP mutations related to eye, hair, and skin phenotypes; (2) whole-genome admixture analysis using the G25 system; (3) an analysis of the history of the U5 mitochondrial DNA haplogroup; and (4) an analysis of the origin of each currently known Minoan mitochondrial and y-DNA haplotypes. The uniform result of these analyses is that the Minoans and the Uralic peoples had a common homeland in the lower and middle Danube Basin, as well as the Black Sea coastal regions. This new result helps to reconcile archaeogenetics with linguistics, which have shown that the Minoan language belongs to the Uralic language family.

Seasonal–Diurnal Distribution of Lightning over Bulgaria and the Black Sea and Its Relationship with Sea Surface Temperature

A seasonal–diurnal analysis of land-sea contrast in lightning activity over Bulgaria and the Black Sea over 10 years is presented here. The maximum number of flashes over both surface types is registered during the summer (with a peak over Bulgaria in June and over the Black Sea in July) and a minimum number in winter (December/February, respectively). During spring, the maximum flash density is observed over Bulgaria (in May), while in autumn, it is over the Black Sea (in September). The results show that only in autumn lightning activity dominates over the Black Sea compared to over land (Bulgaria), while in winter, spring, and summer is vice versa. For this reason, an additional investigation was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between lightning activity and the sea surface temperature (SST) of the Black Sea in autumn. The analysis reveals that the influence of SST on the formation of thunderstorms over the Black Sea varies depending on the diurnal time interval, with the effect being more significant at night. At nighttime intervals, there is a clear trend of increasing mean flash frequency per case with rising SST (linear correlation coefficients range from R = 0.92 to 0.98), while during the daytime, this trend is not as evident. This indicates that, during the day, other favorable atmospheric processes have a greater influence on the formation of thunderstorms than sea-surface temperature, while in the autumn night hours, the higher SST values probably play a more significant role in thunderstorms formation, in combination with the corresponding orographic conditions.

REGIONALISM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE REGIME

The article is devoted to the characteristics of the peculiarities of public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the regions whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The research of regional specifics of legal regulation and organizational mechanisms of the maintenance of the operational regime aimed at underwater cultural heritage represents experience of countries that are parties to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and those who have not yet adhered to it. The relevance of the research issues is determined by the necessity to create the concept of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine based on the best international practices and progressive experience of the functioning of comprehensive legal regimes of sea areas and regional cooperation. The article aims to determine the main tendencies, the best tools and mechanisms of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the range of regions of the world, whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The article’s purpose is to suggest proposals regarding the adoption of the positive experience and implementation of the new practices of legal regulation and organizational support of the underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is composed of general scientific and special legal methods of scientific knowledge (historical, statistical, analysis and synthesis, comparative, scientific abstraction, forecasting, simulation). The authors describe the main modern risks for underwater cultural heritage and the ways of their potential detrimental effects elimination. Within the classical ways of regional cooperation in the field of maritime activity, the joint efforts and national approaches to public administration of underwater cultural heritage regimes in Mediterranean, Black Sea and Caribbean Basins have been characterized. It was mentioned that typical features of such administration include the establishment of specially authorized national management bodies, approval of relevant legislation and regional specialized treaties, cooperation with interested parties and digitization of vaults of museums and underwater objects in situ. Special attention was drawn to the necessity of the development of national legislation of Ukraine on the activity in the field of underwater cultural heritage, to the intensification of efforts regarding cooperation on regional and global basis, as well as to the implementation of new technical opportunities for activation of underwater historical, cultural and archeological artifacts digitization.

Romania and the International Sanitary Conferences of the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

This paper traces Romania’s participation in the International Sanitary Conferences of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Romania’s interest in international sanitary diplomacy was directly linked to the country’s geographical location and the role of the Danube in the spread of epidemics. The cholera outbreak that reached the Lower Danube in 1865 demonstrated that the river, which connected the Levant to Central Europe via steamship companies, was one of the main gateways through which epidemics spread to the continent. With their busy commercial links to other Black Sea ports, Sulina, Galați and Brăila were equally vulnerable to the importation of diseases that reached Ottoman or imperial Russian ports by land, i.e., via Persia or Central Asia. Such serious health concerns became even more important to the Romanian government after the Danube Delta and Dobrudja became part of independent Romania in 1878. The text follows the various interests that Romania had during these decades, defended by diplomats and doctors who worked together to protect public health from various epidemic, political or economic threats.

Evaluation of Potential Flood Areas in the Basin of Lake Ladik through AHP and GIS Integration, (Samsun, Türkiye)

Floods are a problem of many countries on a global scale. In Türkiye, especially in the summer months, large floods occur in the Black Sea Region coastal belt. The number and the destructive power of experienced floods are increasing day by day. It is not possible to prevent the occurrence of floods. But it is possible to take the necessary measures to prevent it from turning into a disaster. Recently, susceptibility analyses have been carried out for floods and similar natural disasters and the results help decision-makers. Within the scope of this study, flood susceptibility analysis was carried out by using multiple geographical factors together in the Basin of Lake Ladik of Samsun Province in the Black Sea Region. In the study, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques were used, which are multi-criteria decision-making methods. In this context, flood susceptibility analysis of the basin was carried out by using nine (9) different geographical factors (slope, aspect, lithology, soil, basin size, land use, landforms, precipitation, and drainage density). As a result of the study, for floods, there were identified four (4) different levels as low, medium, high, and very high; and 36.77% of the basin was found to be low, 30.03% was medium, 11.43% was high and 21.77% was found to be sensitive to possible floods at a very high level. The results of the study are also important for decision-makers to make flood risk planning.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Glycerol Monolaurate on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes, Serum Immune and Antioxidant Parameters, and Intestinal Morphology in Black Sea Bream.

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to examine the impact of dietary supplementation with glycerol monolaurate (GML) on juvenile black sea bream. A basal diet was formulated containing 24% fish meal, while five additional diets were prepared, each supplemented with varying levels of GML: GML1 (0.01%), GML2 (0.02%), GML3 (0.04%), GML4 (0.08%), and GML5 (0.16%). Triplicate tanks were randomly allocated to each diet, each containing 20 fish with an initial weight of 1.55 ± 0.05 g. By the trial's end, the GML3 group displayed a notably higher final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to the other groups (p < 0.05), but the FCR was significantly higher in the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in the MFI, PPV, CF, HSI, IPF, VSI, or SR among the groups (p > 0.05). Regarding the proximate compositions of the dorsal muscle and whole body, no substantial differences were observed across the groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant variations in digestive enzyme activity (p > 0.05), serum immune, or biochemical parameters in the midgut and hindgut among the treatment groups. But in the serum immune response IgM, C3 and C4 were significantly higher in the GML3 group as compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). However, the GML3 group exhibited significantly greater fore-intestinal villus height, crypt depth, villus height per crypt depth, and the number of goblet cells per villus compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Overall, GML supplementation, particularly GML3, significantly improved growth indicators like the final body weight and intestinal morphology. While certain parameters remained unaffected, these findings suggest GML's potential as a beneficial dietary supplement in fish diets.

Marine collagen extraction methods for solving regenerative medicine problems

Modern regenerative medicine widely uses collagen-based products and products, the most popular being collagen of animal origin. The use of such collagen is associated with a number of difficulties, incl. with the occurrence of active immune reactions, as well as with religious and cultural restrictions that do not allow the use of drugs made from animal tissue. Marine collagen, which does not have these disadvantages, can be a successful alternative to collagen from animal sources. The current geopolitical situation forces us to look for domestic sources of collagen. The article provides an overview of methods for extracting collagen from jellyfish biomass. Promising species of jellyfish suitable for implementing these methods are considered. It has been shown that on the territory of the Russian Federation, the most productive and promising jellyfish of the family Rhizostomatidae of the order of Rhizostoma pulmo, living in the Black Sea. The jellyfish Aurelia aurita of the order of disc jellyfish (Semaeostomeae), despite its prevalence (lives in almost all seas of Russia), has a low content of dry substances in its biomass and is difficult to catch due to the small weight of individuals. Of the extraction methods considered in relation to jellyfish biomass, mixed enzymatic and acidic extraction using organic acids should be considered the most suitable. The enzymatic method using pepsin is applicable to the biomass of Aurelia aurita jellyfish, because The jellyfish biomass is completely dissolved in the first stage of enzymatic extraction.

The Problem of Power Variations in Wind Turbines Operating under Variable Wind Speeds over Time and the Need for Wind Energy Storage Systems

One of the most important and efficient sources of green electricity is catching air currents through wind turbine technology. Wind power plants are located in areas where the energy potential of the wind is high but it varies. The time variation of the wind generates fluctuations in the power produced by the wind farms that is injected into the grid. This elevates, depending on the intensity, problems of network stability and the need for balancing energy, thus raising both technical and cost issues. The present paper analyzes the behavior of a wind turbine (WT) over time in varying wind speed conditions, highlighting that without automation algorithms, a WT is far from the operation at the maximum power point (MPP). However, even when it is brought to operate at MPP, there are still significant variations in the power injected into the network. These power variations can be compensated if the wind system has energy storage facilities for the captured wind. All of these assumptions are analyzed using improved mathematical models and processed in simulations, with experimental data used as input from a wind turbine with an installed power of 2.5 [MW] in operation on the Romanian Black Sea coastal area. Consequently, the paper demonstrates that during an operation in the optimal area, from an energy perspective, the wind turbine’s maximum power point requires a storage system for the captured wind energy.

Holographic Method of Localization of Underwater Noise Source in Shallow Water

Holographic signal processing of noise signals by using of the vector-scalar receivers is described. The results of an experiment on the detection and direction estimation of an underwater noise source are presented. The experiment was conducted in Black Sea. The source noise emission was received by vector-scalar receivers. Holographic signal processing made it possible to detect, localize and resolve an underwater source with a low input signal/interference ratio against the background of intensive surface navigation.

Etruscan Wolf Canis etruscus (Canidae, Carnivora) from the Early Pleistocene of Crimea (Taurida Cave).

The cranial and mandibular fragments of the medium-sized canid from the Early Pleistocene locality of Taurida cave (about 1.8-1.5 Ma) in Crimea are described and included in the hypodigm of the species Canis etruscus Forsyth Major, 1877, a common member of the Late Villafranchian fauna of the Circum-Mediterranean region. This species is reported for the first time from the Northern Black Sea region. The discovered evidence reinforce previous published idea regarding the periodically use of the Taurida cave by canids and other large predators as a den and shelter.

Modeling of the Black Sea circulation using equations of heat and salt advection–diffusion having discrete nonlinear invariants

In this work the accuracy of reconstructing the Black Sea circulation by using new approximations of nonlinear terms in the transport equations, ensuring the conservation of temperature and salinity to a power greater than two, is analyzed based on the results of forecast calculations. Three numerical experiments with differences in the schemes for calculating temperature and salinity are carried out. In the first experiment – traditional schemes are used to conserve of temperature and salinity in the first and second degrees; in the second one – the temperature is conserved in the first and fifth degrees, salinity in the first and third; in the third one – the temperature in the first and third, salinity in the first and fifth degrees. Calculations are performed on the basis of the MHI model with a resolution of 1.6 km and taking into account realistic atmospheric forcing for 2016. Validation of the results is carried out based on comparison of model fields with in-situ and satellite measurements of temperature and salinity in 2016. Analysis of mean and root mean square errors showed that new schemes for the advection-diffusion equations of heat and salt, ensuring the conservation of predictive parameters to a power greater than two, improve the accuracy of reconstructing the salinity in the Black Sea upper 100m layer throughout the year compared with traditional approximation. The root mean square errors in the salinity field are reduced by 15–20%, the thickness of the upper mixed layer in winter and the depth of the upper boundary of the thermocline layer in summer in the central part of the sea are modeled approximately 10% more accurately. Based on the results of three experiments, the smallest deviations from observational data are obtained when using approximations that ensure the conservation of temperature to the third power and salinity to the fifth power.

The Relationship Between Teaching Motivation of Teachers Working at Science and Art Centers (BİLSEM) and Their Competence in Designing Digital Materials

In this study, the relationship between teaching motivation and digital material design competencies of teachers working in Science and Art Centres (BİLSEM) was examined. Research data were obtained from teachers working in BİLSEMs in the 2022-2023 academic year. In the research, mixed method was used in which quantitative and qualitative data were handled together. In the quantitative dimension of the research, gender and professional seniority differences between digital material design competencies and teaching motivation were examined with the data obtained from 106 teachers working in BİLSEMs across Turkey. In the qualitative dimension of the study, data were collected from 12 teachers working in a BİLSEM in the Western Black Sea Region with a semi-structured interview form. According to the results of the analyses, it was seen that BİLSEM teachers' digital material design competencies were at a high level. Teachers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels were found to be at medium level. No significant difference was found between teachers' digital material design competencies and teaching motivation and gender and professional seniority variables. It was determined that there was a moderate positive relationship between teachers' digital material design competences and their teaching motivation (intrinsic-extrinsic). As a result of the research, it was revealed that teachers need training on current issues such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality.

Investigating seasonal variation in the phytochemical and antioxidant capacities of different Sphagnum taxa

This study investigated the phytochemical content and antioxidant activities of four Sphagnum taxa (S. centrale, S. palustre, S. teres and, S. auriculatum) collected from the Black Sea region of Turkey during two different seasons. The phytochemical groups in the methanol extracts of Sphagnum taxa were identified using qualitative screening methods. The total phenol content of these taxa was quantitatively determined using Folin-ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid equivalents as the standard their antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging ability (DPPH), the CUPRAC test, and phosphomolybdenum assay. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts showed that phenols, tannins, and saponins were present in the extracts, whereas alkaloids and flavonoids were absent. The highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed in 100 µgmL-1 S. teres methanol extract (74.47±0.001% in the first season, September 2021 and 75.37±0.002% in the second season, May 2022). The highest total antioxidant capacity was found in 100 µgmL-1 S. palustre extract (81.00±0.027% in the first season and 84.87±0.002% in the second season). The results of our experiment showed that Sphagnum taxa collected in spring had higher antioxidant activity than those collected in autumn.

Импортные узорные ткани Белореченского могильника в коллекции Государственного Эрмитажа

Purpose of the study: The attribution and dating of figured textiles from the Belorechensky burial ground (North Caucasus), study of manufacturing techniques, reconstruction of textile patterns and study of historical aspects related to the problem of the supply and existence of these silks in the region. Research materials: The collection of archaeological materials from the Belorechensky burial ground (collection of the Oriental Department of the State Hermitage) including 22 figured textiles (52 inventory no.), textiles from collections of other institutions (Metropolitan Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, etc.). Results and scientific novelty of the study: Of the 87 examples of textiles, embroidery, needlework, and threads, 22 examples are related to silk figured textiles. According to the technique, they are divided into velvets, damasks, lampases, and taffeta with pattern weft. Most of the textiles can be associated with the Syro-Egyptian weaving tradition of the 14th-15th centuries. However, there are several examples of Chinese and Italian production, and one damask, the technical features of which make it related not only to Italian and Syro-Egyptian, but also to early 16th century Safavid textiles. In this regard, the dating of the mounds from which these textiles originate was examined and clarified; issues of trade in the Northern Black Sea region were touched upon, as well as non-economic ways of the appearance of high-status imported products.

Dynamic site index models sensitive to ecoregional variability for Scots pine stands in Western Black Sea Region of Türkiye.

Site productivity, defined as the production amount of the stand at a specific age, has a significant impact on the growth of the stand and site index is used as an indicator of site productivity. The objective of this study is to develop ecoregion-based dynamic site index models for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in the Kastamonu and Sinop regions of Türkiye. The mixed-effects modeling approach allowing for the inclusion of ecoregions in the models was used to develop dynamic site index models, and the models derived from seven base models were tested. The best model was selected based on statistical criteria. As a result of statistical analyses and graphical examinations, the King-Prodan model was found to yield the best predictive results in terms of growth patterns. The site index model based on the King-Prodan method produced a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.977. The statistical criteria for this model are as follows: Akaike information criterion (AIC) of 4931.052, Bayesian information criterion (BIC) of 4968.933, root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.218, and mean error (ME) of - 0.036. The F-test was used to test whether there was a statistically significant difference in dominant heights between ecoregions. The results demonstrated that the dominant heights exhibited statistically significant differences among the ecoregions. Consequently, it is of paramount importance to utilize ecoregion-based dynamic site index models in order to achieve reliable and accurate predictions.

Seasonal modeling of soil erodibility in the Central Black Sea Region

Seasonal modeling of soil erodibility in the Central Black Sea Region

Trends and socio-demographic determinants of suicide-related mortality in Türkiye: An epidemiological study from 2009 to 2022.

Suicide is a leading cause of death, particularly among the young age group, in Türkiye, a country with a high population of young people. The aim of this study is determine the suicide related mortality trend and some associated socio-demographic factors in Türkiye between 2009 and 2022. The study includes an epidemiological trend on suicide. The Turkish Statistical Institute's data portal was used. The study population is 46,691 people (Male/female ratios = 74.6%/ 25.4%). Changes in mortality trends were evaluated using the Joinpoint Regression method with Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Percentage Change (AAPC) analysis. Over the past 14 years in Türkiye, there has been a statistically significant increase in the standardized mortality rate among males (2009-2022 APC = .76, p = .012) and a statistically non-significant decrease among females (2009-2022 APC = -1.62, p = .083). According to the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS-1) classification, the highest increase is observed in the Central Anatolia region followed by the Western Black Sea region (APC = 3.0 and 2.7, respectively; p < .005). While the percentage of primary school and below has decreasing trends (2009-2022 APC = -7.11, p < .005), there is a significant increase in the percentage of university graduates (2009-2016 APC = 10.87, p < .001). Regarding the marital status, there is a significant decrease in the percentage of those who are married (2009-2013 APC = -3.36, p < .001; 2013-2016 APC = 2.42, p = .037; 2016-2022 APC = -2.31, p = .003) and a significant increase in those who have never been married (2009-2013 APC = 2.63, p < .001; 2013-2016 APC = -1.36, p = .002). Although suicide related mortality is below the global average, there has been an increasing trend in turkey in the last 14 years. Analytical and intervention studies on the socio-demographic determinants supporting the increasing trend are needed.

The First Detection of an Adult Boops boops (Sparidae) off the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea

The First Detection of an Adult Boops boops (Sparidae) off the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea

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.

Modeling the structure changes of cold-water copepods Calanus euxinus population under the influence of the black sea depths deoxygenation

The paper presents the results of modeling the possible changes in the structure of the population of Calanus euxinus Hulsemann, 1991 copepods in the Black Sea under the influence of deoxygenation that began in the late 1980s. Over the past 50 years, the depth of oxygen penetration in the deep sea has decreased by almost 50 m. The lower “life limit” of zooplankton in the Black Sea corresponds to the upper boundary of the suboxic layer, where intense copepod aggregation occurs at an oxygen concentration of 10 μM /L. In 1955–1976, this boundary was 130–140 m across the sea, but due to eutrophication and climate change since late 1980s, it has risen in deep water areas to 70–80 m. As a result, the dense copepod layers near the redoxcline and especially their reserve population stock, consisting of non-migrating individuals in diapause, may have been subjected to intensive eating by the Black Sea sprat, which lives to a depth of 100 m and can tolerate hypoxia. To explore this process, we created a new population dynamics model for C. euxinus, which makes it possible to assess changes in the abundance and structure of the population under conditions of a quasi-stationary state and during intensive predation of individuals in diapause. The model describes the dynamics of the Сalanus population based on a statistical description of the relationship between the growth of individuals, their fecundity, the duration of diapause, mortality, and environmental conditions: the concentration of food suspension and temperature in the layer of vertical migration. We put forward the hypothesis that the access of small pelagic fish to the concentration layers of copepods in diapause has a key effect on significant changes in the Black Sea ecosystem, associated with a decrease in the supply of forage plankton and fluctuations in the abundance of pelagic fish.