Eastern Black Sea Coast Research Articles

Roman Coins from Supsa-Kvavilnari (Lanchkhuti Municipality, Guria)

The objective of this study is to identify and describe randomly discovered silver coins in 2013 and 2023 along the eastern Black Seacoast, specifically in the Guria region. The focus will be on the villages of Kvavilnari and Supsa within the Lanchkhuti municipality. The research aims to determine various attributes of these coins, including their country of origin, city, emission years, and metrological parameters. Additionally, the study will explore the existence of parallel materials and investigate the reasons and methods contributing to the circulation of these coins within the specified research area.Following the conducted research, it was established that the discovered coins in Kvavilnari and Supsa represent Roman emperors from the following periods: drachmas with the names of Septimius Severus (193-211) - 3 coins, Julia Domna (†217) - 3 coins, Geta (209-211) - 2 coins, Caracalla (198-217) - 2 coins, and Fulvia Plautilla (202/5-211) - 1. Additionally, a Denarius of Septimius Severus (1 unit) was found in Supsa. Historically, Colchis was a part of the province of Cappadocia, and Roman forts along the eastern Black Sea coast often had garrisons transferred from this region. The political circumstances were accompanied by corresponding economic relations. Drachmas minted in Caesarea were widely circulated in Western Georgia during Roman times, serving as the primary means of exchange.In the study of coins, the paramount consideration is the examination of the discovery site. The area of Supsa-Ureki has yieldedRoman coins in the past. In 1942, during earthworks in Ureki, a Roman aureus, its replica, and several Caesarean drachmas were uncovered. Subsequently, in 1949, the same location revealed Cappadocian treasures, both accidentally and during archaeological excavations. The presence of Caesarian and Roman coins at the research site is associated with the Roman garrison stationed in Tsikhisdziri and Poti. Some scholars suggest that Septimius Severus established a garrison in the village of Moedani within the Lanchkhuti municipality. In such a scenario, the discovery of Roman coins in Kvavilnari and Supsa is considered natural and does not necessitate special commentary. The numismatic artifacts examined align seamlessly with the established patterns of coin circulation in Colchis. The unearthing of these coins underscores the imperative for archaeological investigations at the research points.

For the history of the Roman frontier - defense system of the Eastern Black Sea Coast

In the presented work, there is studied the issue of the Roman border defense system in the Eastern Black Sea region on the base of an analysis of antique sources; It is shown that this system was part of Rome's common- eastern frontier-defense line. The Eastern part of Black Sea coast, historical Colchis, as a secure rear and strategic beachhead against Parthia in the battle for Armenia, had a well-defined place in the Roman geopolitics. Besides, Colchis had a great communicative significance relative Bosporus. Of course, the political situation in East had a big influence on relations of this region with Rome.In 63 A.D., after the abolition of the Kingdom of Pontus by Nero (54-68), Colchis was occupied by Romans and it became the part of the province of Galatia. By the order of Nero, Roman garrisons were stationed in the seaside settlements of Colchis – Apsarus, Phasis and Sebastopolis. These measures were the starting point of establishment of the Roman frontier-defence system in the Eastern Black Sea  coast. This system began its actively functioning in Vespasian’s time. During the rule of Vespasian (69-79) Colchis was the part of united Cappadocia-Galatia, so called “Cappadocian complex”. Bording the Euphrates river to the east, Cappadocia was the most eastern province of the Empire. The military presence in Cappadocia served as an important response force against invasions from the Parthian Empire and allowed the Roman's easy intervention into the affairs of their client kingdom of Armenia. The ,,Cappadocian Complex” received two legions. These legions were located on the Cappadocia-Lesser Armenia line, in Satala and Melitene. In the I-III centuries the Roman garrisons of the coastal fortresses of Colchis were subordinate to the Asia Minor forces of the empire; the main command of these forces was located in the  Cappadocia. Later garrisons began to obey the Armenian duke.Of all the fortresses of the Eastern Black sea coast, Apsaros is the closest to the immediate borders of the Roman Empire. For a long time Apsaros was one of the significant points of the Pontus-Caucasian border line, the Roman frontier defensive system at the coast of the East Black Sea. The mentioned defense system, as you know, was founded in the times of emperor Nero's reign (54-68 A.D.), the 60's of the 1-st century. The first Roman garrison appeared in Apsaros at that very time. In the 2-nd century five cohorts were dislocated in Apsaros.  At the time of the visit to Apsarus by Flavius Arrian (131 A.D.), there was a powerful garrison, numbering from a thousand to two and a half thousand soldiers. As for other Roman fortresses of the Eastern Black Sea region, on the base of an analysis of antique sources, it turns out that during Nero (54-68) roman garrisons were dislocated in Fasis. For the first time, the Roman fortress in Fasis mentions Flavius Arrian (nearly 95-175), who left us a very detailed description of it. In the 2nd century  400 soldiers were dislocated in Fasis; The first Roman garrison, for a short period, appeared in Sebastopolis In the era of Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.). According to  archaeological and antique written sources, In the 2nd-3rd centuries the garrison of Sebastopol consisted of 200-300 soldiers. The basic purposes of the Pontus Caucasian frontier-defence system were consolidation of the Roman power in the region, taking control of the passages to the Northern Caucasus, and protection of coastwise navigation. In the middle of the II century, after inclusion of Pityus into this system, formation of the Pontus Caucasian frontier-defence line was finished.

Spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of Synechococcus spp., picoeukaryotes, nanoeukaryotes and Chlorophyll-a in the Eastern Black Sea

The abundance and distribution of Synechococcus spp., picoeukaryotes, nanoeukaryotes, and chlorophyll- a , were studied through the water column (from 0 – 100 m depth) during four different seasons along the Eastern Black Sea coast. Based on annual average values, Synechococcus spp. were numerically dominant with an annual average of 3.40×10 4 cells mL -1 , ranging between 0.51 and 9.93×10 4 cells mL -1 , followed by picoeukaryotes with an annual average of 0.79×10 3 cells mL -1 , ranging from 0.05 to 3.93×10 3 cells mL -1 . The nanoeukaryotes were the least abundant group in the region, with an annual average of 3.26×10 2 cells mL -1 ranging between 0.12 and 17.98×10 2 cells mL -1 . The minimum and maximum values of Synechococcus spp. and picoeukaryotes were found at stations from Fatsaand Arhavi, while nanoeukaryotes had their minimum-maximum abundance at stations from Yomraand Ordu. Overall, the Synechococcus spp. seasonal cycle exhibited a bimodal distribution, with one peak in summer and the other in autumn. In contrast, picoeukaryote and nanoeukaryote seasonal cycles had unimodal distributions, with peaks during winter. The abundance of Synechococcus spp. was significantly negatively correlated with depth during winter, while picoeukaryotes tended to notably correlate with depth during autumn and winter ( p < 0.05). Contrary, the abundance of nanoeukaryotes was considerably negatively correlated with depth in all seasons. The chlorophyll- a showed a striking negative correlation with depth during spring and autumn. There were particularly positive correlations among Synechococcus spp., picoeukaryotes, nanoeukaryotes and chlorophyll- a , implying their coexistence. However, the picoeukaryotes were significantly negatively-correlated with nanoeukaryotes.

Evaluation of Deep Sea Discharge Systems Efficiency in the Eastern Black Sea Using Artificial Neural Network: a Case Study for Trabzon, Turkey

The aim of this study is to evaluate the parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, salinity, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solid, ammonia, chlorophyll-a and heavy metals affecting total coliform values in seawater using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modelling at the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The results obtained from ANN model were compared with actual total coliform values. The samples were taken from the different points selected along the deep sea discharge systems starting from the diffuser end of three domestic deep sea discharge systems at Turkey's Eastern Black Sea coast. ANN model was developed for estimating the relationship between total coliform and other parameters. The parameters measured in seawater samples were analyzed by using the ANN model for prediction of coliform values. The results showed that neural network model is capable of estimating the sea pollution with a reasonable accuracy.

Investigation of the Effects of Floods and Storms on T-Groins and Water Quality Changes in the Eastern Black Sea Coast

Bu çalışmada, deniz kıyılarında, kıyının korunması, kıyının zamanla kumla dolarak doğal bir plaj oluşturarak kıyının rehabilite edilmesi amacıyla çeşitli şekillerde inşa edilen mahmuzların, hem kendilerinin oluşturdukları havuzlardaki suların hem de doğal afetler neticesinde sel suları şeklinde sahile ulaşan evsel, yüzeysel ve sanayi sularının T-mahmuzlar üzerindeki etkileri araştırılacaktır. Doğu Karadeniz bölgesinde sadece T-mahmuz olarak yapılan bu kıyı koruma yapıları çeşitli sayılarda ard arda sıralanarak kıyı boyunca gruplar halinde inşa edilmişlerdir. Yan yana iki T-mahmuz'un arasında kalan su havuzunun 15 ile 30 yıllık bir süreç boyunca yavaş yavaş kumla dolması ve daha sonra doğal bir kumsalın oluşması beklenmekle beraber bu süreç boyunca zaman zaman sel ve fırtınalar sonucu kıyı yapılarında hasarlar oluşmakta su kalitesinde değişiklikler olmaktadır. Özellikle dalga ve akıntıların düşük düzeyde olduğu kış ve yaz dönemlerinde, görülen en önemli problem mahmuzlar arasındaki havuzlar içerisinde organik, inorganik ve bakteriyolojik kirlilikle birlikte yaşanan oksijensizlik ve yosunlaşmadır. Diğer taraftan, bölgede sık sık meydana gelen seller, mahmuz sisteminin çevresinde yer alan akarsu nehir ağzı, kanalizasyon ve karayolu drenaj suyu deşarj noktaları ve balıkçı barınaklarınca denize bırakılan organik ve inorganik kirleticilerin akıntı ve dalgalar aracılığıyla mahmuz sistemi havuzlarına taşınmakta, yılın belirli dönemlerinde su kalite bozulmalarına sebebiyet vermektedir. Bu bağlamda, Yaklaşık 40 km’lik bir sahil şeridinde, Trabzon-Of Soğukpınar da 8’li grup, Kıyıcıkta 13’lü grup, Eskipazar da 10’lu grup, Rize İyidere de 8’li grup Sarayköy ve Alipaşa da 2’li grup, Balıkçılarda 5’li grup, Limanköy de ise, 4’lü grup olmak üzere toplam 52 adet T-mahmuz bulunmaktadır. T-mahmuz sistemlerinde oluşan hasarlar, mahmuzlardaki havuzlar ve açıklarında mevsimsel olarak su kalite değişimleri araştırılacaktır. Çalışma sonucunda T-mahmuz sistemlerinde meydana gelen hasarlar, bunların nedenleri, çözüm yolları, kıyı suları su kalitesi üzerindeki menfi etkileri, bazı fiziko kimyasal ve organik su kalite parametreleri (su sıcaklığı, çözünmüş oksijen ve doygunluğu, pH, iletkenlik ve tuzluluk, toplam çözünmüş katı madde (TDS), bulanıklık, seki diski mesafesi, askıda katı madde (AKM), nitrit, nitrat, amonyum, toplam azot (TN), toplam fosfor (TP) ve klorofil-a ve bakteriyolojik su kalite göstergelerinin (fekal koliform, toplam koliform ve fekal streptokok) mevsimsel değişimlerinin izlenmesiyle ortaya koyulacaktır. Araştırma bölgesiyle ilgili olarak 2000 yılından bu yana batimetrik ölçümler gerçekleştirilmekte ve granülometrik malzeme analizleri yapılmaktadır. Bu gözlemler ışığında bu tür T-mahmuz sistemlerinde dolma sürecinin yavaş işlediği görülmüştür. Bunun nedenleri arasında sel ve fırtınaların ön planda olduğu sanılmaktadır. Diğer yandan T-mahmuzlar arasında oluşan havuzlar yaz aylarında insanlar tarafından yüzme, dalma vb. su sporları amacıyla kullanılmaktadır. Bu yüzden T-mahmuzlar arasında oluşan havuzların su kalite değişimlerinin takip edilmesi hem sucul ortam hem çevresel hem de insan sağlığı açısından önemlidir. Aynı zamanda, T-mahmuz sistemlerinde bulunan her bir mahmuzda oluşan hasarlar tek tek tespit edilecek, mahmuzlar arasında kalan havuzlardan havuz içi, havuz dışı ve kıyı referans istasyonlarından alınan su numuneleri, hasar gören mahmuzlardan taş örnekleri, civarında mevcut olan agrega örnekleri alınarak çalışmalar yürütülecektir. Her mahmuz gurubunda hasar tespitleri mevsimsel olarak, belirlenen her istasyonda fiziksel ve kimyasal su ölçümleri için numuneler aylık olarak, diğer organik ve bakteriyolojik analizler ise yılda dört kez alınacak ve deneyler laboratuvar koşullarında gerçekleştirilecektir. Bir yıl sürecek çalışmada havuz içi mevsimsel su kalite değişimleriyle havuz dışı ve kıyı referans istasyonları arasındaki farklılıklar ve mahmuz sistemlerinde oluşan hasarlar ortaya koyulacaktır. Diğer yandan, tüm mahmuz sistemlerinde hasar oluşup oluşmadığı, sediment biriktirip biriktirmediği belirlenecektir. Tüm istasyonlardaki mevsimsel su kalite değişimlerinin sucul yaşam ve deniz ortamı su kalite standartlarına göre değerlendirilmesiyle özellikle havuz içi su kalite koşullarının yıl boyunca canlı yaşamı için menfi koşulların oluşup oluşmadığı, T-mahmuz gövdeleri üzerindeki etkileri ve biriken sedimentin su kimyasından etkilenip etkilenmediği belirlenecektir. Çalışma sonucunda, hasarların tespiti ve havuz içi mevsimsel su kalite koşullarının değerlendirilmesiyle, T-mahmuzların yapısal tasarımında optimum boyutların elde edilmesi yönünde ve su kalitesinin de dikkate alınmasına dair önemli bir parametre daha elde edilmiş olacaktır.

Length-Weight Relationships for Fourteen Fish Species Collected by Bottom Trawl From the Eastern Black Sea Coast, Turkey

Length-weight relationships (LWR) were described for fourteen demersal and pelagic fish species; whiting (Merlangius merlangus), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), picarel (Spicara maena), scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), sprat (Sprattus sprattus), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), thornback ray (Raja clavata), shore rockling (Gaidropsarus mediterraneus) round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), black goby (Gobius niger) and stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber) caught with bottom trawl (12 mm mesh size) from the Eastern Black Sea. Samples were caught in depths from 10 m up to 60 m between April 2017 and March 2018 at monthly intervals. The minimum and maximum lengths and weights, length-weight relationships, parameters of a and b, ± 95% CI of b, r2, growth type (isometric or allometric) of samples, and statistical analyses of the relationship were determined. Estimates for parameter b of the length–weight relationship ranged between 2.44 and 3.54.

For a novel identification of the ‘first palace of the kings of Egrisi’ in Nokalakevi-Archaeopolis

Because of the complicated foreign policy in the fourth century (regular attacks of the Goths and Huns on Roman Empire, the rise of Persia and subordination of Kartli, Armenia and Albania), Rome was unable to exert proper control over its eastern provinces, including the eastern Black Sea coast and, accordingly, it was compelled to put up with the Lazis becoming more and more active in western Georgia [Muskhelishvili 2012:39]. Apparently, the Lazis evaluated the existing situation properly and gradually made their neighboring tribes of the Apsils, Abazgs and Sanigs subordinate to them [Lomouri 2011:119-120]. Unification of the western Georgian tribes by the Lazis and formation of a strong kingdom was in the interests of the Roman Empire too. Scholars suggest that Rome encouraged this process, rather than hindering it, because presence of a strong kingdom in western Georgia which had control over various passes and fortified cities on the Black Sea coast would serve as a defensive barrier for eastern provinces of Rome from northern nomadic tribes [Melikishvili 1970:556-557; Lomouri 2011:120; Muskhelishvili 2012:39]. Procopius of Caesarea puts special emphasis on this situation. According to him, “For the barbarians inhabiting the Caucasus Lazika is just an obstacle” [Procopius of Caesarea 1965:94]. Thus, from the third century, the Lazis gradually annexed the tribes residing in western Georgia and laid foundation for the kingdom of Lazika (Egrisi), whose borders approximately fell within the limits of western Georgia (Fig. 1). The king of Lazika had subordinated the neighboring tribes, but, on the other hand, formally it was a vassal of the Roman (Byzantine) emperor. According to Procopius of Caesarea, the Lazis “were Romans’ subordinate, but they did not pay any tribute or submit to them. The only thing they did was that when their king died, the Roman king would send an heir to the throne, or the symbol of power, to them. The latter would rigorously protect the borders of this country together with his subordinates so that the hostile Hunns would be unable to invade Roman lands from the Lazis’ bordering Caucasus Mountains passing through Lazika. They firmly protected them without getting any money or army from the Romans and did not go to war with the Romans either [Procopius of Caesarea 1965:72-73]. It is obvious that despite gaining factual independence, Romans still had considerable influence on western Georgia. It is not surprising - from the first century BC, after Pompey campaigned against Colchis and later (in the first-second cc AD) Rome deployed garrisons on the Black Sea coast, Rome gained a firm foothold in western Georgia. Analysis of archaeological material shows that this influence was not only political, but economic and cultural as well. For instance, the inland area of western Georgia yielded a large number of Roman coins of the first three centuries of the common era. Among them remarkable is a hoard of silver coins of the second-third centuries (907 items) discovered in Village Eki (Senaki Municipality) in 1971. It included a drachma of King Orod II of Parthia (57-38) and didrachmas and denarii minted in the names of Roman emperors Nerva, Trajan, Adrian, Antoninus Pius, Lucius Verus, Commodus, Pertinax, Niger, Septimius Severus and so on. 774 coins of the Eki hoard are struck in the mint of Caesarea, 131 – in the mints of Rome and those of the eastern provinces of Roman Empire, and the rest – in other provinces [G. Dundua, V. Tsirghvava 1971:42:45]. This and other contemporaneous discoveries prove that in the late Roman period Roman influence in western Georgia, especially in its western regions, was really strong.

New records of soldier flies from Iran with a current checklist and taxonomic notes to some species (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

Soldier fly records of Iran belonging to six species are presented, which includes the first record of Odontomyia annulata (Meigen, 1822) and another record of Adoxomyia cinerascens (Loew, 1873). Odontomyia annulata shows some morphological differences from the description found in the literature. With the addition of O. annulata, the Iranian soldier fly fauna comprises now 48 species. The eastern border of the known range of this species extended to the eastern Black Sea coast and the north-western Caucasus region. Now it has been shifted about 1200 km to the east.

Determination of Selection Criteria of Plants in Urban Coastal Landscapes: An Example of the Eastern Black Sea Coast, Turkey

Determination of Selection Criteria of Plants in Urban Coastal Landscapes: An Example of the Eastern Black Sea Coast, Turkey

Землетрясение 12 декабря 2020 г. в Анапской зоне с Mw=3.8, I0=4–5 баллов

The article presents instrumental and macroseismic data on the earthquake on 12.12.2020 at 14:54 with Mw=3.8, h=30 km. The epicenter and parameters of the earthquake were deter-mined using instrumental data from the network of regional seismic stations in the western zone of the North Caucasus of the EGS RAS. This earthquake occurred in the shelf zone of the Eastern Black Sea coast near the resort town of Anapa, in the Anapa seismically active area. This area tectonically is the conjunction of the northern side of the Tuapse trough and the thrust front of the Greater Caucasus. The focal mechanism for the earthquake was calcu-lated. The solution of the focal mechanism was obtained from the polarization in P-waves at 29 seismic stations. From the focal follows the type of source up thrust-thrust movement. The GS RAS organized a macroseismic survey in the Anapa and Novorossiysk regions on the “VKontakte” social network a day after the earthquake. According to the results of the study, 144 respondents in 15 settlements in 7 days were interviewing. The maximum observed in-tensity was I=4-5 points in Su-Psekh and Varvarovka according to the results of the macro-seismic survey, a map of the distribution of intensity points was create. The SEISAN software package calculated the spectral parameters of the source: seismic moment, corner frequency, spectral density level and spectral magnitude Mw.

Heavy metal concentrations in the edible tissues of some commercial fishes caught along the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey and the health risk assessment

Concentrations of some metals were determined in muscle tissue of five marine fish species (Engraulis encrasicolus, Sarda sarda, Mullus barbatus, Trachurus mediterraneus, and Merlangius merlangus) caught from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey in 2017. Heavy metals were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry after the muscle tissues of fish were digested by acids. The metal accumulation differences between species were investigated statistically. The levels of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, and zinc in the muscles of fish were 3.27, 0.12, 0.27, 2.04, 9.97, 1.00, 0.95, and 10.65 µg/g, respectively. The highest levels of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and manganese were detected in E. encrasicolus; the highest levels of lead and zinc were accumulated in T. mediterraneus and the highest concentration of iron and copper was found in S. sarda. The average lead concentration values were found to be above the limit values determined by national and international standards due to anthropogenic inputs such as mining activities and agricultural wastes. In addition, potential risks associated with human consumption were evaluated using quality indices such as estimated daily intake and target hazard ratio. According to these indexes, a potential risk in terms of human health has not been identified due to consuming fish tissues.

Determination of Some Biological Characteristics and Population Parameters of the Blotched Picarel (Spicara flexuosa Rafinesque, 1810) Distributed in the Eastern Black Sea (Rize - Hopa)

This study was carried out in order to determine some biological characteristics of the fish species of Spicara flexuosa, which is distributed on the Eastern Black Sea coast, and to contribute to the management of the picarel in all the seas of our country. Between October 2015 and September 2016, 599 fish samples were obtained and examined in the laboratory. It was determined that the examined individuals were distributed between the ages of I-VII which 31.22% of the population was male and 68.78% was female. The minimum-maximum total length values of the samples were between 8.7 and 21.8 cm; and the weight values ranged from 7.1 to 129.94 g. It has been determined that the mean total length of males is statistically different from that of females (P<0.05). Von Bertalanffy growth equilibrium was calculated as "L∞=22.71 cm TL, K=0.243 year-1, t0=-2.306 year-1; W∞=118.27 g" for females, "L∞=38.34 cm TL, K=0.063 year-1, t0 = -6.381 year-1; W∞=755.37 g" for males, and "L∞=33.42 cm TL, K=0.080 year-1, t0=-5.381 year-1; W∞=401.24 g" for all individuals. The length-weight relation of all individuals was found as W= 0.0118*L2.9727 (R2=0.9487). When the ratio of gonadosomatic index (GSI) data and gonadal maturity stages were examined over the year, it was determined that the reproduction of the picarel in the Black Sea occurred between June and September.

Re-Os Age and Stable Isotope (O-H-S-Cu) Geochemistry of North Eastern Turkey’s Kuroko-Type Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits: An Example from Cerattepe-Artvin

The eastern Pontide tectonic belt (EPTB) contains greater than 350 identified Kuroko type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits/mineralization/occurrences (VMSD). The deposits are associated with Late Cretaceous felsic volcanics consisting mainly of dacitic and rhyolitic lavas and pyroclastics that outcrop within a narrow zone running parallel to the eastern Black Sea coast and represent the axial zone of a paleo-magmatic arc. The Cerattepe deposit is the second-largest and is a hybrid VMS system with some epithermal features. To date, no geochemical research constrains the origin and timing of mineralization in the Cerattepe VMS deposit. Here, we provide Cu, O, H and S, isotope analysis of ores and alteration minerals to understand the hydrothermal history of the deposit and date the massive ore with Re-Os geochronology. Secondary weathering mobilized and redistributed metals in the deposit. The copper isotope signatures of shallow ores in the gossan follow patterns resulting from oxidative weathering of copper minerals with gossan Fe oxides of δ65Cu = −2.59‰, enrichment zone copper sulfide of d65Cu = +2.23 and +1.73‰, and primary ores of δ65Cu = +0.71 and +0.41‰. At the boundary of the enrichment zone, further cycling and migration of enrichment zone copper are evidenced by two samples having larger ranges of the δ65Cu = +3.59‰, and −2.93‰. Evidence for a magmatic source for fluids and S are evidenced by the O and H isotope values from quartz veins (δ18O = +7.93‰ to +10.82‰, and δD = −78‰ and −68‰) and sulfides that possess δ34S ratios of –5 and 0‰ from drill core samples. 187Os/188Os–187Re/188Os ratios from drill core sulfide samples of Cerattepe VMS deposit yields a 62±3 Ma isochron age and a highly radiogenic Os initial ratio. This age is compatible with silicate alteration ages from a proximal deposit and clearly shows mineralization occurs at a much younger time than previously proposed for VMS mineralization in the eastern Pontides. The new Re-Os age and source of Os imply that mineralization in the area occurs at a distinctly younger interval in the back-arc basin and metals could be sourced from the surrounding host rocks.

Assessment of Dissolved Metals/Metalloids in the Eastern Black Sea Rivers of Turkey

There are many fresh water inputs to the Black Sea that differ significantly from each other in terms of both the water level and the extent of the river basin. Seasonal distributions of dissolved metal/metalloid concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) in 13 rivers (Kizilirmak, Yesilirmak, Melet, Pazarsuyu, Aksu, Harsit, Degirmendere, Solakli, Iyidere, Buyukdere, Firtina, Caglayan, and Kapistre) discharge of waters to Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey and the results were compared in this study. The highest mean levels were found as aluminium (Al): 174 μg/L, chromium (Cr): 1.02 μg/L, manganese (Mn): 56 μg/L, copper (Cu): 3.2 μg/L, lead (Pb): 0.37 μg/L in Melet and iron (Fe): 130 μg/L, arsenic (As): 3.9 μg/L, antimony (Sb): 2.2 μg/L in Yesilirmak and cobalt (Co): 0.20 μg/L, nickel (Ni): 3.4 μg/L, molybdenum (Mo): 1.5 μg/L in Kizilirmak rivers. The highest mean concentration of zinc (Zn): 68 μg/L was determined in Degirmendere and the highest mean cadmium (Cd) concentration (0.29 μg/L) was measured in Harsit. The lowest average Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations were detected in the Caglayan. The rivers were grouped in three separate groups according to PCA analysis. The abundance of As, Ni, Co, Sb, Mo, Cr elements were higher in the first group of rivers characterized by a large river basin, while the abundance of Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb elements was higher in the second group of rivers with high erosional effect. The average manganese (Mn) profile in the Melet has been identified as above the legal limits for drinking water determined by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Commission (EC). The Yesilirmak in terms of antimony (Sb), and the Yesilirmak and the Kizilirmak in terms of arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) differs greatly compared to other rivers. The highest average Sb concentration had been identified in autumn. Arsenic concentrations of the Kizilirmak and the Yesilirmak were higher than other rivers in all seasons. It has been determined that the extent and geological structures of the river basins and erosional transport play an important role in the classification of rivers in terms of metal/metalloid contents. It has also been shown that knowing the spatial and temporal changes of the water quality of rivers is essential for future projections and protection.

HZ. OSMAN DÖNEMİNDE (24-35/644-656) FETİHLER

Hz. Osman dönemiyle ilgili çok çeşitli dinî ve siyasi tartışmalar İslam tarihi boyunca yapılagelmiştir. Fakat biz burada sadece bu dönemle ilgili “fetihlerin durduğu” iddiasıyla ilgileneceğiz. Kaynaklara baktığımızda bu iddianın yersiz olduğu görülmektedir. Belki de ileri sürülen bu düşünceler sonraki dönemlerde Hz. Osman dönemiyle ilgili genel anlamdaki eleştirilerin bir parçası olarak bu dönemi küçümsemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Genel anlamda Hz. Osman dönemdeki fetihlerin Hz. Ömer döneminden kaldığı yerden devam ettirildiği ve Hz. Osman’ın hilafeti süresince de devam ettiği görülmektedir. Yine bu esnada göreve getirilen valilerin de genellikle Hz. Osman döneminden önce de çeşitli önemli görevler üstlenmiş tecrübeli ve yeteneklerini göstermiş kişilerden olduğu görülecektir. Hz. Osman’ın halifeliği döneminde gerçekleştirilen fetihlerle Müslümanların hâkimiyet alanı, Doğu Karadeniz kıyılarından başlayarak Ermenistan ve Horasan’dan Çin-Hint sınırlarına, diğer yandan da Kızıldeniz ve Akdeniz sahillerinden Mısır, Sudan, Libya ve Tunus’u içine alacak şekilde genişlemiştir. Hz. Osman döneminde ilk defa, Hz. Ömer döneminde çeşitli mülahazalarla yapılmasına izin verilmeyen deniz seferlerine başlanmıştır. Müslümanlar bu dönemde Akdeniz’de başarılı deniz seferleri düzenlemişlerdir. Bu çalışmada Hz. Osman tarafından atanan valilerin daha önceki faaliyetleri ve yaptıkları görevleri dile getirilmeye çalışılmış, bunun yanında; ana hatlarıyla Hz. Osman dönemindeki Basra, Kûfe, Şam ve Mısır merkezli fetihler hakkında bilgi verilmiş, ilk defa Hz. Osman zamanında başlatılan deniz seferleri ana hatlarıyla anlatılmaya çalışılmıştır.

Stomach content analysis and length-weight relationship of the Pontic shad Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835 (Pisces: Clupeidae), from the eastern Black Seacoast of Turkey

Diet composition of the anadromous Pontic shad Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835 was studied in relation to season and body size, from samples collected from the south-east Black Sea coast of Turkey in spring, autumn and winter during the period from March 2012 - February 2013. Out of 236 samples, 226 stomachs contained food and 24 prey items were identified. Nematoda sp. and teleosts were the main prey items with index of relative importance (IRI) of 59.3 and 38.2% respectively. Seasonal analysis showed that the IRI of Nematoda sp. was 71.6% in winter, 50.6% in spring and 37.1% in autumn. The stomachs of fishes in the length range of 12.0 -19.9 cm contained a higher proportion of Nematoda sp. (IRI up to 74 - 80%). Larger fishes in the length range of 24.0-32.8 cm consumed more teleosts (>45% IRI) than the others. The length-weight relationship showed that females grow in positive allometric pattern while males have isometric growth.

Lacerta agilis (Squamata: Lacertidae)’in Türkiye’deki yeni lokalite kaydı

In this study, it was given the locality record of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) from Yeşilköy Village, Pazar District of Rize Province of Turkey. This new record revealed the second locality for L. agilis from the eastern Black Sea coast of Anatolia. The metric and meristic features of the adult, subadult and juvenile specimens were compared to the features of the specimens of the species, L. agilis in the literature.

Accounting for differential migration strategies between age groups to monitor raptor population dynamics in the eastern Black Sea flyway

Migration counts can offer a cost‐effective method for monitoring the state of migrant raptor populations. However, differential migration strategies between inexperienced juveniles and experienced non‐juveniles are rarely accounted for when inferring population trends from raptor migration counts. Since 2011, the Batumi Raptor Count (BRC) monitors the autumn migration of more than 1 million raptors along the eastern Black Sea coast in the Republic of Georgia. We also systematically sampled age information to assess differential migration timing between age groups and estimate age‐specific linear trends in abundance between 2011 and 2018 for eight focal species. In so doing we aimed (1) to reassess the global relevance of BRC counts for each species and the potential for monitoring abundance of juveniles and non‐juveniles, and (2) to identify demographic changes underlying recent trends in overall abundance. We found that the mean annual passage of non‐juveniles at Batumi represents at least 1% of the estimated global breeding population of five study species. As expected, counts of juveniles were more variable than counts of non‐juveniles. Yet despite our short monitoring period our models had sufficient statistical power to detect changes in abundance of 10%/year or less for at least one age group in all species except Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus. Our results indicate stable abundance and demography for half of the study species. We also found strong and significant increases in the abundance of Black Kites Milvis migrans and Short‐toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus that were primarily due to increasing numbers of non‐juveniles. By contrast, juvenile Montagu's Harriers Circus pygargus and Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus significantly decreased in abundance. The first decade of BRC surveys offers an important benchmark for monitoring raptor populations using the eastern African–Palearctic flyway in the 21st century. We discuss possible causes of the observed trends and hope our work will stimulate demographic monitoring at migration count sites.

Sediment distribution coefficients (Kd) and bioaccumulation factors (BAF) in biota for natural radionuclides in eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey

Germanium (HPGe) detector was used to measure natural (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) radioactivity levels in sediment and seawater samples, and soft tissues of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) of three different sizes, collected from twelve different stations along the coast of Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin provinces in Eastern Black Sea Region. The average activity concentrations of the sediment and seawater samples collected were 12.65 Bq kg−1 and 3.57 mBq L−1 for 226Ra, 14.25 Bq kg−1 and 4.01 mBq L−1 for 232Th and 294.8 Bq kg−1 and 317.8 mBq L−1 for 40K, respectively. The activity concentrations in soft tissues of three different sized mussel samples altered from 2.45 to 9.59 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 2.22–8.59 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and 251.9–382.1 Bq kg−1 for 40K. Moreover, sediment distribution coefficients (Kd) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFw and BAFs) in the mussel samples were calculated. While the bioaccumulation of 226Ra and 232Th from seawater to mussel was observed, the bioaccumulation 40K was observed from sediment to mussel. The ratio of the average concentration of radionuclides in large-sized mussels to that in water and sediment is greater as compared with smaller mussels. Although there were statistically differences (p < 0.05) among mussel sizes according to 232Th levels for activity concentrations, BAFw and BAFs values in soft tissues of the mussel samples, it wasn't observed difference according to 226Ra and 40K levels (p > 0.05).

Localization of a submarine groundwater source at the eastern coast of Black Sea, Georgia, using radio-tracing techniques

In this work the results of a preliminary study are presented concerning the localization of a submarine groundwater discharge diffusive source at the coastal area of Georgia, Eastern Black Sea. The results were obtained during the first cruise campaign along the Georgian coastline during the October 2012 in the frame of an on-going FP7 BS-ERA.NET project. Measurements of radon gas 222Rn were accomplished in seawater samples by means of an on-site radon measurement method. The samples were collected along two trajec- tories, parallel to the coast, of a total length of 35km. In the same samples conductivity measurements were supplementary accomplished. Where radon exhibited local maxima and conductivity local minima, seabed surface sediment samples were collected for subsequent radioactivity measurements by High Purity Germanium detector. As groundwater tracer the excess of 210Pb in the sediment samples was used. Combining the results from the seawater and sediment, a part of the initial trajectory - with length of 800m - was revealed as a potential area of submarine groundwater discharge diffusive source