Eastern Black Sea Coast Research Articles

Age, Growth and Gonado-somatic Index of the Red Mullet (Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927) in the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey

In this study, the age, growth, and gonado-somatic index (GSI) of the Red mullet (Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927) from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey were examined. A total of 1466 M. barbatus ponticus were sampled between September 2010 and August 2011 from trammel net landings in Rize. The total length of Red mullet ranged from 7.42 cm to 17.80 cm and weight ranged from 9.59 g to 50.93 g, regardless of the sex. The sex ratio (♂/♀) was 0.46, with almost twice more females than males. The growth performance of M. barbatus ponticus in the study area is similar to that of the western populations of the same sub-species. A closed season of at least three months (from May to July) banning the use of even the stationary fishing gear will be beneficial for the sustainable stock of management of M. barbatus ponticus in the Black Sea.

A CASE STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF RESHAPING BERM BREAKWATERS: ORDU GIRESUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TURKEY

In this study, the stability and serviceability (wave overtopping) of hardly-reshaping berm breakwater of Ordu-Giresun International Airport and four alternative cross-sections of fully- and partly-reshaping berm breakwaters are assessed by physical model experiments. Ordu-Giresun International Airport is a public airport constructed on an approximately 1.77 km-square reclaimed land at the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The reclaimed land area is protected with a 7345 m long hardly reshaping rubble mound berm breakwater at a depth of 11 m (MSL). The design high water level (HWL) corresponding to 100-yr return period is calculated as +1.12 m. The bottom slope from deep water up to 20 m water depth is around 1:50 and becomes steeper (1:20) towards the shore. The design wave characteristics at the toe of the structure (100-yr return period) is determined as Hs = 6.68m, Tm= 10.80 sec.

Technical Specifications of Fishing Fleet in Giresun Province

In this study, the provinces along the eastern Black Sea coast were selected to determine the technical characteristics of fishing vessels operating in Giresun. According to this election, Piraziz, Bulancak, Central first group, Gülburnu and Tirebolu second group, Relative, Çavuşlu, Eynesil district third group. Questionnaires were made by stratified random sampling method, and technical specifications of fishing boats, auxiliary boat characteristics, network equipment properties, hunting equipment characteristics and present problems were suggested and solution proposal was put forward.

Southernmost locality for Endangered lizard, Darevskia clarkorum (Lacertidae, Squamata) from eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey

Southernmost locality for Endangered lizard, Darevskia clarkorum (Lacertidae, Squamata) from eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey

Isolated population of the Middle Eastern Phoenicolacerta laevis from the Georgian Black Sea Coast, and its genetic closeness to populations from southern Turkey

The Lebanon Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis) occurs on the Levantine coast and scattered populations are found in isolated coastal habitats along the southern and south-western coast of Turkey. We found an isolated but dense population of this species at and around the castle of Anaklia on Georgia’s Black Sea Coast, near the mouth of the river Enguri. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence suggests closeness of this population to the populations in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Içel in southern Turkey, rather than to those in Lebanon and Israel. It is thought that the species was introduced from a Turkish region to Anaklia, which was an important trade location at the eastern Black Sea coast until the late 18th century. This is the first established location of this species outside the eastern Mediterranean area. Climate and competition with rock lizards of the genus Darevskia are the most likely reasons preventing expansion of the species into the neighboring areas of Western Georgia.

Meteorological analysis of flash floods in Artvin (NE Turkey) on 24 August 2015

Abstract. On 24 August 2015 intense rainfall episodes generated flash floods and landslides on the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. As a consequence of the heavy rainstorm activity over Artvin and its surroundings (NE Turkey), 11 people died and economic losses totaled a million dollars. Over the 6 h of the event (from 05:00 to 11:00 UTC), total accumulated rainfall amounts of 136, 64, and 109 mm were measured in the Hopa, Arhavi, and Borçka settlements of Artvin city, respectively. This study comprehensively investigates the meteorological characteristics of those flash floods. In terms of synoptic mechanisms, the cutoff surface low from the summer Asian monsoon settled over the eastern Black Sea. After two days of quasistationary conditions of this cyclone, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) reached 27.5 °C (1.5 °C higher than normal) and low-level moisture convergence developed. In addition, transfer of moisture by warm northerly flows from the Black Sea and relatively cool southerly flows from the land coasts of the Artvin district exacerbated the unstable conditions and thus played a significant role in the development of deep convective cells. Severe rainstorms as well as the slope instability of the region triggered landslides and worsened flood damages in the Artvin area. This study supports conventional weather analysis, satellite images, and forecast model output to alert forecasters to the potential for heavy rainfall.

Beach nourishment alternative assessment to constrain cross-shore and longshore sediment transport

A combined field and laboratory investigation was conducted to assess five options for creation of a recreational beach on a steep, armored shoreline on the eastern Black Sea coast. All designs incorporated a beach nourishment project placed between two existing, shore-normal, rubble-mound groins. Alternatives included the placement of a nearshore berm, longshore extensions added to the existing groins, and shore-parallel breakwaters. Several alternatives are reviewed for quantifying the performance of each design, including assessment of the change in shoreline position and project volume retained between the groins. Dimensionless benefits and benefit-cost ratios are quantified, and recommendations made on how to select the best outcome from a benefit-to-cost standpoint when options including hard structures are incorporated into a beach nourishment project design.

Morphological features of Delphinium sergii Wissjul. leaves in ontogeny

There are represented results of the study on leaf shape and its morphological diversity of the Delphinium sergii Wissjul. which is an endemic species of Eastern Black Sea Coast and was introduced in the culture at the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden NAS of Ukraine. It is found that D. sergii is characterized by heterophylly and morphological variability of leaf blades which is manifested during ontogeny, in process of formation of its vegetative and generative shoots. The correlation of the dissection degree of the leaf blades with their formation and age has been established. More deeply dissected leaves are «older» while with complete laminas are more «younger». During the ontogenesis firstly occurs the complication of a simple lamina in seedlings by its division into segments. And, as a result, along the shoot the complication from lower to middle formations and further simplification of leaf structure in upper formation in generative individuals is observed. Formation of different by shape leaves in individuals of the same age stage as well as of the same age depends from conditions of lighting, soil moisture, crop density, and genetic heterogeneity, and therefore – from morphological plasticity of individuals in different conditions of growth.

Fauna and types of soft-bottom macrozoobenthic assemblages in watercourses of mountainous regions on the eastern Black Sea coast

The species composition and communities of soft-bottom macrozoobenthos of the eastern Black Sea coast have been described based on an original collection of 132 quantitative and over 700 qualitative samples. More than 150 species and supraspecific taxa have been registered; 10 types of communities, each having a specific complex of dominants, have been singled out. Regional features of the pelophilic communities in mountainous regions on the eastern Black Sea coast and their altitude and temperature-dependent variability, as well as analogy with other Palaearctic regions, have been discussed.

Morphological features of Delphinium sergii Wissjul. ex situ in M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden

Delphinium sergii Wissjul. is an endemic of eastern coast of Black Sea. It is listed in Red book of Ukraine with conservation status “vulnerable” (Didukh 2009). It grows mainly in eastern part of Ukraine in nature and is not typical for the Kyiv region. It is a perennial plant with bright blue flowers. The individuals of this specie are cultivated in the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden during last 15 years. The results of the study of ontogenetic development and morphological diversity show that D. sergii is characterized by heterophylly and common morphological variability of leaf blade. The correlation of degree between leaf blade dissection and their formation and age was established. Dissected leaves are found to be “older” while with entire laminas – “younger”. Formation of different leaves in individuals of the same age states their dependence from lighting, soil moisture, crop density, genetic heterogeneity and plasticity of individuals in different conditions of growth.We observed a difference in terms of passing through ontogenetic stages among the individuals too. Our investigation established that the individuals of D. sergii ex situ can accelerate the ontogenetic development and reach the generative stage for just 2 years. The juvenile period in some individuals may last for just one growing season. It is noted that under the unfavorable factors (thickened crops, drought, and shading) development of D. sergii individuals became slower.This species can be reproduced both by seed and vegetative. Propagation by seeds is the main way for distribution of these plants. Vegetative reproduction could be realized by particulation of individuals at g and ss stages. In Кyiv region D. sergii is blooming in June-July.Delphinium is well known as such representing the “bee-flowers syndrome”. According to our observations the main pollinators of D. sergii in conditions of our botanical garden were Bombus pascuorum (Scopoli, 1763), B. hortorum (Linnaeus, 1761), B. lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761), and B. lapidarius (Linnaeus, 1758). The flowers of D. sergii were attractive also for bees (Lasioglossum sp., Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758)) and butterflies of Ochlodes sylvanus (Esper, 1778).

Capacity building for field inspections: A comprehensive assessment tool for monitoring structural integrity and sediment capture performance of T-head groins

Objectives of this study were to develop a field assessment tool (i.e., criteria and rubrics) which can be used during periodic inspections of T-head groins, specifically those constructed for controlling coastal erosion along the Black Sea coastline in northern Turkey. The assessment criteria were developed for evaluating both the structural characteristics and the sediment capture performance. Detailed assessment criteria including location specific characteristics (i.e., coastal conditions, water/wave characteristics, abutting factors, abutting factors, land use, and potential natural and man-made hazard factors) and appropriate guidelines which can be used for qualitative and quantitative observations were developed. The field inspection can be used for performance comparison of the structures located at different locations, understanding the effects of location specific factors on sediment capture performance, and specific maintenance requirements. The tool was used to evaluate and compare the performance of 31 T-head groins located in three neighboring groin fields on the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey.

Distribution of 137Cs in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in Eastern Black Sea Coast of Turkey

This study presents the results of 137Cs and 40K radionuclide concentrations in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) samples collected during the period of February–November 2014 from twelve different stations within the border of the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. Also, these radionuclide concentrations were determined in sea water and sediment samples. The activity concentrations in seawater, sediment and mussel tissue samples were between 1.12–1.69mBqL−1, 3.26–30.74 and 1.61–3.16Bqkg−1 for 137Cs and 231.41–399.49mBqL−1, 215.71–450.07 and 286.84–382.16Bqkg−1 for 40K, respectively. These values are also in accordance with the concentrations reported for similar regions. Additionally, radiological impact parameters such as daily intake of 137Cs and 40K, annual committed effective dose and carcinogenic risk due to the consumption of mussel were calculated and compared with the international data. Lifetime cancer risk values are lower than the limit of 10−3.

Evaluation of genetic diversity of cultivated tea clones (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) in the eastern black sea coast by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRS)

Tea is the most globally consumed drink after spring water and an important breeding plant with high economical value in Turkey. In half a century, various kinds of tea cultivars have been bred in Turkey to improve the quality and yield of tea plants. Since tea reproduces sexually, tea fields vary in quality. Thus, determining the genetic diversity and relationship of the plants to support breeding and cultivation is important. In this study we aimed to determine the genetic diversity of tea cultivars breeding in the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey and the genetic relationship between them, to verify whether the qualitative morphological designations of the clones are genetically true by the ISSR markers. Herein, the genetic diversity and relationships of 18 Turkish tea cultivars were determined using 15 ISSR markers with sizes ranging from 250 to 3000 base pairs. The similarity indices among these cultivars were between 0.456 and 0.743. Based on cluster analysis using UPGMA, some of tea cultivars originating from the same geographical position were found to be clustered closely. Our data provide valuable information and a useful basis to assist selection and cloning experiments of tea cultivars and also help farmers to find elite parental clones for tea breeding in the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey.

Intensity and prevalence of some crustacean fish parasites inTurkey and their molecular identification

In the present study, intensity, prevalence, and some pathologic effects of Caligus minimus, Nerocila spp., and Livoneca punctata on fishes extending from the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey were determined. In addition, besides morphological characters of parasites, diagnosis of the species was carried out by using a molecular method (polymerase chain reaction) in characterization. Caligus minimus was isolated for the first time from wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. Seasonal distribution of Nerocila spp. Was determined. The highest prevalence rates of Nerocila were determined on snouted sole (Pegusa nasuta, syn. Solea nasuta) at 26.94%, wrasse or corkwing (Symphodus spp.) at 16.77%, rusty blenny (Parablennius sanguinolentus) at 11.76%, goby fishes (Gobius niger and Neogobius melanostomus) at 5.21%, and pipefish (Syngnathus sp.) at 3.44%. Conversely, Nerocila spp. Were not isolated from whiting (Merlangius merlangus), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), Black Sea herring (Alosa immaculata), or picarel (Spicara smaris). Livoneca punctata was only isolated from Black Sea herring (Alosa immaculata). The most common pathological symptoms were mechanical injury on the skin and fins of the infested fish.

Some Notes on the Topography of Eastern Pontos Euxeinos in Late Antiquity and Early Byzantium

This paper clarifies some issues of late antique and early Byzantine topography of Eastern Pontos Euxeinos. These questions can be divided into two large groups: the ecclesiastical topography and the locations of Byzantine fortresses. The earliest testimony of Apostolic preaching on the Eastern black sea coast — the list of the apostles by Pseudo-Epiphanius — following the ‘Chronicon’ of Hyppolitus of Rome, unsuccessfully connects South-Eastern Pontos Euxeinos to Sebastopolis the Great (modern Sukhumi), which subsequently gives rise to an itinerary of the apostle Andrew. The Early Byzantine Church in the region had a complicated arrangement: the Zekchians, Abasgians and possibly Apsilians had their own bishoprics (later archbishoprics); the Lazicans had a metropolitan in Phasis (and not in their capital Archaeopolis) with five bishop-suffragans. Byzantine fortresses, mentioned in 7th c sources, are located mostly in Apsilia and Missimiania, in the Kodori valley, which had strategic importance as a route from the Black sea to the North Caucasus.

Element mobility during the formation of the Uzunisa-Ordu bentonite, NE Turkey, and potential applications

AbstractDacitic andesitic calc-alkaline lavas and their pyroclastic rocks of Upper Cretaceous age are widespread in the Ordu area, eastern Black Sea Coast of Turkey. Ca-bentonite and Ca/Nabentonite deposits with significant economic potential formed in the broader region. The mineralogy and geochemistry of these deposits were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analyses. The parent rocks (PR) and bentonite samples were analysed for the major and trace element contents, including rare-earth elements, to understand the effect of differential alterations on element mobility. The bentonites contain mainly di-octahedral Ca-montmorillonite with minor amounts of illite, quartz, calcite, dolomite and feldspar. Primary K-feldspar and plagioclase phenocrysts were altered in the bentonite horizons, and were completely leached at greater depth. For this reason, the higher quality bentonites are found at deeper zones. Bentonite horizons are characterized by relatively high loss on ignition (LOI: 9.8–20.8%) and MgO content (3–5%) and low K2O (<0.5%) and Na2O (<2%) contents compared with the least altered parent rocks. Silicon, Ca, Mg, Mn and P are markedly enriched whereas Fe, Na, K and Ti are depleted in the bentonite samples. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns show identical trends characterized by strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment in both the PR and bentonite samples. The LREE contents are higher than those of their heavy counterparts (HREE) in the samples. Alteration of the PR to bentonite is associated with intense chemical leaching and subsequent removal of K and Na in open-system conditions.

The Pontic proxenies and the sea routes of the Ancient Greeks in the Euxine

Proxenic decrees, which established a proxenos, or representative, of a city’s interests in another city, offer much evidence of relations between Greek states. They usually contain a list of the privileges granted to the honoured person by the state that issued the decree. People who were honoured as proxenoi either lived in these states or visited them regularly for political, diplomatic or commercial purposes. Connections between the two parties were chiefly maintained by land or sea routes, with the latter more common. Among the privileges afforded to foreign citizens was the right to enter and depart harbour in times of both peace and war, with immunity from confiscation and without concluding a special treaty. Most proxenoi were also relieved of the obligation to pay taxes to the polis community. The detail of such proxenic decrees informs the works of scholars researching maritime trade in the Greek world, as it reveals the itineraries and the sea routes used in different periods. A great many proxenic decrees came from the region of Pontus, mainly from its western, northern and southern areas, with a few emanating from the eastern Black Sea coast. They have been carefully studied for content pertaining to politics and trade, but have not yet been researched extensively as evidence for maritime linkages. I have looked at these decrees from this perspective, but only with regard to the seaways used by citizens of the Crimean city of Tauric Chersonesus in various periods.1 However, the Black Sea coast yields numerous decrees that have yet to be studied from this point of view. My aim here is to use them to examine seafaring, and also political, trading and cultural contacts, along the sea routes.

Digital identification of ecosystem structure in the Fırtına Valley of the Kaçkar Mountains in the Rize City of Turkey

Identifying the structure of protected mountain ecosystems is an important task for understanding conservation sustainability. The study area, the Firtina Valley, located in the Rize City on the Eastern Blacksea Coast, is one of the biological hotspots and a National Park of Turkey. In order to identify the structure of mountain ecosystems, we generated a GIS database for the main environmental parameters of the study area, including elevation, slope and aspect layers for topographic structure, 10 year mean values of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), data for vegetation structure, annual mean temperature and precipitation layers for climatic structure, main soil groups for soil structure and stream flow accumulation, stream flow length and stream order layers for hydrological structure .To identify the complex relations among environmental factors in the study area a data reduction method is applied with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA is performed using data of 16 layers from Geographical Information Systems (GIS). PCA analysis reduced 16 dimensions into 5 dimensions containing 75% of the variation in all data. It is also revealed that the topographic structure, mainly altitude, dominates the ecosystems of the Firtina Valley, but it should be considered that the interactions of environmental factors in an ecosystem dynamics are very complex. The ecosystem structure is determined by the environmental factors direct or indirect effects on energy regulation of an ecosystem. Therefore the relationship between topographic elements and other abiotic-biotic elements in the Firtina Valley are important for environmental assessment and sustainability of a protected area, and these effects are explained in this study.

Chemical composition of Eastern Black Sea aerosol—Preliminary results

Trace element composition of atmospheric particles collected at a high altitude site on the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey was investigated to understand atmospheric transport of pollutants to this semi-closed basin. Aerosol samples were collected at a timber-storage area, which is operated by the General Directorate of Forestry. The site is situated at a rural area and is approximately 50km to the Black Sea coast and 200km to the Georgia border of Turkey. Coarse (PM2.5–10) and fine (PM2.5) aerosol samples were collected between 2011 and 2013 using a “stacked filter unit”. Collected samples were shipped to the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, where Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, Pb were measured by Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Comparison of measured concentrations of elements with corresponding data generated at other parts of Turkey demonstrated that concentrations of pollution derived elements are higher at Eastern Black Sea than their corresponding concentrations measured at other parts of Turkey, which is attributed to frequent transport of pollutants from north wind sector. Positive matric factorization revealed four factors including three anthropogenic and a crustal factor. Southeastern parts of Turkey, Georgia and Black Sea coast of Ukraine were identified as source regions affecting composition of particles at our site, using trajectory statistics, namely “potential source contribution function” (PSCF).

Comparisons of the suture zones along a geotraverse from the Scythian Platform to the Arabian Platform

The area from the Greater Caucasus to the southeast Turkey is characterized and shaped by several major continental blocks. These are Scythian Platform, Pontian–Transcaucasus Continent-Arc System (PTCAS), the Anatolian–Iranian and the Arabian Platforms. The aim of this paper is to define these continental blocks and describe and also compare their boundary relationships along the suture zones. The Scythian Platform displays the evidence of the Hercynian and Alpine orogens. This platform is separated from the PTCAS by the Greater Caucasus Suture Zone. The incipient collision began along this suture zone before middle–late Carboniferous whereas the final collision occurred before Oligocene. The PTCAS can be divided into four structural units: (1) the Georgian Block – northern part of the Pontian–Transcaucasian island-arc, (2) the southern and eastern Black Sea Coast–Adjara–Trialeti Unit, (3) the Artvin–Bolnisi Unit, comprising the northern part of the southern Transcaucasus, and (4) the Imbricated Bayburt–Garabagh Unit. The PTCAS could be separated from the Anatolian–Iranian Platform by the North Anatolian–Lesser Caucasus Suture (NALCS) zone. The initial collision was developed in this suture zone during Senonian–early Eocene and final collision before middle Eocene or Oligocene–Miocene. The Anatolian–Iranian Platform (AIP) is made up of the Tauride Platform and its metamorphic equivalents together with Iranian Platform. It could be separated from the Arabian Platform by the Southeastern Anatolian Suture (SEAS) zone. The collision ended before late Miocene along this suture zone. The southernmost continental block of the geotraverse is the Arabian Platform, which constitutes the northern part of the Arabian–African Plate. This platform includes a sequence from the Precambrian felsic volcanic and clastic rocks to the Campanian–early Maastrichtian flyschoidal clastics. All the suture zones include MORB and SSZ-types ophiolites in different ages. However, the ages of the suture zones and the crustal thicknesses along the suture zones are different, as the age becoming younger, the thickness decreasing from north to south. The emplacements of the ophiolites have similar pattern of a flower structure, reflecting both the north- and south-dipping overthrusts along the suture zones.