Northeastern Mediterranean Region Research Articles

Global Efforts to Address Severe Acute Malnutrition

476 5. C hildhood malnutrition encompasses a plethora of nutritional disorders that include stunting, underweight, wasting, severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and micronutrient deficiency disorders. Overweight and obesity, at the other end of the nutritional spectrum, are also manifestations of childhood malnutrition. Nearly 24 million children (younger than 5 years) worldwide experience SAM. The vast majority is located in Africa and Asia (8 million are in India alone). A child with SAM is 10 times more likely to die than a wellnourished child. SAM is one of the top 3 nutrition-related causes of death in children younger than 5 years. Estimates of deaths directly attributable to SAM varied from 0.5 to 2 million annually. Moderate and severe child malnutrition account for 40% to 50% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years. If the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millennium goals) of reducing children malnutrition and mortality by 50% by 2015 are to be met, SAM needs to be prevented and controlled effectively.

Hydrological variability in the Northern Levant: a 250 ka multi-proxy record from the Yammoûneh (Lebanon) sedimentary sequence

Abstract. The Levant is a key region in terms of both long-term hydroclimate dynamics and human cultural evolution. Our understanding of the regional response to glacial-interglacial boundary conditions is limited by uncertainties in proxy-data interpretation and the lack of long-term records from different geographical settings. The present paper provides a 250 ka paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on a multi-proxy approach from northern Levant, derived from a 36 m lacustrine-palustrine sequence cored in the small intra-mountainous karstic Yammoûneh basin from northern Lebanon. We combined time series of sediment properties, paleovegetation, and carbonate oxygen isotopes (δc), to yield a comprehensive view of paleohydrologic-paleoclimatic fluctuations in the basin over the two last glacial-interglacial cycles. Integration of all available proxies shows that Interglacial maxima (early-mid MIS 7, MIS 5.5 and early MIS 1) experienced relatively high effective moisture, evidenced by the dominance of forested landscapes (although with different forest types) associated with authigenic carbonate sedimentation in a productive waterbody. Synchronous and steep δc increases can be reconciled with enhanced mean annual moisture when changes in seasonality are taken into account. During Glacials periods (MIS 2 and MIS 6), open vegetation tends to replace the forests, favouring local erosion and detrital sedimentation. However, all proxy data reveal an overall wetting during MIS 6, while a drying trend took place during MIS4-2, leading to extremely harsh LGM conditions possibly linked to water storage as ice in the surrounding highlands. Over the past 250 ka, the Yammoûneh record shows an overall decrease in local effective water, coincident with a weakening of seasonal insolation contrasts linked to the decreasing amplitude of the eccentricity cycle. The Yammoûneh record is roughly consistent with long-term climatic fluctuations in the northeastern Mediterranean region (except during MIS 6). It suggests that the role of seasonality on effective moisture, already highlighted for MIS 1, also explains older interglacial climate. The Yammoûneh record shares some features with speleothem isotope records of western Israel, while the Dead Sea basin generally evolved in opposite directions. Changes in atmospheric circulation, regional topographic patterns and site-specific hydrological factors are invoked as potential causes of spatial heterogeneities. Further work is needed to refine the Yammoûneh chronology, better understand its functioning through hydrological and climate modelling, and acquire other long records from northern Levant to disentangle the relative effects of local versus regional factors.

Late postglacial paleoenvironmental change in the northeastern Mediterranean region: Combined palynological and molecular biomarker evidence

Three gravity cores collected from the NE Mediterranean (NEMR) across a transect from the northern Aegean Sea (North Skyros basin) to the south Cretan margin (SCM), were investigated for pollen and terrestrial biomarkers derived from epicuticular waxes of vascular plants during the last ∼20 ky. Pollen data show diversified mixed temperate forest in the northern borderlands and enhanced Mediterranean vegetation in the southern areas, documenting an N–S climatic trend. Terrestrial plant biomarkers and their diagnostic geochemical indices exhibit latitudinal patterns which are interpreted in terms of the different delivery pathways (fluvial/runoff vs. atmospheric transport), resulting from the climate conditions during different periods. During the Late Glacial and early deglaciation periods (20–14 ka BP) relatively increased humidity (H-index) is recorded in the north Aegean Sea, while in the South drier climate was the limiting factor for vegetation development. During this interval, terrestrial n-alkanes showed increased accumulation rates, suggesting massive transport of terrestrial organic matter through runoffs and rivers, followed by weaker input after 14 ka BP. After ∼11 ka BP a major expansion of forest cover is evidenced in the NEMR, accompanied by a higher H-index because of the climatic amelioration. The forest vegetation exhibited regionally different characteristics, with cool temperate taxa being more abundant in the Aegean cores, while the SCM record is being featured by Mediterranean elements. At the onset of the Holocene and throughout the Holocene Climatic Optimum the delivery of terrestrial biomarkers increased and became more significant in the Aegean sites compared to the SCM site. Within the Holocene, the average chain length (ACL) of long chain n-alkanes exhibits lower values in the northern Aegean than in the southeastern Aegean and SCM, indicating the predominance of warmer species southwards. Finally, the H-index records a conspicuous humidity increase between 5.4 and 4.3 ka BP in the south Aegean that coincides with an increase in the terrestrial biomarker supply and the deposition of a distinct sapropel-like layer, SMH (Sapropel Mid Holocene). Similar trends in T (temperature) and H indices are slightly delayed and attenuated in the northern Aegean and are accompanied by an increase in the ACL index. A noticeable increase in the accumulation rates (ARs) of terrestrial biomarkers and the HPA index values during this period are clearly recorded in all three cores, indicative of enhanced terrigenous inputs of organic matter along with higher in-situ preservation.

Massive perturbation in terrestrial ecosystems of the Eastern Mediterranean region associated with the 8.2 kyr B.P. climatic event

The climatic perturbation at ca. 8.2 kyr B.P. is the strongest short-term climate anomaly within the Holocene. It is generally attributed to a meltwater-induced slowdown of the thermohaline circulation in the North Atlantic. Model simulations and available proxy data suggest that it was strongest in the high to middle latitudes around the North Atlantic. Based on new pollen data from Tenaghi Philippon, northeastern Greece, we provide evidence for a massive climate-induced turnover in terrestrial ecosystems of the Aegean region associated with the 8.2 kyr B.P. event. The reconstructed winter temperature decline of >4 °C is much stronger than suggested by model simulations and proxy data from more northern latitudes of Europe, although the latter provide a direct downstream response to a North Atlantic thermohaline circulation slowdown. We attribute this discrepancy to mesoclimatic effects; a stronger influence of the Siberian High during the 8.2 kyr B.P. event may have enhanced the katabatic air flow from the mountains bordering the study site via a larger, longer persisting snow cover. Our data demonstrate that high-amplitude temperature anomalies and increased seasonality connected to the 8.2 kyr B.P. event may also have occurred in the lower mid-latitudes, much farther south than previously thought. The magnitudes of these anomalies appear to have been strong enough to have seriously affected Neolithic settlers in the northeastern Mediterranean region.

Metals in tissues of fish from Yelkoma Lagoon, northeastern Mediterranean

This study was performed to investigate the metal concentrations in muscle, liver, gonad, and gill of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L., 1758), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L., 1758), and keeled mullet (Liza carinata Valenciennes, 1836) from Yelkoma Lagoon, northeastern Mediterranean region. So, the levels of cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc in tissues of specimens from the lagoon were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Concentrations of metals in muscles of the examined species ranged from 0.10 to 0.47 mg kg(-1) for cadmium, 0.10 to 0.43 mg kg(-1) for cobalt, 0.17 to 0.72 mg kg(-1) for chromium, 0.62 to 1.03 mg kg(-1) for copper, 28.9 to 52.3 mg kg(-1) for iron, 0.75 to 0.96 mg kg(-1) for manganese, 0.11 to 0.57 mg kg(-1) for nickel, 0.19 to 0.47 mg kg(-1) for lead, and 6.01 to 13.9 mg kg(-1) for zinc, respectively. Additionally, metal concentrations in muscles of fish were assessed for human uses according to provisional tolerable weekly intake and provisional tolerable daily intake.

The Anatolian Middle Bronze Age kingdoms and Alalakh: Mukish, Kanesh and trade

AbstractThe comparisons at the heart of this article concern the varying roles of cuneiform texts, instrumental analysis and artefacts at the Bronze Age capital of Alalakh, located in the northeastern Mediterranean region of southern Turkey. The production of fine artefacts, such as sophisticated metallurgy, glass, faience, ivory carving and, especially, bronze, was under palace patronage, while trade and the networks of inter-regional relations facilitated the transport of materials across great distances in the ancient Near East. Several lines of evidence suggest that exchange relationships between Alalakh and the Middle Bronze Age central Anatolian kingdoms, such as Kanesh, were established prior to the arrival of Hattusili I. One category of artefact, ivory and bone with metallic embellishments, is emphasised here since the crafting of ivory and bone entails the use of local resources, while the plating with precious metals reflects artistic expression and exploitation that is international in scope. Several analytical techniques are presented, such as lead isotope ratios, scanning electron microscopy and polarizing light microscopy, which have aided in defining the artistic expression of Alalakh and the production of artefacts of power and prestige.

Precipitation Chemistry as an Indicator of Urban Air Quality in Mersin, North-Eastern Mediterranean Region

The chemical composition of precipitation in the city of Mersin on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey has been studied. Spatial and temporal variability of rainwater constituents have been determined from samples collected at two central and two suburban stations for the December 2003–May 2005 period. A total of 246 samples covering all precipitation events were analyzed to determine pH, conductivity, as well as major anion (Cl−, $${\text{NO}}_3^ - $$ , $${\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } $$ ); major cation (H+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, $${\text{NH}}_4^ + $$ ) and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations. The pH varied within a range of 4.8–8.5, with only 8 out of 246 samples being acidic (pH < 5.6), and the remaining highly alkaline samples being neutralized by either $${\text{NH}}_4^ + $$ in rainwater, or by CaCO3 resulting from wet deposition of atmospheric dust. The volume weighted mean ΣAnion/ΣCation ratio was 0.49. The equivalent concentration of major ionic species followed the order: $${\text{Ca}}^{2 + } > {\text{HCO}}_3^ - > {\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } > {\text{Cl}}^ - > {\text{NH}}_4^ + > {\text{Na}}^ + > {\text{Mg}}^{2 + } > {\text{NO}}_3^ - > {\text{K}}^ + > {\text{H}}^ + $$ . Formaldehyde concentrations varied in the range of 0.01–17.9 μM, and was found to be dependent on precipitation volume. Relatively higher $${\text{NH}}_4^ + $$ , $${\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } $$ , $${\text{NO}}_3^ - $$ and HCHO concentrations, mainly of anthropogenic origin, measured near the city center suggest increased pollution from local anthropogenic sources, e.g., residential heating, industrial and/or traffic emissions. In general, the results of this study suggest local precipitation chemistry is more strongly influenced by natural (mineral dust and marine) sources compared to anthropogenic ones.

An evaluation of the role of hurricane Olga (2001) in an extreme rainy event in Israel using dynamic tropopause maps

During the period from end of November to early December 2001, a sequence of extremely intense synoptic developments occurred over the area from the Atlantic to Mediterranean. These included the formation of hurricane Olga, an intensification of the Icelandic Low, strengthening of the subtropical westerly jet stream (STJ) over North Africa, formation of the Red Sea Trough (RST) and Cyprus Low cyclones, which resulted in torrential rains in Israel on December 4–5. The evolution of the synoptic processes over a large area from the Atlantic to Western Europe and the Mediterranean region during November 25–December 2 is investigated here with the help of dynamic tropopause patterns calculated based on reanalysis data. It is shown that the chain of extreme weather events was triggered by the acceleration of a coherent tropopause disturbance (CTD) over the Labrador Sea. Two branches of the process may be distinguished, southern and northern. The southern one was associated with the transformation of a tropical storm into hurricane Olga, strengthening of the STJ and eventually the formation of the RST cyclone. The RST contributed to the intensification of the transport of moist air masses from equatorial Africa to the Mediterranean region. The northern branch was determined by an eastward drift of the CTD, moist air mass transport from the area of the hurricane to the North Atlantic and the European-Mediterranean region, strengthening of the Icelandic Low and formation of an upper troposphere potential vorticity-streamer system over western Scandinavia. Displacement of the streamer to the Mediterranean region and its interaction with the RST system played a major role in the development of the powerful Cyprus Low cyclone over the northeastern Mediterranean region.

Evolution of Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the northeastern Mediterranean region

Sequence data derived from two mitochondrial markers, 16S rRNA and COI genes, were used to infer the evolutionary history of 47 insular and mainland populations covering most of the distributional range of the northeastern Mediterranean scorpion species Mesobuthus gibbosus. Based on the estimated divergence times of Mesobuthus lineages, the temporal frame of the genus differentiation in the northeastern Mediterranean region is placed in middle Miocene (15 million years ago). The biogeographic affinities of M. gibbosus populations point towards a mainly vicariant pattern of differentiation of the species which is consistent with the geological events that transformed the Aegean region during the period from 12 to 5 million years ago. M. gibbosus is an old northeastern Mediterranean species that has retained valuable bits of genetic information, reflecting some of the oldest vicariant events that have occurred in the area. Most importantly, the history witnessed by M. gibbosus has not been obscured by more recent palaeoevents of the region. Therefore, the case of M. gibbosus is in favour of a taxon-oriented 'perception' of the natural history of a given area.

The contribution of geologists to the development of emergency groundwater supplies by the British army

Abstract During the 19th Century, the British military pioneered geological mapping and teaching, and the operational use of Norton tube wells. In the First World War, the British army appointed its first military hydrogeologist to serve as such, to develop water-supply maps for Belgium and northern France and guide deployment of Royal Engineer units drilling boreholes into the Cretaceous Chalk of the Somme region and Tertiary sands beneath the Flanders plain. Similar well-boring units were also deployed with geological guidance in the northeastern Mediterranean region. All military geologists were demobilized after hostilities ceased, but wartime experience was quickly drawn together in the first Royal Engineer textbook on water supply. During the Second World War, several British military well-drilling units were raised and deployed, notably to East Africa and North Africa as well as northern France, normally with military geological and sometimes (in Africa) with military geophysical technical direction. A reduced well-drilling capability has since been retained by the British army, through the Cold War to the present day, supported by a small group of reserve army geologists to contribute basic hydrogeological expertise to the armed forces for peace-time projects and war-related operations.

A lower‐crustal event in the northeastern Mediterranean: The 1998 Adana earthquake (Mw= 6.2) and its aftershocks

We analyse the main and aftershocks of the June 27, 1998 Adana earthquake using data from the short‐period Cilician seismograph network in order to investigate the seismotectonics of the northeastern Mediterranean region. The mainshock is found to have a pure left lateral strike‐slip mechanism (strike=50°, dip=85°, rake=10°, Mo=3.63×1018 Nm). The inferred strike direction of 50° N closely aligns with the surface trend of the Göksun Fault Zone (GFZ). The depth and size of the mainshock and the distribution of the aftershocks indicate that the rupture nucleated within the lower crust, and did not extend to shallower zones. This seismicity pattern indicates that these events are associated with actively interacting African and Anatolian lithospheres in a strike‐slip manner at depth. Thus, we propose that the southern segment of the GFZ belongs to the diffuse Africa‐Anatolia plate boundary and plays a major role in the plate kinematics of the northeastern Mediterranean.

A revised stratigraphic framework for later Cenozoic sequences in the northeastern Mediterranean region

This study describes the lithostratigraphic character of mid-Cenozoic (Oligocene-Pliocene) sequences in different parts of the northeastern Mediterranean area and offers a detailed stratigraphic correlation for this region. The sequences concerned are drawn from the Camardi area (south-central Anatolia), the Adana Basin, the Misis Mountains and the Kyrenia Range (northern Cyprus) and the submerged Florence Rise (west of Cyprus). The stratigraphic relationships identified here indicate the following: (a) Following the middle Eocene (Lutetian) regression there was uplift throughout the entire region; (b) Episodes of fluvial and lacustrine deposition in intramontane settings ensued in most of this region during the late Eocene/early Miocene interval; (c) Following a regionally extensive phase of tectonic compression, major marine transgression commenced in the late Oligocene in northern Cyprus and in the early Miocene in adjacent southern Turkey, with the exception of the Ecemi§ Fault Zone where continental deposition continued; (d) These Oligo-Miocene transgressive sequences comprise a broadly diachronous complex of both shallow and deeper marine facies, including reefal carbonates, littoral clastics, basinal shales and fan-turbidites; (e) Deeper marine Miocene facies persisted longer in the Misis area and in northern Cyprus; (f) A regional regression occurred throughout most of the area during the late Serravallian to Tortonian interval and is marked by the abrupt, locally discordant appearance of extensive shallow marine, deltaic and fluvial deposits; (g) Continued regression in the Messinian led to the formation of significant evaporite deposits in the western and southern parts of the region, but localized uplift of the Misis area is attested by the initial deformation of the Neogene rocks there and the absence of Messinian sediments from this area; (h) In the Pliocene there was extensive emergence of the northern parts of the region interrupted by brief marine incursions. The present-day drainage pattern was established at this time; (i) Marine conditions persisted longer in northern Cyprus, where emergence occurred only in the latest Pliocene.

A revised stratigraphic framework for Later Cenozoic sequences in the northeastern Mediterranean region

A revised stratigraphic framework for Later Cenozoic sequences in the northeastern Mediterranean region