Northern Aegean Research Articles

Overview of Chios Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) Effects on Human Health

Despite the remarkable development of the medical industry in the current era, herbal products with therapeutic potentials arise as attractive alternative treatments. Consequently, Chios mastiha, a natural, aromatic resin obtained from the trunk and brunches of the mastic tree, has recently gained increasing scientific interest due to its multiple beneficial actions. Chios mastiha is being exclusively produced on the southern part of Chios, a Greek island situated in the northern Aegean Sea, and its therapeutic properties have been known since Greek antiquity. There is now substantial evidence to suggest that mastiha demonstrates a plethora of favorable effects, mainly attributed to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of its components. The main use of mastiha nowadays, however, is for the production of natural chewing gum, although an approval by the European Medicines Agency for mild dyspeptic disorders and for inflammations of the skin has been given. The aim of this article is to summarize the most important data about the therapeutic actions of Chios mastiha and discuss future fields for its medical application.

Sea Surface Temperature Variability and Marine Heat Waves over the Aegean, Ionian, and Cretan Seas from 2008–2021

The sea surface temperature (SST) is an important factor and indicator of the sea water quality, with various ecological and anthropogenic implications. We used high-resolution satellite-derived SST data, in tandem with field observations and long-term meteorological data, to investigate the spatial and interannual SST variability over the Aegean, Ionian, and Cretan (AIC) Seas during the recent 14-year period (2008–2021). Increasing trends were identified for most of the sub-basins of the AIC Seas. The numbers and durations (days) of the marine heat waves (MHWs) have significantly increased, especially during the last quadrennial period (2018–2021). Changes have been detected in both the maximum and minimum values; however, the trend of the mean annual values is mainly associated with the interannual increases in the lowest values (weaker minima during the cold seasons). The interannual variability and the increasing positive trends of the air temperature are very similar to the SST variations, showing a 5-to-10-day lag between the seasonal time series of the two parameters for all regions; however, extreme atmospheric events (e.g., cold fronts or heat waves) have a more direct impact on the SST variability (zero lag). MHWs were more frequent over the northern Aegean Sea, especially in Thermaikos Gulf, which is characterized as a “hot spot” for MHWs. MHWs were rarer over the southern regions, especially over the southeastern Aegean and Cretan Seas. A stratified upper ocean, controlled by buoyant brackish plumes, such as the Black Sea Waters (BSW) in the northern Aegean, may increase the heat storage capacity of the surface water masses, contributing to the further warming of the ocean. This was the case in the summer of 2021, which was a unique year for the AIC Seas, and especially for the northern Aegean, which revealed the highest SST values among all the study years. The satellite-derived observations of the 2008–2021 period showed increasing trends for all coastal waters, strong trend slopes for most of the coasts of the northern Aegean and central Ionian Seas, and milder trend slopes in the eastern Aegean.

Greek Thrace and the Archaic Period Thassian peraia: interaction, dialogue, contact and network in Northern Aegean

Abstract It is our objective, in this article, to present geographical and historical aspects of South Western Thrace and the island of Thassos, as well as to bring up and highlight the interaction between continent and island. Thassos has a marked proximity to the continent and, according to archaeological sources1, a close relationship between the island and the region of Thrace since the Neolithic period can be established. With the arrival of the Greeks, in the Archaic Period, the fluidity of the contact between continent and island solidified with the foundation of Thassian settlements within Thracian territory. This relationship was marked by intense commercial and social exchanges and local and regional interactions in the Northern Aegean in the Archaic Period.

“The Story of a New Name”: Cultic innovation in Greek cities of the Black Sea and the northern Aegean area

Strong links between the cults of apoikiai and metropoleis, forging the Hellenic identity of the colonists, have long been recognised. It becomes increasingly clear that in addition, the mental world of the population of colonies was conditioned by an amalgamation of Greek and local identities. Many important cults of Greek cities in the northern Aegean and the Black Sea area, such as Abdera, Odessus, Olbia, Chersonesus, and the Cimmerian Bosporus, featured both Greek and indigenous elements, their scope and nature varying from place to place. Appropriation of local gods can also be viewed as part of appropriation of the local territory and its traditions. The adaptation of Hellenic gods to the new setting and worship of local gods started at an early stage and served as a powerful cognitive mechanism establishing safe ties to the environment, mediating between different ethnic groups, and shaping people’s self-image and communal identity. The innovations in cult were often expressed by changing names or epithets of deities, emphasizing the change in their nature and functions.

Kuzey Ege Denizi’nden (Türkiye) avlanan Sarı kuyruk istavrit balığının (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) yeni bir maksimum boyu

Bir ekosistem içindeki balık türlerinin maksimum boy, ağırlık ve yaş ile ilgili bilgilerinin bilinmesi türlerin popülasyon dinamiği ve stok değerlendirme çalışmaları için önem arz etmektedir. 36,9 cm total boya sahip bir adet sarı kuyruk istavrit balığı (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) 12 Aralık 2018 tarihinde Saros Körfezi açıklarında ticari bir balıkçı tarafından olta ile yakalanmıştır. Bu ölçülen boy, Türkiye’nin Kuzey Ege kıyıları için türün maksimum uzunluğudur. Burada sunulan bilgilerin balıkçılık biyolojisine ve uluslararası bilimsel literatüre katkı sağlaması umulmaktadır.

A preliminary study of length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor of Pagellus erythrinus from Gökçeada Island, northern Aegean Sea (Turkey)

The aim of the present study was to estimate the length-weight relationship and to determine the condition factors of the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus Linnaeus, 1758) from Gökçeada Island, the northern Aegean Sea in Turkish coasts. Totally 30 specimens of P. erythrinus which are considered as bycatch were sampled by a commercial trawl in the northern Aegean Sea. Total length values of the sampled individuals ranged between 13.60 cm and 18.70 cm in total length and weight values ranged between 28.58 g and 90.04 g. The length-weight relationship of P. erythrinus was estimated as W=0.0062L³.²⁵⁸¹ (R²=0.94). The length-weight relationship was highly significant (p<0.0001). Fulton’s condition factor ranged between 1.08 and 1.56 with a mean of 1.26 (SE: ±0.02). The relative condition factor ranged between 0.86 and 1.26 with a mean of 1.01 (SE: ±0.02). P. erythrinus exhibited a positive allometric growth and the results of Fulton’s condition factor and the relative condition factor indicate the well-being of specimens in the study area. Knowledge of the distribution of exploited stocks is important for the appropriate management of fisheries resources. Therefore, the relationships between the length and weight of fish populations should be investigated and updated regularly. This study provides significant information on the length- weigh relationship and condition factors of P. erythrinus for fisheries managers and policymakers. Responsible authorities should consider the findings of the present study for sustainable fisheries management.

Opercular girth, maximum girth and total length relationships for eight fish species from the Saros Bay (northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

This study was carried out to uncover the relationship between opercular girth (Gope), maximum girth (Gmax) and total length (TL) for eight fish species [(Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847), Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758), Serranus scriba (Linnaeus, 1758), Symphodus mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758), Symphodus tinca (Linnaeus, 1758), Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868), and Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758)] from four families (Carangidae, Clupeidae, Labridae, and Serranidae) sampled between August 2016 and December 2017 in Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey). Gope and Gmax were found to increase linearly with the total length for all the species. All r2 values were statistically significant (r2 &gt; 0.83, P &lt; 0.001). The values about length-girth relationships (LGRs) of S. mediterraneus were estimated for the first time worldwide. This information will contribute to the development of ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Length-girth relationships of 24 marine fishes in the northern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea)

The knowledge of morphological relationships and particularly of those concerning fish body girth (G) with total length (TL) is necessary in gear selectivity and specifically the technical measures to avoid capture of undersized individuals. This study concerns 24 marine species exploited by the small-scale coastal fleet in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea), for 6 of which, the TL-G relationships are mentioned for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent seas. Samples were collected seasonally, from April 2016 to February 2017. The coefficients of the linear regression of body girth in three body positions, (Geye, posterior to the eye; Ghead at the posterior end of the operculum; Gmax at the maximum body depth), with the total length were estimated for each species and for the groups formatted when Geye, Ghead and Gmax were plotted against total length for all the species combined. Statistically significant differences among the three groups were detected (ANCOVA, P&amp;lt;0.001). Comparison of the total length-body girth relationships for 18 species previously studied in different geographic areas of the Mediterranean and the adjacent seas, showed differences mainly with the results from Portuguese waters for certain species populations. Based on the resulted equations, the maximum girth (G max) corresponding to the Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) and to the total length at maturity (L m) were calculated for each species. Identified mesh sizes respective to G max values were quite larger than the minimum legal mesh size for gillnets and the inner sheet of trammel nets, indicating that the relevant current fisheries regulations cannot meet the requirements for sustainable exploitation of fish resources.

Length-Weight Relationships of Four Symphodus Species (Perciformes: Labridae) off Gökçeada Island (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

The present work provides length-weight relationships (LWRs) of four Symphodus species off Gökçeada Island (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey). The sampling was ensured between November 2013 and December 2014 from commercial fishmongers. This study presents the most recent and the broadest analysis of the LWRs for the following studied species: Symphodus ocellatus, Symphodus tinca, Symphodus mediterraneus, Symphodus rostratus. The b value varied between 2.81 and 3.37, whereas aligned from 0.89 to 0.95.

The Busy Periphery: Urban Systems of the Balkan and Danube Provinces (2nd–3rd c. AD) By Damjan Donev (Archaeopress Roman Archaeology 61). Oxford: Archaeopress 2019. Pp. viii + 379. $54. ISBN 9781789693492 (paper).

<i>The Busy Periphery: Urban Systems of the Balkan and Danube Provinces (2nd–3rd c. AD)</i> By Damjan Donev (Archaeopress Roman Archaeology 61). Oxford: Archaeopress 2019. Pp. viii + 379. $54. ISBN 9781789693492 (paper).

Feeding Ecology of Thornback Ray, Raja clavata (Linnaeus 1758) in Gökçeada Island, Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey

Feeding Ecology of Thornback Ray, Raja clavata (Linnaeus 1758) in Gökçeada Island, Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey

Alien Species Threat across Marine Protected Areas of Turkey—An Updated Inventory

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of alien species occurrences within the selected 11 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) located on the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey. The inventory includes a total of 289 species belonging to 15 phyla, in which lowest and highest diversities were observed in Saros Bay MPA (27 species, northern Aegean Sea) and Fethiye-Göcek Bay MPA (150 species, northwest Levantine Sea), respectively. Alien species distributions that were revealed in protected areas located in the southern Aegean and Levantine Seas were 56.9% similar (based on presence vs. absence data), while northern Aegean sites formed another distinct group. According to the breakdown of major phyla through the entire study areas, Mollusca had the highest alien diversity (22.1% of alien species), followed by Actinopterygii (19.0%), Arthropoda (15.2%) and Annelida (13.5%). Casual aliens were represented by very low proportions in each MPA, proving that most species were already established in the region, with a significant proportion of invasive species. Regardless of the localities, the majority of the species originated from the Red Sea, whose primary pathway of introduction is the corridor, the Suez Canal. In the absence of effective management actions against bioinvasions, MPAs located along the Turkish coastline do not currently seem to provide any protection, revealing a large conservation gap to be filled.

Roman lead ingots from Macedonia\u2014the Augustan shipwreck of Comacchio (prov. Ferrara, Italy) and the reinterpretation of its lead ingots\u2019 provenance deduced from lead isotope analysis

A shipwreck of the 3rd/2nd decade BC found near Comacchio (prov. Ferrara, Italy) in 1980 contained not only well-preserved technical equipment and commercial goods but also 102 Roman lead ingots. Since then, the origin of the ingots has been intensively discussed. Domergue et al. (2012) connected the epigraphic elements with lead isotope analyses and favored the southeastern Spanish lead ore mines being the source of the lead metal. An origin from the Balkan region (Illyricum) was favored by Dušanić (2008). Due to our investigations, both assumptions cannot be maintained. We present a new interpretation of the lead’s isotope signature which best match data of ore deposits from Chalkidiki, Thasos island, and Pangaion mountains in the northern Aegean region.

Length–Weight Relationships of Elasmobranch Species From Gökçeada Island in the Northern Aegean Sea

Length–Weight Relationships of Elasmobranch Species From Gökçeada Island in the Northern Aegean Sea

Active tectonics of Gülpınar-Tuzla area (Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey): The source of 6 February-24 March 2017 earthquake cluster

The variation in the motion sense of Anatolian platelet in Aegean Sea resulted in a strike-slip tectonic regime and related neotectonic domain, the central to northern Aegean neotectonic province, which also includes both western Marmara Sea and Biga Peninsula. Our study focuses mostly on the Gülpınar-Tuzla earthquake area located at the southwestern tip of Biga Peninsula, which is controlled by the southern major strand of the North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS). The strand consists of two sections, the onshore Biga and offshore Babakale-Skyros sections. Both sections are seismically very active. The Gülpınar-Tuzla earthquake area is composed of the Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, the Oligo-Miocene granitoid pluton, Lower-Middle Miocene calc-alkalic volcanic rocks and the Upper Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary sequence. All of these rocks, which formed and deformed (folded to tilted) in palaeotectonic period, are overlain with an angular unconformity by the Quaternary neotectonic basin fill, that is nearly flat-lying except for the faulted basin margins. Both the onshore and offshore sections of the southern strand are linked to each other in terms of the structures characterizing the Babakale pull-apart basin and the Gülpınar-Tuzla earthquake area. The latter is shaped by the NE-trending Gülpınar (GFZ) and Yenice-Gönen Fault Zone (YGFZ), the ENE-trending Edremit fault zone (EFZ), the WNW-trending Tuzla Fault Zone (TFZ) and three strike-slip basins (Ayvacık, Behramkale and Tuzla basins) developed along them. Some segments of both the TFZ and GFZ were reactivated by the occurrences of seven moderate-to small-sized independent earthquakes and related aftershocks over 2760. Five of the independent earthquakes have an origin of oblique-slip normal faulting, while the rest two seismic events are strike-slip faulting in origin. Focal mechanism solution diagrams of these two groups of earthquakes reveal that the Gülpınar-Tuzla area is under the control of a strike-slip neotectonic regime, which commenced in Early Quaternary time owing to the major inversion in extensional palaeotectonic regime. This is also supported by the palaeostress analysis of slip-plane data measured on fault slickensides. The uniform slip rates on both the YGFZ and EFZ are 10.8 mm/yr and 7.3 mm/yr, respectively.

Paleogene extension in the Northern Aegean: Colluvial/debris flow deposits of the Early-Middle Eocene in NW Thrace Basin, Turkey

The Thrace Basin consists of Paleogene–Neogene deposits that lie in the lowland south of the Strandja highlands in NW Turkey, where metagranitic and metasedimentary rocks occur. The Akalan Formation consisting of colluvial fan/debris flow deposits represents the base of the sequence in the northern Thrace basin where it is bounded by a right lateral strike-slip oblique fault called “The Western Strandja Fault Zone”. This formation exhibits a coarse-grained, angular and grain-supported character close to the fault zone which has releasing-bends. Fine-grained, rounded, and matrix-supported sediments occur away from the contact. During this study, the Akalan Formation is described for the first time as having larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) of Coskinolina sp of Ypresian–Lutetian, Nummulites obesus of early Lutetian, Dictyoconus egyptiensis of Lutetian, Orbitolites sp. of Ypresian–Bartonian, Miliola sp of early–middle Eocene, Idalina grelaudae of early Lutetian–Priabonian, Ammobaculites agglutinans, Amphimorphina crassa, Dentalina sp., Nodosaria sp., Operculina sp., Lenticulina sp., Quinqueloculina sp. and Amphistegina sp. of Eocene. This unit passes upward with a conformity into reefal limestones of the middle/late Eocene–early Oligocene Soğucak Formation. At times, the limestone overlies the conformity, there is an indication of a prograding sedimentary sequence. The new stratigraphic, paleontological, sedimentological and structural findings related to the NW Thrace Basin suggest a strong transtensional/extensional tectonic control for the initial Paleogene sedimentary deposition during the Ypresian–Lutetian period as shown by fossil content of the Akalan Formation. Right lateral-slip extensional tectonics appears to have had activity during the middle–late Eocene transgressive deposition of the Soğucak Formation when the basin became deepened and enlarged.

Saros Körfezi’nde (Kuzey Ege Denizi) Kahverengi Vatozun (Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758) Biyolojik Yönleri

The present study reports the age, growth, and reproduction parameters of 52 brown rays (Raja miraletus) captured from the Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea) between September 2006 -2008. The males and females accounted for 44.2% and 55.8% of the sample, respectively. The males measured 10.5-53.5 cm (disc width, 6.5-32 cm) and the females ranged 25.5-47.7 cm (disc width, 18-30.5 cm) in total length (TL). The equations TW=0.0017*TL3.27 and TW=0.0017*DW3.38 were used to describe the total length-weight and disc width-weight relationships, respectively. The length-at-age data on vertebrae were used to estimate the von Bertalanffy growth equation: L∞ = 62.43 cm, K = 0.28 year−1, t0 = −0.54 year. The maximum age was found to be 4 years for both the males and females.

Correction to: Late Oligocene–Early Miocene shortening in the Thrace Basin, northern Aegean

Correction to: Late Oligocene–Early Miocene shortening in the Thrace Basin, northern Aegean

Migration of Arc Magmatism Above Mantle Wedge Diapirs With Variable Sediment Contribution in the Aegean

AbstractCompiled data show the age progression of magmatic centers along the two approximately linear profiles from NE Greece and NW Turkey to the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The age progression reveals the southwestward migration of arc magmatic activity from Oligocene to present, perpendicular to the Hellenic Trench. This is in accordance with the migration of the Aegean subduction zone due to the collision of oceanic and continental blocks, trench retreat, mantle flow, and coeval extension. We suggest that the subduction of large volumes of sediments and their contribution to the sub‐arc magma source controlled the composition of calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline and shoshonitic arc magmas during the past 30 Ma. The magma geochemistry and the approximately linear age‐progressive migration of magmatic activity suggest focused ascent of mixed material from the subducted slab into the mantle wedge, most likely in the form of mélange diapirs. Geochemical data along the profile reveals increasing Sr and decreasing Nd isotopes during Upper Miocene in agreement with the ongoing subduction of continental blocks, low subduction rates, and development of an accretionary wedge. The different K‐rich arc magmas reflect the variable subduction of sediments, whereas crustal assimilation often plays a minor role. Magmas with variable 87Sr/86Sr, P/Nd, and Ba/La indicate a variable contribution of clastic, phosphate‐bearing, and barite‐bearing sediments. Low‐degree partial melting in sediment‐dominated mélange diapirs causes the formation of shoshonitic magmas with high Sr and P2O5 contents and high La/Yb in the northern Aegean.

Growth Parameters of Blotched Picarel (Spicara maena Linnaeus, 1758) From Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

In this study, growth parameters of 648 specimens of Spicara maena hunted by small-scale commercial fishermen around Saros Bay between January 2016 and December 2016 were studied. Of the 648 specimens analyzed, 509 were female and 139 were male. The length-weight relationship was calculated as for females and for males. The von Bertalanffy growth equations were computed as =22.1 cm, k=0.27 , =-1.42 year for the females; =20.6 cm, k=0.39, , = –1.11 year for the males. The growth performance index () was found as 2.12 and 2.22 for the females and males, respectively. This study includes preliminary information on the growth of the blotched picarel in Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey).