Romanian Black Research Articles

Study of the biosorption efficiency of seaweed species collected from the Black Sea for heavy metals removal in industrial wastewaters

In this article, it will be presented the results obtained from research conducted in order to reduce the concentrations of metals in industrial wastewater resulted from heavy metal polluting industries, especially the metallurgical industry. Most of the world's water sources are profoundly negatively affected by human activities, and the population faces critical water supply and drinking water quality problems. Millions of people develop various diseases from drinking water from unsafe or poor quality sources, creating a global public health problem. Due to massive industrialisation, current water treatment methods are outdated, which is why water treatment and purification laws, regulations, and controls need to be updated to minimise and stop contamination of the food chain. It is the responsibility of the researchers to make the public aware of the dangers to which they are exposed due to their own negligence and to offer possible solutions to these problems. New, reliable, viable, cheap, and sustainable technologies must be developed to improve drinking water quality. One such technology that can be developed and implemented is using the biological method of biosorption. Stranded seaweed on the Romanian Black Sea coast is currently treated as waste, but it could be exploited as biomass in the biosorption process. The research aimed to investigate the possibility of valorification of macrophyte seaweed species in this direction. Five different species of stranded macrophyte seaweed were collected and used to remove selected metallic ions (Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu) from a source of wastewater resulted from the metallurgical industry processes. The wastewater samples were analyzed before and after the application of the biosorption technique using the spectrophotometric method.

Preliminary Data Regarding Pharmaceutical Forms Type Gels Based on Marine Algae Extracts with Antioxidant Activity

Abstract Particularly interest on herbs and plant extracts is due to their content of active principles with remarkable pharmacological properties. Different vegetal species contain natural antioxidants (polyphenols) used for their dermatological anti-inflammatory and healing activity, justified by their action on free radicals. The aim of this paper was to obtain selected phytopharmaceuticals formulations type gels with an increased antioxidant potential based on a mixture of fluid extracts from seaweeds species in the phylum Chlorophyta, Cladophora vagabunda (L.) C. Hoek, in the family Cladophoraceae, Ulva lactuca (L.) syn. Ulva rigida (L.), in the family Ulvaceae (sea lettuce) and species in the phylum Rhodophyta, Ceramium rubrum C. Agardh, in the famiy Ceramiaceae, frequently presents along the Romanian Black Sea coast. Fluid extracts concentration 10% were obtained using cold maceration extraction method, in solvents ethylic alcohol 40% and 70%. The obtained vegetal extracts were mixed in different ratio and analysed for physico-chemical properties, for the content of total phenols, chlorophylls, cartenoids, flavonoids and antioxidative capacity by photochemiluminescence method (ACL, Analytik Jena AG procedure). The selected mixed fluid extracts with greatest content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity were used for obtaining pharmaceutical forms type gels which were analyzed for the physical-chemical properties appearance, pH, spredability and total antioxidative capacity. Preliminary results emphasized that proposed pharmaceutical forms type gels had an appreciable antioxidant activity correlated with a good stability, an increased polyphenols content and would represent a possible new dermatological anti-inflammatory and healing preparation.

A Hotspot in the Romanian Black Sea: Eelgrass Beds Drive Local Biodiversity in Surrounding Bare Sediments

Ecosystem engineers create habitat and provide conditions otherwise unavailable for the development of diverse communities. In marine soft-bottoms in particular, the biodiversity sustained by a matrix of relatively uniform sediments can be drastically enhanced by the presence of ecosystem engineers such as seagrasses. Unfortunately, the influence of seagrass meadows on the diversity of surrounding sediments is often unrecognized in spite of its importance, especially in coastlines exposed to multiple sources of pollution. This study examined composition and diversity associated with a bed of Zostera noltei Hornemann, 1832, and its surrounding bare sediments in a highly urbanized coastal area of the Romanian Black Sea. Dissimilarity levels were quantified and key species driving the differences between uniform (bare) and complex (eelgrass) sedimentary habitats were identified. 48 taxa were collected and counted, with epifaunal and infaunal species each accounting for nearly half of that diversity. Abundance, richness and diversity were strikingly higher in eelgrass-associated sediments, a difference driven primarily by various species of snails, crustaceans, polychaetes and bivalves. Between-habitat differences remained significant even after the removal of epifaunal species and each dataset undergoing strong data transformation. These results suggest that even small eelgrass beds, located in the vicinity of multiple sources of stress, can act as hotspots and make a substantial contribution to local benthic diversity.

The Beach Extention Project in Mamaia Resort, on the Romanian Black Sea Coast: Certain Benefits, but also Numerous Tourist Complaints

The Beach Extention Project in Mamaia Resort, on the Romanian Black Sea Coast: Certain Benefits, but also Numerous Tourist Complaints

Effects of milking temperament of dairy cows on production and reproduction efficiency under tied stall housing

In recent years, schemes developed to assess cattle welfare on-farm have shifted their weight from resource-based measures, such as feed and water availability and housing facilities, to animal-based measures such as expression of behavior, positive emotional state of the animals and human-animal relationships. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that milking temperament has on production and reproduction efficiency and on welfare of dairy cows housed in tied stanchion barns. Milking temperament of 94 Romanian Black Spotted lactating cows was evaluated by two independent observers, using a 5-point subjective scale. The behavioral reactivity of cows during milking significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) milk yield, with the calmer cows having a higher milk production than their nervous counterparts. The relation between body condition score of cows and milking temperament was significant (P ≤ 0.05), with calmer cows having higher fat deposits and maintaining better condition, compared to nervous animals. However, no significant influence (P > 0.05) of the temperament was found on milking speed, body weight, fertility related traits, coat cleanliness and integuments alterations. Current results showed that it is feasible to include milking temperament as a trait in selection indexes, considering the economic implications of the trait, with calmer cows having significantly higher milk yields, while maintaining a better body condition score throughout lactation in tied stanchion barn systems. Apart of the obvious milk production gains, fluctuations to a lesser extent of body fat reserves in dairy cows during the production cycle, might lead to lower risks of developing metabolic diseases.

Investigation of endocrine disruptor pollutants and their metabolites along the Romanian Black Sea Coast: Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment

In recent years, the occurrence of organic UV-filters (UVFs) and bisphenol derivatives (BPs) in the marine environment has raised high concerns all over the world, due to the potentially adverse impacts on marine organism and, indirectly on human health. This paper reports, for the first time in Romania, the occurrence, distribution pattern and environmental risk assessment of UVFs, BPs and their metabolites in seawater, sediment and algae collected from the Romania Black Sea coastal region. BP-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone) was the most abundant contaminant in seawater samples, with detection frequency of 100 %. Sediment samples were dominated by ES (Ethylhexyl salicylate), with concentration values up to 5823 ng/g d.w., while for algae, concentrations of several hundreds of ng/g d.w. were determined for BP-3, BS (Benzyl salicylate) and BPE (Bisphenol E). Environmental risk assessment revealed that some UVFs and BPs detected in seawater samples were hazardous to the marine organism of the Black Sea.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Addition in Dairy Cows Diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in the dairy cows’ diets on productive performances and health status. The study was carried out in the experimental farm of the Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotești on 50 multiparous Romanian Black and Spotted dairy cows, randomly divided into two groups (N = 25 heads/group), according to age, milk yield, body weight and health status. The experimental group received 80 g Saccharomyces cerevisiae/head/day for one year. The groups were fed with the same diet and had free access to water and salt. Results were expressed as a mean (±Standard Deviation). The t-test was applied to obtain the significance of difference. Supplementation of the diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a significant effect (P <0.001) on milk yield (20.71±1.65 l/head/day) for the experimental group comparing with the control group (18.22±1.81 l/head/day), and on milk protein and lactose (P <0.05). The addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dairy cows’ diet did not improve the milk fat, hematological and biochemical/urine indicators in the experimental group (P >0.05). However, for alkaline phosphatase, differences at the end of the study have been observed (P <0.01). The beneficial effect of the yeast and yeast products in ruminants could be attributed to microbial activity by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the rumen of the animals. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an alternative source of economic protein, vitamins and minerals in dairy cows’ diet represents an effective measure to optimize animal productivity.

New records of soft‐shelled monothalamous Foraminifera and gromiids on the Romanian Black Sea shelf

The current study reveals the presence of both “soft-shelled monothalamous” Foraminifera (Saccamminidae and Allogromiidae families) and Cercozoa (Gromiidae family) for the first time in the studied areas of Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe, Portița, Constanța, Tuzla and Mangalia. The investigated areas are located from North to South, belonging to the Romanian continental shelf of the Black Sea. The samples transect ranged from shallow to deep water between 19.5 and 149 m depth. The measurement campaign was conducted in three consecutive years, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with the GeoEcoMar’s research vessel Mare Nigrum. The main objective of this contribution is to present the taxonomic composition of soft-shelled monothalamous foraminiferans and gromiids and their spatial distribution in the Romanian Black Sea shelf. In the Black Sea, soft-shelled monothalamous foraminiferans and gromiids are poorly documented and few species have been described. Some of these species may be new to science. Therefore, further analysis is required, encompassing both morphological and molecular criteria, for an accurate identification of these taxa.

Controls on Gas Emission Distribution on the Continental Slope of the Western Black Sea

The continental slopes of the Black Sea show abundant manifestations of gas seepage in water depth of <720 m, but underlying controls are still not fully understood. Here, we investigate gas seepage along the Bulgarian and Romanian Black Sea margin using acoustic multibeam water column, bathymetry, backscatter, and sub-bottom profiler data to determine linkages between sub-seafloor structures, seafloor gas seeps, and gas discharge into the water column. More than 10,000 seepage sites over an area of ∼3,000 km2were identified. The maximum water depth of gas seepage is controlled by the onset of the structure I gas hydrate stability zone in ∼720 m depth. However, gas seepage is not randomly distributed elsewhere. We classify three factors controlling on gas seepage locations into depositional, erosional, and tectonic factors. Depositional factors are associated with regionally occurring sediment waves forming focusing effects and mass-transport deposits (MTDs) with limited sediment drape. Elongated seafloor depressions linked to faulting and gas seepage develop at the base between adjacent sediment waves. The elongated depressions become progressively wider and deeper toward shallow water depths and culminate in some locations into clusters of pockmarks. MTDs cover larger regions and level out paleo-topography. Their surface morphology results in fault-like deformation patterns of the sediment drape on top of the MTDs that is locally utilized for gas migration. Erosional factors are seen along channels and canyons as well as slope failures, where gas discharge occurs along head-scarps and ridges. Sediment that was removed by slope failures cover larger regions down-slope. Those regions are devoid of gas seepage either by forming impermeable barriers to gas migration or by removal of the formerly gas-rich sediments. Deep-rooted tectonic control on gas migration is seen in the eastern study region with wide-spread normal faulting promoting gas migration. Overall, gas seepage is widespread along the margin. Gas migration appears more vigorous in shallow waters below ∼160 m water depth, but the number of flare sites is not necessarily an indicator of the total volume of gas released.

Application of electrical resistivity tomography for imaging seawater intrusion in a coastal aquifer

Following previous geoelectrical researches initiated in 2009 for the delineation and characterization of seawater intrusion in a freshwater aquifer of Sarmatian (late Middle Miocene) age, a subsurface imaging survey via 2-D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was conducted in 2019 on the outskirts of Vama Veche resort—Romanian Black Sea southern coast. The survey was organized in the framework of a field camp sponsored by the Foundation of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)–Tulsa, OK, USA, with participation of teams from the University of Bucharest—Department of Geophysics and the Geological Institute of Romania. A number of eight ERT profiles with N–S, W–E, NNE–SSW, and WNW–ESE orientation and 155–315 m length were imaged with a SuperSting R8/IP instrument (Advanced Geosciences Inc.), using deployments of 32–64 electrodes at 5 m spacing, in Wenner, Schlumberger, and dipole–dipole array configurations. The processing and interpretation of high-resolution ERT data indicated that the seawater intrusion, evidenced as very low resistivity (5–10 Ω m) anomalous zones starting at approximately 45–49 m depth, has advanced at least 500 m inland. The survey results also allowed the identification of a system of fractures or faults with an approximate NW–SE/WNW–ESE and, possibly, N–S orientation, that might have provided potential pathways for saline water intrusion.

Local Abundance and Distribution of Phocoenidae and Delphinidae Families in the Territorial Waters of Romania

"The vulnerability of the ecosystem, and mostly the Black Sea marine ecosystem, to human pressures is advisable to be assessed through indicators. Either we are speaking about human pressure or fauna and flora species, one of these indicators are filled by the marine mammal populations. Long-lived, slow-reproducing dolphins and porpoises are already recommended world-wide. During ANEMONE project we were able to perform several vessel surveys along the 12 NM area of Romanian Black Sea, between Sulina (northern border city) and Vama Veche (southern border village). The surveys were performed following distance sampling line transect methods and analyzed with Distance 7.3. software. The data were collected during spring 2019, summer 2019 and spring-summer 2020 and brings in discussion the status of the three cetacean species, abundance and distribution, in light of the latest research, and regional context, compared to the 2013 (""Adverse fisheries impacts on Cetacean population in the Black Sea"" under the European Commission's ""Studies for Carrying out the Common Fisheries Policy"" research programme) and 2019 (CeNoBS: ""Support MSFD implementation in the Black Sea through establishing a regional monitoring system of cetaceans (D1) and noise monitoring (D11) for achieving GES"") survey results. The article reveals the results of these efforts and discusses the present situation of the two cetacean families present in the Romanian coastal waters. Key-Words: dolphins, porpoises, abundance, distribution, seasons "

The Assessment of the Mesozooplankton Community from the Romanian Black Sea Waters and the Relationship to Environmental Factors

"The paper aims to develop and test a semi-quantitative method that generates scenarios for the zooplankton community development under salinity and nutrients fluctuations. First, we identified the relationships between the mesozooplankton component and the environmental factors by analyzing data (N=2566) collected within the warm season (May-September) of a decade (2008-2018). The biotic and abiotic parameters were investigated at 37 stations within the monitoring network of the Romanian Black Sea waters, covering all three marine reporting units (waters with variable salinity, coastal and marine) according to Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). We identified 32 mesozooplankton species belonging to ten taxonomic classes, copepods representing the bulk of the community. In waters with variable salinity and coastal waters, the fodder component of the mesozooplanktonic community was dominant, while in marine waters the nonfodder component was better and exclusively represented by Noctiluca scintillans. Physicochemical parameters that showed significant correlations with the mesozooplankton species were S (salinity) and nutrients - NO2- (nitrite), NO3-(nitrate), PO43-(phosphate) and NH4+(ammonium). The number of species significantly correlated with the physicochemical parameters showed variations generally correlated with the increasing salinity gradient: in waters with variable salinity nine species being correlated, in coastal waters ten species, and in marine waters five species. Key-Words: mesozooplankton, fodder, nonfodder, correlations, physicochemical "

Comparative Aspects on the Metallic and Organic Contaminants Content of the Red Alga Pyropia Leucosticta (Thuret) Neefus & J. Brodie, 2011 Obtained under Laboratory-Controlled Conditions and Natural Environment

"Macroalgal cultures, a new domain for the Romanian Black Sea coast, provide interesting information on the intermediate stages of development and reproduction of algae, and also raw algal material with exploitable potential in most of diverse fields (industrial, cosmetic, pharmaceutical). Porphyra and Pyropia species are considered the world most valuable mariculture algal products. The aim of the paper was to present the comparative aspects regarding the chemical composition (heavy metals, lipids and organic contaminants, respectively, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls) of the specimens obtained in laboratory culture with those collected from the natural environment. The analyzed biological material consisted of P. leucosticta tissue harvested from both laboratory culture and natural environment. After 5 months of experimental culture, the obtained wet biomass was 44.23 g, while the lyophilization dried biomass was 4.94 g. In the specimens obtained through reproductive elements manipulation, under laboratory-controlled conditions, 7 organic compounds were detected, which represent a much smaller number compared with the 20 compounds detected in specimens collected from natural environment. Meanwhile, the presence of all chlorinated organic pollutants was identified in the algal material collected from natural environment. Also, the lipids content was higher in cultured organisms. Heavy metal concentrations (20.72 - 31.91 µg/g d.w. Cu; 0.01-0.21 µg/g d.w. Cd; 12.14-18.69 µg/g d.w. Ni; 0.01-9.56 µg/g d.w. Cr) were comparable with the ranges reported for various macroalgae species from Black Sea region. Key-Words: macroalgae culture, chemical composition, organic contaminants, heavy metals "

Degree of Nematodes Worm Infection in Pelagic Fish Populations from the Romanian Black Sea waters

"Pelagic fish species can be affected by a series of infectious and parasitic diseases. The data used for this study are represented by the biological material collected between 2018 and 2019, from trap nets along the Romanian Black Sea waters. To establish the degree of parasitism, the following species of pelagic fish were studied: Sprattus spratus -sprat, Engraulis encrasicholus - anchovy and Trachurus mediterraneus- horse mackerel. Four species of endoparasites were identified, belonging to nematodes, as follows: Hysterothylacium aduncum, Contracaecum sp., Porrocaecumsp. and Anisakis sp. The parasites, especially found as larvae, more in free state and less trapped in the internal organs, infested the abdominal cavity, leading to degenerations, atrophies and reduction of the fish functions. The intensity of the parasitism infestation could be lethal, the size of the stocks being severely damaged. At the analysed fish species, the infestation degree was under 20 parasites per host, a low number of species recording the maximum value of 40 parasites per host. The parasites tend to accumulate with the increase of the fish's size, young stages being less affected. Key-Words: parasites, fish, nematodes, intensity, infestation degree "

Assesment of the Marine Litter on the Romanian Black Sea Beaches

"The paper presents the results of seasonal marine litter surveys carried out during the period 2018 – 2019 along the Romanian littoral of the Black Sea on 3 sandy beaches differing in their touristic exploitation and urbanisation. The assessment of abundance and composition of macrolitter (> 2.5 cm) and microplastics (1-5 mm) followed the monitoring methodology described in the EU MSFD TG10 guidance (Galgani et al., 2013). Out of the fifty-five litter types mostly monitored, cigarettes buts and plastic/polystyrene pieces (2.5 cm - 50 cm) made up the highest contribution with more than 50% in all years. The mean abundance of total microplastics ranged from 4 and 272 particles/m2 among sites; the microplastics were mostly expanded polystyrene (EPS), fragments and films. The microplastic abundance in touristic beaches of Mamaia resort (Marina Regia and Malibu) was between 2 and 30 times higher than in protected wild areas (Vadu). Overall, the different types and quantities of marine litter found during our study were related to differences in human activities set up in all three locations in touristic and post-touristic season 2018 and 2019. The highest macrolitter and microplastic concentrations were recorded in the southern area of Mamaia summer resort (Malibu beach) indicating that beside the level of coastal infrastructure development, the seasonal tourists and local population density are important factors affecting marine litter pollution level on the Romanian beaches. Key-Words: marine litter, macrolitter, microplastics, beach sediment, Black Sea "

PRELIMINARY DATA ON THE ICHTHYOFAUNA STRUCTURE FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

In the context of climate change observed in recent decades and taking into account the Danube input from the northern part of Romanian Black Sea waters, a research survey was conducted in order to obtain data regarding the ichthyofauna structure. During the survey conducted with the research vessel “Steaua de Mare 1” in 2019, 20 pelagic hauls and 4 fishing stations with gillnets of different mesh sizes were carried out. In pelagic trawling, 20 fish species have been identified, the dominant species being sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus). In gillnet experimental fishing, 16 species were identified, Caspian shad (Alosa tanaica) and Danube shad (Alosa immaculata) being dominant. Also, in order to estimate the ichthyofauna biological diversity, the Margalef Index was calculated, values between 3.07-6.15 being recorded, indicating a high species diversity in the studied area.

GAS ESCAPE FEATURES ON THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA SHELF – EXAMPLES FROM 2D SEISMIC INTERPRETATION

Gas escape features are a common presence on any young sedimentary basins where large amounts of organic-rich sediments are deposited within a short time. The fast burial process conducts to maturation and carbonization of the sedimentary organic matter by bacterial and, later, by temperature transformations. The Black Sea is one such basin, where numerous shallow gas accumulation and gas escape features were observed and analyzed, ranging from gas hydrates, gas chimneys, flares, and mud volcanos. The study of such geological phenomena is important for identifying present seabed geohazards, and nonetheless for hydrocarbon exploration. Our study integrates newly acquired 2D high-resolution seismic lines, further used to correlate the gas escape features and their relationship with deep-seated faults, such as Peceneaga-Camena, and petroleum system of the Romanian Black Sea Shelf area. Our results show that in the studied area the gas escape features are confined into the Pliocene-Quaternary sequence, hence not related to Peceneaga-Camena Fault or to a deeper thermogenic petroleum system, and most probably, the gas is sourced from the shallower biogenic system.

Assessment upon Seasonality of Tourist Offer on the Romanian Seaside using the Paul Krugman's Core-Periphery Model

Seasonality is a specific problem of Romanian tourism, especially on the Black Sea seaside. Through a comprehensive approach, based on statistical data, we show the huge differences between the summer and the off-season offer, providing a starting point for future studies, both from official and field sources. The Krugman's Core-Periphery model clearly emphasizes that the development of a core neglects the periphery, and seasonality only accentuates its affectation until its complete abandonment, stagnation of development or regression. The impact of seasonality on the Romanian Black Sea seaside determines, to a certain extent, the development of egocentric poles, around which satellite-resorts are extremely dependent, their improvement requiring a research of all economic indicators involved. The development of the Northern Zone to the detriment of the Southern one has led to the emergence of extremely comprehensive results on the current situation, and the intense study of this area could reduce the socio-economic gap between them, being profitable for both private and public.

Analysis of volume attenuation of hydro-acoustic signal propagation in the Romanian Black Sea Coast

The Romanian coastal area of the Black Sea has particularities related to the marine environment, namely a low average salinity and seasonal winter/summer temperature variations that influence the attenuation in volume for the propagation of acoustic signals. In this paper, the influence of the marine environment on the volume attenuation of the acoustic signals was analyzed using different calculation formulas for the attenuation coefficient. For this purpose, the Hydro-acoustic Forcast Modules application developed within the Research Center for Navy was used to simulate the acoustic energy losses.

Rhaetian (Late Triassic) ostracods (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from the offshore prolongation of the North Dobrogean Orogen into the Romanian Black Sea shelf

The present study evaluates the significance of Triassic ostracods from the Romanian Black Sea shelf as part of a project for the understanding of the palaeoceanographical evolution of the offshore extension of the North Dobrogean Orogen. The drill core CM31, sampled from the borehole 817 Lebăda Vest drilled on the western Romanian portion of the Black Sea shelf, contains sediments of Rhaetian, Late Triassic age. The taxonomy of ostracods obtained is discussed and adds to the scientific understanding of marine ostracods during the Rhaetian stage. We document 72 species, of which seven are new: Histriabairdia pontuseuxinusensis Forel gen. et sp. nov., Bairdiacypris argonautaii Forel sp. nov., Ceratobairdia? akhilleusi Forel sp. nov., Isobythocypris atalantella Forel sp. nov., Petasobairdia amazonella Forel sp. nov., Paracypris ovidi Forel sp. nov. and Pseudomacrocypris? kerabani Forel sp. nov. Histriabairdia Forel gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate species of the Triassic–Jurassic interval previously attributed to the modern genus Anchistrocheles. These assemblages point to an outer shelf environmental with relatively normal marine oxygenation. The oldest occurrence of Pokornyopsis, found in this material, indicates that this forerunner of modern troglobitic ostracods may not have been troglobitic in the Triassic.