Gulf Of Saros Research Articles

Preliminary Results on Deformations of the Central North Anatolian Fault Zone

The North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the north of Türkiye is considered one of the most active faults on earth and have caused many major earthquakes in the last century. Surface ruptures by those earthquakes indicate that this tectonic feature consists of many segments, which reveal different characteristics in terms of geometry and mechanism. NAFZ lies along between Bingöl in the eastern Turkey and Saros Gulf in the west. This study focuses on the central part of the NAFZ between Niksar and Ilgaz provinces. In addition to the main branch, the central section of the NAFZ also contains two sub-branches extending southward: Merzifon-Esençay and Sungurlu Faults. In the literature, there are several studies for the region, however a comprehensive study mainly focusing on the main branch of the NAFZ and its sub-branches along the central NAFZ has not been conducted yet, which would fully reveal the fault mechanism and seismic potential in the region. The aim of this study is to derive an up-to-date high-spa-tial-resolution Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) velocity field for the central NAFZ and to correlate with the strain accumulations along the faults. Based on this, a high-spatial-resolution GNSS network consisting of 60 sites was established enclosing the central NAFZ. The previously archived GNSS data for the same observation sites were collected from the different studies in the region and a new GNSS campaign measurement was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024. All GNSS data were processed using GAMIT/GLOBK software, and the results indicate the GNSS velocities ranging from 3-30 mm/year and their associated uncertainties of maximum ± 1.5 mm/year with respect to the Eurasian tectonic plate.

Two new species of planktonic Caligus O.F. Müller 1785 (Copepoda: Caligidae) from Türkiye with an updated review and checklist of planktonic caligids

Two new species of caligid sea lice, Caligus izmiriensis sp. nov., and Caligus sarosensis sp. nov. are described, based on specimens collected from the zooplankton in the Gulf of Sığacık and the Gulf of Saros off the Aegean Sea coast of Türkiye. Detailed examination of the morphology of these two new species and comparisons with other closely related caligid species, especially Metacaligus yucatanensis Suárez-Morales, Kim & Escamilla, 2012, resulted in the recognition of the genus Metacaligus Thomsen 1949 as a junior synonym of Caligus O.F. Müller, 1785. Based on this proposed synonymy, all species of the genus Metacaligus are here transferred to Caligus: Metacaligus trichiuri (Krøyer, 1863), M. rufus (Wilson, 1908), and M. unguidentatus (Rangnekar & Murti, 1950) all return to their original combinations as Caligus trichiuri Krøyer, 1863, Caligus rufus Wilson, 1908, and Caligus unguidentatus Rangnekar & Murti, 1950, respectively; Metacaligus yucatanensis Suárez-Morales, Kim& Escamilla, 2012, becomes Caligus yucatanensis (Suárez-Morales, Kim & Escamilla, 2012) comb. nov.; transferring Metacaligus latus Ho & Lin, 2002 would create a secondary homonym of Caligus latus Byrnes 1987, so a replacement name is proposed as Caligus cultellus nom. nov. We recognise C. yucatanensis as a member of the C. undulatus-group. The four other species previously placed in Metacaligus form a cluster which represents a new species group, the Caligus trichiuri-group. An updated list of planktonic caligids is presented, together with keys to species of the C. undulatus-group and of the newly proposed C. trichiuri-group. The subgenus Subcaligus Heegaard, 1943 was originally proposed to accommodate Caligus (Subcaligus) bocki Heegaard, 1943, and was characterised by its unusual stylet-like sternal furca. This subgenus has not been treated as valid by subsequent authors and we here formally propose to treat Subcaligus Heegaard 1943 as a junior synonym of Caligus.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene sea level and climate changes in the Gulf of Saros: Evidence from seismostratigraphic record and sediment core data

A detailed record of sea level changes and climate oscillations in the Gulf of Saros during the late Pleistocene to the Holocene is provided by high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and analysis of a sediment core. The seismic stratigraphy reveals the formation of four main depositional units bounded by prominent reflection surfaces, reflecting high sea level variations. The Last Glacial Maximum period in the gulf is associated with the lowstand sea level, forming the deepest marine terrace at −148 m. The increasing sea level due to post-glacial warming was accompanied by the deposition of transgressive units characterized by coastal onlaps together with local channel-fills. This transgressive phase was modulated by three brief still-stands sea levels at 17 cal ka BP, 14.6 cal ka BP and 13.6 cal ka BP, producing the younger marine terraces in the gulf at −135 m, −112 m and −90 m, respectively. A comparison of their depths with the global sea level curve reveals elevation differences with decreasing subsidence rates from the older to younger ages, implying tectonic subsidence along the gulf floor.The close correlation of multi-proxy data from core SAG-22 in the gulf with the northern Aegean and Anatolia data strongly indicates that the timings of the past climate events generally agree with the global and regional climate patterns. The warm climate around the gulf during the late phase of Bølling/Allerød (13.3–12.6 cal ka BP) is represented by high marine biological productivity and improved ventilation in the deeper water due to subsequent transgression. Permafrost formation in the catchment area during the following cold and dry Younger Dryas period (12.6–11.7 cal ka BP) resulted in reduced soil erosion and sediment input to the gulf. Noticeable warming during the Early Holocene between 11.2 cal ka BP and 9.4 cal ka BP is recorded by the multi-proxy data of the core when the enhanced marine biological productivity occurred above the poorly oxygenated deep water column. The climatic deterioration to a cooler and drier phase during the Early to Middle Holocene transition (9.4–7.8 cal ka BP) resulted in intense physical weathering and erosion, causing the highest sedimentation in the gulf. The later period of the Holocene is associated with the formation of two discrete sapropels at 7.8 cal ka BP and 5.4 cal ka BP that were accompanied by warm and wet climates around the gulf.

Paleoseismology of the Ganos segment; the western extend of the North Anatolian Fault (Turkey)

The Ganos fault that ruptured on 9 August 1912 (Mw: 7.4) is the westernmost inland segment of the North Anatolian fault (NAF). Here, the Ganos fault is bounded at its two tips with offshore faults segments, in the Sea of Marmara to the east and the Gulf of Saros to the west in the North Aegean Trough. Therefore, the paleoseismology of the 45-km-long inland fault is of importance to the seismic hazard analysis related to offshore active faults and in particular for the seismic gap in the Marmara Region. Earlier studies have established an earthquake chronology for the western and eastern inland tips of the Ganos fault. Here, we extend the paleoseismic studies toward the central segment. Three trenches at Yörgüç have revealed evidence for two faulting events, possibly post-1669 CE ±30 years, which can be correlated to the 1659 or 1766, and the 1912 historical earthquakes. At Yeniköy, we determined an offset of 46 ± 1 m and 47 ± 1 m on a stream channel and a ridge-crest, respectively. In two trenches we determined two faulting events for the last 1000 years and seven events for the last 3500 years. In trench T5, the base of the displaced stream channel provides a calibrated date of 829?591 BCE. Using the 46 ± 1 m right-lateral displacement, we calculate a slip rate of 16.9 ± 0.7 mm/year for the last 2732 ± 119 years. A combined analysis with earlier paleoseismic studies on the Ganos fault suggests that the historical earthquakes of 1912, 1766b or 1659, 1354 or 1343a, and 1063 ruptured the entire inland fault section. In such a case, the recurrence interval for this section of the NAF corresponds to 283 ± 81 years. Combining earlier estimations, we suggest an average slip rate of 17.1 ± 0.9 mm/year for the last 2700 years and observe a characteristic slip behavior of 4.5 to 5 m per event for this section of the North Anatolian plate boundary fault.

Interstitial harpacticoid (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) fauna inhabiting mediolittoral zone of the Gulf of Saros (Turkey)

The study was aimed to reveal interstitial harpacticoid copepod fauna of the Gulf of Saros (Turkey), where no detailed research has been done before on this subject. The samples were collected from 30 stations located along the mediolittoral zone of the gulf between 2013 and 2014. As a result, a total of 72 species/subspecies belonging to 44 genera in 15 families were identified. All identified taxa except Tryphoema gallipoliensis Alper et al., 2018 are new records for the study area, besides 16 species were also recorded for the first time from the Turkish seas.

DEPREM RİSKİNİN KENTSEL PLANLAMA SÜRECİNE ETKİSİ: İPSALA, KEŞAN VE ENEZ İLÇELERİ (EDİRNE) ÖRNEĞİ

Bir kentin planlanmasında depremsellik durumu ve jeolojik veriler önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Her ne kadar planlama süreci ve kentlerin oluşumu yeryüzünde gerçekleşse de yeraltının jeolojik yapısı ve bu yapının sığ derinliklerde üç boyutta da çok sık değişiminin belirlenmesi önemlidir. Bu değişimin jeofizik (/jeolojik) bilgilerle değerlendirilmesi, yer üstündeki arazi kullanım dağılım biçimini belirleyen temel unsurdur. Edirne ili ve ilçeleri Deprem Bölgeleri Haritasında I.- IV. Derece Deprem Bölgesi içerisinde yer almaktadır. Edirne’nin ilçelerinden Enez, Keşan ve İpsala Kuzey Anadolu Fay Zonunun (KAFZ) Marmara denizinde devam ederek Saroz körfezinden Ege denizine ulaşan kuzey koluna çok yakındır. Bu nedenle 1. Derece deprem bölgesinde yer almaktadırlar ve KAFZ’da (Marmara denizinden Saroz körfezine kadar) meydana gelebilecek herhangi bir depremden en fazla etkilenecek yerleşim birimleridir. Bu nedenle Edirne ili depremsellik durumu göz önünde bulundurulduğunda KAFZ’na çok yakın olan Keşan, Enez ve İpsala ilçelerinin kent planları depremsellik açısından yeniden ele alınarak afete duyarlı olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Sakınım planlaması çerçevesinde planların revizyonuna yönelik çözüm önerileri geliştirilmeye çalışılmıştır.

Subaqueous fault scarps of the North Anatolian Fault in the Gulf of Saros (NE Aegean); where is the western limit of the 1912 Mürefte-Şarköy earthquake rupture?

SUMMARYThe westernmost segment of the North Anatolian fault in NW Turkey lies mostly offshore, in the Sea of Marmara and the Gulf of Saros (NE Aegean), respectively to the E and W of a 45 km inland central portion. The 9 August 1912 Mürefte-Şarköy (Ms 7.4) and 13 September 1912 (Ms 6.8) earthquakes occurred along this segment. To date, the segment was studied mostly onshore although estimated magnitude and location suggest an offshore extension. Recent studies show the eastern rupture extension in the Sea of Marmara, while its western counterpart in the Gulf of Saros remains less documented. Here we use new observations from high-resolution marine geophysical data (multibeam bathymetry, side-scan-sonar, and seismic reflection profiles), to constrain the offshore 1912 ruptures in the Gulf of Saros. Detailed mapping of the subaqueous fine-scale morphology and structure of the fault provides a new insight for the western limit of the two 1912 surface ruptures. Distribution of fresh scarps, 3-D structural reconstructions, the complexity of fault segments, and the recent seismicity, altogether suggest that the western termination of the 1912 rupture(s) ends 37 km offshore in the Gulf of Saros. Following the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake, in the eastern Sea of Marmara, the unruptured segment length between the 1999 and 1912 ruptures became a critical issue, because of its implication for future earthquakes in the so-called Marmara seismic gap. If a 150–160 km total rupture length for the two 1912 earthquakes is assumed, a western rupture termination point at the inner Saros basin margin means that the eastern extension of the 9 August earthquake rupture reached the Central Marmara Basin. This outcome necessarily has implications for the seismic hazard in the Marmara coastal area that includes the Istanbul metropolitan area.

Middle-late Holocene climate and hydrologic changes in the Gulf of Saros (NE Aegean Sea)

A multi-proxy analyses was applied on the sediment core from the Gulf of Saros (GoS) to identify and characterize climate and hydrological changes during the middle-to-late Holocene. The formation of two discrete Holocene sapropel layers in the GoS sediments was documented for the first time in the sediment core based on total organic carbon analysis. According to our paleo-proxy records, the lower Holocene sapropel was deposited under warm and humid climate conditions that gave rise to high delivery of terrestrial organic matter by numerous rivers in the northern catchment of the GoS. Biomarker and μ-XRF data were used to decipher climate variations during the middle to late Holocene. The general trends of sea-surface temperature records from the GoS and Sea of Marmara (SoM) at the beginning of late Holocene are in good agreement, underlying the influence of the Black Sea inflow. A relatively warm and wet climate together with a high sedimentation rate during the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum resulted in high organic productivity and ensuing formation of the younger Holocene sapropel between 5.4 and 3.0 cal ka BP. Late Holocene European climate periods are evident in the Saros core records. The Roman Humid Period is represented by high variation in climate, indicating an earlier (2.5–2.3 cal ka BP) dry and a later (2.3–1.55 cal ka BP) wet periods. The abrupt return to drier condition during the Dark Ages Cold Period (1.6–1.3 cal ka BP) was followed by a wetter Medieval Climate Anomaly (1.1–0.7 cal ka BP). The paleo-proxy record of the core indicates a passage from a wetter to drier climate during the cold Little Ice Age period (730–110 cal yr BP), and highlights the influence of deforestation in the catchment of the GoS as a result of human activities during the last three centuries.

Fault-controlled gas escapes in the shelf sediments of the Saros Gulf, NE Aegean Sea

Fault-controlled gas escapes in the shelf sediments of the Saros Gulf, NE Aegean Sea

Evidence for active faulting in the eastern part of the Gulf of Saros, northern Aegean, from high-resolution seismic data

This study focuses on the determination of the near-surface tectonic features in the eastern part of the Gulf of Saros, a highly active seismic region within the North Anatolian Fault Zone. Approximately 350-km-line high-resolution seismic data were acquired to understand the active tectonic setting of the inner side of the gulf. The Ganos Fault, which generated the 9 August 1912 earthquake (Mw = 7.3) in western Turkey, enters into the Gulf of Saros from the east, cuts the southern margin of the gulf forming a trough which becomes broader and deeper westward. The seismic data reveal that the fault is not made up of a single segment or a pair of border faults bounding the trough. According to the seismic images of the fault segments, however, the emanating earthquake energy will possibly be carried by two different faults; namely the Ganos and Saros segments. These fault segments will be presented first in this paper in detail from new collected seismic data at the inner part of the gulf, and will be used to help a new tectonic model that explains how the Ganos segment controls the northern margin of the trough while the Saros segment controls the central part of the main trough. The latter is responsible from the development of an active basin and it forms the sudden deepening observed on the trough.

Saros Körfezi Doğu Kesiminin Yakın Geçmiş Depolanma Özelliklerinin Yüksek Çözünürlüklü Sığ Sismik Veriler İle Belirlenmesi

This study was held on the Gulf of Saros, which located on the North Anatolian Fault Zone, is a tectonically active region. The aim of this study to present the character and distrubition of the sedimentary deposits at the eastern part of the Gulf of Saros by using seismic stratigraphical methods. Previous studies that characterize the interior of the gulf were not present sufficient data to determine the character of the sedimatery deposits of the inner part of the gulf. About 300 km seismic data were acquired by small boat at the inner side of the gulf during the 15- day. The data were interpreted in the sense of seismic stratigraphical properties of the gulf. 5 units were defined according to internal reflection differences and depositional conditions and named as U1a, U1b, U1c, U1d, U2. The main factor of the gulf, which controls depositional system, is North Anatolian Fault Zone. The northern shelf of the bay was affected by the rivers during the high-stand to low-stand period whereas the southern shelf was aerially exposed

First record of the family Rhizotrichidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Turkey with description of a new species

Both sexes of Tryphoema gallipoliensis sp. nov. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Rhizotrichidae), collected from the Gulf of Saros (Turkey), are described. Specimens were collected from Kavakkoy beach, Canakkale province. The new species can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the setal arrangement of the swimming legs, by having lanceolate spinulose apical spines on the distal exopod segment of P3 and P4, and by having four spines on both the baseoendopod and the exopod of female P5. With this study, the sexually dimorphic swimming legs are reported for the first time in the genus Tryphoema as well as in the family Rhizotrichidae. Furthermore, the family Rhizotrichidae was recorded for the first time on the Turkish coasts.

Evaluation of sediment contamination by monoaromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal lagoons of Gulf of Saros, NE Aegean Sea

The concentrations and distribution of monoaromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and the sum of m-, p- and o-, xylenes) were determined in the sediments of coastal lagoons of the Gulf of Saros, using a static headspace GC–MS. The total concentrations of BTEX compounds ranged from 368.5 to below detection limit 0.6μgkg−1 dw, with a mean value of 61.5μgkg−1 dw. The light aromatic fraction of m-, p-xylene was the most abundant compound (57.1% in average), and followed by toluene (38.1%)>ethylbenzene (4.1%)>o-xylene (2.5%)>benzene (1.1%). The factor analysis indicated that the levels and distribution of BTEX compounds depend on the type of contaminant source (mobile/point), absorbance of compounds in sediment, and mobility of benzene compound and degradation processes. Point sources are mainly related to agricultural facilities and port activities while the dispersion of compounds are related with their solubility, volatility and effect of sea/saline waters on lagoons.

Ostracoda as bioindicators of anthropogenic impact in salt lakes, saltpans, and a lagoon: A case study from the Gulf of Saros coast (NE Aegean Sea), Turkey

The study area consists of wetlands and semi-wetlands (saltpan and salt lakes) that are separated from the Gulf of Saros in the northeastern Aegean Sea by a littoral cordon. Twenty-four samples were collected from the Enez Salt Lake; Dalyan, Enez Gala, Kuvalak, Isik, and Tasalti Lakes; Vakif and Erikli Saltpans; and Karagol Lagoon. The overall distribution of the sediment sizes reveals that they consist predominantly of mud and sand and a mixture of mud, sand, and gravel. The average proportion of gravel size particles is 8.36%. Feldspar and mica are abundant in sand and gravel-sized materials. Ecological conditions of these coastal areas were assessed on the basis of ostracod assemblages that can be considered as useful bioindicators and depend on water depth, temperature, and salinity. In this context, the effects of physical and chemical properties of the environment, geochemistry of the sediment, and anthropogenic impact on the meiofauna, in particular ostracoda, was here evaluated. Cyprideis torosa Jones, a cosmopolitan species of ostracoda, was found in salt lakes. Other species of ostracoda were shown to be affected by environmental conditions. The toxicity of some heavy metals in the saltpans, salt lakes, and hypersaline lagoons was evaluated. Lake Dalyan and Erikli Saltpan display high toxicity for Cu and Cd levels. The distribution of hydrocarbon pollution of terrestrial origin was determined.

Evaluation of the seismicity for the Marmara region with statistical approaches

The Marmara region has been divided into six sub-regions having regard to the certain seismotectonic characteristics of the region, to study the seismicity. For this, the data belonging to both the historical and instrumental period has been used. The probabilities of earthquake recurrences were obtained by using Poisson statistical distribution models. Gutenberg–Richter (GR) relationship for each sub-region has been computed and, a- and b-values known as seismic hazard scaling parameters have been determined by linear least square (LLS) method and maximum likelihood (ML) method. The highest and the lowest \(b\)-values determined by LLS are found for sub-region 4 (Saros Gulf, \(0.74\pm 0.08\)) and sub-region 1 (Duzce, \(0.56\pm 0.06\)), respectively. The highest \(a\)-value for sub-region 4 as \(5.05\pm 0.05\) and the lowest \(a\)-value for sub-region 3 (Tekirdag) as \(4.12\pm 0.02\) are found. Likewise, the calculated lowest and highest \(b\)-values with ML are \(0.55\pm 0.05\) for sub-region 1 and \(0.68\pm 0.07\) for sub-region 4, respectively. Also, \(b\)-value for all region (108 years and \(M_{S}\ge 4.0\)) are estimated as \(0.71\pm 0.03\) with LLS and \(0.65\pm 0.02\) with ML. The highest earthquake occurrence probabilities of \(M_{S} \ge 7.0\) in the next 100 years according to the Poisson distribution are found as 74.4 % for sub-region 1 (Duzce), 58.6 % for sub-region 2 (Izmit), 54.3 % for sub-region 3 (Tekirdag) and 49.7 % for sub-region 5 (Bandirma). The shortest recurrence period for the earthquake with the same magnitude is determined as 73 years for sub-region 1.

Distribution of Microflora, Meiofauna, and Macrofauna Assemblages in the Hypersaline Environment of Northeastern Aegean Sea Coasts

ABSTRACT Bassler-Veit, B.; Barut, I.F.; Meric, E.; Avsar, N.; Nazik, A.; Kapan-Yesilyurt, S., and Yildiz, A., 2013. Distribution of microflora, meiofauna, and macrofauna assemblages in the hypersaline environment of northeastern Aegean Sea coasts. In this study, the morphology and taxonomy of microflora (charophytes and diatoms), meiofauna (benthic foraminifera and ostracoda), and macrofauna (mollusk) assemblages of the recent surface sediments from saltpans, hypersaline lagoons, and salt lakes of the Gulf of Saros (NW Turkey) were investigated. In total, 44 samples were collected from recent surface sediments in salt pans, hypersaline lagoons, and salt lakes of the Gulf of Saros (Enez Salt Lake, Isik Lake, Kuvalak Lake, Enez Gala Lake, Dalyan Lake, and Tasalti Lake; Karagol, Vakif, and Erikli salt pans; and Uzungol Lagoon), Gallipoli Peninsula (salt pan), Biga Peninsula (Diremin and Azmak Lagoons and Dalyan Salt Lake), and Gokceada Island (salt lake). Surface sediments were collected, and some physical p...

Crustal deformation and kinematics of the Eastern Part of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey) from GPS measurements

The North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) is a 1200km long dextral strike-slip fault zone forming the boundary between the Eurasian and Anatolian plates. It extends from the Gulf of Saros (North Aegean) in the west to the town of Karlıova in eastern Turkey. Although there have been numerous geodetic studies concerning the crustal deformation, velocity field and the slip rate of the NAFZ along its western and central segments, geodetic observations along the eastern section of the NAFZ are sparse. In order to investigate the GPS velocities and the slip rate along the eastern part of the NAFZ, a dense GPS network consisting of 36 benchmarks was installed between Tokat and Erzincan on both sides of the fault zone and measured from 2006 to 2008.Measurement results indicate that the slip rate of the NAFZ increases westwards within about 400km from 16.3±2.3mm/year to 24.0±2.9mm/year, in consistence with the observation that the Anatolian block is being pulled by the Hellenic trench rather than being pushed by the Arabian plate as a result of continental collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates in eastern Turkey since late Miocene. Modelling the GPS velocities shows that fault locking depth increases also in the same direction from 8.1±3.3km to 12.8±3.9km. Slip rate decreases as moving off the Hellenic trench. An average slip rate of 20.1±2.4mm/year and a locking depth of 12.5±3.5km are also estimated for the entire study area by using all of the GPS measurements obtained in this study. The GPS velocities are in good agreement with the kinematic models created by paleomagnetic studies in the region and complete the overall picture.

Determining and modeling tectonic movements along the central part of the North Anatolian Fault (Turkey) using geodetic measurements

The North Anatolian Fault (NAF), which extends from Karlıova in Eastern Turkey to the Gulf of Saros in the Northern Aegean Sea, is one of the longest active strike-slip faults in the world with a length of about 1500 km. Within the North Anatolian Shear Zone (NASZ) there are long splays off the main trunk of the NAF veering towards the interior parts of Anatolia. Although the whole shear zone is still seismically active, the major seismicity is concentrated along the main branch of the NAF. Splays of the NAF dissect the shear zone into different continental blocks. The largest splay of the NAF was selected to analyze the distribution of movements between the faults delimiting these blocks. Four years of GPS measurements and modeling results indicate that the differential motion between the Anatolian collage and the Eurasian plate along the central part of the NAF is partitioned between fault splays and varies between 18.7 ± 1.6 and 21.5 ± 2.1 mm/yr with the main branch taking ∼90% of the motion.

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Coastal Dunes on the Saros Gulf, Turkey

In the present paper, several physico-chemical characteristics of dune sands in a rapidly prograding delta environment on the east coast of the Saros Gulf, northwest Turkey, are presented. For accurate characterization and classification of coastal dunes 4 km long and maximum 500 m wide, the pH, CaCO3 content, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy data were assessed. In terms of dune classification, our results showed the presence of three distinctive coastal dune types: (1) foredune, (2) semistable gray dune, and (3) stationary dark dune. Field observations combining with aerial photo and satellite image interpretations for the period between 1962 and 2007 also revealed dune loss and migration in the dunefield as a consequence of bidirectional effects of south-westerly and northwesterly winds and wind-force rise of lagoon waters.

Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments from two regions (Saros and Gökova Gulfs) of the Eastern Aegean Sea

The main goal of this study is to determine the present heavy metal pollution state in the two gulfs of the Aegean Sea; Saros and Gökova Gulfs. The surface sediments were collected from 11 and eight locations in the Saros and Gökova during May 2001, respectively. The results showed that the sediments of Saros and Gökova gulfs were polluted with Pb, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Ni and Pb, Cr, Ni, and Mn, respectively. For various metals the contamination factor (CF) has been calculated to assess the degree of pollution in sediments. The sediments were noted to be not contaminated with Hg, Cd, and Cu in all areas. Moderate contaminations were observed for Pb, Cr, and Zn in Saros Gulf. The CF was moderate and very high for Ni in the Saros and the Gökova Gulf, respectively.