Sinop Coasts Research Articles

A new Alien Fish from the Southern Black Sea (Sinop, Türkiye): Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 (Scorpaeniformes, Sebastidae)

Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 is an Indo-Pacific species with a widespread distribution in the coastal waters of the Far Eastern region. This study represents the first documentation of S. schlegelii off Sinop coast from the Southern Black Sea. The four specimens collected on 28 May 2023 and 18 June 2023 from rocky habitat at a depth of about 6 meters off Sinop coast had a total length range of 226 to 237 mm and weights ranging from 197.57 to 254.98 g. The spread of this species to the southern Black Sea coast is attributed to the transportation of early life stage individuals from the northern coast of the Black Sea to the southern coast via the cyclonic Rim Current.

Microplastic Contamination of the Seawater in the Hamsilos Bay of the Southern Black Sea

The marine ecosystem is severely threatened by microplastics. The entire marine environment of the Black Sea is contaminated with both macro- and microplastics but the contamination of the water column with this pollutant has received less attention. This study aims to obtain data on the microplastic abundance, and vertical and temporal distribution of the microplastics in the water column of Hamsilos Bay which is a natural protected area, and an important area for fishery and tourism on the Sinop coast in the Black Sea. This study was carried out for 12 months in 7 stations. Microplastic abundance varied among 5.58 ± 6.12–8.12 ± 9.17 pieces/m3 in and 1.74 ± 0.80–21.07 ± 3.84 pieces/m3 in stations. The dominant microplastics were fibre by shape (73.92%), 1–2 mm (28.35%) by size class, and blue (37.98%) by colour. The synthetic polymers in the examined microplastic samples of this study were PET (47%), PE (34%), HDPE (10%), PVC (7%) and PS (2%). The results of this study show that the coastal area is widely contaminated with microplastics. Microplastic pollution is an increasingly significant environmental issue that poses a threat to the Black Sea which is particularly vulnerable to microplastic pollution. The region is an important ecological hotspot in the Black Sea and this study can provide valuable insights into the extent of microplastic pollution and will contribute to the literature on the evaluation of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems. These types of investigations; efforts to address the environmental challenges facing the Black Sea, including the development of programs to reduce pollution, increase sustainability, and support the protection of the region's natural resources, are crucial to its continuity.

Comparison of ANN and SVR based models in sea level prediction for the Black Sea coast of Sinop

Seawater level oscillations are very critical to coastal construction, flood prevention and human living conditions. However, it is difficult to accurately project the daily future for seawater level due to the effects of wind, precipitation and other atmospheric conditions. For this reason, in this paper, artificial intelligence (AI) based Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) methods are applied for the estimation of seawater level in Sinop Coast. In addition, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) is used as a benchmarking model. In this study, coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were applied as model evaluation criteria. Besides, 15 minutes (approximately 22 months) sea water level data of Sinop Station were collected and used as is. The findings revealed that the ANN model can predict the water level for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th days with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.84, 0.67, 0.64, 0.63, respectively, and the SVR model can predict for 1st, 2nd days with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.86, 0.66, respectively.

New molecular evidence on the members of the genus Ortholinea (Cnidaria, Myxozoa) and the description of Ortholinea hamsiensis n. sp. infecting the urinary bladder of European anchovy Engraulis engrasicolus in the Black Sea.

Members of the genus Ortholinea are among the worldwide distributed myxozoan parasites that mainly infect marine fish. In this study, a new myxosporean species, Ortholinea hamsiensis n. sp., was isolated from the urinary bladder of European anchovy Engraulis engrasicolus collected from the Sinop coasts of the Black Sea. The prevalence and density values of infection were 1.4% and 1–5 individuals in the field of view (1 + ), respectively. Mature myxospores are subspherical with slight tapering down to the less pronounced tip in the frontal view and subspherical in the sutural view. Myxospores measured 9.1 ± 0.25 (8.8–9.9) μm in length, 9.2 ± 0.11 (8.9–9.4) μm in thickness, and 8.4 ± 0.33 (8.2-9.1) μm in width. Two polar capsules equal in size measured 3.1 ± 0.11 (3.0–3.3) μm in length and 2.7 ± 0.11 (2.6–2.9) μm in width. The polar tubule had 3–4 coils. Along with morphological peculiarities, the results of the 18S rDNA also revealed it to be a new species for science compared to the other species of the genus. In this study, another myxosporean species O. gobiusi was also detected in round goby Neogobius melanostomus with a prevalence of infection value of 4.8% and a density of 1–5 individuals in the field of view (1 + ). The present study also provided the first data of 18S rDNA of O. gobiusi from N. melanostomus and type species of the genus O. divergens from Gobius niger and the phylogenetic relationships of these species with other Ortholinea species have been revealed.

Geographic expansion of the blackbellied angler (Lophius budegassa) towards the east along the Turkish coast of the Black Sea

The natural range of Lophius budegassa, originating from the Atlanto-Mediterranean region, extends from the Mediterranean Sea basin to the Sea of Marmara. However, its occurrence along the Turkish coast of the Black Sea has previously been limited to the Sinop coast in the Western Black Sea. This study provides the first scientific evidence of L. budegassa extending to the easternmost part of the Black Sea, based on capturing two specimens under different circumstances. This observation underscores the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems and the interplay of ecological and anthropogenic factors. The congruence between species temperature preferences and actual water temperatures in the Black Sea suggests suitable environmental conditions for L. budegassa. However, the absence of an established stock and the discovery of only two large-sized adult individuals suggest a potential isolated event rather than a significant range expansion. Factors such as navigation errors, food availability, or reproductive behaviour may contribute to the presence of L. budegassa in this region.

Karadeniz'in Sinop Sahilinden Laurencia obtusa (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux, 1813'ün Yağ Asidi Bileşimine Mevsimlerin Etkisi

The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid profile of Laurencia obtusa collected from the Sinop coast. The fatty acids profile were analyzed by GC/MS and their seasonal variation was studied. Along the sampling, it was identified 36 different fatty acids in L. obtusa. During the research, it was determined that the most abundant fatty acid was palmitic acid with values ranging from 33.78±1.03% in winter to 44.51±1.70% in summer. At the end of the study, it was determined that the season in which L. obtusa was richest in terms of PUFA and SFA contents was spring and in terms of MUFA content was autumn. In addition, in the study, It has been determined that the PUFA/SFA ratio in L. obtusa varied between 0.10% and 0.23% from winter to summer, and the total n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio changed between 1.14% and 2.37% from summer to autumn. It was determined that the atherogenicity index (AI) value changed between 1.75 and 1.97 from autumn to summer, and the thrombogenicity index (TI) value changed between 1.58 and 2.22 from winter to autumn. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the seasons have a significant effect on the fatty acid profile.

Trace elements in edible tissues of the veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa) in the southern Black Sea, Türkiye: sex, monthly, and age variations and human consumer health risk.

Coastal areas face significant pressures from a variety of human activities, owing primarily to population growth in these areas. Human activities produce a variety of contaminants, including trace metals, which are common forms of contamination that enter marine ecosystems. This study was carried out to provide information on trace element concentrations (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) in the muscles of Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) available on Sinop coasts of the southern Black Sea and to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption. The minimum and maximum values (mg/kg wet weight) of trace elements in the edible tissue of R. venosa decreased in the following order: Zn (1.75-8.53) > Cu (0.41-4.6) > Cd (0.021-0.255) > Pb (0.013-0.037) > Hg (0.010-0.035). The measured levels of all the trace elements in the present study were lower than the limits permitted by the European Community Regulation (EU), Turkish guideline, and the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). The hazard index value of Hg, Cd, Cu, and Zn for the veined rapa whelk is lower than standard 1, demonstrating that ingestion of this mollusk from the southern Black Sea does not result in overexposure to these contaminants. The risk index value for human cancer risk of Pb for all seasons was found to be insignificant. When comparing the levels of elements in males and females, significant differences were found in some months for all the metals. In general, the trace elements were detected in higher concentrations in females than in males. Both females and males have accumulated less trace elements with increasing age. This study was the first to show the distribution of trace elements as a function of age in R. venosa.

Morphological features of three species of Phyllodistomum (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) from some marine fishes in the southern Black Sea

Three species of the genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 are identified infecting marine teleost fishes from Sinop coast (southern Black Sea, Turkey). Those are Phyllodistomum acceptum from Parablennius sanguinolentus; Phyllodistomum crenilabri from Symphodus tinca and Symphodus ocellatus; and Phyllodistomum sp. from Gobius cruentatus. Standard parasitological investigation methods were implemented, and morphological diagnostic features of these species were studied in detail under both light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The measurement data of all morphological diagnostics are provided; photomicrographs of each part of the parasites are presented. Infection prevalence and intensity values are given, as well as morphometric data for each parasite species. This research is the first on Phyllodistomum sp. presence in Gobius cruentatus. Moreover, this study is the first one, in which the tegumental surface of P. acceptum and P. crenilabri was examined by scanning electron microscopy.

Influence of the seasonal and host related factors on the metazoan parasites of Chelon saliens (Mugilidae) in the Turkish coast of the Black Sea.

The leaping mullet Chelon saliens is one of the economically significant fish species and the revealing its parasite fauna in relation with some ecological and host related factors will provide new data for our current knowledge. A total of 165 leaping mullet were collected from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea in the period from September 2015 to August 2016 and investigated for parasites. Eleven parasite species including Myxobolus parvus, Myxobolus sp., Sphaerospora mugilis (Myxozoa), Ligophorus szidati, Solostamenides mugilis (Monogenea), Schikhobalotrema sparisomae, Saccocoelium tensum, Saccocoelium obesum (Digenea), Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda), Neoechinorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala) and Ergasilus lizae (Copepoda) have been identified. The overall infection prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance values were 65.5%, 26.2 and 17.2, respectively. The overall infection prevalence was dominated by L. szidati, followed by M. parvus and Digenea-group. On the other hand, the overall mean intensity values were dominated by Digenea-group, followed by L. szidati and E. lizae, respectively, while the mean abundance values were dominated by L. szidati, followed by Digenea-group and E. lizae. The infection indices of all identified parasites were also calculated in relation with length classes and sex of fish as well as season and the differences were evaluated statistically. Seasonally significant differences in the infection prevalence and mean abundance were found for Digenea-group, Ligophorus szidati and Neoechinorhynchus sp. These differences were also significant in the length classes of Digenea-group and Ligophorus szidati. This study is the first investigation on seasonal and host related dynamics of parasites of C. saliens in the southern coasts of the Black Sea and all investigated factors were found to influence the infection indices of dominating parasite species.

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) from gills of some marine fishes of Sinop Coasts of the Black Sea, with the first report of Trichodina rectuncinata

Four species of marine fishes, turbot Scophthalmus maeoticus, common sole Solea solea, shore rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, and rusty blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea were examined for ectoparasitic trichodinids. A total of four trichodinid species, Trichodina rectuncinata, T. ovonucleata, T. jadranica, and T. domerguei were described using the silver nitrate impregnation technique and morphologically studied. All morphometric data and photomicrographs of these trichodinids were presented along with details of their host preferences, prevalence and intensity of infestation. This study is the first report on the trichodinid ectoparasites on Scophthalmus maeoticus, Solea solea, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, and Parablennius sanguinolentus in Türkiye. Moreover Trichodina rectuncinata is as a new record for Turkish fish parasite fauna.

First report of Ceratomyxa scorpaeni (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) from Scorpaena porcus in the Black Sea.

Members of the class Myxosporea Btschli, 1881 have a cosmopolitan distribution in a wide variety of fish species worldwide. In the present study, the black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus collected from the Sinop coasts of the Black Sea was investigated for myxosporean parasites using both conventional and molecular methods in the period between September 2015 and August 2019. Using morphological and morphometric data, the myxosporean parasite Ceratomyxa scorpaeni Garbouj, Rangel, Castro, Hmissi, Santos, Bahri, 2016 was identified in the gall bladder of host fish. Molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA gene confirmed the identity of this parasite as C. scorpaeni. This is the first report of its occurrence in the Black Sea.

Karadeniz'in Sinop kıyılarından yakalanan bazı deniz balıklarında parazitik isopodlar

Marine fish species such as grey wrasse Symphodus cinereus, common sole Solea solea, knout goby Mesogobius batrachocephalus and rusty blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus were studied for their parasitic isopods on the Sinop coast of the Black Sea. Two cymothoid species (Nerocila bivittata and Nerocila orbignyi) were identified. Nerocila bivittata was found on the body surface and fins of grey wrasse, common sole, knout goby, and N. orbignyi on the dorsal fin of rusty blenny. The prevalence and mean intensity values of each parasite species on fishes were calculated. Fish species mentioned above were all new hosts for N. bivittata and N. orbignyi in the Turkish coast of the Black sea.

The Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Whiting Fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840), a Local and Economic Species of the Central Black Sea Region

The present study aimed to determine the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) accumulations in muscle tissues, gills, gonads, liver, and other visceral organs (liver) of whiting fish (Merlanguis merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840) samples obtained by hunting from the Sinop (Black Sea) coasts. The mean cadmium value in muscle tissue, which concerns public health, was found to be 1.07±0.02 µg.kg-1, the chromium value was found to be 1.48±0.07 µg.kg-1, the nickel value was found to be 1.77±0.14 µg.kg-1, the lead value was found to be 5.38±0.29 µg.kg-1 while the mercury value was determined only in the gill and could not be determined in organs, and since it was below the limit values declared by international organizations for all metals, it was determined that it would not create adverse effects for human consumption. Also, examining the order of accumulation of heavy metals in tissues and organs from highest to lowest, it was sorted as liver> visceral organ> gill> muscle> gonad for cadmium; visceral organ> gill> muscle> liver> gonad for chromium; visceral organ> gill> liver> muscle> gonad for nickel; gill> visceral organ> liver> muscle> gonad for lead, while the mercury accumulation was detected only in the gill. Also, the data obtained as a result of the analyses made in the gonad is an important determination in terms of the effects of heavy metals on the reproduction of the species, as well as on the continuity of the population. Since the values determined in the other analyzed tissues were below the limit values reported by international organizations, the results showed that they do not pose any threat to human health in terms of workplace and time, type, and determined heavy metals.

Toxic Metals in Seven Commercial Fish from the Southern Black Sea: Toxic Risk Assessment of Eleven-Year Data Between 2009 and 2019.

Concentrations of toxic metals (Cd, Hg and Pb) in the edible tissues of seven commercial fish species (Mullus barbatus, Merlangius merlangus, Scophthalmus maximus, Mugil cephalus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trachurus mediterraneus and Sarda sarda) collected from Sinop coasts of the southern Black Sea were detected in 11 years. In several fish samples, the concentrations of elements (Cd, Hg and Pb) were not detected or were below the detection level. The present study showed that Pb was the most and Cd was the least accumulated metal in the studied fish species. The concentrations of those metals are below the international organizations' recommended limit. It was shown that the estimated metal dose values for daily average consumption and hazarded quotients (HI) in fish samples are below safety levels for human consumption (HI˂1). From the human health point of view, this study showed that there was no possible health risk to people due to intake of any studied species under the current consumption rate in the country for 11years. This study could be useful as a baseline data for metals exposure.

Trace Elements Concentrations and Human Health Risk Evaluation for Four Common Fish Species in Sinop Coasts (Black Sea)

In the study, Trachurus trachurus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Merlangius merlangius euxinus, and Mullus barbatus from along the coast of Sinop were analysed for the content of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and aluminium (Al) in the muscle. Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations were determined to be lightly higher than the acceptable rates in fish samples. The provisional tolerable daily and weekly intake of trace metals in our work were all under than the limits set by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization, while for Cd, only M. barbatus was higher than FAO limits. E. encrasicolus and M. barbatus had the highest values for the collected total target danger section, but they did not posture a potential hazard within the diet of local residents. For carcinogenic and non carcinogenic risk assessment, the results were lower than the admissible rate of EPA. In the four fish species in the work, the Target cancer risk values of Ni were greater than 10-4, whereas the Target cancer risk values of Pb were smaller than 10-6. According to these results, it is thought that the Ni concentration in fish does pose a carcinogenic risk due to long-term and continuous consumption.

Diversity and New Records of Polychaetes (Annelida) in the Sinop Peninsula, Turkey (Southern Black Sea)

Objective: This study determines the diversity of annelid polychaete species distributed around the coast of Sinop and to identify possible spatial and temporal variations of the Polychaeta community. Materials and Methods: Benthic material was collected from 8 stations using Van Veen grab between October 2013 and July 2014 on the soft bottom of Sinop Peninsula. Results: A total of 90 species belonging to 30 families were identified. Among them, Galathowenia cf. oculata, Rhodine loveni Malmgren, 1865, Paradoneis armata Glemarec, 1966, Paralacydonia paradoxa Fauvel, 1913 and Syllis cf. amica are new records for the Black Sea fauna and Glycera tridactyla Schmarda, 1861 is new for the Turkish coast of the Black Sea. Prionospio (Minuspio) maciolekae Dagli and Cinar, 2011, Micronephthys longicornis (Perejaslavtseva, 1891) and Protodorvillea kefersteini (McIntosh, 1869) were the most frequent and dominant species in the study area. The highest mean number of species (29 species) was found in spring at station G2; the lowest mean number of species (4 species) was determined at station G3 in winter. The highest mean density value (9470 ind. m-2) was determined at G2 station in summer; the lowest mean density value (357 ind. m-2) was calculated in autumn at station G5. Conclusion: The Polychaeta diversity on the soft bottom of the Sinop Peninsula was analyzed and four species were newly recorded for the Black Sea fauna and one for the Turkish Black Sea fauna.

Dimensionless Normalized Wave Power in the Hot-spot Areas of the Black Sea

The main objective of this study is to identify and compare wave power sources in the high potential areas in nearshore and shallow water regions of the Black Sea. To achieve the goal, 23 locations were selected on two parallel lines around 5 m (10 sites) and around 25 m (13 sites) depth along the shoreline. The data needed to do the required analyzes at these locations were produced by using the calibrated nested layered 31-year wave hindcast SWAN model, which is operated between 1979-2009 with CFSR winds. The wave data were collected at a 2-hour time resolution for the sub-grid domains (SD3, SD2, and SD1) developed for the vicinity of Karaburun, Filyos, and Sinop coasts. HeaveBuoy, Oyster, Seabased AB, WaveDragon, WaveStar, Oyster2, and SSG, the most common known wave energy converters, were evaluated in the analysis. To ensure a more comprehensive analysis of the geographic variation of the predicted electrical power for each considered wave energy converter system, dimensionless normalized wave power and efficiency index were calculated separately for each wave energy converter devices at each location. From the results, it is recognized that generally, all the WEC systems performances are decreasing from Karaburun to Sinop while FB1 (13 m depth) the lowest, and KA2 (25 m depth) has the highest wave power capability. The most and the least energetic years were 1998 and 1989, repectively.

TOXIC METALS IN Engraulis encrasicolus (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE COASTAL WATERS OF SINOP IN THE BLACK SEA

The aim of this study is to determine the amounts of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the muscle tissue of Engraulis encrasicolus caught from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea. Metal analysis was performed by ICP-MS. Pb showed the highest concentration followed by As, Hg and Cd. The presence of four toxic metal levels was determined in the edible tissues of E. encrasicolus however, in quantities even below the allowable limits set by the Turkish Food Codex (TFC), EU Commission Regulation and other international standards. As has the highest concentration (0.13 mg/kg wet wt.) among the toxic metals as shown in Figure 3 which followed by Pb and Hg with levels of 0.09 and 0.055 mg/kg wet wt. The highest Cd level was 0.033 mg/kg wet wt. The total of Target Hazard Quotient values for each element was less than 1, and it was concluded that anchovy consumption was safe for human health.

Heavy metal contamination of Pleuronectiformes species from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea

In the Turkish Black Sea coasts fish is particularly consumed because of high protein supplies, essential amino acids, vitamin, and mineral content. Fish are exposed to contaminants such as heavy metals in polluted waters. The aims of the study are to determine heavy metals in Pleuronectiformes species from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea and determine the health risks due to the consumption of contaminated fish. Pleuronectiformes species Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758) belonging to Scophthalmidae family, Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792) belonging to Bothidae family and Pegusa lascaris (Risso, 1810) belonging to Soleidae family were collected from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea in fishing season of 2016. Heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in edible tissues were determined by ICP-MS (Agilent 7700x). The limit values given by the international and national organizations did not exceed in the muscle tissues of turbot, Mediterranean scald fish and sand sole. Overall Zn was detected in higher concentrations in all species followed by Cu, Pb, Hg and Cd. The results obtained from the analyses of the maximum levels of the metals except Hg were found in turbot. The highest Hg (0.021±0.007 µg g-1 wet wt.) was found in sand sole. However, the high amounts of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in turbot were 0.011±0.004, 0.07±0.005,1.32±0.28 and 14±3 µg g-1 wet wt., respectively. The EDIs and EWIs of the metals were estimated taking into account the mean of metal in all fish samples and the mean consumption of fish per day/week for adults. These results are normally significantly lower than the recommended values of FAO/WHO. Estimated HIs of all the considered metals were below the value of 1, therefore the metals in fish samples do not toxic any apparent threat to the population and these fishes are healthy for consumption.Keywords: Scophthalmus maximus, Arnoglossus laterna, Pegusa lascaris, heavy metals, Black Sea

Metazoan Parasites of Common Sole (Solea Solea) and Scaldfish (Arnoglossus Laterna) (Pleuronectiformes) from Sinop Coast of Black Sea.

SummaryThe metazoan parasites were investigated of two flatfish the common sole, Solea solea (n:140) and the scaldfish, Arnoglossus laterna (n: 22) in the Sinop coast of Black Sea from June 2015 to June 2017. A total of 15 metazoan parasite species belonging to Digenea (6), Cestoda (3), Acanthocephala (1), Nematoda (4) and Isopoda (1) taxonomic groups were identified. Solea solea was found to be infected by Condylocotyla pilodora, Proctoeces maculatus, Opecoelidae gen. sp., Metadena sp., Stephanostomum sp., Progrillotia sp., Capillaria gracilis, Cucullanus campanae, Solearhynchus rhytidotes and Nerocila orbignyi. Arnoglossus laterna was found to be infected by Lecithochirium musculus and Grillotia erinaceus. Scolex pleuronectis, Hysterothylacium aduncum and Dichelyne minutus were determined in both flatfish. Infection prevalence and mean intensity values were recorded for each parasite species. Infection values for each parasite species in relation to season and fish size were also determined and compared as comparatively. This study is the first one assessing the metazoan parasites both of S. solea and A. laterna collected from the Turkish coast of Black Sea. While Condylocotyle pilodora and Capillaria gracilis are new parasite records for S. solea, Grillotia erinecaus is new parasite record for A. laterna. Moreover, this paper is the first report on occurrence of Opecoelidae gen. sp., Metadena and Stephanostomum genera in S. solea.